Potencia | Politics, Economics & Technology

Technology

The Rise of AI: A Force for Good or Bad?

The fear surrounding AI is often misplaced, as machines themselves do not pose a direct danger. Pop culture representations of AI as menacing, such as the rogue HAL 9000 in '2001: A Space Odyssey', contribute to this misconception.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

5 min read

Economy

Does capitalism eliminate or reinforce inequality?

In "Capital in the 21st Century," Thomas Piketty challenges the conventional wisdom held by modern economists that capitalism reduces inequality in the long run.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

4 min read

Economy

Who's Really Winning in a Globalised World Economy?

The growing interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures has spurred a boom in trade, investment, and innovation, resulting in unmatched growth and development. We often hear that everyone is getting richer, but who has actually reaped the economic benefits of globalization?

by Douglas Bjarnhof

5 min read

Economy

Fake wine: What's in your cellar?

Wine is one of the world's oldest luxury products; a product that has been in continual demand. Because of its allure, it has been a target for fraudsters of all kinds. Some sources suggest that between 10-20 percent of all wine has been tampered with.

by Kenneth B Lokind

5 min read

International politics

Red vs. Blue: How do political rallies influence the midterm elections?

Saying that the United States' political system is complicated is probably an understatement. Midterms, rallies, senators, governors, and varying tenures are only a part of the confusing repertoire broadcasted all over social media and the news. So how exactly do the midterms work?

by Ewa Jędrszczyk

3 min read

Economy

Do governments truly have influence over the economy?

Being an economic policymaker is in many ways like sailing a boat. That is, the government is able to tack or trim with greater or lesser skill, but ultimately it cannot change the direction of the wind.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

5 min read

Business

Silvio Berlusconi: The Italian Sinner

Berlusconi is not a well-read man, but he instinctively understands what is required to win a fight. A true conquistador and an inpatient optimist. A fascinating and complex character whose immense talents have constantly been underestimated by the people around him.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

7 min read

Global affairs

Inside the billion-dollar counterfeit drug industry

The sale of counterfeit drugs is lucrative for criminal groups and can, according to reports, be more profitable in certain areas than the trade in hard drugs. At the same time, the risk of being prosecuted is small because it is difficult to trace the goods back through complex supply chains.

by Kenneth B Lokind

3 min read

Technology

Vertical farming: Striking a green home run is never too late

All over the planet a picture is emerging of our rapid and relentless human activity, through our destructive power we have put ourselves first, and now the consequences are beginning to appear all over our blue planet. We are headed for potential disaster with all life as we know it.

by Johny Martin

5 min read

China

Communism 2.0: China’s rising political and economic dominance

While Communism 1.0, the philosophy that governed China for most of the 20th century, was based on heavy industry, artificial intelligence and technology is at the core of Communism 2.0, providing a largely bloodless method of extending total control over the population.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

4 min read

International politics

Is Macron on the wrong side of history?

Or look at his recent trip to Ukraine, where his first-class acting skills were on display, smiling a bit too much for the occasion and waving profusely to the crowds as some political hopeful returning to the provinces to secure votes.

by Peter Kimathi Taankvist

5 min read

History

God's bankers: The realpolitik of the Vatican state

The sale of indulgences generated so much money in the 15th and 16th centuries that it alone financed the opulent Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. However, the path to riches has been bumpy, and the church has repeatedly been on the verge of bankruptcy.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

5 min read

Russia

Turgenev and the Russian enigma

The Stalin-esque censorship witnessed today deprives the Russians of using art as a means to spur political change. But it also makes it impossible for us looking in from the outside to grasp the current state of the Russian people.

by Peter Kimathi Taankvist

4 min read

Economy

The end of The Everything Bubble

The stimulating effects of quantitative easing and sustained low interest rates created two shaky pillars under the economy, synthetically pumping securities and distorting the risk associated. Effectively creating the everything bubble, where prices are driven by easy money instead of fundamentals.

by Douglas Bjarnhof

4 min read