the bullshit archipelago

Evgeny Morozov unloads in fine style on the whole TED phenomenon in the person of the Khannas, the Alvin and Heidi Toffler cover band operating on the frontiers of technocracy and technobollocks. I'd actually forgotten they were China apologists, too, so you can add another one to that undistinguished pile.

Comments

[dsquared]

Almost on topic for a post about an intellectual luxury goods retailer - a post about the normal kind. I think he's a bit overwrought on the Bo thing but Hempton always interesting.

[dsquared]

... although perhaps not ...

[bert]

Two questions there for the high net worth B&T readership.
1. In politically uncertain times, are luxury goods an attention-drawing liability or a handy store of value?
2. Trusting your money to a hedge fund bullshitter - the chump's investment choice?

[Charlie W]

I met a Mr Big type property guy in an Asian country last year. He had a huge office, and around twenty secretaries, assistants, etc. who said nothing but took many notes. He also had this huge, carbuncled, gleaming watch: so gnarly and extensive in area that when I shook his hand I snagged a fingernail on it. I think maybe this stuff just matters to them.

[Richard J]

He also had this huge, carbuncled, gleaming watch: so gnarly and extensive in area that when I shook his hand I snagged a fingernail on it. I think maybe this stuff just matters to them.

So entirely unlike Western property developers, one of whom I once met waving a cigar round his office. Three weeks after the smoking ban came into force.

[Charlie W]

At least he is the one most at risk doing that.

Seen in a Mayfair property developer's office: a set of large 'tasteful' black and white erotic photographs. With a vaguely S&M theme. In silver frames. Some of them hanging in the lobby, even.

[Charlie W]

Also, on TED: I am entertained, sometimes, by their stuff. And I don't see much harm, at least, in parachuting wind up laptops into Africa. But why is it so very appealing to California's wealthy? The New Yorker had a long piece about them recently.

[ajay]

Charlie: why? Because, like everyone else, they like to hear that what they do is beneficial and important. Crooked Timber is all about how political science and economics can save the world, and is read by. political scientists and economists. TED is the same for technology types.

[john b]

Meanwhile, B&T is all about how the world is past saving, and is read by people who are past saving.

[Richard J]

Slightly OT, but I was stangely happy when my 18-month old daughter grabbed the BRIXMIS book I'd bought yesterday from my hands and started 'reading' it[1].

[1] Speaking of which - which one of you uses the London Wall Waterstones to order books in? I keep on finding relevant obscure books popping up on their shelves after discussions here.

[Cian]

And I don't see much harm, at least, in parachuting wind up laptops into Africa.

When a project implodes so messily it tends to impact better conceived projects, unforutnately. It was a really dumb idea, carried out in the worst possible fashion by a bunch of people who ignored the available research.

[Charlie W]

... a really dumb idea, carried out in the worst possible fashion by a bunch of people who ignored the available research.

A B&T strapline candidate!

[Ken MacLeod]

B&T strapline? Heck, I can think of entire societies that could inscribe that upon their banners.