Why the Fourth Industrial Revolution could spell more jobs – not fewer

Is the pessimism about jobs totally unwarented?

Morris MacMatzen/Getty Images

Ever since Homo erectus carved a piece of stone into a tool, the welfare of humanity has been on the increase.

Keep reading Show less
global development work manufacturing economics

Will robots free people from slavery?

Even if automation makes human trafficking economically inefficient, that alone won't end this unethical practice.

  • Robotic automation may one day make slavery economically inefficient, but automation does not spring forth fully formed.
  • An interim period of piecemeal coverage may leave many at-risk, low-skilled workers in danger of exploitation.
  • Nor can automation sate the political and social motives for slavery found in some societies.
Keep reading Show less
crime global development global issues law manufacturing humanity poverty slavery sexual violence social change

Facebook is free, but should it count toward GDP anyway?

How much are free online goods worth to people, anyway? Researcher attempt to find an answer.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For several decades, gross domestic product (GDP), a sum of the value of purchased goods, has been a ubiquitous yardstick of economic activity.

Keep reading Show less
economics markets internet global development capitalism social media

Climate change is here. It's time to begin "managed retreats" according to scholars.

Humans hate to surrender, but this clearly makes good sense.

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
  • In a new Science article, three academics make the case for managed retreat due to climate change.
  • Beginning the process now instead of waiting until it's too late will save money and lives.
  • Indonesia is moving its capital from Jakarta to Borneo as the former city is sinking.
Keep reading Show less
global issues global warming global development government infrastructure climate change environment

Is this the world map of the future?

North America and Europe peripheral on China's 'vertical world map'

Image: Prior Probability
  • Europe has dominated cartography for so long that its central place on the world map seems normal
  • However, as the economic centre of gravity shifts east and the climate warms up, tomorrow's map may be very different
  • Focusing on both China and Arctic shipping lanes, this vertical representation could be the world map of the future
Keep reading Show less
climate change oceans future china europe markets economics transportation infrastructure global development map