Society Archives

The Problems With the Fiat Money System

What exactly is fiat currency? Where do fiat currencies derive their value? The fiat currency derives its value solely from government decree, like U.S. dollars, British Pounds, or most other national currencies in use today. Fiat currencies have no intrinsic value because they are not backed by any commodity (e.g. gold or silver). Saifedean Ammous discusses the social and economic problems with the fiat money system and how bitcoin could solve those problems.

The Future of Globalization: Dying Out or Rising Up?

What will be the future of globalization? Is it coming to an end or simply taking on a new form? Some say that globalization is ending and that you only have to compare current economic and political conditions to those of the past to see the writing on the wall. Others argue that globalization is simply shape-shifting and that ideas and technology are driving its future form. Read on to learn more about the debate over the future of globalization.

The Social Problems With Fiat Currency

What’s the problem with fiat currency? What are the dangers of over-printing fiat money? One danger of fiat money is that it gives the government too much control of the nation’s resources. The government can just print more money whenever they want, which devalues the national currency. Dr. Saifedean Ammous explains the social problems with fiat currency.

Faulty Assumptions: How Predictions & Stereotypes Cause Harm

How can it be dangerous to make assumptions? Why should you be careful when making predictions? Why are stereotypes harmful? In Solve for Happy, Mo Gawdat discusses several weaknesses (or “blind spots,“ as he calls them) that can cause you to be unhappy. Some of these are faulty assumptions that can take the form of predictions or stereotypes. Read more to understand why you make faulty assumptions and learn how you can mitigate them.

The Future Cities of the World: Examples of Futuristic Life

What will the future cities of the world look like? How will we tackle issues like climate change and overpopulation? The world’s urban population is increasing rapidly, especially in the developing world. The proposed solutions to future urban challenges include revegetation, wind gardens, green rooftops, cable cars, smart traffic lights, and underground developments. Read on for examples of how the future cities of the world might be different than today’s urban cities.

Why Do Mass Shootings Happen in America? It’s Debatable

Why do mass shootings happen in America so frequently? What are the best measures to prevent mass shootings? According to reports, there have already been 600 mass shootings in the United States in 2022. To understand why mass shootings happen in America, researchers seek to learn what motivates mass shooters, whether it be mental illness, easy access to guns, or something else. Read on to learn both sides of the debate seeking to answer why mass shootings happen in America.

What Is Fast Fashion and Why Is It Bad for Everyone?

What is fast fashion and why is it bad? How do clothing brands, like Shein or Zara, affect the environment? A recent investigation found that laborers at a $100 billion clothing giant earn as little as 4 cents per item and work up to 18 hours a day. This is just one of the problems with fast fashion. The industry also has a huge impact on the environment, contributing to climate change, landfill waste, and plastic pollution. Read on to learn more about what fast fashion is and why it’s bad for society and the environment.

What Is Mass Surveillance? An 80-Year Historical Review

What is mass surveillance and how did it begin? How has mass surveillance changed over the years? Mass surveillance has become a daily part of life, as corporations and governments around the world openly collect data about who we are and how we live our lives. Increasingly more sophisticated methods have taken hold since the onset of mass surveillance over 80 years ago. Keep reading to learn what mass surveillance is, how it works, and how it has evolved in society.

Government Surveillance: Examples of Global Monitoring

Looking for examples of government surveillance? How do governments legislate and use mass surveillance? Nowadays, governments and corporations around the world openly collect data on who we are and how we live our lives. To better understand mass surveillance, it’s best to explore some examples of how government agencies across the world practice it. Read on for a selection of historical and modern examples of government surveillance.

Are Age Limits for Politicians Anti-Democratic?

Are age limits for politicians anti-democratic? What other ways can the U.S. increase the age diversity of politicians? Some Americans are concerned that the overrepresentation of older people among elected officials threatens democracy. By contrast, others argue that it’s ageist and anti-democratic to blame the nation’s problems on elderly politicians. Read on to learn opinions on enacting age limits for U.S. politicians, including other proposed solutions.