I am grateful for all the comments on this blog at present. They are considerably outnumbering the number of words I have to offer. That is not what I anticipated when I began blogging. At that time I thought comments were pure irritation. Now many of the comments add real value in their own right.
Meanwhile, I admit that on occasion I am struggling to find new things to say. We know the economy is tanking. We know public services are as well. We know that this is due to leaving the EU, austerity and deliberately manufactured crises, all of which have been chosen by this government and the Bank of England as instruments of economic civil war. We know the Tories have no plan to change. And unfortunately, we know Labour only seem to aspire to fill the austerian space the Tories and LibDems occupied from 2010 to 2015, and which they have now vacated. Starmer is not the heir to Blair; he's the heir to Cameron. That's how bad things are.
How many times can that be said? On here, where I presume a continuing readership, I sometimes wonder. On Twitter I am much more willing to repeat: the audience is bigger and revolves much faster. So yesterday, for example, I dealt with economic multipliers on Twitter but wasn't sure another round of that appropriate here. This morning I did the NHS on Twitter first, and added it here as a bit of an afterthought.
So what does need saying here? The reality is that fewer words here at present reflects the fact that blogging time is being spent thinking about videos instead.
I have at long last found software I like that seems sufficiently flexible to produce videos quickly, and without much hassle. No one seems to promote Adobe Rush very much, but it was recommended to me by a video blogger and my trials (so far) suggest it will work for me. It's easily within my capabilities and totally designed to produce material for Youtube, TikTok, Twitter and so on, which is what I want. It's taken sometime to get to this point: longer than I expected, to be honest.
That has left me musing on content. I currently foresee two quite different strands to this. One is short (3 minute or less) videos that are commentary on issues of the day. This morning's NHS thread is a perfect example of something that could have been addressed, or additionally dealt with, that way. The aim will be to hit the issue hard and quickly, and probably with some passion.
The second type of video develops those I used to make with the late Mark Cooney (whose contribution I very much miss). However, my thinking here is at present to be much more structured. The theme will be something like 'Political Economy for Today' and the aim will be to produce a series of linked videos over time discussing the topics that I think important in this arena with no video longer than 10 minutes, and with some being shorter. These will address familiar themes but with the aim being to provide insights into the key issues that I think face the economy of the UK (and to some degree elsewhere) in 2023, and beyond. The goal will be to be educational, informative, and politically persuasive, because all political economy is about taking positions.
If things go to plan the first type of video will appear before the longer format ones, simply because they will be spur-of-the-moment creations. However, some practice is going to be required first - so give me a little time as yet. But are there any thoughts on this?
All videos will appear here.
I intend that the longer ones have transcripts, but how is not clear as yet. I may need to recruit assistance.
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At the moment we seem to have reached a plateau in terms of events – which to me signifies that there are no new ideas.
I find this really worrying because it means to me at least a ‘go-slow’ at government and opposition level – it’s almost as if we entered a phony war of sorts. It’s a war now of non-engagement. I think we’re not expected to get involved again unit they need us to vote. That’s the impression I get in this sick democracy of ours.
Mind you – vigilance is required.
Richard,
not necessarily for publication this, but can I suggest you investigate Descript?
https://www.descript.com/home-2
I’ve used it for podcasts, meeting recordings etc. Very easy and intuitive to use. And one of the best uses I’ve seen for AI.
Cheers,
Kirsten
I have tried it and in the end found it quite clunky
My son tried it too, for audio, can came to the same conclusion and went for Audacity, finding it easier
I’d love Descript to work and I have not tried the latest update, but so far am not convinced
But it may be a way to produce trabsripts in due course
I have just found out to my horror that the next General Election (GE) is at least 2 years away. Personally I don’t believe that the country can function that long with the current bunch of incompetents and misfits forming the government.
I have always been very left wing in my political opinions and for that matter I still am, but I feel that the time has come, for the good of the country and our democracy, to consider an alternative approach to government.
This needs to be done now and I wonder how the more moderate members of the various political parties can go about forming an interim Government of National Unity that would force through a Bill requiring the next GE to be on a PR basis and then secure a vote of no confidence in the current administration and bring about a GE.
I’m desperate for solutions and would welcome thoughts on this.
I wish this could be done
There are MPs who think this ac ross the board – but they seem to be few in number and brave to say it
Caroline Lucas and Clive Lewis do
Labour party is trying to get rid of smaller opposition groups. They are arranging a meeting next Saturday to get like-minded people together.
https://skwawkbox.org/2023/01/09/exclusive-worried-labour-working-with-fined-right-wing-group-to-fight-success-of-independent-candidates/
Hope you don’t mind skwalkbox but it’s the only place I can find it.
I don’t know whether it is a widespread thing, or a personal sensory issue, but I find that I can take in information quicker and more thoroughly by reading than by listening, to the point where I seldom bother with videos. Two minutes of reading is fine by me, when the same thing said out loud over five minutes does not appeal, and will tend to go out of the other ear if I do listen. One of the things about reading is that any time that the reader needs to look twice or stop and think for a moment, they can naturally do it at their own pace, while the spoken word just sweeps on by at the lecturer’s pace, and if you missed the important bit, tough.
I agree with you
But younger people definitely do not
And they have to be a target audience
Perhaps the way to look at the Blog is as a different kind of space from other opportunities in the burgeoning digital, virtual universe. The Blog may have chnged its purpose; a space for experiment of ideas, exploration and even kite flying.
It is, I think an intellectually tolerant, and generally civilised (through your management of trolls) space for people drawn here by the subject matter, and by your approach to political economy that is both conducive and constructive for the readershi[; and is also a useful place to discuss ideas; for clarification and I at least find, the readers – in general – often provide an interesting, knowedgeably and thoughtful source of ideas, information and invaluable (sometimes new to me), sources of knowedge on a variety of relevant subjects.
That, at least is my perception, and my view. I think that sums up why I am here.
Alternatively, maybe one of your close colleagues you work with could take a guest slot as Blogger for a few weeks, to give you a chance to recharge the batteries, or develop some of the video ideas?
Thanks John. Appreciated
I think most of my colleagues would be horrified at the idea of blogging!
Would love to see a book, (aimed especially at every politician) – “How to Pay for It” – part of the ‘Dummies’ series.
Bit books only reach a small number of people and social media reaches many more
Sorry…
But surely if you paid MP’s enough say in the 10’s of thousands they would happily read such a book or if you had it read to them for the same reward. Remember they will do anything for money.
Cynic
I find it difficult to play the sound on videos as it means others have to listen so auto-captions would be very welcome. As long you articulate reasonably clearly they can work well.
On YouTube that is always an option
As Confucius said 2,500 years ago and as we all know intuitively, and as the psychology of learning has confirmed more recently:
Listen and forget.
See and understand/recall., but;
Do and learn.
I’d go for vids. with chat and with some simple diagrams + transcription.
(Of course, in the job (Ed.), we go for all three plus active engagement with note taking and discussion. Must ‘do’ something to make it stick. E.g., after watching and note taking, try phoning that Tory relative and explaining Richard’s points… That will make it stick with you but, sadly, not with them… :-))
Thanks
I agree the short type of videos are likely to be the most effective.
It is notable that many people skip by posts containing long videos and are more likely to take in shorter messages, much like stories on tv news ( I find it irritating when you only want to catch up on news to find that they flog each one to death by interviewing the person who compiled the report and he/she just repeats the content of the report, perhaps throwing in a personal opinion)
Here is my suggestion for the blog. Use it for the more detailed information you have put out in the past – e.g. this one – https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2016/12/28/the-conservatives-have-out-borrowed-labour-for-a-century/ and those on MMT – and update them where necessary. Also, maybe some blogs on specific aspects of MMT such as the role of tax that go into more detail than previously.
Obviously, there will be links to the videos as well but, maybe, have a weekly digest of the links as a easy reference.
I appreciate this will likely add to your workload so, will understand if they are a non-starter.
One quick question – will each video be available on all platforms (YouTube, Twitter, TikTok etc.) or will they be platform specific?
Craig
Craig
Noted, and let’s see how this develops
If the plan works the video shorts would go on all platforms and long ones on here, youtube and twitter
Richard
I teach 6th form (16-19) and there is a massive need at KS3-5 (11 -19yrs) for fundamental economic education away from classical economics or A level – simply the bones of public life. An example might be the household economy myth, needed to contextualise policy study in A level Sociology, or the nature of money and its genesis. A short video (5 mins+) would be well-used in education!
I hear you
As a relatively new subscriber, could I throw in my tuppence-worth? It is a bit of a steep climb for those of us with no previous experience of MMT so maybe put together a series of educational videos describing MMT and how it compares and contrasts with traditional views, and a second series, where it is assumed that the viewer has watched the first series and where you can develop arguments, ideas and themes fluently without having to keep explaining the basics. Any use of the videos in education would be a bonus, because it is the young who are suffering most under the current system and so they may well be most receptive audience.
Noted
I am working in the ideas so the comment is appreciated
You restless exploration of different means and channels of communication is admirable Richard. After two ‘disrupter’ prime ministers, Sunak has brought a period of relative calm. Tactical dullness! Welcome by the public at large, after a period of political madness. By design there should be less for commentators and radio phone-in hosts to react to.
On Twitter you have quickly reached a substantial new audience and gained wider recognition. I suspect this will have elevated your profile as a ‘go to’ expert across MSM, journalists live on Twitter. Using video content in 2023 what (new) audiences are you looking to reach, engage, inform, educate?
In two words, younger people
They prefer video content, so that’s where I have to go
Just arrived via some ‘Taxcast’ interviews. And TJ article (2004). Now busy subscribing across your Socials, but just time to add a coupla Blog comments:
1) The <3' vids that you're conjuring with could be shortened/repurposed and strong for YT "Shorts". You don't seem to have any YTShorts on your YouTube channel/arsenal, yet.
2) Workflow-wise: Descript's beta 'Storyboard' is better/smoother + handy options for more rapid fire items, e.g. 'Quick recorder', integrated with audiogram options for Social. So worth another look, perhaps.
Thanks
Have considered Youtibe shorts, but format is very tight