Having just posted my note on moderation, and the need to change my work patterns, I think it's only fair to add that I have also been spending time thinking about what is really important about the work that I am undertaking, which is the challenge that one or two of the commentators on the blog over the last few days have made, as did all those I spoke to yesterday. Without deciding this, trying to change a pattern of work makes no sense.
Several things stood out from this.
The first is that the politics of care is the most important idea that I am working on at present. Thomas put this very well in our discussion yesterday. He said he did not understand what I was talking about when I began discussing it in the videos, which he saw being recorded, but over time, he now thinks it has become a critical issue for the future of politics. He is persuaded that it is what I should be working upon. As someone also put it on YouTube this morning, this does appear to be important to them as well. They noted that it appears to be neither socialism nor social democracy, and they want me to define precisely what I mean by the politics of care, and they think it is important that I do so. I tend to agree and now think that this is a higher priority than writing disparate blog posts. It is where I will now begin to put most of my effort.
Secondly, overall, it is clear that YouTube is our most successful outlet these days. I know the blog is very close to my heart and a lot of people like it, but the growth in YouTube following indicates that this is the place where I reach more new people, and this site tends to be read by older, more dedicated, already persuaded people, and therefore, its impact on the process of change is lower. If my priority is to create change, and it is, then YouTube is my most important outlet.
Thirdly, my priority is not producing content, per se, and in that context, some of the news media discussion that I offer is not as useful as the work I do on generating ideas, and it is that work which I should now focus upon. As John Christensen noted at our event on 28th February, he and I used to spend our time writing green and even white papers on what could be done to implement policy, and since I completed the Taxing Wealth Report 2024, I have not produced any new major equivalent study, and that feels like an omission on my part.
I am, therefore, anxious to complete some background papers on my theoretical underpinnings for the politics of care, and we are now looking at producing this on MMT in a way that is not readily available in the UK at present, and then want to continue with bringing this solution focus to my other work.
Jacqueline's challenge to me is that I should produce more solution-focused videos now, including ones entitled “What should Rachel do now?“ That is because just about no one is doing anything like that. The left has always been good at hand-wringing and analysis, but of answers, there are very few, and that is one thing that I've always been good at. This is, therefore, where I should be focusing my attention.
Fourthly, I should allow myself more time to think. Looking out of the window is an underrated activity that I used to do much more of than I have of late. It can be easily combined with walking, birdwatching and other pastimes.
My hope is that, as a result of these changes, I may be able to restore some balance around my work, and I now realise that unless I do that, I won't be doing it for as long as I would like. The message that I need to priorities differentlya has been rammed home to me, loud and clear, and I am going to listen to it.
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Good luck in developing ideas around the politics of care and how prioritising health should be of more concern… including our own.
Why do we find this so difficult?
Brilliant Richard!
I am excited to see the solution focused videos! It will also give hope, optimism and energy for change. Endless analysis can only get you so far.
Big thanks to Jacqueline. I think the idea of solution-focussed content is absolutely what we need, so I’ll be here to listen to whatever you have to say on the topic. I think a lot of people know that things are wrong across the board, but very few people are saying how we fix things beyond finding easy scapegoats. I think the Greens more positive campaign in the recent by-election prove there’s an audience waiting for some radical positivity.
Thank you for sharing this. Personally, I’d miss the blog and iits comments, and I prefer to read something rather than listen. But you are obviously moving away from the day-to-day commentary to something more fundamental, and this has to lead to better chances of change. No-one can push change when overcome with daily tasks. As you say, think more, delegate, get to the roots. And best of luck, with so many wanting to support you.
Thoroughly support the change in emphasis towards strategic issues and identification of an agenda to implement positive change (the “so, then what should we do ….”).
I’m less delighted about a YouTube focus – but the logic is sound and it makes perfect sense.
But also, keep a record — what you advocated, when, what others said and did, when and what the outcomes are. This is a running record of the end of the spivs and wasters. But you’ll need to defend yourself when the established feel more threatened.
BTW: On your word limit — lovely little history (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct7477) on the work done by Fred Hillebrand on justifying that very many of our word exchanges fit in 160 characters….. (but not white papers!)
KUTBW (better!)
Thanks, and I have heard that programme, which was really good.
‘A crisis is also an opportunity’. I am sure your re-prioritisation will work for you and for those you are trying to reach.
Do look after yourself
Solution focus is definitely a good idea, as you say, many of us can identify the problem(s), but that doesn’t help without some suggestions for improvement.
Incidentally, I am having a quiet giggle at the mental image of you walking or bird watching while carrying a window to look out of.
Take care
Brilliant! However your work continues, it will be valuable and I will value it.
Having followed your blog for over 10 years, it’s been invaluable to me and has really informed my political thinking. Your blog was the first place I read about MMT, which was a damascene moment for me, and I’ve been reading (almost daily) ever since.
Not that you need my say so, but I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with this piece. I look forward to what comes next (and I might have to start watching your YouTube channel…)
Keep up the good work! And sincerely, thank you for all your work 🙂
Thanks
Change is part of life – if nothing ever changes, monotony rules, and is O So Dull!
Looking back is the lead in to a slightly different future and you will undoubtedly enjoy it as much as you have the past. So thank you for what was, and we’ll all look forward to the different future. Caring, as a new focus may be different but will be just as challenging.
Richard, it is up to blog readers like me to gravitate to your You Tube videos.
As you said in Cambridge it’s how you tell your story.
Concentrate on the most effective method of promoting your clear explanations of how the system really works and future solution-focused videos to the biggest audience.
Richard – your work/life balance is of prime importance – for me as an ‘older person’ (ie – in my 80s and thus a student of life) I continue my education reading, learning and inwardly digesting your blog. Personally I prefer the written word and which your blog provides – but it is your wellbeing which should be prioritised – don’t overdo things – a walk in the countryside is restorative and the thought process can still exist during such. I am sure I echo many people in stating how much I appreciate this blog. Moderate as you believe necessary and appropriate. ‘Go well’, take care of yourself and indeed of your family – the Funding the Future readers appreciate all that you provide through this blog – thank you.
Thanks, Susan. Appreciated.
“Solution focussed” is definitely correct… but isn’t that what you are already doing?
In my “field” (banking and money) that is already what happens on this blog – The Wealth Report being a classic example of “solutions”. Thames Water nationalisation, Less interest paid on reserves, changes to BoE governance are all areas where “fully formed (ish)” policies have been mooted.
Elsewhere, this true, too – although good luck with “Solutions” to war, greed etc. that have dogged mankind since the dawn of time!
Thanks, Clive. And you are right I have always had a solution focus. But I need to be developing new solutions to the problems that are becoming more apparent at this time.
I can understand your focus on YT – even my YT feed, which has a roughly tripartite split between music, football and left politics is putting your videos at the top of my list above Gary Stevenson, Novara, and the like. I haven’t watched any of them yet, probably because I read your content here every day and – as one of the oldies you note – I still prefer to consume news/analysis in print form if I can get it, not least because my reading speed is far quicker than analysts’ video speed.
But you note how you have ‘cut through’ on your exmplae of the politics of care above; the thing I am (I hope) learning slowly about by reading the blog is MMT. I actually managed (kind of) to explain it to a friend the other day without being laughed out of the room ,so thank you. I’ll start watching a few of the videos and see how we go. Keep up the good fight!
Thanks
What suits MY preferences, and what needs doing to effect urgent change, are two different things.
I agree 100% with the change in focus, it’s the right plan. But it isn’t my preference. But this blog’s purpose is to effect change, not to keep me occupied and happy!
Just remember how easily one oligarch or rogue state like the USA, can trash your YT video output, and have a strategy for that.
Maybe we blog users can talk to one another a bit more and share news of where we see change in action?
Robert
One legal letter to my Internet service provider can take this block down just as easily. I am under no illusions about the vulnerability of my publishing and I do not believe that there is an effective way to overcome that that I could also manage.
YouTube is not a panacea, but it might be at least a secure as this blog is.
I am aware that many readers here will prefer the written word to YouTube. Candidly, so do I. But, I am about affecting change and that is where the possibility is greatest. But I also stresses I have no desire to give up blogging. The problem is not blogging it is moderation.
Richard
Yes to solution focused video. 🙂
And, if you need to cut elsewhere, I agree that perhaps there could be less political comment. Perhaps you could substitute some brief pointers to other political blogs with which you agree. There’s only one of you and you don’t have to, and cannot, do everything.
Thanks for your sterling work. 🙂
Thanks.
Sound analysis.
I definitely want to see your thoughts published, and if YouTube is the place to look and comment, I’ll go there.
Even though I just found here. 😉
I know you’ve interviewed Professor Steve Keen here. That is how I found you. His understanding of money is almost as profoundly radical as my own, and we do reach most of the same conclusions.
To have a politics of caring, we need a monetary system that eliminates the advantages of owning.
Money is a commodity, any commodity, that a society agrees to accept in exchange for every other commodity or service in that society.
Any commodity means, effectively, anything that can be counted. It is the accounting that is important, not the thing being counted.
While “_A_ Commodity” means that even if it is as ephemeral as the numbers in a computer, it is measurable (countable), ownable, and exchangeable.
That part is simple, and it evolved as debt, but what does it represent?
When we pay for something, it represents the work we exchanged for the societal money we are paying out.
Commodities and Work are, in the real universe, subject to the Laws of Thermodynamics, which must then apply to money if money represents them.
Steve has produced many books; I just have one, much less prominent. However, I think you’ll find it interesting because the Laws require us to stop rationing things by wealth, redefine our understanding of profit, and remove the profit from ownership that is the basis of our end-stage capitalism.
If you’re interested in this at all you can find me on Bluesky as well.
https://bsky.app/profile/bjchippindale.bsky.social
Be Fortunate
Thank you. As I keep emphasising, I will not stop posting here even though I see YouTube as the opportunity for growth.
We are staring fascism in the face, these are very serious times and those who care need to be at there best to provide the hope to bring about the change to make life better for all. Thank you for recognising that there must be changes to your organisational processes to streamline and sharpen the message. At 79 I too have had to make adjustments to better cope with life. Listen to your body, Listen to your carers and act early. (NRN)
Great plan Richard. Even though we’ll get to talk to you less, I think it’s the right one to accomplish your goals. My guess is that it will serve the Green Party better too, communicating the politics of care more widely.
I was interested that you don’t seem to think of it as socialism. Wikipedia defines socialism as “an economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It can take various forms, including public, community, collective, cooperative, or employee”. Is it really that different?
I see socialism aa a variety of materialism. I do not see my politics as being based on materialism.
Thanks – your approach is much more strongly based on morality than materialism, which I applaud. I guess Tony Blair discredited the idea of ethical socialism, but it does have a history before him…
You are right to focus on what will make the most impact rather than what pleases old fogeys like me on here, as I’m learning about ikigai – do what you love, do what you’re good at, do what the world needs, do what you can be rewarded for.
Go for it.
Thanks
It takes great strength to expose vulnerability and it has made for some tough reads Richard.
We are with you.
Personal change requires courage and trust. Courage you find in yourself – you are doing that. It’s difficult because you pass through a liminal state you can’t control. Trust you must place in other people. Trust your team! Both close and extended. Accept they will do things differently than you would and look to be pleasantly supprised.
You have been a warrior champion so long. Fought and won battles – by developing and offering practical solution. That’s work you find most satisfying. Work that ultimately shows the way. Work that has prepared you for today’s battle against inequality. Real progress is going to take a society.
Developing the politics of care is vital work that you uniquely can lead. To create the space, focus and quiet required you recognise you must drop, delegate, defer. The ideas around politics of care are ‘scaling up’ as societies’ demand for meaningful and tangible change accelerates. Strong voices and some warriors for change are emerging, but as you have written lasting change requires a foundation of thought leadership and solutions.
Footnote: At a personal point of crisis a few years ago I discovered courage and trust had to come together. Instinct rather than reason lead me to find a therapist and a therapy I could trust; which came somewhat as a surprise to me. Week by week the process enabled me to access the emotional tools to reclaim a peace I’d forgotten existed and the benefits have stayed with me.
Thank tou
Thank you
I will be disappointed if you go over to videos. Being a speed reader, reading is much faster. But I admit I am the difficult one and proud of it.
A focus in YouTube does not mean nothing here, I can assure you.
I don’t want to create more trouble for you Richard – but I do sometimes think you give the impression that you are a lone voice- other than the couple of colleagues you sometimes cite.
But surely in reality there are many economists/political economists with whom your Venn diagram of thought and analysis would overlap yours. I wont name them here – and I know you have severe disagreements with one of two of them- but it might lighten the pressure if you could maybe see yourself as part of a ‘school of thought’ (not just MMT) – albeit with your own unique contribution.
Apologies if this doesn’t make sense.
Who are they? I don’t identify them. Nor am I willing to compromise with ideas that will cause harm.
I personally have arrived at the point where I am convinced that care is the key. Quite simply because that’s what’s missing.
Hum……..
Its been an interesting day chez Boxall so I’m posting later than usual
The first question is ‘what do you want to do’
Perhaps a second might be to think about a timescale to do it in.
The Neo Liberals played a long game so what might you want to do with your work that allows you to do what the Neo Liberals did – if thats what you want , in particular to ensure that it outlives you
And of course as MacMillan put it ‘Events dear boy, Events’
Thanks
I’m pleased you are focusing on developing new ideas on care, or what I like to call, giving a shit. Far too many people really don’t and it would interest me to know why this is.
I am a humanist and saddened by what I see happening in the world, even though this is by no means the worst of times. So, I wish you well with your thinking and hope it leads to practical solutions and real help for people. That’s what it’s all about for me, whether just reading the blog, watching YT, making comments, or trying to help fellow travellers get through the day.
Thanks
You say you are looking at scaling back the amount of moderation you do, meaning you won’t personally respond to as many comments. You mention how LLMs could answer a lot of questions that people have, and I personally have found ChatGPT has given me good answers about things in your blog I am not sure about so I do not need to leave a comment. However, you imply there is no further value in the responses you give beyond helping people who are not willing to ask an LLM.
While it may be true that they could get the answer from an LLM, the difference is that when you respond to a comment everyone can see the answer, and I personally have found a great deal of value in some of the responses you give to others’ comments. Sometimes they will query you about something in the blog that leads you to explain more clearly and in more detail some important point that leads to a greater understanding of what you were trying to say. This can be particularly true for when someone makes a technical point, where you have to go into detail to respond. It can be particularly true for when someone disagrees with you, as your defence/rebuttal strengthens the case you are making, especially when they use some aspect of neoliberal framing to disagree with you, as your work will always come under attack from this and so a defence/rebuttal here adds a lot to the blog post.
Some of the comments that you see as boring/repetitive/ignorant/trolling look to me like polite good-faith comments and even though you are annoyed by them I personally appreciate how they can lead you to respond in a way that adds a lot of value to the individual blog post.
Whether or not the responses you give add enough value to be worth you spending the time giving them is up to you, but I feel it’s important for you to know that your responses in the comments do add a lot of value to the blog overall and not just to the individual making the post.
Thank you for saying that. I do appreciate the point you make.
You are right that when I respond to a comment it can add value for many other readers, not just for the person who asked the question. Quite often a query prompts me to clarify an idea, expand on something that was implicit in the post, or address an argument framed in conventional economic terms. Those exchanges can help others understand the issues more clearly.
At the same time, moderation and responses do take a great deal of time, and I have to balance that against writing new material and doing other work, and my work life balance. That is why I am thinking about scaling back somewhat.
So I will still respond when I think a comment raises an issue that deserves clarification or wider discussion. I may simply be a little more selective about when I do so. I am grateful that readers like you find those exchanges useful.