At last a journalist has shouted “No clothes” at the ridiculous spectacle of a crazy President taking the world apart in front of our eyes. Stuart Kirk’s article in the Financial Times of 19Apr25 (‘The silence of the CEOs’) is a must read for everyone. Especially the CEOs. As Mr Kirk points out it has been left to Harvard to resist the irresponsible slaughter of decent living. God knows, we have enough madness built into humanity without a lunatic at the helm.
At last an editorial board of stature, again the Financial Times, has called for restraint by the Executive in its dealings with universities and education in general. Perhaps the drums of resistance are beginning to be heard.
Of course it takes courage. Of course there are risks to people’s jobs. But the last time there was failure to resist madness it led to WWII. There have been a few, rather tentative attempts to responsibly point out what is happening. Jay Powell, Jamie Dimon, and some others Mr Kirk mentions. Powerful as these people are, they are voices crying in the wilderness.
Where are the groups of CEOs whose businesses feed the world? Where are the Chambers of Commerce protesting at the dismantling of the world-neighbour society we have inevitably become with our technological skills? Where are the churches demanding sharing as the only way to sustain Ten Billion people? Where are the political leaders demanding courage in the face of climate disaster?
Are we to watch the downfall of Ukraine for want of agreed effort? Is our understanding of a world society one in which we desert our friends because a despot says so? Do we not understand that in 2025 when we risk others lives we risk our own? Have we so lost the sense of neighbourliness that we no longer care?
Globalisation is not an option, it is a reality. Whatever tariff rules are imposed we are one world. Whatever competitive business we create we must cooperate if we are to correct the climate and handle a powerful, potentially destructive AI (Alternative Intelligence).
There is no way to end this Daily Paradox other than to repeat the words of John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath.
“…and fear the time when manself will not suffer and die for a concept”.
Good morning
John Bittleston
Please tell us what you think, too, at [email protected]. .
20 April 2025
