Discourse ZA

Bronwyn Williams & Pali Lehohla | The Small Print

“When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” - Charles Goodhart

In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to Statistician General of South Africa, Dr. Pali Lehohla. They discuss how statistics can be abused to tell one’s preferred narrative, the difficulty of extracting truth from numbers without politicising them, and how an overreliance on GDP as a metric can come at the cost of human happiness. Bronwyn and Pali also talk about the prevalence of poverty in South Africa, the necessity to view it through a dimensional lens, and how current ANC policies are failing to address the underlying problems.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Dr. Pali Lehohla is the Statistician General of South Africa, a position he held since November of 2000. He is the Chair of Africa Symposium for Statistical Development (ASSD), a country-led initiative established in 2006 and the aim of which is to put statistical evidence at the centre of policy in Africa. From 2005 to 2010 he served in a variety of portfolios, including as the Chair of the United Nations Statistics Commission, Chair of Statistics Commission Africa and also Chair of PARIS21 a global partnership for statistical development in the 21st Century.

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Bronwyn Williams & Lars Doucet | The Small Print

Land and the policies that govern it hold an incredible but largely forgotten power over our lives. When land is wasted and squandered, we get sky-high rents, oppressed workers, ruined businesses, depleted natural resources, a polluted earth, and an impoverished society. Poor land policy is the chief culprit behind sky-high urban rents, homelessness, and endless suburban sprawl. Meanwhile, real estate has become the world's number one asset class, comprising an ever-growing share of bank loans worldwide. In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to Lance Doucet, author of Land is a Big Deal, which draws on the insights of legendary American economist Henry George to explain how things got this way, as well as what we can do to fix it.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Lars A. Doucet is the co-founder of Geo Land Solutions, a company that specializes in real estate mass appraisal. Formerly he has co-founded Level Up Labs, LLC, a video game development and software consultancy firm. A dual citizen of the Kingdom of Norway and the United States of America, Lars has long had an interest in economics and systems theory. He is the author of the book “Land is a Big Deal”, and lives with his wife and three children in the Brazos Valley in Texas.

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Bronwyn Williams & Bruce Whitfield | The Small Print

South Africa and its fraught political economy provide a fascinating case study into how it takes a particular brand of genius to thrive in a difficult domestic environment and to take those ideas and the businesses that deliver them global. In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to journalist Bruce Whitfield about his latest book, Genius: How to Take Smart Ideas Global. They discuss the need for optimism in a world full of challenges and opportunities, how greatness comes from acting on a purpose, and how a generation of South Africans is solving problems and adding value across the globe.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Bruce Whitfield is a business speaker, journalist, and author who interprets the noise at the murky intersection where business, politics and society collide. He is a sought-after keynote speaker with three decades of impeccable journalistic credentials. Bruce has shared platforms with Bill and Hillary Clinton, Nouriel Roubini, Charlize Theron, Lord Mervyn King, and hundreds of business and political luminaries and personalities. He is also an award-winning journalist known by most as the fast-paced and insightful Money Show host.

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Bronwyn Williams & Songezo Zibi | The Small Print

While the structural conditions that created the initial inequalities in South Africa are a result of colonialism and apartheid, the worsening of this condition after 2010 is the result of political negligence, incompetence and rampant corruption borne out of a deep disconnection between the political elites and the real needs of the people. In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to Songezo Zibi about his book “Manifesto: A New Vision for South Africa.” They discuss South Africa’s urgent need to overhaul its political and state institutions, the uncoupling of democracy from neoliberal economic policies, and the importance of values — not just rules — in a functional society.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Songezo Zibi has more than 20 years of corporate experience, during which time he has been a communication and corporate affairs professional and a leader in diverse industries. Prior to joining Absa as the Head of Communications, he was the editor of Business Day. As a journalist and editor, Songezo has written extensively about South Africa’s political system, economy and social dynamics. Since 2007 he has been a consistent and recognised voice for accountability, good governance, nation-building and the creation of a dynamic, inclusive economy. In January 2022, he announced the launching of Rivonia Circle, a think tank that will give birth to innovative and more effective ways of political participation. Manifesto is his second book, following on from the acclaimed Raising the Bar: Hope and Renewal in South Africa.

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Bronwyn Williams & David Wood | The Small Print

In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to David Wood about his book, The Singularity Principles: Anticipating and managing cataclysmically disruptive technologies. They talk about what the singularity is, what it is not, and the steps humanity must take to ensure that we’ll experience a positive singularity rather than a negative singularity. They discuss what it would it take to bring about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the complex interplay of forces that are leading society to the adoption of ever-more powerful technologies, and the necessary role of regulation and surveillance initiatives in safeguarding our futures.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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David Wood is a futurist speaker, analyst, commentator, and writer. His focus is on potential radical transformations in society and humanity - transformations enabled by accelerating technological disruption and mediated by social and political reaction. He has an MA in Mathematics from Cambridge University and an honorary doctorate in science (DSc) from the University of Westminster. He is the author or lead editor of eleven books, the most recent of which is “The Singularity Principles.”

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Bronwyn Williams & Nikolas Badminton | The Small Print

In this episode, Bronwyn speaks to fellow futurist Nikolas Badminton about his upcoming book “Facing Our Futures.” They discuss some of the misconceptions people have about their work, what individuals and businesses can do to ensure that they are prepared for an unpredictable future, and why curiosity, imagination, and open-mindedness are key in unlocking incredible futures.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Nikolas Badminton is the Chief Futurist at futurist.com. He’s a world-renowned futurist speaker, consultant, author media producer, and executive advisor that has spoken to, and worked with, over 300 of the world’s most impactful organizations and governments. He helps shape the visions that shape impactful organizations, trillion-dollar companies, progressive governments, and 200+ billion dollar investment funds.

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Facing Our Futures

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Bronwyn Williams & Nick Hedley | The Small Print

In this episode of The Small Print, Bronwyn speaks to “the annoying climate guy”, Nick Hedley, about the global energy crisis. They discuss ways of addressing climate change without embracing degrowth policies, the decentralization of energy production, Europe’s accelerated transition to renewables, the emergence of solar cooperatives, and carbon-offsetting initiatives. Bronwyn and Nick also look at the viability — and controversy — of using carbon credit scores to nudge consumers to reduce their personal carbon footprint.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Nick Hedley is a financial journalist and columnist. He studied economics, has worked for Business Day and other finance-focused publications, and has lived across South Africa and in Hong Kong. Nick has a strong focus on the climate crisis and inequality. He's constantly pissed off by South Africa's coal minister, Gwede Mantashe.

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Bronwyn Williams & Bryan Caplan | The Small Print

In this episode of The Small Print, Bronwyn speaks to author Bryan Caplan about his latest book Don’t Be a Feminist: A Letter to My Daughter, a compilation of essays in which Caplan challenges the conventional view that we treat women less fairly than men as well as other social justice dogmas.

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Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Bryan Caplan is an American economist and author. Caplan is a professor of economics at George Mason University, research fellow at the Mercatus Center, adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, and former contributor to the Freakonomics blog and EconLog. He currently publishes his own blog, Bet on It.

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Bronwyn Williams & Velina Tchakarova | The Small Print

In this episode of The Small Print, Bronwyn is joined by political scientist Velina Tchakarova to discuss the latest geopolitical trends playing out across the globe. They talk about the latest status on Russia’s war on Ukraine, the impact of Europe’s dependence on Russian gas, the idea of neutrality in the midst of a geopolitical power struggle, the brewing cold war between the US and China, and more.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Velina Tchakarova is the Director of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) in Vienna, Austria. Her work includes research, consulting, lectures, and publications on global and regional trends, risks and scenarios for the public and private sector. She tweets at @vtchakarova.

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Bronwyn Williams & Edward Castronova | The Small Print

If people can inhabit virtual worlds that are more alluring and gratifying than reality, then how can the real world ever compete? In this episode of The Small Print, Brownyn speaks to professor Edward Castronova about the phenomenon of virtual realities. They discuss VR’s rising relevance, how economies inside these worlds can affect real-life financial systems, and what sort of impact these new technologies can — and will — have on business, culture, and society at large.

Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, trend analyst and host of The Small Print. Her day job as a partner at Flux Trends involves helping business leaders to use foresight to design the future they want to live and work in. You may have seen her talking about Transhumanism or Tikok on Carte Blanche, or heard her talking about trends on 702 or CNBC Africa where she is a regular expert commentator. When she's not talking to brands and businesses about the future, you will probably find her curled up somewhere with a (preferably paperback) book. She tweets at @bronwynwilliams.

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Edward "Ted" Castronova is a professor of media at Indiana University Bloomington and is best known for his work on virtual economics. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of the top economics programs in the country. There, he studied statistics and cost-benefit analysis, fields that provide the tools necessary to put real dollar values on virtual goods. His research as a mid-career professor – four books and dozens of articles – shows that people in virtual worlds are economically rational, and that virtual macroeconomies operate like real ones. Now a senior professor, Castronova serves as a consultant and board member for a wide variety of enterprises.

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