Substack: “The game we’re playing is one that gives power to writers and creators. It’s a game that ensures writers can maintain their independence without most of the drudgery that comes with running their own media operation, and without having to cede control to a gatekeeper. We build tools that give writers and creators the full powers of the internet so their work can have maximum impact, reach, and revenue. We are helping to unlock the potential of existing writers to get greater value for and from their work, and so that new types of writers can enter the media economy and thrive. That’s the movement Substack is helping to drive. We don’t believe it’s going to slow down any time soon. On the contrary, we expect it to accelerate and expand.”
Vijay Kelkar and Ajay Shah: “[India’s] GST is widely criticised for underwhelming outcomes. Design problems have hindered the gains. The rates of 18 and 28 per cent are very high levels of taxation. Some individuals see the piling of a 28 per cent GST on top of a 42 per cent income tax, adding up to one of the world’s highest levels of taxation. What works best is a single rate of 12 per cent that is applied to all goods and services. This needs to go with a simple administrative system where every producer (even an individual) gets offsets correctly. We believe that a 12 per cent rate will generate adequate tax revenues, and potentially after a few years, these revenues can go up slightly if it is not the case.”
WSJ: “Rule number one [of publoc speaking] is to consider your audience, says Matt Abrahams, who teaches strategic communication at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Everything you say and do should start with this question: What do the people listening to you need? What do you want them to know, feel and do after watching you? Stories are a great way to connect with listeners, he adds, but keep your anecdotes and examples focused, making sure each one has a key takeaway or emotion you want to impart. Stick to tried-and-true structures, such as introducing a problem, outlining the solution and wrapping with the benefit. Or, compare and contrast two things, and then draw a conclusion.”
Washington Post: “Recent years have brought a sharp reaction in many parts of the world, as globalization, political polarization, the rise of social media and a collapse of trust in major institutions have left many people feeling betrayed by their governments, torn apart from their careers and alone in their communities, according to historians, political scientists and sociologists who have studied these shifts in the world’s economies and governments.The result has been a similar quest for nationalist solutions in country after country, and a growing bond among the far-right autocrats in those places…“The trend we are seeing reflects a disillusionment around the world that the democratic process fails to produce effective, charismatic leaders,” said Nikolas Gvosdev, a professor of national security studies at the U.S. Naval War College. “In country after country, the idea spreads that we need strong leaders who get things done.”
