Tag Archives: labor

Labor Productivity

People oversimplify the idea of productivity, and the basic concept is pretty simple (Productivity = Output/Input). But the modern world economy, due to technology, social forces, etc. makes the definition of “productivity” a bit more interesting …

Wealth Creation: Does it Matter Where it Comes From?

Rent-seeking, in economic thought, seems to be critical to capitalism’s survival … but so is labor! Both are necessary to achieve the abundance we all seek …

Moving the Overton Window

We use Joseph Overton’s invention much more broadly than he ever intended — because it works for explaining political and social dynamics!

Community Organizing

Published January 24, 2020 in Warp & Woof Community Organizing New Challenges in Our Area William Sundwick Let’s start with some assumptions about 21st century American politics. Assumption #1: many, many people are poorly served by their local governments; assumption #2: virtually all communities have some people who are quite content, but most others muchContinue reading “Community Organizing”

I Prefer Not To

Published October 18, 2019 in Warp & Woof “I Prefer Not To” Bartleby and Late Stage Capitalism William Sundwick Herman Melville published his short story “Bartleby the Scrivener — a Tale of Wall Street” in 1853. It has been a staple of high school AP English classes and undergrad American Lit survey courses for atContinue reading “I Prefer Not To”

Flint: Lumber to Carriages to Cars

Published September 13, 2018 in Warp & Woof Flint: Lumber to Carriages to Cars The Flint Series, Chapter 1 William Sundwick  When I arrived in Flint, Michiganat age six, the city, incorporated in 1855, had already established itself: first as a hub for the central Michigan lumber industry, then earning the appellation “Vehicle City,” thenContinue reading “Flint: Lumber to Carriages to Cars”