Benedetto Vigna CEO of Ferrari

Raj Patel and Jason W. Moore's "A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things" explores the interconnectedness of ecological crises and capitalism's inherent drive for cheap production. The book uses the concept of 'cheapness' as an analytical tool to examine how capitalism externalizes costs, leading to environmental degradation and social inequalities. It delves into seven key areas: cheap nature, money, work, care, food, energy, and lives, demonstrating how these factors are intertwined and contribute to global crises. The authors argue that the relentless pursuit of cheapness has created unsustainable systems, and they propose a 'reparations ecology' as a potential path towards a more just and sustainable future. The book's accessible style and compelling examples make it relevant to a broad audience.

The book highlights the detrimental effects of noise in various fields such as medicine, law, economic forecasting, forensic science, bail, child protection, strategy, performance reviews, and personnel selection. Noise is defined as random or chaotic deviations from targeted behavior, which can lead to inconsistent judgments even among the same individuals under different conditions. The authors provide research-based insights and practical solutions to reduce both noise and bias, aiming to improve decision-making in multiple areas of life and work.