Oliver Franklin-Wallis, award-winning journalist and author of 'Wasteland,' dives into the grim realities of the global waste industry. He discusses Britain's overflowing sewers and the impact of textile waste on communities in Ghana. The conversation also covers the hidden truths of recycling and encourages a rethink of our consumption habits. Dr. Güneş Taylor joins him, further emphasizing our responsibility in tackling pollution and adapting to a throwaway culture. Together, they champion a more proactive approach to waste management.
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The Waste Trader's Prophecy
Oliver Franklin-Wallis was intrigued by a waste trader's claim: "One day, everything you own will belong to me."
This sparked his investigation into the unseen world of waste management and its global impact.
insights INSIGHT
The Waste Awareness Pill
Becoming aware of waste makes you see it everywhere, like a "red pill, blue pill moment."
This hyper-awareness highlights the pervasiveness of waste in our lives and its often hidden journey.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Hidden Waste Infrastructure
Materials recovery facilities (Murphs) use odorizers to mask the smell of waste, highlighting society's efforts to hide it.
Donated clothes often end up in landfills in developing countries, not resold, revealing hidden waste streams.
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The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].
Flash Boys
A Wall Street Revolt
Michael Lewis
In 'Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt', Michael Lewis delves into the world of high-frequency trading (HFT) and its corrupting influence on the U.S. stock market. The book follows a group of Wall Street iconoclasts, including Brad Katsuyama and Sergey Aleynikov, as they uncover and challenge the unethical practices of HFT firms. Lewis explains how these firms use advanced technology to front-run orders, creating a rigged market that benefits insiders at the expense of ordinary investors. The narrative is engaging and accessible, making complex financial concepts understandable for a broad audience. The book highlights the efforts of these individuals to reform the market and restore fairness, and it has had significant impact, including prompting investigations and public discussions about market structure and fairness[2][3][5].
The big short
Inside the Doomsday Machine
Michael Lewis
The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.
Liar's poker
Michael Lewis
Liar's Poker is a non-fiction, semi-autobiographical book that details Michael Lewis's three-year tenure at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street's premier investment firms in the 1980s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the culture of bond traders, highlighting the frat-boy camaraderie, killer instincts, and high-stakes games of bluffing and deception. Lewis describes the creation and use of mortgage bonds, the excessive bonuses, and the ruthless competition among traders. The narrative also touches on the author's disillusionment with the industry, leading to his resignation and transition into financial journalism.
Going Infinite
The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
Michael Lewis
In 'Going Infinite', Michael Lewis delves into the life of Sam Bankman-Fried, the enigmatic founder of the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The book provides a psychological portrait and a financial roller-coaster ride, tracing Bankman-Fried's trajectory from becoming the world's youngest billionaire to his eventual downfall. It covers topics such as high-frequency trading, cryptocurrencies, effective altruism, and the justice system. Despite criticism for its sympathetic portrayal of Bankman-Fried, the book offers a fascinating insight into the complex world of cryptocurrencies and the character of its central figure.
Wasteland
A biography of the poem "The Wasteland"
T. S. Eliot
Ezra Pound
Award-winning journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis has spent the last number of years investigating the global waste industry. In June 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to tell us the truth about Britain’s overflowing sewers and hollowed-out mining towns, the mountainous landfills of New Delhi, Ghana’s flooded second-hand markets and what it all means for the future. Joining him to discuss the book is Dr Güneş Taylor, science communicator and Postdoctoral fellow at The Francis Crick Institute.
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