#Cloud money by brett scott series#

While there has been progress, no group of countries is on track to meet all 17 SDGs, with Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and Small Island Developing States experiencing the most challenges, and with the least progress being seen in lower-income and lower-middle income countries. Worryingly, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions and concerns about global economic growth, the 2022 Sustainable Development Report showed that, for the second year in a row, there was no positive progress towards SDGs, and that progress on some goals such as SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) was actually reversed. The Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs) were adopted by the UN in 2015 in order to facilitate action on global developmental challenges (including but not limited to climate change). The Boy in the Headlights by Samuel Bjork. Vladimir by Julia May Jonas: This started off so well as a tale of obsession/infatuation but fell apart half way through and descended into silliness.

#Cloud money by brett scott series#

The Dark Flood by Deon Meyer: As I am sure I said when I last read a Deon Meyer book: if you like police procedurals the Benny Griessel series is in the premier league. Even if you don't agree with the book's premise and conclusions (and, in places, it is a bit of a rant against change (sorry Brett)), it is very important in helping us to understand how large companies shape public policy and on public attitudes on sustainability issues. Cloudmoney describes how banks and tech companies have lobbied aggressively for physical cash to be replaced by digital money, and discusses the implications for privacy (bad), for access to financial services (exacerbates inequality), for individual independence (really not good) and for society as a whole (not necessarily positive). He explains the technical, political, and cultural differences between our various forms of money and shows how the cash system has been under attack for decades, as banking and tech companies promote a cashless society under the banner of progress.Ĭloudmoney takes us to the front lines of a war for our wallets that is also about our freedom, from marketing strategies against cash to the weaponization of COVID-19 to push fintech platforms, and from there to the rise of the cryptocurrency rebels and fringe groups pushing back.Strongly recommend Cloudmoney by Brett Scott (not just because I am sensitive to being called a luddite for continuing to use cash). He dives beneath the surface of the global financial system to uncover a long-established lobbying infrastructure: an alliance of partners waging a covert war on cash. In Cloudmoney, Brett Scott tells an urgent and revelatory story about how the fusion of Big Finance and Big Tech requires 'cloudmoney'-digital money underpinned by the banking sector-to replace physical cash. And the great battle of our time is the battle for ownership of the digital footprints that make up our lives. But what we're told is a natural and inevitable move is actually the work of powerful interests. The reach of Corporations into our lives via cards and apps has never been greater many of us rarely use cash these days. Axiom Award Gold Medalist for Business Commentary