Category Archives: Economics

The Wehrmacht’s use of horses in the Polish and Soviet Union campaigns 1939-44

Posted on January 9, 2018 by odeboyz

Blitzkreig attacks were a logistical impossibility on the eastern front, which meant the Polish experience couldn’t be repeated. Germany relied on the Soviet Union for oil supplies, which ceased with their invasion. The wehrmacht’s early successes were a ‘winner’s curse’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Technology, War | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Repair and Maintenance in Tower Blocks

Posted on November 30, 2017 by odeboyz

Practically no one gives any thought to the effort required to keep tower blocks fit for purpose. Once upon a time Councils undertook to repair almost any or everything. For example, Hackney Council in the 1960s controlled its DLO (Direct … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, housing, Politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Grenfell Tower, sprinkler systems and decision-making

Posted on November 17, 2017 by odeboyz

          Tower block living is problematical whether it’s social or private. The Grenfell Tower fire tragedy was a massive wake-up call for everyone associated with tower blocks either as residents or managers. The proposal to retro-fit … Continue reading →

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Kevin Spacey isn’t as pure as driven snow: So what?

Posted on November 11, 2017 by odeboyz

In November 2017 Kevin Spacey has been accused of low level sexual predation* in London and the USA. He doesn’t appear to be denying the offences and he’s suffered enormous reputational and financial damage. His masterly series House of Cards … Continue reading →

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North Korea: a wordless poem

Posted on November 3, 2017 by odeboyz

Chris

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This I Know

Posted on October 4, 2017 by odeboyz

It wasn’t ordinary working people Who caused the 80s banking crisis It wasn’t them that caused financial meltdown No! It was greedy bankers Who caused Northern Rock to fall The rich. Many politicians were the root cause Those with mansions … Continue reading →

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University of California: Berkeley 2017

Posted on September 29, 2017 by odeboyz

There are 1098 students enrolled on CS61A at Berkeley who are happily sharing a learning experience in the Wheeler Hall, which is Berkeley’s largest lecture hall. In state students pay $34,972 and out-of-state students pay $61,654. Is this a demonstration but … Continue reading →

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British Social Care and Home Ownership

Posted on September 1, 2017 by odeboyz

The British family home has iconic status. Home ownership is longed-for and anyone not owning a house is silently thought of as, in some way, second class. Parents often give large amounts of cash to their adult children for deposits, … Continue reading →

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The tragic death of Martin Walker: a Hackney Dustman

Posted on June 9, 2017 by odeboyz

I first met Martin in 1977 when I was foreman plumber at the Defoe Road depot in Stoke Newington, Hackney. He was a plumbers mate on my team. He wasn’t a skilled man but he was essential to us plumbers … Continue reading →

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The Meaning of Wealth

Posted on May 25, 2017 by odeboyz

“The great weakness of the West is that it has nothing with which to inspire loyalty except wealth. But what is wealth? Another washing machine, a bigger car, a nicer house to live in? Not much to feed the spirit … Continue reading →

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