In 1973 researchers at Stanford University carried out the marshmallow experiment on young children. Each was taken into a room and shown a plate with two marshmallows. They were told they could have one now or both when the researcher returned after 15 minutes. They were then left alone. The children were tracked through their school years, and it was found that those who were able to delay gratification had better outcomes educationally as well as in health indices. This […]

And did it? The Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, Wars in the Balkans, the Gulf Wars, and multiple guerrilla wars. Of course not. So, what chance has our ‘new normal?’ Other than a soundbite, what is our ‘new normal’ anyway? Ssssh, I had a late breakfast today. Worse, I eschewed ‘Nolan’ and listened to Radio 4. The experts explained how Economic recessions stimulated change in the way we work, more automation, more artificial intelligence, fewer people. And how new business […]