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Janet Chang

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Janet’s Bookshelves

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currently-reading‎ (3)
read‎ (14)

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economics‎ (2)
hendrith‎ (2)

american-values‎ (1)
brics‎ (1)
permaculture-economics‎ (1)

usa‎ (1)

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Janet is Currently Reading

Janet Chang is currently reading

Principles of a Permaculture Economy

by Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, economics, hendrith, permaculture-economics, brics

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Janet Chang said: " As an immigrant from Thailand who has built a successful career in business here in the United States, I've always been fascinated by the power of economics to shape societies and bridge cultural divides. Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.'s "Principles of a As an immigrant from Thailand who has built a successful career in business here in the United States, I've always been fascinated by the power of economics to shape societies and bridge cultural divides. Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.'s "Principles of a Permaculture Economy" immediately caught my attention, promising a fresh perspective on how we can create a more sustainable and equitable economic system.

Smith's core argument resonated deeply with me. He advocates for an economy that prioritizes meeting the needs of people and the planet over maximizing profit, drawing inspiration from the natural world and the principles of permaculture. This resonates with my own upbringing in Thailand, where community and respect for nature are deeply ingrained.

The book's emphasis on local control, cooperation, and the circulation of wealth within communities particularly appeals to me. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges of globalization and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, I believe that empowering local economies is essential for building a more just and sustainable future.

However, as someone with a PhD in business, I also approached the book with a critical eye. While Smith's vision is inspiring, I found myself wanting more concrete examples of how a permaculture economy could function in the real world. How would we address issues like international trade, technological innovation, and the complexities of global supply chains within this framework?

Despite these questions, "Principles of a Permaculture Economy" is a thought-provoking and timely read. It challenges us to rethink our assumptions about economics and envision a future where economic activity is in harmony with both nature and human values. I recommend this book to anyone who believes in the power of economics to create a better world, particularly those who are seeking alternatives to the current dominant paradigm. It is a valuable contribution to the growing field of ecological economics and a call to action for building a more just and sustainable future. ...more "

Dec 27, 2024 03:41PM · see review

Janet Chang is currently reading

Free to Choose: A Personal Statement

by Milton Friedman

bookshelves: currently-reading, economics

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Dec 27, 2024 03:35PM

Janet Chang is currently reading

The Pursuit of Happiness: A Book of Poems Honoring Our American Values

by Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading, american-values, hendrith, usa

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Dec 27, 2024 03:15PM

Janet’s Quotes

“Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.”
― John Doerr, Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

32 likes

“The combination of economic and political power in the same hands is a sure recipe for tyranny.”
― Milton Friedman, Free to Choose: A Personal Statement

24 likes

“For example, the supporters of tariffs treat it as self-evident that the creation of jobs is a desirable end, in and of itself, regardless of what the persons employed do. That is clearly wrong. If all we want are jobs, we can create any number--for example, have people dig holes and then fill them up again, or perform other useless tasks. Work is sometimes its own reward. Mostly, however, it is the price we pay to get the things we want. Our real objective is not just jobs but productive jobs--jobs that will mean more goods and services to consume.”
― Milton Friedman, Free to Choose: A Personal Statement

tags: economics, friedman, job-creation, jobs, work

43 likes

“Bad companies,” Andy wrote, “are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them.”
― John Doerr, Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

19 likes

“If you have to compete based on capital, the giant always wins. If you can compete based on smarts, flexibility, and willingness to give more for less, then small companies like Bloomberg clearly have an advantage.”
― Michael R. Bloomberg, Bloomberg by Bloomberg

9 likes

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