History

Dec 6, 2011

How The City Developed, Part One: The Romans

I’m just reading a few books about London in the olden days, with one particularly good read: City of London Past, by Richard Tames (1995). For some reason, in these uncertain future times, it’s interesting to look back to the past. Here’s a few excerpts that give you an idea as to how our modern…

Sep 8, 2011

Are bankers good or bad for society?

In October 2009 I presented at Gresham College to the theme of: Are bankers good or bad for society? I think it's one of my better presentations, and just noticed that a video was placed online by the College … Meanwhile, if you want the whole presentation, slides, script etc, then click here.

Sep 8, 2011

Are bankers good or bad for society?

Aug 10, 2011

We are Knights of the Bank Table

Sometimes, especially in the summer, it gives a time for reflection and surprise. Today's surprise is the story of how the Knights Templar invented modern banking and made the Swiss the best bankers in the world. This is prompted by the Knights Templar being back in the news again, due to the fascination of…

Feb 3, 2009

Science proves money and sex do go together

A while ago, I mentioned Jeremy Clarkson's immortal billboard poster line to advertise the Times: Money and rumpy-pumpy are the twin engines powering everything we do For those unsure about this, 'rumpy-pumpy' means sex. Mind you, money was invented for sex anyway, so that's nothing new. But what Jeremy and I didn't know is that…

Feb 3, 2009