Sixes and Sevens: a collection of the contextual, the cultural, and other things that catch my eye.

Image: The Cobolt Collective via It’s Nice That

Frederick Douglass’ gave a famous speech on the meaning of the Fourth of July to the slave. Or, as he put in the speech, your Fourth of July.

The despair at the heart of American society. Economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton on the devastating impact of the America’s health system on its low-paid workforce.

We need a national care service. This piece is about the UK, where the quality of largely privatised care is poor, care workers are badly paid, and owners expect high financial returns.

Celebrating the lockdown contribution of key workers in Glasgow. A series of striking murals by the Cobolt Collective.

The venture capital industry isn’t fit for purpose. It’s sitting on a sea of cash but can’t find worthwhile businesses to invest it in.

10 books about remaking the future. How science fiction can help.

Understanding ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’. As Gil Scott-Heron explained, ‘the first change is in your mind.’.

“The whole world’s at sixes and sevens, and why the house hasn’t fallen down about our ears long ago is a miracle to me.” (Thornton Wilder)