Dr. Vikas Shah MBE DL Interviews the world's leading thinkers, and the people shaping the century.

Guest article written for AllAboutAlpha.com – the official publication of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association Originally posted at: http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2012/06/07/alpha-hunters-looking-at-alternative-investments-from-the-inside-out/ While referred to as “alternative investments“, hedge funds, private equity, commodities, structured products and other real assets account for a significant proportion of global investment and trade activity. One…

 

In this exclusive interview, we speak to Raymond Baker (Director of the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development). We discuss the true scale of the global illicit economy and understand how issues such as government theft, drug trafficking, global wealth, money laundering and the shadow financial system contribute…

 

Guest article written for AllAboutAlpha.com – the official publication of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association Originally posted at: http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2012/05/31/the-secrets-of-the-worlds-greatest-traders/ Traders and investors have made (and lost) some of the world’s most significant pools of wealth. It’s no coincidence that many of the wealthiest individuals in the world today…

 

An Interview with Chris Guillebeau, author of the $100 Entrepreneur As the FT reported in January 2012, “…in the United States and other developed markets, SMEs commonly account for half or more of gross domestic product…. A recent study from the European Commission indicates that SMEs generated 85 per cent…

 

Guest article written for AllAboutAlpha.com – the official publication of the  Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association Originally posted at: http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2012/04/30/a-life-changing-600-million/ Impact Investments are a maturing asset class.  These are investments that go beyond financial return to deliver a measurable positive social or environmental impacts for the beneficiaries they affect.  JP…

 

In this exclusive interview, we speak to Ingrid Newkirk (Co-Founder and President of PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). We discuss the relationship of our species with the animal kingdom. We look at issues ranging from animal rights, to the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment…

 

Guest article written for AllAboutAlpha.com – the official publication of the  Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association Originally posted at: http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2012/04/26/the-brand-of-hedge-funds/ With almost US$2 Trillion under management, the hedge fund industry is a significant component of the global financial market.  To put their size in context however, it is important to…

 

Guest article written for AllAboutAlpha.com – the official publication of the  Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association Originally posted at: http://allaboutalpha.com/blog/2012/04/19/finding-alpha-in-israels-emerging-market/ Since the nation’s establishment in 1948, Israel has existed in a perpetual state of conflict.  There is little doubt that these conflicts have had a negative impact on the country’s…

 

It’s Time to Get Business Spending In March 2012, The Economist reported that UK corporate surpluses reached more than £700 billion last year, amounting to almost 6% of GDP. The United States told a similar story with the 1,100 non-financial corporations rated by Moody’s showing cash balances of over £1.24…

 

In 1919, a man started a small business selling surplus groceries from a market stall in East London.  His first day’s sales were £4, giving a profit of £1 (around £178.00 in sales and £44.00 profit in today’s money).  Fast-forward around 90 years and this business now generates over £50…

 

In this exclusive interview, we speak to Yury Fedotov (Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC). We discuss the scale of global crime looking at issues ranging from drugs and drug trafficking to money laundering, corruption, violence and even the illegal trade in human beings…

 

Explore an archive of more than 3,000 quotes.

The head of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, privately criticised David Cameron and George Osborne before the election for their lack of experience, the lack of depth in their inner circle and their tendency to think about issues only in terms of their electoral impact.

— Mervyn King
Governor of the Bank of England (2003-2013)

The idea of dialogue is overrated- sometimes you have to fight. There are certain issues we mustn't depoliticise, sometimes we must fight, and sometimes that fight is physical… that's just reality. As for 'building bridges' with fascists, sometimes there are no bridges, you cannot befriend someone who is trying to kill you.

— Ece Temelkuran
Turkish journalist, author, and political commentator known for critical writings on democracy

Young people see philanthropy and change completely differently – they don't support charities in the same way as I do, but they campaign and that's perhaps more valuable. The money is less important now, and the drive is the focus, the talking, the doing.

— Dame Stephanie Shirley
Pioneering Software Engineer & Founder of Freelance Programmers Ltd

Rationality applies whether you believe in it or not. One idea follows from another – or it doesn't – and if you want some of your beliefs to lead to other beliefs, you have no choice but to be rational.

— Steven Pinker
Cognitive Scientist & Psychologist Known for Research on Language and Human Nature

My advice is to grab hold of people that are close to you and lean on them heavily. That's how we're designed to work!

— Steve Peters
Psychiatrist and author of "The Chimp Paradox

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Long-form Interviews with the World's Leading Thinkers — Thought Economics


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