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The Shared Centre
It's time to reawaken the better angels of our nature
The vast advances in freedom and prosperity of recent centuries were built by choosing leaders – in business, bureaucracy and government – and then holding them accountable.
It’s done wonders. But success doesn’t come without its shadow side. Systems of accountability are also systems of power, and the winners in those systems are increasingly subverting them to their own ends.
But we can change that. Just a few small changes to how these systems function could refashion representation, leadership and community in ways that just might allow us – as if passing through a portal – to renew the promise of modernity rather than betray it.
The Shared Centre brings a book-sized vision to life through 20 bite-sized explainer videos
Featuring original music by Brian Eno, Nicholas explores the decline of public trust in our leaders and institutions, and proposes a new institutional logic to help build a world fit for human habitation.
It’s time to put everyday people like you back at the centre of our institutions with mechanisms like a democratic lottery—as used in legal juries and ‘bottom-up meritocracy’ which harnesses the wisdom of crowds to find the best among us to lead.
This week's video
4. We can't talk it through any more: Why?
Why do so many public debates descend into conflict and misunderstanding instead of connection and greater understanding of each other? Conversations should be our most powerful tool for understanding, yet they are increasingly being twisted into manipulative performances.
Martin Wolf discusses the series
And this is just the beginning
Reforming our institutions from the bottom-up will involve the small works of many people. If you’re interested in contributing, or just learning more as these videos are released, please join our mailing list.
About Nicholas Gruen
Nicholas Gruen is a policy economist, entrepreneur and frequent commentator on Australian media and international podcasts.
He is CEO of Lateral Economics, in previous lives he was Visiting Professor at Kings College London and Adjunct Professor at UTS Business School, chair of Kaggle (subsequently acquired by Google), a political advisor, a school teacher and a cartoonist.
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Use this space to promote the business, its products or its services. Help people become familiar with the business and its offerings, creating a sense of connection and trust. Focus on what makes the business unique and how users can benefit from choosing it.
About Nicholas Gruen
Nicholas Gruen is a policy economist, entrepreneur and frequent commentator on Australian media and international podcasts.
He is CEO of Lateral Economics, in previous lives he was Visiting Professor at Kings College London and Adjunct Professor at UTS Business School, chair of Kaggle (subsequently acquired by Google), a political advisor, a school teacher and a cartoonist.
What people have to say about Nicholas
Chief Economic Commentator, Financial Times
"The most brilliant economist you've never heard of"
Former Minister for Finance and Deregulation
"Australia's foremost public intellectual"
TED Talker and author
"An absolute polymath and genius"
Former Prime Minister of Australia
"... there is always one resource in scarce supply; not technology, but technological imagination.
Nicholas Gruen has that imagination in abundance"
Martin Wolf - Chief Economic Commentator, Financial Times
"The most brilliant economist you've never heard of"
Lindsay Tanner - Former Minister for Finance and Deregulation
"Australia's foremost public intellectual"
Rory Sutherland - TED Talker and author
"An absolute polymath and genius"
Malcolm Turnbull - Former Prime Minister of Australia
"... there is always one resource in scarce supply; not technology, but technological imagination. Nicholas Gruen has that imagination in abundance"