Global Visionaries Share What Drives Human Progress

I recently had the opportunity to interview an extraordinary group of game changers. The topic—how to imagine tomorrow given today. A special thank you to Norwegian entrepreneur Osvald Bjelland, Founder of Origination AS and the Origination Foundation, whose catalytic thinking bridges innovation and sustainability; Lord John Browne of Madingley, Chairman of Beyond Net Zero and former CEO of British Petroleum, offering a piercing lens into sexuality, climate leadership and energy transition; private equity disruptor Finian Tan, whose bold investments have reshaped technologies; Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, championing inclusive development across continents; Jonathan Granoff, Nobel Laureate nominee and President of the Global Security Institute, whose moral clarity and legal acumen illuminate the path toward global peace; and Professor Robert Thurman, the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose scholarship and spiritual depth invite us into the heart of compassion and philosophical inquiry.

Together, these contributors form a symphonic dialogue—transcending sectors and ideologies, and inviting readers to reflect on legacy, leadership, and the urgent possibilities of our time. My review of the Osvald’s book, HOPE for Life on Our Planet, was written through reading select articles, and then spending time with them as well. I want to thank them for bringing their contributions offered in the book to life. I enjoyed my time with them, and found their views inspiring.


Sixty Voices, One Promise

Hope for Life on Our Planet
A feature review by: Christopher P. Skroupa, Founder & CEO, Skytop Media Group

In a world where technologies connect but hearts remain separate, where captains are lifted from sinking ships as passengers are left to drown, in a time when funders steer democracy and the people are silenced— comes a compilation of essays that dares to speak of HOPE.

Hope for life on this planet. Hope for justice, for renewal, for the next seven generations.

This is not a book of platitudes. It is a literary call to action—curated by Osvald Bjelland and brought to life by 60 global contributors whose lived experience, strategic insight, and moral imagination converge in one powerful anthology. Hope for Life on Our Planet: Inspiration For Seven Generations. It’s a promise: it’s a challenge. And with all 60 contributors weighing in, it's a world view.

READ FULL REVIEW HERE

Welcome to
Capitalism Today

Dear Reader,

In this issue of Capitalism Today, we focus on the challenges of managing a business in an unusually uncertain and disruptive environment.

Capital markets are responding to a number of conditions within and outside of the United States, including policy and governance uncertainties emanating from Washington. The Federal Reserve has repeatedly expressed concern about macroeconomic uncertainty.  Changes in trade policy – both the tactics of negotiation, which gives rise to short-term market volatility, as well as the much more important transition in strategic approach to allies and adversaries alike.  Climate change raises generational risks and opportunities for the energy and insurance sectors in particular, but more generally to most businesses.

We also have the mounting disruption of artificial intelligence.  The technology is sure to bring significant changes in labor markets that will entail significant dislocations.  Perhaps more permanently, there is a risk that the technology will upend the role of labor in the economy in ways that will have important social repercussions.  In addition, the technology is likely to directly impact trade, energy, defense, pharma and health, and other important parts of the economy.

Perhaps most importantly to America’s economic future, we have to wrestle with our immigration policy challenges.  As Ronald Reagan memorably said in his last speech as President, “If we ever close the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost. . .  It is bold men and women yearning for freedom and opportunity who leave their homelands and come to a new country to start their lives over. . . . They give more than they receive.”

To those who have experienced the last fifty years or so of recurring financial crises, changes in global power relations and other risk-rich events may have become acclimated to these types of environments, and indeed may have become adept at navigating them.  There is no opportunity for profit without risk and important change brings abundant opportunity, in addition to the potential for missteps.  Business can exacerbate the impact of these risks or contribute to society’s attempts to wrestle them to a better future.  These are the dynamics of capitalism, in every form.

This issue aims to foster thoughtful, balanced discussions on these issues, promoting diverse perspectives and seeking solutions for a more equitable and sustainable future. As the chair of the Editorial Committee, I'd like to thank each committee member for their contribution to this edition and our guest writers for contributing their thought leadership to our kick-off edition.

Should you have an interest in contributing, please email me your comments or suggestions at akohn@skytopmediagroup.com.  I look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

Arthur H. Kohn
Editorial Committee Chair
Capitalism Today


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Insights on the Middle East, the U.S. and Israel

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Her Distinctively American Journey

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