Garth Zietsman
Garth Zietsman is a professional statistician who initially focused on psychological and social research at the Human Sciences Research Council, followed by banking and economics, and then medical research. Some of his research has appeared in academic journals. He has wide interests, with an emphasis on the social (including economics and politics) and life (mostly evolution, health and fitness) sciences, and philosophy. He has been involved with groups advocating liberty since 1990 and is currently consulting to the Freedom Foundation. He has written for a wide range of newspapers and journals.
Articles By This Author
AI could bring the world’s best teachers to every South African child
Modern technology has made it possible to individually maximise the potential of every person. It can do so while sidestepping many political challenges around education and making life more convenient.
Racial classification is just a human invention … but could it be useful?
A lot of social science – beginning with the Victorians – uses the concept of race to analyse humanity. Much of that analysis is uncomplimentary toward non-white groups. It appears self-serving toward the British Empire and is frankly just racist.
Crime and the science behind fighting it
Crime is a behaviour which society frowns upon and which results in someone being made a victim of suffering. Crime destroys society. Apart from its terrible direct suffering, crime undermines trust and cooperation, imposes large financial costs and diverts resources away from productive enterprises toward protection.
Principle versus pragmatism
On Tuesday last week, Thomas Massey lost the Kentucky 04 Republican House primary. He lost it because President Donald Trump did not like Massey’s opposition to his policies in Congress, and because he is the primary driver behind the Epstein file release.
Inflation and the scourge of government spending
As with most of the developing world, our government doubles down on government activity and enterprise and opposes people doing their own thing in liberty. Inflation is one more reason for the people to combat large government for its own sake.
Dementia, and surprising things you can do to avoid it
The prospect of dementia is one of the more feared ailments we face. It is a hard thing to endure as its direct victim, or as one of the relatives who has to look after them and watch a loved one disappear.
The primary purpose of any enterprise is paramount
Adam Smith, in his Wealth of Nations, put forward a description of how task specialisation and the division of labour spectacularly increased production and productivity. Economists of all stripes have since accepted this as obvious.
A well-ordered and disciplined society
Multi-ethnic societies pose challenges mono-ethnic societies do not have – the potential for misunderstanding, fundamental disagreement and mutual distrust.
Algorithms: what have they ever done for us?
During the 1980s, if you wanted a bank loan or a line of credit you needed to see the bank manager who would suss out your ability to pay and decide yes or no.
Energy and prosperity
The current kerfuffle around Iran has resulted in a sudden and sever shortage of oil in many places around the world – rich and poor alike. Like load-shedding in South Africa, this has led to the stark realisation that economies depend very closely on energy availability and stability.