I have been reading a book called The Haystack Syndrome by Eliyahu Goldratt. It is mainly about how to design an information system, but it does provide a good summary of the ideas behind the Theory of Constraints (TOC).

He outlines how we use cost accounting to run our businesses, then goes on to use solid cause and effect logic to explain the pitfalls of using these methods. His analysis is very interesting.

Here is a breakdown on his rendition of the history of cost accounting:

Having recently finished listening to the 2008 Reith lectures, I thought it timely to add a post referring to last years series (which resonated with me fairly strongly). http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2007

In this lecture series Professor Jeffrey Sachs outlines a concept called the Anthropocene - the tipping point. He outlines in his talk the current state of the world (politically, environmentally, developmentally, and technologically) and the problems we are facing, and must deal with, if we want to prevent the world from imploding in on itself.