Breaking News, Business, Financial and Economic News, World News from EconoTimes

Become a contributor

Bookmark Econotimes

Thu, Apr 23, 2026 06:08 PM All times are UTC

Follow Series

©Econometrics LLC . All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Mike Sosteric

Associate Professor, Sociology, Athabasca University

I am an associate professor of Sociology at Athabasca University. My primary interests are in the areas of human development, human potential, and human transformation.

For full text of my academic papers, visit https://athabascau.academia.edu/DrS

Human Spirituality

When it comes to human potential and human transformation, I find human spirituality and, in particular, mystical experience (what I would call connection experience) a fascinating subject. I explore human mystical experience in four recent papers, one entitled "The Sociology of Mysticism," another entitled "Dangerous Memories: Slavery, Mysticism, and Transformation," a third entitled "The Science of Ascension," and a final entitled "From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Science and Technology of Mass Human Behavior."
.
Human Economics

You can’t talk about human potential and human transformation without talking about money and the economy. Without sufficient money, there is no way for an individual to actualize their potential. Unfortunately, our current global economy is one where unfettered accumulation ensures the vast majority live without the resources required to live a full and transformative life. I examine our current global economic system, the cyclic global economic crises which regularly ensue, and the pain and suffering involved, in my book, "Rocket Scientists’ Guide to Money and the Economy." I also provide an educational video entitled Money Moksha to go along with the book, available on YouTube.

How the conservative right hijacks religion

Jul 09, 2019 23:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Democrats are beginning to challenge the Republican grip on the language of religion and faith in the United States. Democrat Sen. Chris Coons, a graduate of Yale Divinity School, recently wrote an essay for The Atlantic,...

The Catholic Church is a rich male collective

Sep 24, 2018 06:41 am UTC| Insights & Views Life

Im a typical sociologist, meaning I am skeptical about religion and human spirituality. Although I attended Catholic Church as a small child, I could see the hypocrisy, even as a child. I rejected that religion at an early...

Global Geopolitics Series

World War Three is being waged in cyberspace

Oct 05, 2017 03:35 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

My introduction to advanced communication technology (i.e. the Internet and World Wide Web) came in 1999. Having grown up in the two-channel universe of the 1960s and 70s, I was agog at the power it represented. The...

Teen suicide is on the rise and this is why

Sep 11, 2017 15:17 pm UTC| Insights & Views Life

Every 40 seconds, another human life is taken by suicide, according to World Health Organization data. In Canada, a new report reveals that young people between the ages of 15 and 19, who are struggling with mental...

Economy

Indian Cotton Yarn Exports Surge as China Demand Rises Amid Global Supply Disruptions

Global supply chain challenges and fuel disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict have negatively impacted many Indian manufacturing sectors. However, Indias cotton yarn industry is experiencing a significant...

European Car Sales Surge in March as EV and Hybrid Demand Accelerates

European car sales recorded a strong rebound in March, driven largely by rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars. According to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA),...

Foreign Investors Drive Surge in Japanese Stocks Amid AI Rally and Improved Risk Sentiment

Japanese stocks experienced a strong wave of foreign investor inflows in the week ending April 18, supported by a rally in artificial intelligence-related companies and improving global risk sentiment. Optimism surrounding...

Nikkei Retreats After Brief 60,000 Break as Profit-Taking and Geopolitical Risks Weigh

Japans Nikkei 225 share average reversed gains on Thursday after briefly surpassing the key 60,000 level, as investors moved to lock in profits following an early surge fueled by technology stocks and optimism surrounding...

Bank of Japan Signals Potential Rate Hike as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Shock

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is widely expected to keep its interest rates unchanged at its upcoming April 2728 policy meeting, while signaling a possible rate hike as early as June or July. With global markets already pricing...

Politics

Taiwan Coast Guard Conducts Rare Drill on Disputed South China Sea Island

Taiwan has carried out a rare high-level visit and military-style exercise on Itu Aba, a Taiwan-controlled island in the contested South China Sea, highlighting growing regional tensions. The visit was led by Ocean Affairs...

Zelensky Warns Ukraine Could Face Patriot Missile Supply Risks Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns that Ukraines access to critical U.S. anti-missile defense systems, particularly Patriot missiles, could be at risk if tensions in the Middle Eastespecially...

Navy Secretary John Phelan Fired Amid Pentagon Leadership Shakeup and Shipbuilding Concerns

Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed from his role, according to U.S. officials, marking another major leadership change within the Pentagon during a period of heightened military tension. The Pentagon confirmed...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Law Restricting DEI Programs and Climate Initiatives

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law that restricts local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, marking a significant shift in state policy. The legislation...

Senate Republicans Push $70B Immigration Funding Plan Amid DHS Shutdown Standoff

U.S. Senate Republicans moved forward Wednesday with a $70 billion funding proposal aimed at supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol operations over the next three years, intensifying a...

Science

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

SpaceX Pivots Toward Moon City as Musk Reframes Long-Term Space Vision

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed a significant shift in the companys near-term space exploration strategy, announcing that SpaceX is now prioritizing the development of a self-growing city on the Moon rather than focusing...

Technology

Microsoft Commits $18 Billion to Expand AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Australia

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has unveiled a major investment plan worth A$25 billion (approximately $18 billion) in Australia, signaling a significant push to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing...

Elon Musk Signals Intel 14A Chips for Tesla’s Terafab AI Semiconductor Venture

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk revealed new details about the companys ambitious semiconductor plans, confirming that the Terafab joint venture intends to leverage Intels advanced 14A chip manufacturing process....

Tesla Earnings Beat Expectations as EV Growth Holds Amid Robotics and AI Shift

Tesla reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 earnings, driven largely by resilience in its core electric vehicle business, even as the company continues shifting focus toward artificial intelligence, robotics,...

SK Hynix Reports Record Q1 Profit Surge Driven by AI Memory Chip Demand

SK Hynix Inc. (KS:000660) delivered a standout performance in the first quarter, reporting a dramatic surge in operating profit that exceeded market expectations. The South Korean semiconductor giant benefited...

Florida Launches Criminal Probe Into OpenAI Over FSU Shooting Incident

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that the state has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, following a deadly shooting at Florida State University last year. The...