Michael Cook

Michael Cook likes bad puns, bushwalking and black coffee. He did a BA at Harvard University in the US where it was good for networking, but moved to Sydney where it wasn’t. He also did a PhD on an obscure corner of Australian literature. He has worked as a book editor and magazine editor and has published articles in magazines and newspapers in the US, the UK and Australia. Currently he is the editor of BioEdge, a newsletter about bioethics, and MercatorNet. He also writes a bioethics column for Australasian Science and contributes occasional op-ed pieces to newspapers and websites in the US, UK and Australia.

Michael Cook | 30 Apr 2013

The Economist hosted a debate on the topic: How real is the rise of Africa? This short video summarises the ensuing discussion. Fascinating stuff.

Michael Cook | 3 Apr 2013

Africa is an exception. The rest of the world should pray that it stays that way.

Michael Cook | 1 Apr 2013

A collection of paintings and sculpture at the Princeton University Art Museum examines the many roles that Africans, both slave and free, played in 16th century Europe. This video from The Economist helps to reveal forgotten histories.

Michael Cook | 25 Feb 2013

Rwanda. A byword for mayhem and darkest Africa, right? Well, once up on a time. But the latest news from Rwanda is that the improvement in its healthcare statistics are so good that it might export its systems to the United States.

Michael Cook | 8 Feb 2013

If you want colour and exuberance, it's hard to beat a funeral in Ghana, according to The Guardian. (Click here for a gallery of snazzy caskets -- real works of art which put boring teak shoe boxes to shame.) "We estimate that the cost of funerals in Ghana often runs into thousands of dollars," a UK life insurance executive in Ghana says. "There is obviously this cultural thing that seems to have spiralled slightly out of control."

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