Letter from the Director

We are happy to report on two academic papers incorporating aspects of socionomics. Last year the Journal of Behavioral Finance (JFB) published Washington State University Professor John Nofsinger’s “Social Mood and Financial Economics.” This year the JBF plans to publish Kenneth Olson’s “A Literature Review of Social Mood.” Olson is a professor psychology at Fort Hays State University in Kansas. These are the first socionomics-related papers penned by academics outside the Institute and Foundation. You may purchase subscriptions to the JFB through the publisher, at www.erlbaum.com. Back issues are also available. We recommend this journal for anyone interested in the psychology of financial markets.

This year will also bring the release of a new, one-hour documentary on socionomics, History’s Hidden Engine, by award-winning filmmaker David Moore. Beginning on March 31, the Institute will make the entire documentary available free via online stream or download from our website at www.socionomics.net. The documentary is Volume 1 of the developing Socionomics Film Series. Volume 2 in the Series, Broader Discussions of Socionomics, includes nearly 90 minutes of extended interviews with experts on socionomics. For information, just visit www.socionomics.net.

As far as we know, this is the first time a major documentary has been released on the internet. We think it’s fitting that a theory with broad potential application be disseminated via a disintermediated channel. Be sure to read our interview with Moore regarding his post-production thoughts on the documentary on page 5.

This issue of Progress In Socionomics has several additional features. Dr. Wayne Parker of the Socionomics Foundation highlights some recent research in the field of neuroscience that may lead to evidence supporting the socionomic hypothesis. We reprint an excerpt on socionomics from U.K. author Tom Slator’s 2005 book, Britain’s Debt Crisis. John Rogelstad, whose company manufactures textiles in the U.S., comments on how he is applying socionomics in his business strategy. And Michael Flagg, a student of nuclear engineering, looks at the theory of “Peak Oil” from a socionomic perspective.

The year 2006 promises to be a big one for socionomists. We’re glad you’re along for the ride.



Gordon Graham
Director, Socionomics Institute