Side Histories

Histories of side-topics providing context, especially economic history and registration/identification. (1) Industrial revolutions—labels assigned by various academics, which are not fixed. These drove demand for credit. (2) Booms and busts, bubbles and bursts—major economic upsets since the 17th century, many of which have followed upon technological changes and irrational exuberance. Many busts led to innovations in credit intelligence. (3) Registration—why and how. Starting with social hierarchies and management of obligations, whether upwards of citizens to government {taxation, military}, or downwards with provision of support and services. It is evidenced in various forms {passports, references, certificates, tokens}. (4) Identification—means used for individuals, desired qualities of which may not be possible simultaneously {specific, immutable, assessable, communicable, interrogable and utility}. Different types can be or are used {visual, oral, disclosed, authenticators, invasive}. Many present ethical and practical issues, varying by the period and technologies employed.