The rise and fall of inequality in the west has been studied in detail by eminent economists such as Simon Kuznets and Thomas Piketty. But China offers a chance to go much further back in time, having maintained a unified identity and unique language for more than 5,000 years – as well as some extraordinarily detailed dynastic archives.

Using these, a team of economists including the author of our latest Insights long read, Peng Zhou from Cardiff University, set out to trace the impact of technological advances – from the revolutionary iron plough to block printing and imperial exams – on inequality in China’s imperial dynasties spanning two millennia.

Their conclusions have some fascinating implications for today’s technological panic over the rise of AI. As we stand at the edge of this latest technological cliff, history whispers: “Calm down. You’ve been here before.”

Also today, new research finds that although there has been a sharp rise in deaths from euthanasia in Belgium since the practice was legalised in 2002, this isn’t because legalisation created a slippery slope leading to a widening of criteria. And while using terms such as “darling” and “sweetheart” towards patients with dementia might seem patronising, work with healthcare professionals in hospitals shows it could be valuable.

And one more thing. The Moomins are turning 80 and we’re celebrating! We’ll be screening Moomins on the Riviera followed by a special expert Q&A, at the Pictureville Cinema in Bradford on May 23. We’d love you to join us for the event. Get 25% off the ticket price - use code Moomins25 here.