Philosophy business thriving in 2018

I have just reported business earnings for 2018, as part of the Norwegian tax settlements. My one-person firm (enkeltmannsforetak) "Spør filosofen" had 93,705 NOK in income, a record (with the possible exception of the year I wrote my grandfather´s biography). The company had 4.008 NOK in expenses, and an operating profit (before tax) amounting to 89.697 NOK (operating profit margin was 95,7%).

The income was mainly drawn from giving a whole course in philosophy of science and health care ethics at UiS (sponsored by Norsk Luftambulanse), and a series of three open lectures, plus composing leaflet text, in connection with the video art exhibition "Vitner" at Sølvberget gallery.

National daily Aftenposten cites chronicle on petroleum research

In a news article published by the national daily Aftenposten January 17th, "Derfor bruker de lang tid på å finne ny Statoilsjef" [This is why they take so long finding a new Statoil boss], I am cited, in a caption, as stating that the tax refund arrangements for oil drilling makes research collaborations between universities and private companies parodic.

Philosophy business: In minus

Yesterday I had to do my tax returns report (in Norwegian: selvangivelse). Since I am registered with a private (personal, actually) commercial company, Spør Filosofen ("Ask the Philosopher"), I simultaneously calculated the revenues, costs and profits (sic) of my company.

The outcome (for the year 2010):

Revenues, in total: 4.000 NOK
Costs, in total: 12.875,20 NOK
Profits: -8.875,20 NOK

In US dollars:

Revenues, in total: 748 USD
Costs, in total: 2.407 USD
Profits: -1.659 USD

Costs included maintaining a webpage, travel and accommodation in relation to promo-meetings, and advertising on Facebook and Google. Revenues originated from two assignments locally (in the Kristiansand area), one being a talk on the future of the global growth economy, the other a lecture and more for an international group of (exchange) students.

Some day I'll be rich. No kidding.