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Well, you have sold me on the idea of living on less resources now all you need to do is deliver. The world is never going to "run out" of oil or energy because we do have alternatives, but these alternatives are going to be more expensive. More expensive energy is going to mean lower standard of living or less people around that can actually afford this energy. Hopefully, Exxon can find a way to deliver algae biofuel cheaply and on a large enough scale that we can have cheap energy again.
Oil is king because it is the cheapest most convenient energy source. Before that it was coal. Sun light (pv) with batteries should be cheaper than Gasoline at the current market prices. It is very expensive for electricity but cheaper than gas. Less convenient. Doing more with less is always good to chase.
I just read the book. It's excellent. More than America, I enjoyed reading about how other countries have attempted to address contracting populations.
When the top marginal tax rate is high total debt is low and we prosper. When the top marginal tax rate is low we have economic depression. And high total debt. Don't confuse the 1980~through 2007 debt bubble with actual good economic health.
Quite true since most wealth is reinvested in the accumulation of more debt. The financial industry keeps loaning out more of its profits.
Probably an oligarch once it becomes his possession. Walt Disney for example was a master of his domain was he not? He wanted his own rent having learned an economic lesson well known in the 19th century but inexplicably still unknown today by the masses.
Regrettably, Walt Disney did not buy enough land surrounding Disneyland, and soon after the park opened it was surrounded by tacky hotels, tourist gift shops and restaurants. His dream of a completely contained theme park for families was now tainted with views of billboards and fast-food restaurants. Walt vowed that if he ever built another theme park, he would not make the same mistake twice. He would be sure that they could control the surroundings, which would include campgrounds, and first-class facilities for recreation and accommodation.
There is no need to speculate. He learned to capture his own rent. Interesting how the article just skips the revenue aspect.
It is sad that American progressives at the turn of the century knew of this in a democratic environment only to see what we are today. However between Tea Party BS and leftest socialism/identity politics there is no democratic political force that has any clue. So at some point the democratic government will be weakened enough to create essential oligarchy. I just pray they will not be nefarious.
Overpopulation is a relatively easy problem to solve.
Firstly we'll need cheaper and more plentiful energy. Unless something new comes along, my bet is on solar to fill the void along with natural gas. More energy reaches the Earth everyday that we could power everything hundred times over in today's terms. That energy is within our grasp.
Secondly, if we have cheap and plentiful energy then we have plenty of water. What % of the Earth is water?
Lastly, education and improving health is a good baby stopper as people who are educated tend to have fewer children.
It won't happen overnight no doubt, but there are technologies coming online that will begin to truly address this issue.
I have heard that before, but I'm not sure if that's represented here.
decorative not productive. but on quite a large scale
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