A Free-Market Energy Blog

Archive

Posts from December 0

Clarence Ayres on Human Ingenuity (1944 insights for today)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 4, 2020

“[T]he American Institutionalist economist Clarence Ayres explained the exponential growth or proliferation of technical devices in light of the fact that ‘the more devices there are, the greater is the number of potential combinations.’

New and better technology, in turn, meant that natural resources were really ‘materials’ that could become ever more abundant as ‘natural resources are defined by the prevailing technology’ rather than what nature had made available to humanity.”

– Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak, “Seven Billion Solutions Strong.” February 7, 2020.

Boom! Add economist Clarence Ayres to the other Institutional-school economists explaining how economic progress is open-ended, and how progress sets the stage for ever more.

Such helps to explain, for example, the paradox of expanding ‘depletable’ minerals.

Simon and ‘Schools’ of Economics

Julian Simon reversed his thinking to realize that more people meant more resources and progress, not less.…

Scaring and Programming Kids on Climate (calling anti-Greta Naomi Seibt)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- March 3, 2020

“Learn hundreds of wide-ranging ideas, including how to talk about the climate crisis in age-appropriate ways; amplify the voices of youths demanding change; get kids off screens — and outdoors; change your lifestyle in ways that deepen bonds, improve moods, and reduce your impact on the Earth.”

How Kids Can Stop Fearing the Future and Tackle Climate Change” by Michael Krasny fawningly describes a new propaganda book by Mary DeMocker, “The Parents Guide to Climate Revolution,” complete with a foreword by deep ecologist Bill McKibben.[1]

Subtitled “100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep,” Parents Guide is self-advertised as follows:

“Relax,” writes author Mary DeMocker, “this isn’t another light bulb list. It’s not another overwhelming pile of parental ‘to dos’ designed to shrink your family’s carbon footprint through eco-superheroism.”

Energy Statism at CPAC: Conservatives Beware! (two panels pushing carbon tax)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 27, 2020

There’s a war on conservativism, but it’s not coming from the Left. Whether it’s the Soros-funded Niskanen CenterCitizens’ Climate Lobby, or the Center for Responsible Energy Solutions, the goal is the same: push the Left’s global warming agenda on conservatives—and label it “free market.” But when it comes to their funding, these eco-cons have one message: Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! (Hayden Ludwig, Green Watch, Capital Research Center, November 5, 2019)


Unlimited money can buy a lot of things, including panels at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) annual meeting, hosted by the American Conservative Union, being held this week in Washington, DC. Two of the worst panels concern a disguised plea to implement a federal carbon tax on the pretense that such a policy will “win” the climate fight with the Left (wrong!

“Execs’ Open Letter to 2020 Candidates Promotes Oil & Natural Gas”

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 26, 2020

Climate Alarmism and Malthusianism (rebuttal to Taylor)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 25, 2020

‘The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels’ Alarms the Alarmists

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 24, 2020

‘Beyond Petroleum’ Now ‘Big Promises’ at BP

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 20, 2020

“Is Biomass Dead?” (niche generator struggles)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 19, 2020

Unsettled Science, IPCC-style

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 18, 2020

Cass on Adaptation (the realistic climate policy)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- February 13, 2020