Re: Existential risks

Curt Welch wrote:
[...]
At worse, what will happen is that the current flow of energy and cheap
pre-made materials will slow as all the "free" stuff is used up, and we
have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. The net
result is that we will find more ways to make things last longer and throw
less stuff away since the material to make new things will cost so much
more than it does now.
[...]

Good thing you put "free" in quotes. The only cost of doing or making anything is energy. But the economic theories underlying our accounting systems equate cost with price. "Externals" are priced at $0. Thus the real costs of out goods and services are hidden from us. Actually, a good deal of that unaccounted cost does show up, in the costs of healthcare, accelerated rusting, "restoration" of wilderness areas, etc etc etc.

Our economic theories are insane. What's worse is that the left and right believe the same nonsense they are different sects of the same religion.

--
wolf k.
.

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