Re: Existential risks

On Apr 27, 8:24 am, Wolf Kirchmeir <wolf...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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.

Insane? Compared to what? AFAICT, our economic policies are based on
insufficient ability to predict the future - or at least a lack of
confidence in out ability to do so. We might be OK if we could run
through the process a few times until we get it right :-[

--
Joe
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Existential risks
    ... have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. ... The only cost of doing or making ... But the economic theories underlying our accounting ...
    (comp.ai.philosophy)
  • Re: Existential risks
    ... have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. ... The only cost of doing or making ... If we want to use a rational market system then all externalities ...
    (comp.ai.philosophy)
  • Re: Existential risks
    ... have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. ... The only cost of doing or making ... risk management for the unknown externalities. ...
    (comp.ai.philosophy)
  • Re: Existential risks
    ... have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. ... The only cost of doing or making ... This stems from the incorrect belief that these resources are, ...
    (comp.ai.philosophy)
  • Re: Existential risks
    ... have to use energy to recycle materials into the forms we need. ... The only cost of doing or making anything is energy. ... But the economic theories underlying our accounting systems equate cost with price. ...
    (comp.ai.philosophy)