The Advantage of Doing Nothing

Alex Tabarrok poses a statement based upon economic features in which I find myself in agreement (be sure to read the Counterpoint comments after the Post). We know too little about the effects of any intervention We may incite in the environment (the World weather is too complex to ascertain the total impact of any measures adopted). Ice Shelf melt may be caused by the higher Radiation levels in the upper atmosphere, as ice melts at lower Temperatures under Radiation bombardment than under normal geological Temperature ranges. The Answer may be simply artificial production of Ozone (one suggested method is the simple introduction of Lightning rods into the upper atmosphere). The trouble here comes in lack of understanding of the impact of increased levels of Ozone; overproduction of Ozone above normal levels being the likely outcome of such efforts. The other major factor in the Decision-Making process consisting of whether We are in a natural cycle of the World; what such a cycle could mean to human habitation of the Earth; and what are Our Resources with which to counteract or promote such a cycle. There are still too many unknown variables which must be identified and quantified before an intelligent policy can be rendered.

Richard Posner raises some real worries about charitable foundations in two Posts, here and here. Posner has obvious mixed feelings about charitable foundations, and believes in the Sunset provisions for ending the duration of such institutions. I agree with his sentiment, knowing the corruptibility of any human institutions. Charitable foundations possess only two directions of travel: capture by Money Managers, or capture by over-Liberal waste of funds. The Former convert charitable foundations to personal fortune building activities for administrative staff; the Later under-fund necessary components of social ills in pursuit of Fad causes. Posner only mentions in passing the invasion of the Charity world by business to suit business advantage, but it is a major problem with charitable foundations; the major benefit resident is tax escape for heirs who would otherwise be forced to surrender control of major portions of Estates.

Daniel Drezner produces an excellent tour de force through the current mythology of Trade, with a number of excellent links to worthwhile reading. My attitude towards Trade remains opposite to the Opinions of most of the total, though I do not believe Trade is a race to the bottom. My Take: Trade is actually very expensive, and those Expenses are finally starting to appear. Transfer of Finished Products take far too much Cargo space, and Transport consumes far too much energy. The nature of Finished Products often dictate rapid transit, and hugely increased energy use. Maintenance and Distribution of Product becomes very expensive, as the volume of Exports increase (many Economists would debate this, but there are no economies of scale here). The growth of technical expertise through establishment of Distribution for Product leads to countercyclical desires to found native Production of Product. All factors point away from globalization, as it is an expensive toy. lgl