>>The formula is extremely simple: economic growth = dieoff
>
>No, Jay, it really isn't extremely simple. You just make it sound that
way.
>The problem the world is faced with is one of being damned if you do and
>damned if you don't. Rich countries may not need growth in excess of the
I am working on a twelve step program for economists, here are the first few
steps:
#1. The candidate economist must go to a library. There they will notice
spheres sitting on wooden stands. These represent the planet we live on:
Earth. Spheres like Earth are by definition finite -- they only hold just
so much stuff. Economists are required to memorize this key point and say
it over and over, "The Earth only holds just so much stuff cause it's a
sphere. The Earth only holds just so much stuff cause it's a sphere. The
Earth only holds just so much stuff cause it's a sphere. ..." Economists
are required to say it over and over until he or she can remember it without
peeking at notes.
Next, the economist is ready for his or her very first BIG scientific
experiment! The economist is advised to stay calm, and be sure to get a
good night's sleep before attempting the experiment.
#2. Put a piece of cake on a plate.
#3. Eat the cake.
#4. See if you still have the cake.
Economists aren't used to empirical science and will have to do the
experiment (#2 through #4) a few times before the implications finally sink
in.
Isn't science fun!!! Once they have mastered "the lesson of the cake",
economists are ready to move on to "The Lesson of the Shit".
For more lessons, subscribe to my "JunkEconomics" mailing list at:
http://onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/JunkEconomics
Jay
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COMING SOON TO A LOCATION NEAR YOU!
http://dieoff.com/page1.htm