It’s undeniable that Austin and San Francisco are unique hubs of startups and innovation. I think that’s part of the problem. 90% of the innovating is done by a tiny fraction of the people there, and everyone else gets the benefit of the reputation. It’s a moral hazard.
Tag: world
The Choice is Voice or Violence
If there’s a constant in human nature over the millenia that we have existed, it’s this: you will allow voice, or you will get violence. Free speech is arguably the greatest liberty we have in terms of its capabilities to speak truth to power and topple status quos. Hence its the first liberty to be forcefully removed by the powers that be who profit so richly from certain ideas remaining en vogue.
The Two Types of Socio-Economic Problems
If the problem is real and the government undertakes to solve it, the result in nearly every case will be that special interests, especially the government itself, will be further empowered and enriched and, on top of this insult to justice and prosperity, the real problem will be made worse rather than solved, setting in motion further calls for government intervention and creating an endless chain of action and reaction leading toward a leviathan state.
The Worst Education System
Public schools are the worst education system imaginable. In addition to the trillions of dollars which are stolen to fund such a monstrosity, the curriculum itself is statist brainwashing beginning with the earliest forms of pre-kindergarten.
Want to Be a Scholar? Be a Scholar; You Don’t Need Academia’s Approval
The thing that really struck me about this question was the complete and utter lack of imagination. Actually, scratch that. It doesn’t even take imagination because the alternative exists and some people are doing it. It’s more like a complete lack of awareness of the world that already exists. Like the academic who proclaimed that the private maintenance of maritime lighthouses was impossible, while the lighthouse out his own window was at that very time privately maintained.
What St. Patrick’s Day Can Teach Us About Beating Anti-Immigrant Prejudice
I don’t know and can’t explain all the causes of the ultimate acceptance of Irish culture, but I do think St. Patrick’s Day has one answer. This is the only time of year most people think about Irish culture. And when they do, all they have to do is look around and see people having a good time, dancing, drinking, and listening to good music. Irish culture is much more than what we see on St. Patrick’s Day, to be sure, but what we saw yesterday is by no means a bad side of it.
Economic Nationalism: Elitism in Populist Clothing
My old friend and former “American Conservative” editor Dan McCarthy gets it all wrong about Donald Trump’s “national security” tariffs on aluminum and steel.
The First World Problems Foundation
As I accumulate wealth, I think I’ll get working on establishing the First World Problems Foundation. Maybe you can join me. Together, we can remove small annoyances from the lives of the super prosperous, and thus make the world a better place.
Try Not to Take it Personally
Sometimes people are angry or upset, and sometimes that anger is directed toward us. But it’s not always the case that our actions inspired that anger. If we know that it did, recompense may be in order. If we are unsure, then stay calm and composed, and do some digging. Taking it personally is unhelpful, both to you and to them.
Market Outcomes > Expert Opinions
Manned flight is impossible. Computers will never be smaller than a house. Space flight is “Utter bilge”. The food pyramid. One doesn’t have to look far to find embarrassing, peer-reviewed, max-credentialed, decades-held-as-orthodoxy proclamations by the most respected experts in the world.