Milton's quote is totally incorrect on a historical basis. In fact most of the huge advancements in human history were made in partnership with the power structure, whether that was Royalty, or the Governments. Milton is having a fantasy about a human history that never existed. Roman aqueducts were not built by VCs.

Which is my point: only governments can build big projects like Rail.

But as I said, you should not take from my remarks that I reject Friedman. Nor do I reject his core philosophy.

There is NOT an exlusively free-market, entrepreneurial solution to the problem. It will have to be both. Again, my assertion will likely be misunderstood because we have a false bifurcation in this country about private vs public initiatives, and projects.

G

Milton Friedman said “The greatest advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science and literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government”

As a People, we will develop new technologies in time. However, unless oil prices reach much higher levels in the near term, there lacks incentive to develop alternative technologies as well as substitute away from oil. However, don't look to the government to provide a long-term solution to any of our problems.

Biofuels, what a joke. Anybody remember '92, Cda/US border open unrestricted for feedgrain (destined to biofuels) maybe 6 mos, wheat crop failure, 5AD trading for 0.85 C$/bu. Then the American farmer and lobbyists rode the tractors to block the borders.

Biofuels and “potential acreage loss” will inflate foodcosts far sooner, far harder than oil $150. Better buy some beef, boys as all land will be farmed, nothing left for a cow unless you ship them in from Prince George and Alta Peace country.

Destroy the world's cheap food supply in quest for fuel …. how green is that.

IDIOTS

Alaska in five years or so may be a very difficult place and become more seasonal as it once was. Head south after “putting in a season”

akguy

G

More broadly, I am a signatory to the idea that there is a CO2 problem. My view is that Ocean acidification has been proven. I find that quite concerning.

In my post here, I am really just kicking off a series of posts in which I will attempt to show that energy and climate policy currently will accomplish very little on either score.

G

It is really sad the US Gov is still listening to its agri-business lobby. The only real interesting biofuel that seems to be working is the one based on Sugar Canes used in Brazil. Corn certainly is not a viable alternative. Perhaps some sort of GM crop could do the trick in the future here but likely won't be ready in time for the next oil shock.