Tag Archives: The Rational Optimist

The Origin of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes

Like mutations in evolution, many accidents such as the one described below lead to increases in diversity. Further proof that centralized, top-down planning could never produce a standard of living as satisfying as atomistic, decentralized agents produce. I love browsing … Continue reading

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I, Cheeseburger

H/T Cafe Hayek for the link Another example of the beauty of free markets in the spirit of the famous: I, Pencil. We rarely examine sufficiently the counterfactuals to the success of free markets, which allows anti-capitalists such as Michael … Continue reading

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To Use the Final Words of Steve Jobs: “Oh Wow.” (Video)

I think Jobs would have been impressed…and probably would have spent hours trying to figure out how to build a robot that could kick this one’s ass. H/T Marginal Revolution Mona Simpson’s Jobs Eulogy Here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/opinion/mona-simpsons-eulogy-for-steve-jobs.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all H/T: Cafe Hayek… Continue reading

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Baby Toursim: US Problem or Opportunity?

Brian Williams’ new show, Rock Center, broadcast this evening with a piece on wealthy foreign pregnant women–many Chinese–who are coming to the US to give birth so that their children can receive citizenship and a Social Security card. Many are outraged … Continue reading

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Why All the Cheer?

I am an optimist by nature, and I hope a rational one in the Matt Ridley vein. But, I do not understand the optimism in the market in the last seven trading days (plus forty-five minutes). Markets are up over … Continue reading

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Andy Kessler on the Source of Real Contributions to Society

Anyone who has studied Austrian School economics–Böhm-Bawerk, Hayek, von Mises, etc.–will not be surprised by Andy Kessler’s comments on the source of real social progress: Virtually all of it comes from our entrepreneurs who invent and create the goods and … Continue reading

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Frank Stonach Meets John Galt

It is rare to hear the Chairman of the Board of a public company publicly trash government bureaucrats, especially one from a car part manufacturing company, which is heavily dependent on government regulatory approvals. But, here is Frank Stonach, Chairman of Magna, an … Continue reading

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Why are there Few Entrepreneurs?

Two recent Wall Street Journal pieces highlight our current poor economy. The first recognizes that entrepreneurship is on the decline. Shrinking in a Bad Economy: America’s Entrepreneur Class By JOHN BUSSEY Imagine a small airstrip where single-seat Continue reading

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More Reasons for Rational Optimism–A Cure for Cancers?

Economic freedom leads to trade and specialization. Millions of free people pursuing wealth–among other things–develop products and ideas that benefit all of mankind. The mere possibility of a cure for cancers makes me immeasurably wealthier today than I was yesterday even … Continue reading

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Brian Eno, Rational Optimist

Growing up, I had a bit of an eclectic taste in music. My taste included everything from the Brits–Beatles, Stones, and especially the Who (I would listen to Quadrophenia at least once per day)–to early David Bowie, Talking Heads, U2, … Continue reading

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