Whales to Wood, Wood to Coal/Oil- What's Next? Earth's systems revolutions.... Spend the time to watch the video lecture by Daniel Nocera at M.I.T. In 1845, the Dietz Company of New York introduced the sperm oil lantern, which nearly wiped out some whale species. A decade or so later, Dietz began to manufacture lamps using other oils, and gas lighting…
Tag Archives Economics
This is re-produced from Andrew Leigh's WebSite. Among the most interesting debates in economics today is the dispute between Jeffrey Sachs and William Easterly over how best to help the world’s poor. The discussion is interesting not only because it concerns the most important question in all of economics, but also because Sachs and Easterly happen to be exceptionally good…
Peter McMahon, writing in the On line Opinion presents an intriguing position that... The radical impact of new information technologies and the rise of the global crises (global warming, peak oil and the like) are forcing a new kind of politics into being. He suggests [as many of us would agree] that twenty-first century society will be defined by the…
Victorian Education Minister Lynne Kosky has accused private schools of misusing federal funds to poach elite students from government schools. Link: Private schools accused of misusing federal funds.
A very interesting discussion on ABC radio regarding new models of infrastructure funding and the sustainability of the programmes. Macquarie Bank's bosses have made millions by buying and running toll roads and airports and it's the world's biggest name in infrastructure. But there are questions about whether its pioneering model for financing these assets is sustainable. Investor groups are shunning…
More and more parents are willing to make big sacrifices to send their children to private schools. And the schools are coming up with ways to help them pay. David Rood and Chee Chee Leung explain how - and why - they do it. Link: Average income, private school.
Kenneth Davidson reflects on the State Government's use of PPP's IT IS clear that the Bracks Government is softening up public opinion for the introduction of private funding for government schools and TAFEs, as well as other public infrastructure — even though the Government has yet to show how this form of funding offers value for money to Victorian taxpayers.…
Jim Moore's beautiful and warm observations of the passing of a giant of our times.. John Kenneth Galbraith was not only a beloved economist,he was also a local whose towering strides, slowing as he aged, were a common site on Church Street, Brattle Street, and in and around Harvard Square. There was something enormously calming about his presence, and something reassuring about seeing…
Ken McKay argues building the skills base along with research and development are the key issues to drive productivity. Link: Building capacity in Australian industries.