Fleeing Vesuvius comments

Comment on On the cusp of collapse: complexity, energy, and the globalised economy by Iaato

Very, very nice summary, sir. Another book for my wish list, and subscription for my Google Reader. The shorter version would be the proposed fifth law of thermodynamics: "You shorten the cumulative length of the game the more you steal." In other words, the energy quality factor increases hierarchically as an increase in Transformity. "Flows of energy develop hierarchical webs in which inflowing energies interact and are transformed by work processes into energy forms of higher quality that feedback amplifier actions, helping to maximize the power of the system" (Odum, 1994, p. 251). Anyone interested in these kinds of ideas can come to Florida in January to talk about them. I am trying to collect those who view the world through an energetic lens. http://www.emergysystems.org/conference7.php

Comment on On the cusp of collapse: complexity, energy, and the globalised economy by Hugo Heden

Nit-pick: The economic historian Niall Ferguson argued that US fiscal deficits could lead at some point in time to a rapid collapse in the United States economy, noting “most imperial falls are associated with fiscal crisis”. [25] Such a crisis would drag down every other economy, including those of China and Saudi Arabia. Note though that the difference between US and Greece is humongous in this regard. The US actually can't possibly be forced to default on payments in its own currency (although it can choose to do so for political reasons) as there it has sovereign control the currency in question. Greece on the other hand can indeed default. It has no such control over the currency, and therefore works more like a household or a firm. http://moslereconomics.com/2011/08/15/mmt-to-ryan-apologize-now-about-the-us-being-the-next-greece/ http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2010/05/mmt-yes-virginia-there-is-a-difference-between-greece-and-the-us.html http://mikenormaneconomics.blogspot.com/2011/07/warren-mosler-so-please-dont-take-away.html

Brilliant or barmy – what do you think?

Two long reviews of Feasta's book Fleeing Vesuvius have appeared recently, one enthusiastic, the other markedly less so. Andy Wilson of An Taisce writes that " The point hammered home repeatedly is that solo runs are futile, while collaboration and working together offers communities their best chance..... Wonderful book. Buy it.” Graham Strouts is not so convinced. Is he raising questions which Feasta members should not ignore?