LATEST BLOG POSTS

I enjoyed reading Bill McKibben’s latest book Here Comes the Sun. I found much of it well researched. Still, I don’t think it made clear what I consider its starting point. Before you read the critical stuff I start with about the book, I end on a high note. I’ve written many times how tools like technology, market incentives, and legislation aren’t good or bad. They implement and augment the[…] Keep reading →

I just found this opinion piece in the New York Times from 2023: The World’s Population May Peak in Your Lifetime. What Happens Next? It starts: The global human population has been climbing for the past two centuries. But what is normal for all of us alive today — growing up while the world is growing rapidly — may be a blip in human history. Children born today will very[…] Keep reading →

Last night I dreamed people actually wanted to act, themselves, personally, not just talk. Memories of dreams fade fast, so I don’t remember the details, but I remember people asking, “What should I do?” with interest and curiosity instead of, with cynicism and incredulity, “What should I do?”, as if there was no answer. I dreamed that people realized they had to change their lives and wanted to. I woke[…] Keep reading →

First I have to make as clear as possible: I oppose imperialism, colonialism, and outcomes they produce such as slavery, racism, genocide, and the coercive, often violent and deadly destruction of cultures, including indigenous ones. That opposition contributes significantly to my work, since living unsustainably drives all those results. In light of that connection, since I know no one even trying to live sustainably, which is necessary to lead others[…] Keep reading →

This week I finished: Led Zeppelin: The Biography, by Bob Spitz: I saw a different biography of Led Zeppelin by chance at the library. After reading memoirs of Keith Richards and Bruce Springsteen, plus for a diversion from all the studying of constitutional and corruption stuff, I felt like reading it. I looked up reviews and opted for this one. I loved it. I couldn’t stop. I grew up loving[…] Keep reading →

I read Julian Simon’s book The Ultimate Resource 2. I share his belief in the capacity for people to improve the world, both each other’s quality of life and the natural world. I think he misses some important points. I know of his bet with Paul Ehrlich, who may be a talented scientist, but I don’t think a talented or effective leader. I’ll comment on some quotes of Simon. I[…] Keep reading →

I’m constantly thinking of how to make my next book as accessible as possible. How do I write something so people want to read more, want to change their lives. Usually I write ideas by hand on paper, a mode that feels like there’s less between me and what I write. Then I transfer it to my files by typing it into the computer. I also write here as a[…] Keep reading →

I’ve thought of several book ideas lately. Since I can only work on one at a time and don’t want to distract myself, though I’ll keep up the sidcha of posting daily here, I’ll post some titles, sketches, and outlines here when I think of them. I welcome feedback. Draft ideas Title: How Not to Fly: How to make your most harmful activity feel repugnant and easy to quit Chapters[…] Keep reading →

Below shows the results if you search Amazon for “Top 2025 Christmas gifts.” I will bet over 95 percent of them will be in landfills, bottoms of drawers never to be used again, or some equivalent by the end of January. I’m pretty live-and-let-live about what makes people happy (though not when it hurts someone else without consent), but I couldn’t find one item there whose existence made the world[…] Keep reading →