The Word Merchant

The Word Merchant by Stephen Heins explores environmental impacts, energy policies, and the economic dimensions of renewable versus traditional energy sources. It critically examines green energy initiatives, climate change narratives, and the role of fossil fuels, with an emphasis on factual information and questioning mainstream environmentalist perspectives.

Environmental Impacts of Energy Sources Economic Analysis of Energy Policies Debates on Renewable vs. Traditional Energy Critiques of Climate Change Narratives Political and Economic Influences on Energy Environmental Advocacy and Activism Global Energy Security and Infrastructure Ethical and Human Rights Perspectives on Climate

The hottest Substack posts of The Word Merchant

And their main takeaways

Why Trump Shouldn't be Impeached

0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
  1. Impeaching Trump after he has left office sets a dangerous precedent of punishing political losers.
  2. Making Trump face prosecution for past business dealings would also be an unfortunate precedent.
  3. Legal immunity doesn't apply to Trump, but selective criminal prosecution could set a troubling example.

Making Life Harder for Home Schooled Students

0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 21
  1. The College Board will no longer offer SAT subject exams, affecting home schooled students' ability to showcase their skills to colleges.
  2. Home schooled students often rely on objective tests like the SAT exams to prove their abilities to colleges.
  3. Replacing SAT subject exams with AP exams poses a challenge for home schooled students as the scoring system is not as strong for demonstrating knowledge.

Vaccination Arithmetic

0 implied HN points • 31 Aug 21
  1. Not everyone may benefit greatly from getting vaccinated based on individual risk factors.
  2. Consider factors like age and prior infection when deciding the benefit of vaccination.
  3. Vaccination not only benefits the individual, but also helps in reducing the spread of the disease to others.

European Speaking Trip: The UK Problem

0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 21
  1. Current travel restrictions and lockdown rules in the UK are making it difficult for the author to plan speaking engagements there.
  2. The author is considering skipping the UK for now and planning a trip later due to the existing pandemic situation and restrictions.
  3. The author notes that Georgia, where an event is planned, has higher infection rates and Covid death rates than other countries on the trip itinerary.

Case Rates, Death Rates, and Vaccination: A Puzzle

0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 21
  1. In Santa Clara County, death rates fell slower than case rates.
  2. For the U.S., death rates fell slower than case rates as well.
  3. Israel saw death rates falling faster than case rates, possibly due to high vaccination rates.
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Evidence that Aging Can Be Reversed

0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 20
  1. An Israeli experiment showed potential reversal of aging processes using hyperbaric oxygen.
  2. Further research is needed to confirm and understand the full implications of the findings.
  3. If proven effective, this could have significant implications for delaying aging in humans.

Free Audiobooks. Sort of.

0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 20
  1. Audible.com offers free audiobook vouchers for promotion.
  2. David Friedman has vouchers for 'The Machinery of Freedom' and 'Future Imperfect'.
  3. Interested individuals can contact David Friedman for free audiobooks.

Wanted: Reviewers for the Audiobook of _Salamander_

0 implied HN points • 02 Oct 20
  1. The author is looking for reviewers for the audiobook of their novel 'Salamander'.
  2. The audiobook will be released soon and the author is pleased with the narrator's performance.
  3. The author is offering free copies in exchange for reviews that can be shared with others.

A Question on Libertarian History

0 implied HN points • 04 Sep 20
  1. The critical turning point in libertarian history was when proponents of a constitutional republic agreed to cooperate with anarchists to not split the pro-liberty movement.
  2. Some individuals may have experienced a different version of libertarian history during the sixties and seventies compared to the account presented by David Friedman.
  3. Identifying the particular anarchists mentioned in discussions about libertarian history, like Murray Rothbard, can be complex due to shifts in his political ideology over time.

Covid: The Invisible Elephant in the Room

0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 20
  1. Herd immunity calculations may be influenced by factors like varying individual vulnerability and behavior.
  2. The real-world distribution of vulnerability impacts the timing of reaching herd immunity.
  3. Behavioral changes due to the pandemic can affect the transmission rate of COVID-19.

A Density Query

0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 20
  1. Population density impacts rates of Covid deaths in different countries.
  2. Herd immunity threshold varies based on interaction frequency.
  3. Conventional population density calculations may not accurately reflect true density experienced by individuals.

An Idea for Colleges in the Pandemic

0 implied HN points • 18 Jul 20
  1. Consider separating professors and staff from students by having students in realspace and faculty in VR classes.
  2. Allow students at serious risk to attend virtually while maintaining interaction with the professor.
  3. Isolate students at the end of the school year and test them to prevent spreading the virus to their families.

Covid 19 — A Question and a Comment

0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 20
  1. Uncertainty exists around the number of people infected with Covid-19 and how it impacts mortality rates.
  2. There is a political discussion surrounding how the response to Covid-19 may influence the upcoming election.
  3. Economic situation as of election day may significantly impact the election outcome for Republicans and Democrats.

Book from Blog

0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
  1. The author is considering turning their blog posts into one or more books.
  2. The blog has over a thousand posts, totaling half a million words.
  3. Readers are being asked for input on which categories should be used for the book.

Virtual Meetup

0 implied HN points • 21 May 20
  1. Meetups are moving online due to the pandemic.
  2. Mozilla Hubs offers a virtual world for gatherings with multiple conversations.
  3. Online Town is another program allowing multiple conversations with webcam views.

Brothers is Out

0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 20
  1. The author's third novel, Brothers, has just been published and is available on Amazon.
  2. Brothers is a sequel to the author's second novel, Salamander, set about fifty years after certain events.
  3. The book starts with Eirick, the son of Lord Iolen, stranded in a new place after his father's death.

How to do an audiobook of Hidden Order

0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 19
  1. An audiobook of 'Hidden Order' containing more than forty figures poses a challenge for listeners who can't view the figures while listening.
  2. Consider producing an audiobook of a different book that doesn't include figures to avoid this issue.
  3. It's important to think about the practicality of viewing visual content while listening to audiobooks, especially in situations like driving.

WoW Economics

0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 19
  1. Using World of Warcraft to teach economics is an intriguing idea.
  2. The auction house in the game can illustrate various economic concepts like competition, cartels, and supply and demand.
  3. Forming player teams in the game reveals insights into comparative advantage.

Anyone Want a Talk in or Near Australia?

0 implied HN points • 17 Oct 19
  1. David Friedman is attending a conference in Sydney, Australia from May 22nd to May 24th.
  2. He is open to giving talks in Australia, New Zealand, or Singapore during his trip.
  3. Interested parties can contact him via email to arrange a talk.

Assortative Mating and Increasing Inequality

0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 19
  1. Meritocratic systems can lead to assortative mating, where individuals with similar characteristics marry each other.
  2. Increasing population concentration and better transport can enhance assortative mating.
  3. Assortative mating based on traits like intelligence can contribute to economic inequality.

Win One, Lose One

0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 18
  1. The election outcome differed from the prediction, but still aligned with the polls.
  2. The preferred outcome was achieved with one party controlling the House and the other the Senate.
  3. Dana Rohrabacher's defeat was a negative, but he is seventy-one and could use a break.

Who Do I Want to Win?

0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 18
  1. The author prefers a divided government to prevent potential harmful outcomes from government actions.
  2. The author sees Republicans favorably as 'us' compared to Democrats who are viewed as 'them'.
  3. The author provides a humorous perspective on American politics through a story about bipartisanship.

I Need Another Cover

0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 18
  1. The author is looking for a cover design for a new book.
  2. The new book, 'Legal Systems Very Different from Ours,' explores different legal systems.
  3. Readers are invited to submit cover design ideas in exchange for a prize.

Elizabeth Warren and Minority Status

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 18
  1. Elizabeth Warren listed herself as a minority law professor due to family tradition of Cherokee ancestry.
  2. Warren's DNA analysis found her to have 1.5% Native American ancestry, less than the average European American.
  3. Ancestry between 1.5% to 0.1% does not necessarily qualify someone as a Native American.

Banned in Turkey

0 implied HN points • 14 Jul 18
  1. The website of David Friedman has been blocked in Turkey.
  2. The reason for the ban is unknown, as the author has not discussed sensitive topics like Armenians, Kurds, or Kemal Ataturk.
  3. The ban likely suggests deliberate action by the Turkish authorities.

Thoughts on Book Covers

0 implied HN points • 21 May 18
  1. Book covers should grab the attention of the target audience and signal the genre of the book.
  2. The cover of a book should selectively appeal to readers who are likely to enjoy the content of the book.
  3. Consider using text and character sketches to convey the theme of the book on the cover.

Stable Cryptocurrencies

0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 17
  1. Bitcoin has high transaction costs and its value is very unstable.
  2. Creating a stable cryptocurrency is possible, as demonstrated by Basecoin's pegging mechanisms.
  3. Maintaining a stable digital currency without an issuer can be achieved through a system involving multiple respected private issuers and strict rules.

Embedded Economics: Help Needed from Conrad Readers

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 17
  1. The author is seeking help from readers to find a Conrad story with interesting economic insights
  2. The story involves a ship in a storm where a solution is needed for money mixed up in a strongbox
  3. The author is looking for other examples of literature with economic insights to include in their collection

An Interesting Mistake

0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 17
  1. Combining interests can lead to win-win outcomes, not just zero-sum conflicts.
  2. Misconceptions about trade being zero-sum can hinder understanding of mutual benefits.
  3. Assuming all disagreements are conflicts can be dangerous in various contexts.

Did Anyone Record my Debate with Austin Petersen?

0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 17
  1. David Friedman debated Austin Petersen on anarchism vs minarchism at the Young Americans for Liberty national convention.
  2. Friedman did not record the debate, but later found out that someone in the audience had recorded it and shared it online.
  3. Friedman discusses the importance of smartphone technology and quick access to information in the modern world.

Thoughts on Literature, Economics and Education

0 implied HN points • 02 May 17
  1. Economics is about understanding behavior starting from the assumption that individuals have objectives and act rationally.
  2. In education, it's more effective to learn by finding things interesting rather than being told to do so.
  3. Literature that showcases economic points should be able to stand on its own as a work of literature.

A Scrap of Libertarian History

0 implied HN points • 10 Mar 17
  1. The post is about a letter on the anarchist/minarchist controversy from 1978
  2. The author speculated on whether Edith Efron answered the letter
  3. The author does not remember writing the letter

Division Rules and Assortative Mating

0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 17
  1. Assortative mating is when similar individuals partner up, like college graduates marrying each other.
  2. In some contexts, assortative mating occurs when potential partners have large differences and share income equally.
  3. Assortative mating may not happen when potential partners are free to vary the split of income or consumption.

Four Possible Trumps

0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 16
  1. The Nightmare: a wild and extreme Trump scenario
  2. Promise Keeper/Paladin of the Right: focusing on trade barriers, immigration, and reversing government actions
  3. Virtuous Traitor: implementing good policies while retracting bad ones

My Recent Talks

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 16
  1. David Friedman recently gave talks at several universities on topics like microeconomics and law.
  2. He also spoke at a Students for Liberty event about the interesting aspects of economics.
  3. Recordings of his talks can be found on his website.

I Conjectured. Estonia did it.

0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 16
  1. In a stateless society, individuals can voluntarily train for defense.
  2. Estonia has civilians in the Defense League trained in insurgency skills as 'military sport.'
  3. Estonia believes a large number of armed civilians could deter invasion by making it costly.

Donald Trump and The Boy Who Cried Wolf

0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 16
  1. Psychiatrists accused Goldwater of being unfit for presidency without examining him.
  2. Media sometimes misconstrue statements by candidates, like the 'masturbation hating candidate'.
  3. Center left writers often label right-wing candidates as ignorant, racist, or crazy, which may not be true.

The Origin of the Law of Torture: A Cautionary Tale

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 16
  1. In the past, people used religious ordeals like boiling water to determine guilt or innocence in medieval trials.
  2. Medieval judicial systems required high standards of proof like two eyewitnesses or a voluntary confession.
  3. To ensure a fair trial and avoid wrongful convictions, modern legal systems have adapted practices like plea bargains instead of lengthy jury trials.

Is Youtube an Adequate Substitute for Me?

0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 16
  1. Watching a video of a talk may be a close substitute for attending the talk in person.
  2. Books offer a more detailed presentation of information compared to lectures.
  3. There might be a unique interaction dynamic between a speaker and listener in real space that makes live lectures more effective than videos.