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

Some Economic Puzzles

0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 15
  1. In China, it's common for buildings to be rented out to individual sellers, unlike in the U.S. where employees of the firm own the building.
  2. Brazil has restaurants that sell food by weight, which is uncommon in the U.S. where most items are priced individually.
  3. There is a puzzle on why restaurants don't separate pricing for food and sitting time, considering the different costs patrons impose.

Some Links

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 15
  1. The Michelson-Morley and Sagnac experiments failed to detect any significant change in the speed of light, supporting the geocentric model.
  2. A list of 200 proofs argues for the geocentric model of the universe.
  3. There is a detailed critique of recycling in a post linked in the text.

Intuiting the Kim Davis Case

0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 15
  1. Consider how support for religious objections may vary based on different scenarios.
  2. Resigning from a position rather than acting against religious beliefs is an option for some people.
  3. Comparing situations can help people see perspectives they may not have considered.

Torture and Revealed Preference

0 implied HN points • 18 May 15
  1. In the war against ISIS, capturing a key figure alive for information is seen as more valuable than killing them.
  2. The use of torture or threats to extract information may contradict official government statements.
  3. The concept of revealed preference in economics emphasizes that actions reveal more than words.

Liberals and Elizabeth Warren

0 implied HN points • 12 May 15
  1. Elizabeth Warren claimed to be Native American without concrete proof.
  2. The controversy raised questions about her behavior and the principles of affirmative action.
  3. Support for Warren may be influenced by tribal behavior rather than adherence to principles.
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The Trust Problem

0 implied HN points • 11 May 15
  1. Be wary of trusting all news sources, as they may have biases.
  2. Consider the potential bias of sources that rate news organizations.
  3. One way to navigate biased news sources is to analyze their own bias and tone to assess credibility of information.

Why Good Teachers Get Bad Evaluations

0 implied HN points • 10 May 15
  1. Good teachers may receive bad evaluations because some students prefer easy classes over challenging ones.
  2. Teaching complex, accurate information can make a teacher seem worse than one who simplifies and sacrifices accuracy.
  3. Students may believe they understand a subject better when taught incorrectly rather than when taught the correct, more difficult concepts.

Ernest Hemingway, FBI Victim, Spy Wannabe, Both or Neither?

0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 15
  1. Hemingway thought the FBI was spying on him, and it turned out they were.
  2. During WWII, Hemingway offered to gather intelligence but the FBI found it worthless.
  3. Hemingway pretended to be a spy for both the U.S. government and the Soviets but was deemed useless by both.

Why Does Highway Construction Take So Long?

0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 15
  1. Highway construction projects can take longer than expected due to various factors such as complex processes and lengthy concrete drying times.
  2. Construction firms and government departments may lack incentives to speed up the process if they are paid by time instead of by project.
  3. Political considerations and the desire to showcase ongoing work can also contribute to delays in highway construction projects.

Global Warming and Wishful Thinking

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 14
  1. Political beliefs can influence what people want to be true.
  2. People tend to seek arguments that align with what they already believe.
  3. Views on global warming are often intertwined with broader political and social beliefs.

Charlie Hebdo, the New York Times, and Tribal Politics

0 implied HN points • 13 Jan 15
  1. The New York Times chose not to reprint Charlie Hebdo's cartoons to avoid offending Muslim readers.
  2. The decision may stem from tribal politics, where groups align with either red or blue tribes based on positions and evidence interpretation.
  3. The New York Times, representing the blue tribe, may have avoided the story due to its alignment with the red tribe's perspective.

A Nice Example of Scientific Ignorance

0 implied HN points • 17 Dec 14
  1. The experiment presented did not accurately demonstrate the greenhouse effect.
  2. Selective absorption is a key principle in understanding the greenhouse effect.
  3. It is important to ensure scientific experiments are conducted accurately and based on sound scientific understanding.

Will 2014 be the Hottest Year Ever?

0 implied HN points • 17 Dec 14
  1. 2014 being the hottest year ever is uncertain because the year is not over yet.
  2. There are multiple temperature series used, so being the hottest by one measure may not be significant.
  3. Based on data from NASA, 2010 is currently the hottest year, but the final month of 2014 could still make it the hottest.

Announcing a Cover Contest

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 14
  1. The author is hosting a cover contest for the third edition of a book
  2. Participants can submit cover designs with specific requirements
  3. The prize for the contest includes signed copies of the author's books and credit in the book

Which Cover Should I Use for the Third Edition of Machinery?

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 14
  1. There are multiple cover options to choose from for the third edition of the book Machinery.
  2. Consider the cover currently on the Kindle page, the cover of the Spanish translation with text changed, or a new cover from a suggestion.
  3. The decision on the cover will impact the overall look and appeal of the book.

Virtual Status

0 implied HN points • 22 Nov 14
  1. Status can be relative and not always a zero-sum game.
  2. Virtual reality can create a world where everyone feels superior.
  3. Interacting with virtual characters can have a powerful impact on society.

Implications of Academic Dishonesty

0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 14
  1. Academic dishonesty can be accepted for the sake of achieving certain goals.
  2. Once academics start justifying dishonesty, their work may become untrustworthy.
  3. In the context of the current climate debate, if experts start shading their conclusions, the scientific consensus may be compromised.

Is There Political Correctness on the Right?

0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 14
  1. Prominent individuals on the right can face consequences for statements that go against right-wing beliefs.
  2. Similar to left wing political correctness, there may be instances on the right where defensible statements are fiercely criticized.
  3. Conservative politicians facing backlash for offending supporters is a different pattern than political correctness.

A Modern Conceit

0 implied HN points • 17 Sep 14
  1. Modern people often believe they are better than those in the past, but this isn't always true - traditional cuisines and arts like literature and music challenge this assumption.
  2. Historical misconceptions, like the Columbus myth, can lead to a sense of superiority but don't always reflect reality.
  3. Believing in superiority over others, whether from the past or present, can be comforting but may not always be accurate.

Paradoxes of an Interventionist Foreign Policy

0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 14
  1. Military intervention can lead to supporting the same government previously considered an enemy.
  2. Interventionist foreign policy assumes accurate predictions of future allies and enemies.
  3. Incorrect foreign policy decisions may result in unnecessary entanglement in other countries' conflicts.

Ferguson, Los Angeles, and a 14th Century Sultan

0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 14
  1. In the 14th century, a sultan allowed himself to be held accountable by the law like everyone else.
  2. In modern times, police officers are rarely charged with homicide even in cases of unjustified shootings.
  3. The hope is for our legal system to reach the same standards as an ancient sultan in terms of accountability.

The Third Edition of the Machinery of Freedom is Now Available

0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 14
  1. The third edition of The Machinery of Freedom is now available.
  2. It is currently only available as a Kindle e-book on Amazon.
  3. The author is open to feedback on potential hardcopy availability and corrections from readers.

Ocean Warming Data

0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 14
  1. Global warming may be occurring faster than surface temperature data suggests, with heat accumulating in the ocean.
  2. Estimating global heat content changes is challenging due to data limitations, but a clear pattern of slow warming until 1996, faster warming until 2004, and then slower to zero warming is observed.
  3. The depth of ocean warming data varies, with deeper depths having more recent data but potentially lower data quality.

Climate Nuts vs the IPCC

0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 14
  1. The IPCC's modesty in climate change claims can be surprising to extreme supporters and skeptics alike.
  2. The IPCC's factual claims may not align with extreme beliefs about global warming catastrophe.
  3. Global temperature changes and IPCC budget data are evidence against both extreme viewpoints.

Why Did Putin Invade the Crimea?

0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 14
  1. Putin invaded Crimea to annex it.
  2. Putin's invasion has led to consequences from other powers.
  3. Possible reasons for Putin's actions include domestic image, future aggression plans, and lack of belief in Ukraine's cooperation.

Through Rose Colored Glasses

0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 14
  1. In academia, being a dissident challenging the norm can be tough for career advancement.
  2. Dissenting views face obstacles in getting published and recognized in academia.
  3. Being a dissident can ultimately lead to significant recognition and success, if one manages to get their work out there.

Air and Sea: A Very Simple Model

0 implied HN points • 25 Feb 14
  1. The simple model presented suggests that a decline in net energy input around 2000 could explain the observed pattern of warming in both the atmosphere and sea.
  2. The observed pattern of atmospheric temperatures plateauing around 1998-2002 and ocean warming slowing post-2003 aligns with the model's predictions.
  3. Although a more complex analysis is needed, the model indicates a potential pause in atmospheric warming while the ocean continues to warm, suggesting a change in net radiative input.

Warning to Travelocity Customers

0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 14
  1. Double check reservations with Travelocity due to possible system glitches.
  2. If reservations are missing, try calling the help number to retrieve them.
  3. Travelocity may not show reservations accurately on their website due to system changes.

Did the NSA Read My 1996 Strong Privacy Article?

0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 14
  1. Consequences of advanced encryption tech - some good, some bad, and some divisive.
  2. NSA may have preemptively countered potential privacy advancements.
  3. NSA's actions aimed at preventing a fully encrypted world.

If the Republicans Take the Senate

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 14
  1. If the Republicans take the Senate, they may aim to replace Obamacare with a more market-driven approach.
  2. Republicans would face challenges in repealing Obamacare due to potential veto and need for Democratic support.
  3. An alternative strategy could involve passing a spending bill with no funds for Obamacare implementation to shift blame in case of a government shutdown.

Request for Help: Machinery of Freedom 3rd Edition Appendix

0 implied HN points • 13 Jan 14
  1. The author is updating the third edition of the book Machinery of Freedom and seeking help in updating the appendix.
  2. Readers are invited to suggest books, magazines, articles, or organizations for inclusion in the appendix.
  3. Feedback on the draft chapters for clarity and accuracy is also encouraged.

Evaluating Controversial Claims

0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 13
  1. One way to evaluate controversial claims is by looking at the partisan support for the claim.
  2. Another way is to try to assess the arguments for yourself, although this can be difficult without expert knowledge.
  3. Furthermore, considering the track record of partisans in making accurate predictions can provide valuable insights into whether a claim is trustworthy.

Symbolic Thrift

0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 13
  1. Cutting expenditures, even symbolically, can encourage others to do the same.
  2. Small changes in behavior can impact the culture and efficiency of an organization.
  3. Balancing a sense of community and bureaucracy is crucial for organizational success.

Electric Blue Book: An Open Source Proposal

0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 13
  1. An open source project called Electric Blue Book was proposed to make exam taking and grading easier.
  2. The main design objective of Electric Blue Book was to simplify exams for students and grading for professors.
  3. Existing commercial software focuses more on preventing cheating during exams rather than enhancing the exam-taking experience.

How to Buy a House

0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 13
  1. Real estate agents ask how much you want to spend and what type of house you're looking for.
  2. It may not be in your best interest to reveal your maximum budget to the agent.
  3. Having a price list of property features' cost increases could help buyers make informed decisions.

Defining Austrian Economics

0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 13
  1. Austrian economists believe in deriving economic conclusions from axioms without relying on empirical facts.
  2. Austrians aim to make predictions about the real world based solely on economic theory, without real-world information.
  3. One key aspect of Austrian economics is the emphasis on deriving economic truths without needing real-world data.

Vinge, Heinlein the Sagas and Me

0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 13
  1. The post discusses a talk on Stateless and Semi-Stateless Societies in Fiction and Semi-Fiction.
  2. The author provides a link to the recording of the talk for those interested in science fiction or anarchism.
  3. The content likely explores concepts from works by authors like Vinge and Heinlein.

What—or Who—Matters

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 13
  1. Senator Dianne Feinstein is against NSA's intelligence collection on U.S. allies' leaders.
  2. There is a double standard in the response to surveillance activities based on who is being monitored.
  3. Government surveillance practices are viewed differently depending on who they target.