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

Controlling Corporations: Stockholders vs Stakeholders

0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 09
  1. Private corporations are theoretically run for the benefit of stockholders with mechanisms like fiduciary obligations and election of board of directors in place for enforcement.
  2. Stockholders have the power to influence corporation decisions through buying and selling shares, giving them an incentive to ensure the corporation is maximizing their value.
  3. Stockholders are more dependent on mechanisms such as legal rules and market constraints for controlling corporations compared to other stakeholders like customers and employees.

Facts Don't Speak For Themselves

0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 09
  1. Interpretations of events can vary widely based on perspective.
  2. Political rhetoric can influence the perception of economic events.
  3. Voters may struggle to determine the truth amidst differing narratives.

Implications of a Doomed Dollar

0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 09
  1. Increasing default risk can lead to higher interest rates and budgetary problems.
  2. Inflation affects assets with fixed dollar values more than those measured in dollars.
  3. A falling exchange rate for the dollar can impact foreign investors negatively.

Cell phone gadget frustrations

0 implied HN points • 18 Jun 09
  1. The author is frustrated with cell phone gadgets lacking a useable keyboard for typing.
  2. The G-1 is close to the author's ideal device, but the screen and keyboard are still too small.
  3. The author is interested in the HTC Touch Pro 2, but is disappointed by the U.S. model's keyboard design.

If you want war, work for justice

0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 09
  1. Beliefs about justice are absolute and can lead to uncompromising conflicts.
  2. Justice is seen as a clear, non-negotiable concept by individuals.
  3. People believe their definition of justice is the correct one.
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Is World of Warcraft Evidence for Socialism?

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 09
  1. In some cases, people may work for pleasure rather than material incentives.
  2. Virtual reality, like in World of Warcraft, can show how individuals can work for fun, not just money.
  3. While some tasks may be enjoyable to do without pay, not all work would be completed efficiently in a society without material incentives.

Dealing with Falsehood Online

0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 09
  1. When encountering falsehoods online, it's challenging to hold publishers accountable.
  2. Misrepresenting information is irresponsible and can damage credibility.
  3. It's important to approach online content with skepticism and verify facts independently.

Incentives for Realtors

0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 09
  1. Realtors may have a financial incentive to focus on higher-priced houses when helping buyers.
  2. A system where realtors are rewarded based on maximizing buyer surplus could lead to better outcomes for buyers.
  3. One challenge is that buyers may have an incentive to understate the value of houses to reduce the commission paid.

Thoughts on Long Term Climate

0 implied HN points • 26 Dec 08
  1. Global temperatures have been unusually warm for the past ten thousand years.
  2. Long-term climate data suggests that current worries about global warming might be misplaced.
  3. The warm period coinciding with the invention of agriculture might have influenced climate change.

Back of the Envelope

0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 08
  1. Plausibility calculations using approximate data are useful in various fields like physics and economics.
  2. Estimating average car lifespan or population density can be done with simple back-of-the-envelope calculations using basic arithmetic.
  3. Assessing the risk and impact of asteroid strikes can be roughly calculated to understand the potential consequences.

G1: The Saga Continues

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 08
  1. Be cautious of phone plans that don't allow international roaming.
  2. Inadequate credit history can affect the type of phone account you're eligible for.
  3. Some phone battery life issues might be resolved with software updates.

A G1 Problem

0 implied HN points • 22 Oct 08
  1. The cost of data usage abroad can be very expensive, especially for features like GPS.
  2. Consider getting a temporary SIM card from a local carrier when traveling to avoid high data charges.
  3. Locked phones may prevent easy use of other SIM cards from different carriers while abroad.

Flight Schedules and Jet Lag

0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 08
  1. Adjusting flight schedules can help with jet lag by optimizing sleep patterns.
  2. Arriving well-rested may lead to difficulty adjusting to new time zones.
  3. Finding a balance between sleep and functionality upon arrival can aid in quicker adjustment to new time zones.

The Job of the Vice President

0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 08
  1. The original role of the Vice President was focused on legislative responsibilities until assuming the executive role if needed.
  2. Over time, the Vice President's role has evolved to include varying degrees of influence, from ceremonial duties to active involvement in administration.
  3. An interesting question arises about how the modern political landscape would be different if the Twelfth Amendment, which altered the VP selection process, had never been passed.

Prediction vs Explanation: A Puzzle

0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 08
  1. Two different theories can be consistent with observed results.
  2. Predictions based on all experiments are more reliable than predictions based on only some experiments.
  3. Choosing the theory that best fits all experiments is key for accurate predictions.

(Ir)religion and Irrationality

0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 08
  1. Religions help humans make sense of physical reality and life.
  2. Science serves as a strong rival to religion in explaining physical reality.
  3. Religious people tend to be less superstitious compared to non-religious people.

Blogs vs Books

0 implied HN points • 20 Sep 08
  1. Blogging can reach a large audience and accumulate many hours of readership.
  2. Writing books can be an effective way to spread ideas, although sales may vary.
  3. Time spent on blog posts doesn't necessarily take away from writing books.

Subnotebooks [Warning: Geekish Content]

0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 08
  1. Consider the keyboard layout when choosing a laptop for typing.
  2. Acer Aspire One offers a good keyboard at a lower price point compared to other options.
  3. Dual booting XP and Linux on a laptop can offer the benefits of both operating systems.

Is College Segregation Declining? A Hopeful Sign

0 implied HN points • 19 Aug 08
  1. Some colleges have dorms based on racial themes.
  2. A student questioned her assignment to an African heritage house.
  3. Evidence suggests a decline in students choosing to reside in racial theme dorms.

Russo-Finnish Trade: A Research Proposal

0 implied HN points • 18 Aug 08
  1. The trade history between Finland and Russia post-World War II involved barter and debt repayment.
  2. Different theories suggest the trade could have been a form of tribute, political support, or a result of trade constraints.
  3. The profitability of the trade exchange for Finland and Russia remains uncertain due to government-to-government dealings and lack of careful tracking.

A Virtual Bardic Circle

0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 08
  1. The author enjoys historical recreation like running a Bardic circle.
  2. The virtual Bardic circle includes webbed recordings of stories and poems.
  3. A lady performer often joins the virtual circle to entertain guests.

Keynes on Newton--and some ideas for fantasy.

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 17
  1. Keynes believed Newton approached alchemy and theology with the same logic and care as physics and mathematics
  2. A fantasy idea is presented where Newton discovers the secret of eternal life and fakes his own death
  3. Another fantasy idea explores an alternate history where Newton focuses on Hermetic sciences instead of joining mainstream society

The FLDS Case: Further Legal Issues

0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 08
  1. The initial seizure of the children was legally unjustified, which could lead to liability for the Department.
  2. Adults being classified as minors deliberately could result in legal consequences.
  3. The authorities' actions raised questions of religious persecution and potential violations of federal laws.

What did CPS think it was doing?

0 implied HN points • 24 May 08
  1. CPS may have acted unjustly to target and harm the FLDS community in Texas.
  2. CPS may have believed false information about the FLDS community, leading to their actions.
  3. Evidence suggested that the CPS's actions were not justified based on the actual facts of the case.

Mac eee?

0 implied HN points • 08 May 08
  1. The Asus eee is a lightweight mini-laptop that is perfect for traveling but may not be suitable for graphics-intensive tasks.
  2. It is possible but legally questionable to install Mac OSX on the Asus eee, which could potentially be a desirable option for many users.
  3. One creative but unlikely solution to the licensing issue involves affixing an Apple logo to the Asus eee, which may not be legally acceptable.

FLDS and common law marriage

0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 08
  1. FLDS couples in Texas may meet the requirements for common law marriage.
  2. The age of consent and marriage laws in Texas play a role in the legalities of FLDS relationships.
  3. Challenges to the credibility of certain claims and accusations against FLDS practices arise from factual discrepancies.

The Market for Students

0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 08
  1. Colleges use scholarship money to attract students.
  2. Colleges may offer more money to students from poorer families.
  3. Wealthier students may also be attracted to colleges for potential future donations.

Wanted: A Silent Alarm Clock

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 08
  1. Finding a solution for couples sharing a bed with different wake-up times.
  2. Exploring options like a vibrating alarm or sound muffling for the non-early riser.
  3. Considering a wearable alarm or sound-muffling device as potential solutions.

Health Costs and the Patent Puzzle

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 08
  1. Countries enforce patent laws due to pressure from rich and powerful nations producing intellectual property.
  2. Drug companies charge higher prices in the U.S. out of fear of losing revenue by enforcing patents elsewhere.
  3. Drugs justify violating patent rights more persuasively due to the life-or-death consequences, unlike other products.

Perhaps there are libertarians on the left

0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 08
  1. There may be libertarians with left-leaning views.
  2. Freedom of choice should not be restricted by paternalistic rules.
  3. Author George McGovern supports educating individuals instead of limiting choices.

World of Warcraft: The Next Step

0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 08
  1. In World of Warcraft, speaking in groups can be more efficient than typing.
  2. Voice communication in the game can enhance role-playing experiences.
  3. Blizzard could introduce voice modification options to match players' characters.

Barack v Hilary v ...

0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 08
  1. Obama is considered more libertarian compared to Clinton in terms of health insurance choices and decriminalization of marijuana.
  2. The author prefers Obama over Clinton for the Democratic primary.
  3. There is discussion and debate about Obama's alignment with left-libertarianism.

Theists, Atheists, and Pattern Recognition

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 08
  1. Our brain uses pattern recognition to make sense of the world around us.
  2. Constructing a picture of reality involves incorporating beliefs and fitting available facts.
  3. Patterns constructed by individuals may vary based on personal beliefs and perceptions.

How Will Clinton and Obama Vote on ...

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 08
  1. Congress is considering legislation to make NSA illegal interceptions legal and protect phone companies from civil liability.
  2. Clinton and Obama face a dilemma as liberal Democrats may not support legislation benefiting big corporations.
  3. To win the election, Democratic candidates need to appeal to both liberal Democrats and center voters.

Atheism and Religion

0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 08
  1. Religious beliefs can be based on more than just faith and inheritance.
  2. Religious labels often identify communities more than beliefs.
  3. Different religions may offer partial views of a complex truth.

The Ron Paul Affair

0 implied HN points • 13 Jan 08
  1. Discussion about Ron Paul's association with libertarian figures and their views
  2. Critique of claims regarding the moral relativism of Rothbard and Mises Institute people
  3. Exploration of why members of political fringe groups associate with unconventional ideas

Amazon's Kindle

0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 07
  1. Amazon's Kindle was praised for its convenience, size, and ability to carry many books.
  2. The Kindle faced concerns about piracy, but possible fixes were discussed.
  3. Suggestion was made for Kindle to include free books, which Amazon was already doing for a small fee.

Is there Serial Correlation in World of Warcraft? Should There Be?

0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 07
  1. Players in games like World of Warcraft may feel like there are patterns in loot drops.
  2. Gamblers often perceive patterns in games like cards or dice, even when they don't exist.
  3. Designing games with subtle patterns can make them more engaging for players.

Civil Immunity, Blackstone and Legal Regress

0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 07
  1. Congress may have the ability to cancel tort liability after the fact.
  2. In English law in the 18th century, there was a legal action called the 'Appeal of Felony' that was similar to a tort suit.
  3. It was believed in the 18th century that the crown could not cancel liability for tort damages after a case had been tried.

Future Imperfect: High Points

0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 07
  1. Privacy in cyberspace could be better than realspace with public key encryption.
  2. Regulating nanotech raises concerns due to the imbalance between offense and defense.
  3. Technological progress may complicate coordination and potentially make us worse off.