Category Archives: economy

Towards peak oil: a surprising Wall Street Journal article

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

We’re facing the end of cheap, easily obtained oil. This is classic peak oil theory: first, we take the easier to get stuff. Next, we’re left with the increasingly hard-to-get matter, which ramps up costs and builds scarcity. So says … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, energy, Geopolitics | 1 Comment

Look, it’s a superjob!

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

What’s a good euphemisms for businesses making employees work extra jobs and more hours for no additional compensation? Hm, how about superjobs.  That’s it.  Like supermodels, or Superman. Stories from the jobless recovery/Great Recession.

Posted in economy | 1 Comment

Welcome to our new overlords

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

The world has some more billionaires, and they come from countries new to that game.  It’s the BRICs: “Brazil, Russia, India and China produced 108 of the 214 new names.” Interesting historical note: “Before this year only the U.S. had … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Geopolitics | 2 Comments

Pockets for global warming

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

If a nation turns against practices which power global warming, can areas in that nation turn themselves into oppositional pockets?  Case in point: Kentucky’s legislature is considering measures to become “a sanctuary state” for expanded coal-mining. How does a state … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Geopolitics | 1 Comment

Berry against coal in Kentucky

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

Writer and rural activist Wendell Berry is leading a sit-in in the Kentucky governor’s office this week.  It’s a protest against coal mining, and naturally there’s a blog. “We’ve come, we’ve lobbied legislators,” he said when I reached him by … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Geopolitics | 1 Comment

Global oil problem is a little worse than we thought: Wikileaks

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

WikiLeaks meets peak oil: one leaked diplomatic cable warned that Saudi oil production was weaker than that country had claimed. [B]etween 2007-09, [Sadad al-Husseini, a geologist and former head of exploration at the Saudi oil monopoly Aramco] said Saudi Arabia … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Geopolitics, Middle East, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The Two Americas are even more so, now: Robert Reich

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Bryan Alexander

Is a split America the result of the Great Recession? Robert Reich thinks so, and has been arguing this for a while.  Income divergence has been growing, but the 2008 crash cracked it wide open. This week’s unemployment data, which … Continue reading →

Posted in economy | 2 Comments