Item of General Interest
Oct. 23 . A new interview by Chris Martenson is now up. He calls it Why There's No Economically Sustainable Price for Oil Anymore.
Category Archives: Financial Implications
Why We Should Be Concerned About Low Oil Prices
Most people assume that oil prices, and for that matter other energy prices, will rise as we reach limits. This isn’t really the way the system works; oil prices can be expected to fall too low, as we reach limits. … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged economic growth, low oil prices, oil prices, solar panels, wind turbines
2,716 Comments
The Economy Is Like a Circus
The economy is like a circus. It comes to town, and eventually it leaves town. We get paid in tickets to this circus. As long as the circus stays in town, we can use our tickets. Once the circus leaves … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged healthcare costs, interest payments, low wages
1,952 Comments
Why Energy-Economy Models Produce Overly Optimistic Indications
I was asked to give a talk to a committee of actuaries who are concerned about modeling the financial future of programs, such as pension plans, given the energy problems that are often discussed. They (and the consultants that they … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged Debt, dissipative structure, energy-economy modeling, pensions
2,065 Comments
Raising Interest Rates Can’t End Well!
The Federal Reserve would like to raise target interest rates because of inflation concerns and concern that asset bubbles are forming. Part of their concern seems to arise indirectly from the rise in oil prices, relative to their low level … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged energy affordability, Federal Reserve rate change, oil price
2,229 Comments
Oops! The economy is like a self-driving car
Back in 1776, Adam Smith talked about the “invisible hand” of the economy. Investopedia explains how the invisible hand works as, “In a free market economy, self-interested individuals operate through a system of mutual interdependence to promote the general benefit … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged dissipative structure, economic growth, oil price, open system
2,573 Comments
