Bill Bryson is hands-down my favorite author. If you need a break from the daily cycle of....scratch that...the relentless onslaught of emotional outrage designed to prevent you from thinking, I can't think of anyone better to read.
“Made In America” was published in 1995 and the main theme is how American English got the way it is – he interleaves history, personal commentary, and, unless you are a complete drip, he offers more than a few full-throated laughs. So how great was America, and what is it that we were trying to restore in terms of getting back to a productive, versus consumptive economy?
He offers these two examples:
Page 84:
“Between 1850 and 1900, America coal production rose from 14 million tons to over 100 million, steel output went from barely a million tons to over 25 million; paper production increased ninefold, pig iron production sevenfold, cottonseed oil by a factor of fourteen, copper wire by a factor of almost twenty. In 1850, America's 23 million people had a cumulative wealth of $7.1 billion. Fifty years later, the population had tripled to 76 million, but the wealth had increased thirteenfold to $94.3 billion. In 1894, the United States displaced Britain as the world's leading manufacturer. By 1914, it was the world's leading producer of coal, natural gas, oil, copper, iron ore, and silver, and its factories were producing more goods than those of Britain, Germany, and France together. Within thirty years of Garfield's death, one-fourth of all the world's wealth was in American hands. For the average American, progress was not, in the words of Henry Steel Commager, “a philosophical idea but a commonplace of experience...Nothing in all history had ever succeeded like America, and every American knew it.”
More @ NamSouth
Back in '95, I read Bryson's treatise on the English language. It is a good read, and informative as he explains why the language seems so screwy at times.
ReplyDeleteContrasted to that is his later book about he and a friend hiking the Appalachian Trail. This book is slow and boring as he is too greatly occupied with the introspective philosophy of life, or something. It reads as droll as Richard Bach's Bridge Across Forever.
Thankyou for the info.
DeleteYes, but...
ReplyDeleteAn increasing population tied to diminishing natural resources.
And much of the increased population create nothing of value.
Obvious examples are welfare recipients such as slum residents and bureaucrats, old folks, and gender studies majors.
With non-producers outweighing producers by a geometric magnitude, the natural resources are consumed faster than alternatives can be developed... a 'double-whammy'!
Worsening that 'double-whammy' is the availability of remaining resources.
One example is petroleum.
A century of extraction left only sour oil and shale; each is propped by subsidies similar to photovoltaic and windmills.
Without subsidies, producers collapse while the population increases unabated.
Two avenues are available:
a -- population collapse, eventually stabilizing parallel to and compatible with the diminishing resources, or
b -- develop new sources of energy while maintaining population growth.
This was covered for years by BisonPrepper James M Dakin.
Collections of his daily columns and reader comments are available on Amazon.
Two avenues are available:
Deletea -- population collapse, eventually stabilizing parallel to and compatible with the diminishing resources, or
b -- develop new sources of energy while maintaining population growth.
This was covered for years by BisonPrepper James M Dakin.
Collections of his daily columns and reader comments are available on Amazon.
Thanks and I guess it will be the former.
c - new technology-driven applications which allow higher efficiency in utilization of existing energy sources.
DeleteWe have seen this in all manner of industries but most notable in food production and oil and gas production. We see it now in the burgeoning field of more efficient storage batteries.
Thanks.
DeleteOld folks, really? We worked and were productive, raising the next generation like you. Now we are retired with pensions we paid into. Back off, Bozo
ReplyDeleteI'm 77 and can't remember how old you are....?
DeleteBozo will be 69 in a few weeks.
DeleteBozo and kith operate a small organic teaching farm near the outskirts of Eugene Oregon.
Bozo grew-up on a farm, Bozo's four grandparents lived next door.
Mentoring is a major part of Bozo.
Every day, Bozo and kith work to counter the effects of our diminishing assets -- our soil and our collection of ancient trucks we use for local deliveries.
And we work to counter the effects of age-related diminishmemts.
So far, we think we are doing pretty good.
*****
As a hobby, Bozo visits elderly shut-ins.
Occasionally, somebody turns off the televisionprogramming, leaves the recliner, and is productive.
Certainly, if an elder is working with youngsters to help grow our next generations of our species, you have Bozo's blessings.
Tragically, too often, all those experiences and all those skills are wasting away in isolation.
What benefits do our species accrue if old folks play the 'snow-bird' game of RVing with the seasons?
And how can we gauge the impact of the popular RV bumper-sticker "WE ARE SPENDING OUR CHILDREN"S INHERITANCE".
How many youngsters believe they will work until they die?
*****
At 77, sharing all your years of experience on this blog!
You are much appreciated!
[ Bozo raises imaginary mug ]
And here is to another 77!
YeeHaw!!!
Bozo's four grandparents lived next door.
DeleteYeeHaw!!!
Yee Haw it is! I have never heard of having all your grandparents living next door, but that is truly wonderful! :) Thanks.
I am 82 and have been productive all my life. As I said, back off, Bozo.
ReplyDelete:) One year behind my brother.
Delete