Aug 2Member-onlyThe Housing “Theory of Everything”Why the high cost of housing matters more than you think — When we consider the challenges that civilization faces this century, from climate change, to poverty, to depopulation, there is one issue that lies at the core of everything: housing. The global housing crisis is as close as we may ever get to a “theory of everything” for societal ills. That…Economics6 min read
Jul 17Member-onlyTurbocharging TechnologyA novel means of accelerating innovation — Whether civilization can survive the 21st Century remains an open question. The triple challenges of slowing economic growth, depopulation, and climate change, threaten humanity’s survival. The key to overcoming these obstacles requires unlocking technology at an accelerated pace. The problem is that the political institutions and policies designed to encourage…Tech7 min read
Published in Dialogue & Discourse·Jul 6Member-onlyToward an Optimal Immigration SystemA half-step toward a better future — Immigration is one of the most contentious issues today, with a growing chorus of voices calling for more restricted borders. But the data are clear, as outlined here, free global migration would bring more growth and innovation, necessities in the face of growing global challenges. Presently, however, truly open borders…Immigration6 min read
Published in DataDrivenInvestor·Jun 18Member-onlyThe Age of Deferred AgingWhy medical science should target aging — Medical science is slowly unlocking new means of treating age-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These medical advances are keeping people alive longer than ever before. But relatively little attention is given to slowing the aging process itself. …Health4 min read
May 28Member-onlyJust Tax the LandUnlocking fairer, faster growth — Taxes are a subject that few enjoy discussing. When the topic is broached, the discussion typically centers around the tax rate, whether it should be lower, higher, and for whom. What usually missing from this conversation are what kinds of taxes we ought to have. With the proper tax design…Economics5 min read
May 21Member-onlyInfographic | Healthcare for the 21st CenturySolving the impossible trinity — Healthcare is one of society’s greatest challenges. We simultaneously desire equal access, high quality care, and low prices, an impossible trinity. We may never develop a healthcare system that satisfies everyone, but we can do better. We propose a plan that aims to strike a reasonable balance between cost, quality…Healthcare9 min read
May 4Member-onlyInfographic | A Better Way to Pay For Higher EducationInvest in the future, don’t indebt it — The student loan crises has illustrated the dangers of borrowing for education. Millions of students are saddled with thousands of dollars in debts for degrees that are of little value in the workforce. But forgiveness is not the answer, not at least without first addressing the perverse incentives that got…Education7 min read
Apr 20Member-onlyA Better Way to Pay for InfrastructureBetter infrastructure, lower fares, and no debt — Most of us don’t think about infrastructure until it stops working. But roads, bridges, and broadband cables are vital to a functioning civil society; and they don’t come cheap. Tunnels, airports, roads…etc can easily cost billions of dollars to build and millions to maintain. As a consequence, many projects never…Politics4 min read
Apr 2Member-onlyDismantling the Regulatory Industrial ComplexThe problem of unidirectional governance — The modern automobile was invented in Britain. But soon after this new machine’s emergence, England’s Parliament passed the Red Flag Act. The Act required a crew of three to operate an auto. …Government4 min read
Mar 16Member-onlyThe Great RegressionHow civilizations collapse and what we can do about it — The internet bustles with many complaints about modern life: crime, racism, rent, corruption, prices etc. You’d be forgiven if you’re an eternal pessimist. But by many measures, we live in the best time in human history. Our chronic dissatisfaction with modern life exemplifies a certain ignorance of just how far…Technology7 min read
