More than this, the goal of some with wealth and power-- power excersized by influence and control over governments-- is to make sure to hang onto power by using technology to surveil, and cut short, those who challenge it. Thus the state is becoming the agency of surveillance and control.
So we have censorship, and we have plans to introduce CBDC's which will enable total control of how and where we spend to ensure we're in compliance with what they determine are "worthy goals," such as the need to stop catastrophic CO2 warming (which is non-existent.)
I think you’re being too harsh on Elon Musk. As a curious follower of his for a while now and listening to him speak I don’t believe he’s profit driven at all. He’s almost gone bankrupt multiple times using his own money. All of his companies are directed towards the betterment of humanity ...... you can agree or disagree on his vision but he doesn’t just make widgets for profit. Ironically, the very thing you chastise him for regarding batteries is exactly the same thing that makes it possible for us to read your Substack on our computers and “smart phones”. They are built and then end up in some third world country using child labor.
The amazing technological advances humanity has made over time (some good some not) wouldn’t happen without visionaries like Musk. All the “experts “ said Musk would never be able to accomplish most of what he’s been able to do.
He believes in the American dream and I think we’re lucky he chose to become an American.
Now I don't feel so alone. I, too, believe that Musk is profoundly pro-humanity. It doesn't follow that I agree with him on everything, however, it does shape the lens through which I view his accomplishments.
I too admire him -- I think I called him a genius in my piece. :) However, I fear he and others sometimes overshoot technology's limits, however well-intentioned. And regardless of who the person is, owning massive investments in businesses whose technologies one is touting (e.g., Bill Gates, Fauci, etc.) should always be critically assessed for potential conflicts of interest. And, again independently of Elon, is the key question: Will the manufacture of solar panels in large numbers create more environmental damage than it prevents? To me that is a huge and centrally important question. The answer has nothing to do with Eon Musk's character. And, has he answered it?
John, the forums I frequent, which are few in number, are largely negative on Musk. Do not misunderstand, I do have concerns. These days the people I fully trust can be counted on my fingers without using all of them. And most certainly, there are huge potential conflicts of interest. I read your articles because I know we are coming from a similar place except possibly on the environment. One reason for this is because my husband is studying the process of pyrolysis and plans to build a homestead size device. I don't know if you know anything about that but we think it is a process that has been intentionally suppressed and has a very real potential of separating and then gathering many of these building blocks for which mining is such a concern such as lithium. It is not that I am unconcerned about the issues you raise on solar panels. But I do think solar is the greatest possibility we have for virtually unlimited and nearly free decentralized power. I have become more concerned about contralization and the ability it gives governments to control people than the environment at this point. I could say it is the more pressing and immediate issue for me. I believe we have few truly unsolvable problems but a whole lot of bad actors wanting to keep us under control and using the apparent problems to do so.
This video only shows one piece but I love it because of the whole ecosystem this lovely family has set up. Plastic into diesel is the simplest form of pyrolysis but not the only possibility. And of course, you will come across a LOT of why it won't work information.
Good morning John, I am just finishing Small Farm Republic. I’ve sent out a few more copies for Christmas gifts. You are an important voice in this fight.We need to have you and others of like minded people form an advisory committee for the next Ag secretary. They are recruiting now for good people to fill the next administration’s positions. I’m trying to get a hold of the recruiters for these positions to offer your name. We have an opportunity this year to hit the ground running in 2025 with the right people in place.I’m an Iowa farm kid at heart still. It will be a hard sell to cut the subsidies for corn and soybeans, but a necessary one. I believe it will have to be done incrementally. Removing them for the huge conglomerates first and the mid size farms later. Have a very merry Christmas. I know this is not the proper way to communicate with you but I didn’t have another way. Your latest article was excellent.
You write "It will be a hard sell to cut the subsidies for corn and soybeans, but a necessary one. I believe it will have to be done incrementally. Removing them for the huge conglomerates first and the mid size farms later. " Of course, that is precisely what I advocate in my book -- a gradual reduction. I am grateful for your encouragement, as it sometimes seems like we will never effect real change until it is too late. But your focus on subsidies is pivotal. This is the most important and courageous point of my book: to challenge the mega-subsidies. It is also one I am told is impossible, that I'm dreaming; good luck. But it is the core of any real change. You can always write me directly at farmerjohnklar@gmail.com I'm grateful.
We humans conflate wealth with intelligence and wisdom. That some how since they are rich they are smarter than us peons. Musk is wealthy because he has milked the government gravy train with its tax credits and handouts chasing the environmental lies. Gates is wealthy because he was ruthless in business early in the PC era. Gates stoled the whole concept of windows from someone else and forced every pc manufacture to put in Microsoft products if they want to have windows as an operating system. The whole solar wind farms are our fantasies of the climate change religion that ignores reality. I predict millions will die because of their ignorance.
I think about this all the time. Everything seems designed to fail in about two years. How many tons of old phones, computers, and tablets are accruing? But cows are obviously the real threat to the planet.
If you read this report (247 pages!) you will see that Musk is very concerned about the environment. And people. It’s quite impressive actually what steps they’ve taken to ensure there is as little impact to the environment as possible from raw material mining to manufacturing and end use.
Your question about solar panels is a good one and I’ve never heard anyone (including Musk) address it. Probably because no one knows! From what I’ve read, his acquisition of Solar city was not done to “curb the market” on solar panels ($!) but to fulfill his vision of having a fully integrated system of capture, transmission and storage and or use. He was sued over it (he won) but it has generally been considered a business failure because it’s lost so much market share and value.
There is no free lunch. The energy has to come from somewhere and it will come at some cost environmentally. Pick your poison.
I’m not saying Musk has all the answers but I wouldn’t bet against him either!
Thanks for this observation: I expect and hope you are correct. But frankly I don't care if he is profit-motivated so long as the tech is what is claimed. It isn't. If they waited to improve the tech efficiency and ensure safer sourcing of raw materials, the whole scheme might actually sell itself for limited application. Instead, they pitch the thing on an impossible scale, recklessly: it becomes a scam for profits at the expense of the ecosystem. You wrote: "It’s quite impressive actually what steps they’ve taken to ensure there is as little impact to the environment as possible from raw material mining to manufacturing and end use.": Few of those steps are embraced in China.....
Agreed. China is another Rabbit hole altogether. Personally I think putting solar panels on prime agricultural land is a disgrace. Plus, how Vermont passed a billboard law but is ambivalent to these things and wind towers is beyond me.
I hope I haven’t brought the conversation too far afield from your original point. I am constantly seeing unwarranted negative press against Musk and felt like this was a chance to push back on that. I appreciate the opportunity.
No problem at all. It is evident from the comments that people are divided on that issue, so it is good to air concerns. I am really just out to challenge the claims of solar that ignore the full environmental costs, whether made by Elon or anyone else. Thanks for chiming in!
More than this, the goal of some with wealth and power-- power excersized by influence and control over governments-- is to make sure to hang onto power by using technology to surveil, and cut short, those who challenge it. Thus the state is becoming the agency of surveillance and control.
So we have censorship, and we have plans to introduce CBDC's which will enable total control of how and where we spend to ensure we're in compliance with what they determine are "worthy goals," such as the need to stop catastrophic CO2 warming (which is non-existent.)
Catherine Austin Fitts has a great explanation of what's coming: https://www.bitchute.com/video/bARzhT2oIlQY/
Exactly. Thanks for sharing. I agree she summarizes things expertly.
I think you’re being too harsh on Elon Musk. As a curious follower of his for a while now and listening to him speak I don’t believe he’s profit driven at all. He’s almost gone bankrupt multiple times using his own money. All of his companies are directed towards the betterment of humanity ...... you can agree or disagree on his vision but he doesn’t just make widgets for profit. Ironically, the very thing you chastise him for regarding batteries is exactly the same thing that makes it possible for us to read your Substack on our computers and “smart phones”. They are built and then end up in some third world country using child labor.
The amazing technological advances humanity has made over time (some good some not) wouldn’t happen without visionaries like Musk. All the “experts “ said Musk would never be able to accomplish most of what he’s been able to do.
He believes in the American dream and I think we’re lucky he chose to become an American.
Now I don't feel so alone. I, too, believe that Musk is profoundly pro-humanity. It doesn't follow that I agree with him on everything, however, it does shape the lens through which I view his accomplishments.
I too admire him -- I think I called him a genius in my piece. :) However, I fear he and others sometimes overshoot technology's limits, however well-intentioned. And regardless of who the person is, owning massive investments in businesses whose technologies one is touting (e.g., Bill Gates, Fauci, etc.) should always be critically assessed for potential conflicts of interest. And, again independently of Elon, is the key question: Will the manufacture of solar panels in large numbers create more environmental damage than it prevents? To me that is a huge and centrally important question. The answer has nothing to do with Eon Musk's character. And, has he answered it?
John, the forums I frequent, which are few in number, are largely negative on Musk. Do not misunderstand, I do have concerns. These days the people I fully trust can be counted on my fingers without using all of them. And most certainly, there are huge potential conflicts of interest. I read your articles because I know we are coming from a similar place except possibly on the environment. One reason for this is because my husband is studying the process of pyrolysis and plans to build a homestead size device. I don't know if you know anything about that but we think it is a process that has been intentionally suppressed and has a very real potential of separating and then gathering many of these building blocks for which mining is such a concern such as lithium. It is not that I am unconcerned about the issues you raise on solar panels. But I do think solar is the greatest possibility we have for virtually unlimited and nearly free decentralized power. I have become more concerned about contralization and the ability it gives governments to control people than the environment at this point. I could say it is the more pressing and immediate issue for me. I believe we have few truly unsolvable problems but a whole lot of bad actors wanting to keep us under control and using the apparent problems to do so.
Agreed on all counts, except that I will have to investigate pyrolisis.... Unfamiliar. Thanks for writing. The globalist takeover is indeed paramount!
This video only shows one piece but I love it because of the whole ecosystem this lovely family has set up. Plastic into diesel is the simplest form of pyrolysis but not the only possibility. And of course, you will come across a LOT of why it won't work information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFuTCpCVSbM&t=137s
Good morning John, I am just finishing Small Farm Republic. I’ve sent out a few more copies for Christmas gifts. You are an important voice in this fight.We need to have you and others of like minded people form an advisory committee for the next Ag secretary. They are recruiting now for good people to fill the next administration’s positions. I’m trying to get a hold of the recruiters for these positions to offer your name. We have an opportunity this year to hit the ground running in 2025 with the right people in place.I’m an Iowa farm kid at heart still. It will be a hard sell to cut the subsidies for corn and soybeans, but a necessary one. I believe it will have to be done incrementally. Removing them for the huge conglomerates first and the mid size farms later. Have a very merry Christmas. I know this is not the proper way to communicate with you but I didn’t have another way. Your latest article was excellent.
You write "It will be a hard sell to cut the subsidies for corn and soybeans, but a necessary one. I believe it will have to be done incrementally. Removing them for the huge conglomerates first and the mid size farms later. " Of course, that is precisely what I advocate in my book -- a gradual reduction. I am grateful for your encouragement, as it sometimes seems like we will never effect real change until it is too late. But your focus on subsidies is pivotal. This is the most important and courageous point of my book: to challenge the mega-subsidies. It is also one I am told is impossible, that I'm dreaming; good luck. But it is the core of any real change. You can always write me directly at farmerjohnklar@gmail.com I'm grateful.
We humans conflate wealth with intelligence and wisdom. That some how since they are rich they are smarter than us peons. Musk is wealthy because he has milked the government gravy train with its tax credits and handouts chasing the environmental lies. Gates is wealthy because he was ruthless in business early in the PC era. Gates stoled the whole concept of windows from someone else and forced every pc manufacture to put in Microsoft products if they want to have windows as an operating system. The whole solar wind farms are our fantasies of the climate change religion that ignores reality. I predict millions will die because of their ignorance.
I hate to "like" this comment because of its dark endnote. But I fear the same.
Remember when telephones cost 40 dollars but would last 40 years?
I think about this all the time. Everything seems designed to fail in about two years. How many tons of old phones, computers, and tablets are accruing? But cows are obviously the real threat to the planet.
Planned obsolescence destroys the ecosystem. Cows may be abused in factory farms, but they will never be obsolete.... :)
I wonder how you say 'caveat emptor' in Chinese???
:)
Great Commentary, Spot On!
Thanks for reading it, and commenting. :)
https://www.tesla.com/ns_videos/2022-tesla-impact-report.pdf
If you read this report (247 pages!) you will see that Musk is very concerned about the environment. And people. It’s quite impressive actually what steps they’ve taken to ensure there is as little impact to the environment as possible from raw material mining to manufacturing and end use.
Your question about solar panels is a good one and I’ve never heard anyone (including Musk) address it. Probably because no one knows! From what I’ve read, his acquisition of Solar city was not done to “curb the market” on solar panels ($!) but to fulfill his vision of having a fully integrated system of capture, transmission and storage and or use. He was sued over it (he won) but it has generally been considered a business failure because it’s lost so much market share and value.
There is no free lunch. The energy has to come from somewhere and it will come at some cost environmentally. Pick your poison.
I’m not saying Musk has all the answers but I wouldn’t bet against him either!
Thanks for this observation: I expect and hope you are correct. But frankly I don't care if he is profit-motivated so long as the tech is what is claimed. It isn't. If they waited to improve the tech efficiency and ensure safer sourcing of raw materials, the whole scheme might actually sell itself for limited application. Instead, they pitch the thing on an impossible scale, recklessly: it becomes a scam for profits at the expense of the ecosystem. You wrote: "It’s quite impressive actually what steps they’ve taken to ensure there is as little impact to the environment as possible from raw material mining to manufacturing and end use.": Few of those steps are embraced in China.....
Agreed. China is another Rabbit hole altogether. Personally I think putting solar panels on prime agricultural land is a disgrace. Plus, how Vermont passed a billboard law but is ambivalent to these things and wind towers is beyond me.
I hope I haven’t brought the conversation too far afield from your original point. I am constantly seeing unwarranted negative press against Musk and felt like this was a chance to push back on that. I appreciate the opportunity.
No problem at all. It is evident from the comments that people are divided on that issue, so it is good to air concerns. I am really just out to challenge the claims of solar that ignore the full environmental costs, whether made by Elon or anyone else. Thanks for chiming in!