How Low Can He Go?

Gapminder Video Has a Few Gaps

Here's a new video from Gapminder (a website that touts itself a providing statistics for a "fact-based worldview." The video is well done and is indeed interesting but there are a few caveats to the "fact-based worldview" one might develop after watching it.



For one, raw facts rarely provide enough meat to supply a "worldview." There are too many variables in raw data. For example, Rosling mentions the rise of the income and life expectancy of China after World War II, but the data he presents cannot give the viewer a reliable answer that explains WHY there is such a rise. To interpret such data, one must know history; but even then, there are unknown and unrevealed intricacies and nuances amongst the nations that make it nearly impossible to determine with exact precision WHY such things happen.

One thing that can be speculated is that as the United States rose in wealth and influence, other nations did as well. It is a fact that the United States helps to feed the world more than any other country; and the technological advances of the U.S. has given rise for other nations as well, in life expectancy and income. As the United States has become more wealthy due to technological inventions (did not Franklin's kite and key, and Edison's light bulb change the entire world?); and since the health of the U.S. has improved, due to such things as increased knowledge about nutrition and the formation of such organizations as Blue Cross Blue Shield NC for wellness and care, other nations have benefited from our knowledge and generosity. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say. Moreover, you could say that the Middle Eastern prosperity isn't due to Middle Eastern ingenuity; nay, such a rise in income there is due more to the Western world's lust for oil than Arab ingenuity. The point I am making is that one cannot conclude that one nation's improvement is directly attributed to the actions or decisions of that nation, necessarily; there are too many other influences.

So while such videos with raw facts are interesting, if they are even as accurate as we presume them to be, they cannot truly create a "worldview" at all; they can only influence one that is already formed. I therefore take such "fact-based" studies as just that: studies. Because facts on their own can determine very little without the knowledge of the innumerable nuances of the intricate relationships and treaties that people and nations create.

The Campfire Police

I'd really, really like to know exactly to what economic philosophy New York State government adheres. Does the Legislature just enjoy passing frivolous laws for mere pleasure? Do they get a nickel every time one is passed? Do they expect to get more money from fines from the lawbreakers to balance the expenses paid for enforcement?

Take, for a good example, the recent passage of a new "open burning" regulation (thanks to akaGaGa for the tip on this):

Burning trash is now prohibited statewide in all cases. Our existing incinerator rule already prohibits burning household trash in wood stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor wood boilers. DEC recommends that you recycle all appropriate materials (such as newspaper, paper, glass and plastic) and compost your organic kitchen and garden waste.

2. What are the new regulations on open burning in New York State?

Effective on October 14, 2009, all open burning is prohibited in New York with several exceptions including the following:

• Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
• Small cooking fires are allowed.
• Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
• Only charcoal or clean, dry, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed.

In towns with a total population less than 20,000, you may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length (also referred to as brush). However, this is not allowed from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires.

There's much, much more to these new regulations; it's worded simply enough, but the "Thou Shalts" and "Thous Shalt Nots" are extremely detailed and meticulous, such as the size of tree limbs, and of the campfire. So if my campfire is 3 feet, 6 inches, is there some emergency alert system awaiting me, a great big community panic button for concerned citizens to push, or some lurking campfire gestapo monitoring campfires everywhere? Or if my brush fire continues burning past May 14th, to May 15th 1am, what will happen?

It's ridiculous. And all leaf fires are prohibited, no matter the size or use of your land.

So I ask again... how does New York State intend to enforce this law? Where are they going to get the money for it? Do they really expect to profit from MORE laws, hoping that there will be lawbreakers abounding with fines to make up for the cost of such laws, as we see with the "speed quotas" in so many smaller areas in the state?

Who makes up these idiotic laws?