

#4123
Mentioned in 7 episodes
The Ultimate Resource
Book • 1981
In this book, Julian Simon argues against the notion that humanity is running out of natural resources.
He contends that as resources become scarcer, their prices rise, creating incentives for people to discover more resources, ration and recycle them, and develop substitutes.
Simon believes that human creativity and innovation are the ultimate resources, enabling economic growth and improving living standards despite population growth.
The book also discusses historical precedents of unfounded environmental fears and includes a famous wager with Paul Ehrlich that demonstrated the decline in real prices of commodity metals over time.
He contends that as resources become scarcer, their prices rise, creating incentives for people to discover more resources, ration and recycle them, and develop substitutes.
Simon believes that human creativity and innovation are the ultimate resources, enabling economic growth and improving living standards despite population growth.
The book also discusses historical precedents of unfounded environmental fears and includes a famous wager with Paul Ehrlich that demonstrated the decline in real prices of commodity metals over time.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 7 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a book he read that impacted his views.


Ben Horowitz

192 snips
The Techno-Optimist Manifesto with Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in relation to his work on human ingenuity and resource scarcity

Jim O'Shaughnessy

114 snips
Michael Strong — Let’s Get Socratical (EP.252)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in a discussion about his bet with Paul Ehrlich.

Jim O'Shaughnessy

31 snips
Max Meyer Launched a Print Magazine in 2024. Here’s Why. (EP.245)
Mentioned by 

in relation to his work on the ultimate resource, the human imagination.


Peter Boettke

31 snips
Who Won the Socialist Calculation Debate (with Peter Boettke)
Mentioned by Jim O'Shaughnessy when discussing a famous bet on the price of rare minerals and the power of human innovation.

13 snips
Jim O'Shaughnessy on AI, ventures, publishing, markets and his new book Two Thoughts | V:AH S07 E02
Mentioned by 

as one of his favorite books.


Brian Roemmele

Brian Roemmele – The Intelligence Amplifier (EP.29)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

while referencing the debate with the book 'Material World' about resource scarcity.

Trevor Hall

Securing the Future: Doomberg on Rare Earth Metals and US Government's Role with Domestic Production
Mentioned by Don Boudreaux as an economist who recognized that life is about becoming, not just maximizing material gain.

Don Boudreaux on Buchanan
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, highlighting Simon's optimistic view on human resourcefulness and problem-solving.

Andrew Morriss

Green Energy: Analyzing The Data With Andrew Morriss Of Texas A&M University