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Stefan, I have some questions about your climate change skepticism. But firstly I have to say that I agree with you that bigger government isn't going to solve the problem, if there is one. I'm wondering if you deny desertification, carcinogenic smog, hypoxic dead zones in the ocean, ocean acidification, record breaking droughts and wild fires, etc. From my understanding of biology I recognize that humans, and most organisms on earth (except for the little bastards living off the chemicals spewing from sea floor vents) require the functioning of various environmental conditions which are very specific. Take for example phyto plankton, these little guys require a specific ph for their habitat. These humble creatures are the source of about 50% of our atmospheric oxygen. Our activities of heavily polluting the atmosphere and by leaving so much shit to run off into the oceans, we've begun to fiddle too much with the oceans conditions. Or lets take carcinogenic smog. It's likely that you've seen 'made in china' hundreds of times in your life. Chinas air pollution is horrific, I'm sure you've seen the photos. I say we don't need government to solve these problems, in fact, they make these problems considerably worse. What we need is personal responsibility for our economic demand, awareness of the effects of our purchases. Since I was born, something like 40% of species have gone extinct. I recognize that humanity is creating a new geological epoch on this small planet, we have megalopolises outstretched across our continents, and 40% of the earths land mass is now farmland. I know that in an ecosystem, all organisms are connected to each other. The earth is mostly a closed system and we're disrupting the fragile conditions our species relies on for survival. And I don't mean the people who can have their food grown and synthesized in labs. Regardless of your position on global warming/climate change, do you understand the effects of environmental pollution and degradation on other people and sentient organisms? Thanks for reading, I'm interested in your thoughts on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJUA4cm0Rck

Snowfalls have been decidedly below average for many of the ski resorts in the US, so environmentally focused articles were to be expected to come out of the Left. http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/feb/06/outdoor-economy-lobbying-business-washington-oil- The article ideologically pits the outdoor and wildlife industries against the more "rapey" types of industries, such as natural gas, petroleum and mining, claiming that outdoor recreation jobs lack representation in Washington D.C. Some of the quotable gems in this article are:

Resources are not limited, it is only our reach that limits us. For the Universe is one of near infinite space, matter, time, and energy - and it is our home. However we are told that our condition is to live in a limited environment, where the consumption of resources today means less for tomorrow. It is said we should feel guilty of this, for it is the sin of living. Well to them I say 'look up', the Universe is ours and the key is your mind. So don't crawl back to the cave in fear of an end, reach for the stars and free humanity to the unlimited.

So, I found this photo on Tumblr today... And it just screamed environmentalism to me. You know, the gun being civilization, i.e. production, and that it's pointed at mother nature--also, the differing implications of the black/white smoke, the fiery hand, the dirty gun, but then the really bright and vibrant woman's face in the cliff. I'm no esthetician, and if you are, I'd love to hear some feedback and thoughts too. I think it's quite an interesting, however misplaced, piece of art.

I'm watching Stefan's conversation with Redmond Weissenberger now. The points being made about the potential horrors that nature can contain, rather than some "bambified" benevolent paradise, reminded me of the film Grizzly Man. I highly recommend viewing it for a sad example of a man who swallowed the "save the planet" pill. Blind to his desperate pursuit to feel genuinely connected to another human being he steps into the wild to play with fire, in search of "warmth", resulting in tragic consequences.

So... I've been applying for government contracts and it makes me feel a bit dirty. Here's the story: About a year ago I started a business in the cheapest place I could find that was near to what I wanted to focus on. I'm a recent graduate with a degree in biochemistry with big plans and limited funds. For context, I got into biochemistry because I loved the field, I had always wanted to be a scientist and inventor, ever since I was a small child, and I had misguided aspirations to be an oncologist (shot for the moon, landed in the stars). I read Atlas Shrugged three years ago while visiting the Mojave Desert with my then girlfriend, and identified with Hank Rearden's character. Ever since, I wanted to parlay my knowledge into owning a mine/lab, kind of like Rearden (the idea of inventing materials in a lab that he, himself, owned resonated with me). I had an inspirational teacher who had worked as a metallurgist and thought it was awe-inspiring the way he described the fires and the molten metals (tossing paper bags of trace metals into a melt and watching it explode, for instance). I did some research and I found that there was an intersection between biochemistry and mining, so I did my senior thesis on the topic of thorium microbial mining and bioremediation. The only rare earth metal mine in the united stated Americans is here in the Mojave, so I decided to make the move, and solicit them for my services, but that hasn't panned out (though it's not completely out of the question, I think I just need to try harder and knock on the right doors, still, but my optimism, on that front, is low). That brings me to the present - I've been wasting, and tooling, away in my workshop in the desert for far too long, and recently I was at the Bureau of Land Management and stumbled upon some remediation opportunities... There's a lot of arsenic that needs to be cleaned up from mine tailings, and I have some expertise in how to "clean" hazardous materials. Arsenic seems like it's pretty easy to clean up, knowing what I know about remediation techniques... and maybe I can make gallium arsenide products, like solar panels and transistors with the collected arsenic, and put it to some good use, not just sequester it... I was at the BLM because I wanted to do some claim-staking and try out some microbial mining techniques, and pan for gold to make some money to support myself (but gold prospecting is difficult and unstable work, and the microbial mining techniques are experimental [except for the tried and true Thiobacillus ferrooxidans {check out the Escondida Mine wikipedia page for some microbial mining starting points if you're interested in the topic, it produces 9.5% of the world's copper, and runs the world's largest bioreactor of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans} and other industry standards... but I wanted to try out a magnetotactic bacteria]). I know that Stef has said in the past that money in the government is in a state of nature (Podcast 99, Taking from the state), and I'm inclined to agree, and echo Ayn Rand; do not let yourself be twice robbed. I also think it's cool that he was a gold prospector in his youth - that resonates with me a bit. ... The economy sucks, I'm trying to support myself and I'm already fairly poor... very poor actually, but not destitute, yet. I don't think I have many choices. I would love to begin mining full bore, but that requires a capital investment (and I'm still learning the mining laws, so that I don't land in jail, and as long as I'm and artisanal/casual miner I'm not required to follow nearly as many laws, but if I want to really work the land, then I'll need to pay-off the government first, and have some capital investments). I might be able to get a business loan, but I have a lower risk-tolerance, and am not convinced that I should go all-in with mining just yet (plus I might need a co-signer, which might mean relying on family, which I'm not eager to do - I would rather have more money down, than ask for familial help, or help from a friend). I feel that taking government contracts might be my best hope of thriving and building capital. On the plus side, I might end up bringing my bioremediation skills to some ecological problems under the management of the BLM, or do some other contracts. On the down side, the government gets my labor and taxes if I do that. I would prefer to work for a private firm, but if that's not an option, then my business and I have to find another way to survive somehow. (I'm dissociating my labor and myself, but, I am my business) I would like to make my way toward the exits: sea-stead an algae and fish farm and make biodiesels, but that takes some resources that I don't yet have. I've been buying second-hand lab equipment and I have the means to engineer some algae strains, but that would bankrupt me with the resources I have currently, and I wouldn't have the means to implement my plans without additional liquid assets. I could roll the dice on gold prospecting. I could make a mad-dash for the ocean (and probably not succeed and be broke or in debt). Or I could take government contracts. I've also been applying for jobs (and casting a wide net), but that has yet to pay off. ... Weighing my options, I think working for the government might be my best chance at "purchasing my freedom"... I would rather not give them my labor, but it could lead to some real good. And they pay pretty well... It is a temptation to take the money (and run soon after fulfilling my obligations/taking contracts). Constructive criticism would be appreciated. If you want to know some of the things I'm applying for, then check out fbo.gov - it's kind of like a government contracts free-for-all. I feel dirty contracting to the government, but it is, perhaps, the price of freedom... It leaves me conflicted... But, I must make my way... And anyone in Southern California, Southern Nevada, or North Western Arizona that are good with mining and geology who wants to go gold hunting (who are physically fit and willing to bake in the desert heat [under a tarp for shade])... Let me know if you'd be interested in shoveling some placer deposits. I have a blower/vac (for dry washing), plenty of buckets, classifying screens, and miscellaneous equipment. Many hands make light work, though I can't guarantee you'll find gold (I'm looking at the Black Mountain Wilderness boundary on BLM land. I know there's tungsten, and abandoned gold mines in the area). ... Alternatively, if there are any rich sea-steaders who need a farmer of the biochemical sort, let me know (Craig Venter style - check him out if you've never heard of him). ... I think that if I play ball with the government for a little bit, then I can save up resources and get out of the state(s), and start doing some serious good, in an anarcho-capitalist way... Carbon neutral gasoline, fish farms, and ocean freedom, and perhaps a "farming" community... Ha! I'll work toward that... Hopefully I can make a life outside of the state ASAP. ... My logic/end game is that everything boils down to energy (food energy for humans, electrical energy, solar energy being converted into plant matter which becomes fuel energy, energy to manufacture things, energy to refine things, energy to automate things, energy to go on roller coaster rides and have a fun day at a theme park, energy to download podcasts from FDR, etc., etc.). As far as physical abundance goes, I think energy is the key. Granted, human desire is massively important, but, having little control over human desires, energy harvesting is my best strategy (since I'm not as good at affecting human desire on a large scale as Stef, or others). Therefore, if I can work toward being an energy/resource mogul, then I'll have a good life. A rising tide lifts all ships - I bet I could help foster some nice freedom by getting rich and trading energy. If I can make some nice biodiesel fatty algae strains, and LFTRs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK367T7h6ZY), then maybe I can live free and abundantly and be a beacon for others. Go to international waters, work, earn resources, become free, rinse, repeat. Thoughts?