The Rise of Anti-Capitalism ____ The internet of things

WE are beginning to witness a paradox at the heart of capitalism, one that has propelled it to greatness but is now threatening its future: The inherent dynamism of competitive markets is bringing costs so far down that many goods and services are becoming nearly free, abundant, and no longer subject to market forces. While economists have always welcomed a reduction in marginal cost, they never anticipated the possibility of a technological revolution that might bring those costs to near zero.

The first inkling of the paradox came in 1999 when Napster, the music service, developed a network enabling millions of people to share music without paying the producers and artists, wreaking havoc on the music industry. Similar phenomena went on to severely disrupt the newspaper and book publishing industries. Consumers began sharing their own information and entertainment, via videos, audio and text, nearly free, bypassing the traditional markets altogether.

The huge reduction in marginal cost shook those industries and is now beginning to reshape energy, manufacturing and education. Although the fixed costs of solar and wind technology are somewhat pricey, the cost of capturing each unit of energy beyond that is low. This phenomenon has even penetrated the manufacturing sector. More than six million students are enrolled in free massive open online courses, the content of which is distributed at near zero marginal cost.

Industry watchers acknowledge the creeping reality of a zero-marginal-cost economy, but argue that free products and services will entice a sufficient number of consumers to purchase higher-end goods and specialized services, ensuring large enough profit margins to allow the capitalist market to continue to grow. But the number of people willing to pay for additional premium goods and services is limited.

Excellent commentary from you both. Thanks. Here’s something that can be done. It’s one way for people who have the desire to learn and work to be re-enfranchised. Everyone, work more for yourselves.

Low-tech rednecks and others around the world have been joining neo-hippie “permaculture” folks on projects for a long time. I’ve worked with a few. There are some very promising energy designs that can be modified to pass regulations or go unnoticed where needed. Such systems can radically lower costs and radically cut down cash flows to the political/regulator class (major investors, often by way of employees’ associations in government-connected, conventional, expensive energy interests along with bonds, etc.).

Rocket Stove Mass Heater
http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp

$2K Solar Space + Water Heating — One Simple DIY System
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/DHWplusSpace/Main.htm

Ingenuity and “innovation” do not always come from those approved, degreed, licensed or certified by facist/communist leadership. It has often come from the bottom without proper credit to those doing the work and discovering (includes many in small business). 40 years of further stepping on the ingenuity base has been a foolish direction to take. Some of the “permaculture” folks even call themelves “dirtbags” and the like in mockeries of our sedentary, regulating masters.

We are the “sustainable” “permaculture”—not those who despise our existence and appear to be trying to gradually outlaw all real work and exterminate us. Have fun. Build, and enjoy the slide.

"I’d seen the rocket stove mass heater earlier this year. The old Roman baths had their stove pipes built in a series right into the walls to heat up their rooms. I bet you could do that with a few walls and regain all that heat loss going up your flue."

There are probably ways to do that, even now, although the Mechanical Code might prohibit putting heat into wood framed walls (or heated air, at least). I'll look that over again before long. Maybe it would be allowed into fireproof walls.

For now, I'm designing a rocket mass heater modified to be a small masonry heater for future possible, permitted, inspected installation on a frost protected, monolithic slab (foundation--also with PEX tubing for the main heating system--solar radiant drainback type, of course). The heater design will need to be tested outdoors first (most of the rock and all, with intentionally weak, temporary mortar between the rock in the outer part of the heater for cleaning up afterward).

There are some interesting possible modifications in the works for rocket stove mass heaters--modifications that might work very well and agree with the current Mechanical Code (probably the IMC--International Mechanical Code in most places now).

Several people and groups are building and experimenting with small masonry heaters with the rocket stove design parts in them for the purpose of having them permitted, inspected, and because some people just don't care for the smurfy looking "cob." Bell designs look good, for one. Personally, I'm at a high elevation in the mountains and don't have any nearby, suitable clay. Do have some masonry experience, though. There are also some efforts to "batch" wood in rocket stoves.

Here's a little gift for you, if you have an interest and your local government requires use of the IMC. If you didn't already know, it's free online for 1996 through 2012 (as are the IRC, the IPC, etc.).

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/imc/index.htm

Granted, most people who have their places paid for or have friendly, easygoing landlords (no concerns about insurance or the like) will build rocket mass heaters (some using a little masonry instead of much clay) without bothering with permits. The savings can be big for those in efficient smaller houses, if they follow all safety tips and other instructions (especially fire safety), but they should be capable of rebuilding if necessary (and of finding at least liability insurance).

One of many sources of materials (an inexpensive one here that ships the stuff, see "also viewed," other items below). I don't have any pecuniary interest in that vendor, BTW--only an example or for those who can't easily get materials any other way, like me in this remote area).

"I will check out the solar later. Thanks and I love FR for this very reason. Good debates by good thinkers make for good learning. Take care."

Same here. Thanks! Many of us low tech nerds are clean cut and conservative but somewhat tolerant and just plain cheap. ;-)

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