The concept of collective policy-making has existed for a long time, but democracy, which allows most adults to vote, has a relatively short history…
Democracy, protect it, or lose it
Lew Edwardson on BC Hydro
Always articulate and thoughtful reader Lew Edwardson left a comment on the IN-SIGHTS article THE HEAT BENEATH OUR FEET. I think it needs to be amplified. Drought in northeast BC continues to be a problem. If the situation of FY 2024 continues, Site C will produce about 3,350 GWh, not the promised 5,100. These numbers suggest the dam’s capital cost for each MWh of electricity produced would fall between $142 and $215. Of course, the utility incurs operating and overhead costs as well. Those would be around $30 per MWh. At the midpoint between those numbers, BC Hydro would be paying over 20 cents per KWh for Site C electricity, far more than the utility is willing to admit.
The heat beneath our feet
After writing about geothermal energy, I made a remark on Facebook regarding a Western Canadian company having to go to Bavaria to launch its first commercial clean energy project. I said that was because European policies are not dictated by oil and hydropower interests. That led to a response by Glen Clark, Chair of BC Hydro…
Carbon tax cost BC taxpayers $24 billion
Introduced in July 2008, British Columbia’s Carbon Tax cost BC taxpayers $24 billion before it was eliminated at the end of fiscal year 2024-2025. People in BC were encouraged to lower their carbon emissions, but the government provided subsidies worth billions of dollars to encourage increased fossil fuel consumption. That program was successful since the volume of natural gas produced in BC almost tripled after the carbon tax was imposed.
Geothermal, Eavor present energy
Months ago, I wrote Geothermal — clean, non-destructive renewable energy. It was about Calgary-based Eavor and the company’s use of unique drilling technology to realize geothermal energy. I have followed Eavor’s activities and noted recent developments, particularly in the Bavarian town of Geretsried…
July update
After being focused on personal issues for a while, I will resume publishing a few pieces each week. Thank you to the people who have continued to support IN-SIGHTS. Please check here regularly.
Regular activity at In-Sights will resume
Our world has had no shortage of bad news and bad actors in recent times. Two hours spent with Cirque du Soleil remind us that humans are also capable of incredible artistry that brings joy to people of all ages.
Facebook censorship
Minutes after I placed a link on Facebook to the IN-SIGHTS article Road to Dictatorship, the post was removed. Facebook labelled it spam, which is typically defined as irrelevant or inappropriate advertising and messages sent on the internet. The article had no advertising. Instead, it linked to Trump’s White House, The Atlantic magazine, a prestigious research institute at a Swedish university, and a legal resource centre….
Road to dictatorship
According to a democracy research project based at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, 27 countries have transitioned from democracies to autocracies since 2005. Nations controlled by strongmen now outnumber those where citizens exercise control through elected representatives. Democracy is disappearing in the USA and is threatened in Canada…
Small item, large consequence
Stewart Hicks is Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He described how a simple connecting device for roof trusses helped revolutionize the home-building industry. It led to changes that worked well for the construction trades but had broad, less obvious effects. Not all have been positive.
Why do they lie?
I wonder. Do politicians lie because they think Canadians are collectively stupid, or do they lie because we are?
Game changers
The global battery market is now valued at around C$220 billion. That number is expected to be near half a trillion dollars in five years. Even that estimate may be conservative. Very conservative. China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL), the world’s largest battery maker, recently made an astonishing announcement. One was that its new Shenxing sodium-ion battery could add 520 kilometres of driving range in just five minutes of charging time. The total range is said to be 800 km…
Ever-Trumper time
I recently referred to Pierre Poilievre saying that he told Alberta Conservative Danielle Smith to, “Be ready, when I win, we need your help.” Canadians had better be ready for what that may mean…
Gray Lady up
I cancelled my subscription to the New York Times when the newspaper seemed to easily accept the horrors inflicted on two million residents of Gaza. Of course, that was not the only fault I perceived in what should be America’s finest newspaper. However, the Gray Lady does produce some compelling material. There is a fine Times piece by Larry David, the brilliant creator of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the co-creator of “Seinfeld.” It was directed at Bill Maher after the arrogant former comedian dined with Donald Trump, whom Maher called “gracious.”
Canada as “totalitarian hell hole”
A familiar axiom that says, “People can be judged by the company they keep.” Crime family movies use the phrase, “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” I was reminded of those words while watching a video of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a long and friendly conversation with controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson…
Priorities
A couple of election promises caught my attention. Perhaps these define different priorities established by politicians who aim to lead Canada’s federal government. Maybe some of it is just useless theatre…
Points to ponder
I’ve been working with a group of people to launch CANADA WEST FORUM. Busy days are further complicated by the recent onset of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). It is easing with treatment. For me, the discomforts of advancing age are more than balanced by observing young family members reach or near the age of majority. It is gratifying when they show themselves to be people of high character. Nevertheless, deafness has not stopped me from reading widely. Anyone not anxious about our future is not paying attention.
AI roasts Norm
With three school teachers in the immediate family, I usually stay away from artificial intelligence platforms. However, I learned that Chat GPT can use AI to describe individuals who have an online presence. I was described as shown here…
Defending democracy
Ordinary people must choose between authoritarianism and democracy. Our ancestors struggled to gain the vote; we must protect these rights. Are we willing to do that? Do we even understand the fragility of our political system?
Now is not the moment to remain silent
Facebook has plenty of flaws, but as a stopped clock does twice a day, it can provide useful information. It was on Facebook that I saw a quote by American writer and editor Naomi Shulman. That led me to a piece she published ten days after Trump was elected President in 2016. Emboldened by Congressional cowardice and a corrupt Supreme Court, America’s Oligarch-in-Chief is even more dangerous than when Shulman warned her nation eight years ago…
in-sights.ca 
AKA: Loopholes Uber Alles! Priceless advice. From 2019... https://medium.com/civic-skunk-works/a-civic-take-lets-tax-the-rich-by-taxing-the-rich-a0e27b329e0c “There must be a long and dour German word to describe…