I was delighted to host Richard Salsman and his wife, Lisa, at my home last weekend. Richard is a professor of the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Department at Duke University. We had lovely meals together, and one evening we were joined by Alex Epstein. I’m happy to announce that Prometheus Foundation will be sponsoring an…
Author: Carl Barney
COVID-19: Damage, Destruction, Depression, and Disaster
No, I have not joined the mad media mob that is prophesying the end of the world. I am only evaluating the grossly irresponsible and irrational edicts of politicians such as Governor Newsom in California, President Trump, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer.. They are shutting down the motor of the world. Governments are causing untold…
COVID-19 Update: Keep Calm and Carry On
This message brought some comfort to the English during the height of World War II as England was being bombed by the Nazis every day and night. The Queen, hereby, is granting America the rights to use this message to help Americans deal with the virus. May it bring us, too, some small measure of comfort…
Book Recommendation: Eamonn Butler’s An Introduction to Capitalism
If you would like a clear, coherent, and concise primer on capitalism, read An Introduction to Capitalism. Its author, Dr. Eamonn Butler, is a co-founder of the Adam Smith Institute in London, and the book is a great introduction. It’s written in plain English, assumes no prior knowledge of economics, and contains no academic or…
An Evening with James Valliant and Friends
James Valliant and a few close friends joined me for dinner last Wednesday, and we discussed James’s latest book, Creating Christ: How Roman Emperors Invented Christianity, as well as his earlier book, The Passion of Ayn Rand’s Critics. I recently read Creating Christ and found it fascinating. The book’s basic thesis is that Christianity was…
A Visit with Eamonn Butler
Eamonn Butler recently visited my home, and we had a wonderful time discussing ideas. Eamonn is cofounder and director of the Adam Smith Institute (ASI), secretary of the Mont Pelerin Society, and author of many books, including works on the ideas of Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, and Ayn Rand (his book on…
Good News Abounds
The world is not going to Hell. In fact, it’s moving towards “Heaven on Earth.” In recent decades, innovators and entrepreneurs have produced greater progress and abundance than ever before—and they continue doing so at an ever-increasing rate. A few stats: Extreme poverty in the world has been cut in half in 10 years –…
Philosophy Humor
Leonard Peikoff shared with me one of his favorite cartoons, which I love. Enjoy!
Assault on CollegeAmerica and Change of Judge
Did Libby DeBlasio Webster and her political cronies get Judge Mullins taken off the case so that they could pursue further prosecution and harassment of CollegeAmerica? See this decision by Mullins in favor of CollegeAmerica, and ask yourself whether the AG would have had a prayer of persisting with Judge Mullins in place, particularly since…
Metformin and Longevity
I’ve been reading and hearing about the benefits of Metformin, and recently a doctor whom I trust suggested that I watch the TEDMED talk by Dr. Nir Barzilai posted below. Dr. Nir Barzilai opens with a funny Woody Allen story and then presents some remarkable data about Metformin, aging, and life extension. The drug has…