Tomorrow, the Canadian polysyllabic pontificator Rex Murphy will be in Vancouver recording a live episode of Cross Country Checkup on religion in public life.. The Checkup is a long-time Canadian radio talk show, designed to spark dialogue across the country. To arrange my thoughts for the discussion, I sat down
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Eclectic Lip: Plug-in electric car sales in Canada, January 2013 (via GreenCarReports)
My column on plug-in car sales in Canada for January 2013, is now up at GreenCarReports. Since it’s hard to write ~600 words about sales statistics in the very small Canadian market, I discuss how Quebec — not B.C.! — is the leading province for plug-in vehicle adoption, and reasons
Continue readingEclectic Lip: The Black Swan’s Thanksgiving Turkey
(originally written Nov 24, 2011. Part of Great Upload of 2013.) It came to my attention that Naseem Nicholas Taleb, who authored The Black Swan (surprisingly, not about a ballet dancer, but about financial crises) discussed other avians in his book, among them the Thanksgiving turkey. Per the Wikipedia page,
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: The dubious case for casinos
I got way off my usual research agenda this morning for a business panel on CBC radio. The topic was the economics of casinos, the result of the City of Surrey voting down a new casino proposal. I have often disparagingly compared stock markets to casinos, but in fact I
Continue readingEclectic Lip: Alberta oil selling at 50% discount to world price…
…which explains why the Canadian government is Hell-and-High-Water-bent on building a pipeline, any pipeline, anywhere. First, the stats Over the past few months, new stories have noted that Canada’s oil sector isn’t getting full price for its heavy oil — in large part because American pipelines are well-supplied with newly-flowing
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Opposing Enbridge & Environmental Value
There is one easy way for the opponents of the Northern Gateway pipeline to get their way, put their money where their mouth is. It only makes sense that if the Northern Gateway project is built, Enbridge the company responsible, should cover all social costs from the environmental damage; but
Continue readingEclectic Lip: Goodness, the biggest bull market in history is about to begin — eventually! :)
(originally written May 8, 2012. Part of my “Great Upload of 2013″) There was a great article in the Globe & Mail investment section about one John Maudlin’s predictions that after the stock market moves down for awhile, it will move up. Which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is brilliant stuff
Continue readingEclectic Lip: EV stats for British Columbia (2012)
The kind people at CEV for BC sent over some statistics on Clean Energy Vehicle rebates issued by the provincial government. While the CEV rebates were available for electric, natural gas, and fuel cell vehicles, my understanding is that the rebates break down as follows: – 308x EV’s – 0
Continue readingBryan Crockett: How Christy Clark can get reelected
When Christy Clark became the Premier of British Columbia, I, along with many other people, had high hopes. During the campaign and her first few months as Premier, she made herself seem like a centrist who could be a catalyst for meaningful, and much-needed, reform. But, somewhere along the line,
Continue readingEclectic Lip: Prius: a Crystal Anniversary (15 years)
A few Prius-inclined websites noted last week that Dec 10, 2012 marked the 15th anniversary of the Prius’ introduction in Japan. With the Prius (temporarily?) becoming the world’s 3rd-best-selling car brand in 2012, the anniversary probably deserves some reflection. 🙂 > As near as I can figure, Malcolm Gladwell-type book
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Marc’s Letter from 2040
The following comes from a short talk on a vision for a zero-carbon BC that I gave at a couple events this Fall. Many have asked for the text so I’ve posted it here, and we may try and turn it into a video. That said, I have been reluctant
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: When Is A Private Sale Public?
Conservatives tell us that state ownership of industry is bad… if it’s Canadian state ownership. Their actions tell a different story. “Canada is just barely holding the reins“. S.E. writes, “You probably don’t need me to tell you that selling a controlling stake in this country’s largest energy resource to
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: State of the BC Economy
As we close out 2012, BC finds itself in some precarious economic waters. To recap, a massive housing bubble that built up through the naughties (2000s) finally burst in 2008, feeding a financial crisis, as extremely loose (some would say fraudulent) lending practices pushed housing prices up to spectacular, never-seen-before
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Canadians Enjoy Largest Oil Spill In History
Many British Columbians fear the possible environmental damage of the Northern Gateway pipeline running through their wilderness, yet paradoxically they and all other Canadians not only take pleasure from the largest oil spill in Canadian history, but …
Continue readingTerahertz: I get email: Bibles and Abstinence
Posted without comment. TO: Ian Bushfield—B.C. Humanist Association DATE: November 17–2012 FROM: Leonard R., Abbotsford, B.C. SUBJECT: Article in Abbotsford Times — Nov. 8–2012 The article states you have protested to the Minister of Education of B.C. about the free distribution of Bibles to Grade 5 students at various schools
Continue readingLeft Over: Is the Grass Greener in the States, Now?
Marijuana Legalization: BC Effects Of Washington Vote The Huffington Post B.C. | By Jesse Ferrera Since Jesse is obviously from TO, I won’t comment much on this except to opine that: Since the only thing the Right here in Canada … Continue reading →
The Scott Ross: Preventing Bullying of Amanda Todd Just As Important As Preventing Her Suicide
Amanda Todd’s death has put the focus on bullying but in only attempting to solve half of the problem, we’re barely solving any of it. Bullying has plagued every generation, social media, however, in fostering a detached schoolyard mentality, has only made things worse. Current programs to combat bullying are
Continue readingLeft Over: So, Alberta, You Think BC’s Gonna Dance?
Oil companies going unpunished for thousands of North Sea spills I am including a link to this article in the Guardian online of Oct 25, 2012, because it is absolutely critical for anyone who is undecided re the true cost of that nasty pipeline across our beautiful Province, and linking to
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Banning Tankers On BC Coast Is Fundamentally Wrong
The good thing with fundamentalism is, it’s non-partisan. Opposition to all oil tankers off the coast of British Columbia has shown that it’s not just conservatives that can give up on moderation and pragmatism, progressives can too. In 2008 the Conservative government passed legislation imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain
Continue readingTerahertz: Support our Light the Night Walk
Grant LaFleche, writing for the St. Catherine’s Standard, wrote a column yesterday calling on atheists to be more charitable. It’s a common trope that atheists and Humanists don’t give as much (or frequently) as the religious. Lacking formal structures and congregations, there’s less of a culture of philanthropy, both in
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