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Actually I think you'll find more resistance to the new technology than anything. West Virginia is not doing so hot economically, the coal industry has been goi
by 6DM 10y ago
Actually I think you'll find more resistance to the new technology than anything. West Virginia is not doing so hot economically, the coal industry has been going downhill [0]. Do you hear of training centers popping up? No, everyone is up in arms about their jobs leaving. They're calling it a "war on coal".
Now try that at a global level, I'm betting entire countries would have their life styles completely altered. Who knows, maybe entire currencies would become worthless in the process. Would it eventually even out where everyone could do well. Yeah, probably, but would people let you see the plan play out?
I hope someday that yes, we could stop fighting over resources and come togehter as a world to ensure we all have what we need. This is one area that I wonder if we can change in time.
[0] http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/us-has-lost-191000-mining-jobs-september-2014 http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/terence-p-jeffrey/us-has...
- bbctol 10y agoI think there would be more training centers popping up if there was funding for them; just because they help a region's economy doesn't mean they're a good investment, and it's plausible the state will have to get involved. Essentially, I think the talk of "saving coal" is less about the coal tradition and lifestyle and more about the fact that nothing seems to replace it; if former coal miners were getting new jobs, I think they'd quiet down on that front considerably.
- 6DM 10y agoTrue, I was thinking more from the perspective of trade schools. The whole, market responding to demands thing. I took a quick look, seems WV is well known for redirecting federal funds to random stuff. Like gold plating the dome on the capitol building. I also heard they were supposed to get really nice fiber internet, but I guess that was probably "redirected" as well.
- vajrabum 10y agoWest Virginia politics being what they are they aren't likely to plan properly for a post coal mining future.
- SEJeff 10y agoFWIW: Southern and Eastern Kentucky's economies are also virtually 99% coal (and 1% illicit marijuana). Senator Mich McConnell has done the exact same for those poor people... Nada.
- chiph 10y agoThat's from Senator Byrd. He was known for bringing home the bacon (pork spending). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Byrd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Byrd
- kiba 10y agoIt's one thing to talk about propping up training centers, it's another to make them effective. I supposed we have to try if nothing else. I don't have in mind any other solutions other than universal basic income.
- Atheros 10y agoWarren Buffet advocates an Earned Income Tax Credit. It's very similar to UBI except more politically possible. http://www.wsj.com/articles/better-than-raising-the-minimum-wage-1432249927 http://www.wsj.com/articles/better-than-raising-the-minimum-...