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Yes, everything is ultimately dependent on physical resources, but the value creation is at a higher level, and you hopefully get more value out of less resourc
by jasperry 2y ago
Yes, everything is ultimately dependent on physical resources, but the value creation is at a higher level, and you hopefully get more value out of less resource as things advance. I don't consider AI a positive example, it's a hype bubble for sure. But think how much computing power per watt you get compared to 30 years ago.
- bckr 2y agoConsider also the green revolution which enabled more calories to be grown per hectare. I don’t know if it takes less water and nutrients, though.
- floatrock 2y agoThe Haber–Bosch process that powered the green revolution is merely a way of converting fuel into heat into fertilizer. Calories per hectare is one way of measuring food systems, and a great way when we assume fuel inputs are infinite, inexhaustible, and cheap. Calories per unit of inputs is another way.
- bckr 2y agoThe green revolution was not only a result of the Haber-Bosch process, although that's an aspect I wasn't thinking about. Hybridization of crop plants increased the calories per hectare per year produced. Again, I don't know if the plants were actually producing more edible nutrients per pound of fertilizer.