North Star Nook 3/10

Ezra Klein Abundance, Fallback, Factfulness, Twins Tidbits, Listening Reading Watching, Neighbors 4 more Neighbors

Sorry folks- I thought I hit send on this one on the 10th- retroactively look back at Ezra Klein’s thoughts on “Abundance” my love for fall back-

Honestly if we could just “fall back” twice a year instead of the spring ahead fallback tandem we have I’d be happy. I never feel better than in the fall during fall back.

I’ve heard Ezra Klein write and talk a little bit now about the “abundance economy”. It makes sense to me. Here is a gift article to this Sunday’s New York Times Opinion Piece. But if you don’t want to read it here is the basic premise

Klein argues that while Democrats successfully resisted Trump's first presidency and made big gains in the mid terms across the board, their subsequent failure to effectively govern, particularly in addressing the rising cost of living, led to Trump's 2024 victory. The author criticizes liberal strongholds for their high living costs, causing population exodus and shifting political power. Klein highlights the California high-speed rail project as a prime example of bureaucratic gridlock and policy failures, where good intentions and ample funding were thwarted by excessive regulations and political infighting. Klein contends that Democrats must shift from a party that merely defends government to one that makes it work, focusing on a "politics of abundance" to solve supply-side problems and rebuild trust in their ability to deliver tangible results.

What the article digs into is that Trump rode a wave of populism to a second term a populism which promotes scarcity versus that of abundance. Creating a protectionism of what individuals already own. I subscribe to a politics of building a longer table versus higher fences. But what is interesting thinking about a politics of abundance, and particularly housing, how far does the American public really want that? It’s a documented fact that an abundance of housing across all income levels decreases housing costs and rent prices across the board, and that a scarcity leads to rapidly raising rents and home prices. Then why is NIMBYism so strong? And how do you provide the antidote to this misinformation NIMBY’s spew or hold dear as fact? I’d be interested in hearing a deeper dive into how far a politics of abundance penetrates, do liberal folks want abundance from lawmakers in far away DC, and St. Paul? Or do they truly want a politics of abundance from their local councilors and commissioners as well?

Working in affordable housing and having served on the Duluth City Council for six years I have a unique perspective of what the public claims it wants from local elected. Spoiler alert- it isn’t change. I know this is abroad generalization but these are the people who show up to meetings and who call or email their local reps!

When there is an affordable housing project going anywhere there will be oppositional comments of having “those people” live in the community. They will often wrap their disdain for the poor in other arguments “what will this do to my water pressure, are the water pipes wide enough for this”.

When it is a market rate development there are folks who will decry that it needs to be an affordable development and nothing else (worth noting that this group is not attending the meetings in the above paragraph to advocate for the affordable housing projects)

What these two sides of the coin have in common is the unified goal of doing nothing, as if having a city covered in amber is the path forward. But folks are certainly frustrated by lack of change or at the speed of change.

We need more housing plain and simple, if we want to have a more affordable city, state, country. I am currently awaiting the book Abundance to be available at my local library. I am 3 chapters in and I love it.

Neighbors For More Neighbors

I’m interested in starting a local group of folks that are pro housing and pro more neighbors. I’m not certain what this group will fully look like but I think part of it is advocating for smart development or sharing and consumption of information on development, pro housing, pro neighborhood that collectively elevates the local IQ and thought when it comes to how we move our community. If you’re interested email or let me know!

Factfulness

Examining the historical trajectory of per capita CO2 emissions, one observes a narrative of escalating industrial output inextricably linked with rising greenhouse gas concentrations. However, a nuanced analysis reveals a compelling counter-trend: a discernible stabilization, and in some developed economies, a nascent decline. This is not merely a statistical anomaly, but a potential paradigm shift with profound implications for climate mitigation. The plateauing of emissions in regions like the EU and the US suggests a decoupling of economic growth from carbon intensity, a demonstration that sustainable development is not an oxymoron. This transition is likely underpinned by advancements in renewable energy technologies, enhanced energy efficiency protocols, and the implementation of strategic policy interventions. While the continued upward trajectory of emissions in rapidly developing economies such as China and India presents a significant challenge, the observed deceleration in China's growth rate offers an indication of a potential global inflection point. Furthermore, the persistent low-emission profiles of nations like Kenya serve as a compelling testament to the feasibility of sustainable development models, providing valuable insights for global application. Consequently, while the historical data underscores the magnitude of the climate challenge, the emerging trends towards stabilization and reduction in per capita emissions offer a cautious, yet tangible, basis for optimism. This suggests a nascent global movement towards a more sustainable energy paradigm, although accelerated and intensified efforts remain imperative to secure a low-carbon future.

Listening, Reading Watching

Listening- Jack White No Name. I was lucky enough to get to drawn in the lottery at First Ave to see Jack White perform an underplay this past August. He performed most of No Name- it’s great live, and it’s a great album. And Mr. White can really put on a show. It was a top five concert I’ve been able to attend.

Reading- Brad Meltzer The JFK Conspiracy. I loved it. I have enjoyed all of the books in the Meltzer series of assassination attempts on leaders. He has One on Presidents Washington and Lincoln and one about an assassination attempt to kill President Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill. Support your local library and pick up a copy!

Watching- Moneyball- It’s baseball season, it’s a rite of passage for each spring for me.

Twins Tidbits

It’s remarkable that most of the team has remained healthy and intact all spring training as we are two weeks out to opening day - How fateful and optimistic I was on March 10th. Since then Royce Lewis landed on the IL (at least it isn’t supposed to be as bad as last time. Brock Stewart is starting on the IL as well as Michael Tonkin (Stewart’s absence is also good news as it is his leg and not shoulder or elbow.) Matt Canterino is done for the year which is sad as he has an electric arm but can’t stay healthy.

Ty France remains red hot- which it is spring training, I don’t put too much weight into it, but he is hitting over .500 which is hard to do for an extended period of time. -turns out he stayed hot through all of spring training, let see if it translates into the season.