E21: In defence of neoliberalism, most people think life is likely to get better, mining for progress, and more:
Tony Morley, November 20th, 2025
“But the facts are clear: There can be enough for everyone. The data tell us that lives are better now than lives were in the past—even though there are now many more lives around. Fears of a depleted, overpopulated future are out of date.” — Dr. Michael Geruso and Dr. Dean Spears
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Rare Earths and the Fight for the Future
From energy infrastructure to the defence of liberty, mining is going to be at the heart of fueling the growth, prosperity and future progress of the free world.
"As one official at the Department of Energy’s research arm has noted, the mineral requirements of a clean energy transition are so acute that it will require mining more copper between now and 2050 that we have in the entire history of the planet."
In Defence of Neoliberalism
Step back and look at the big picture of globalization and trade, and you'll find from child mortality to poverty, and from life expectancy to disposable income, "the countries that moved most swiftly and comprehensively toward markets experienced the best outcomes."
“Whatever the short- to medium-term future holds, the core principles of liberalism—free enterprise, open markets, and responsible fiscal and monetary policies—have consistently proved successful and resilient.”
Austin O’Connell
Soy can help feed the world, but tariffs are getting in the way
“Soy is the invisible backbone supporting modern, meat-heavy diets. The overwhelming majority of soy on Earth — about 77 percent — is grown to feed not humans but the billions of chickens, pigs, and cows raised to feed us, supplying the chief protein source in livestock diets.”
This technology could feed a world of 10 billion. We’re squandering it, and the trade war with China could make it worse.
Marina Bolotnikova
Most people think life is likely to get better
Despite what you hear in the news, from the United States to Nigeria, and from Indonesia to India — "most people are fairly optimistic that their lives will improve" https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/most-people-are-fairly-optimistic-that-their-lives-will-improve
"Line go up" means longer and healthier lives
The link between economic prosperity at the individual and national level, and life longevity, is unquestionable. Generally speaking, the wealthier a country, the longer lived and healthier it's people, the lower the child and maternal mortality.
"Globally, life expectancy continues to climb, but the gap between the longest- and shortest-living populations remains wide, with over 30 years between Monaco and Nigeria.
As developing economies invest in healthcare and education, that gap could narrow. In rich nations, however, lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes pose challenges to further gains in longevity."
Visual Capitalist
A playbook for the next century of progress
"Over most of the long sweep of history, institutions and culture improved along with science and technology. In the last four centuries, we developed the scientific method, constitutional democracy, research universities, limited liability corporations, stock exchanges, venture capital. Many of these developments were motivated by progress; all of them helped accelerate it."
“To build a bold, abundant future, we must reform the laws, institutions, and culture that once powered human progress — and learn how to believe in it again.”
Jason Crawford
The future is better than it looks
After the Spike, a new-ish book released in July of 2025, by authors Dean Spears and Michael Geruso, makes a rather compelling case, namely that population and prosperity are positively linked, rather than the much-held belief that they’re negatively correlated.
“The gloomy view that most lives in the future won’t be worth living. That gloomy view about the prospects for humanity’s future relative to humanity’s present is often rooted in a misunderstanding of wellbeing in humanity’s present relative to humanity’s past.”
“Yes, there are lives that we all should work to improve. But the chances for a good life for a child are at least as high now as they have ever been, in all of human history.”
Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s Are Here
A new test approved last month by the US Food and Drug Administration can detect the buildup of a signal molecule that may help in diagnosing the status of a patient's Alzheimer’s disease.
"New diagnostic kits aim to revolutionize early screening of the disease, potentially allowing patients to receive treatments—such as monoclonal antibodies—sooner."
Simone Valesini
Pinprick blood test could detect disease 10 years before symptoms appear, study finds
"The world’s largest study into key substances in the bloodstream has paved the way for a swathe of pinprick tests that can detect early signs of disease more than a decade before symptoms appear, researchers say.
Work on the tests follows the completion of a project by the UK Biobank to measure the levels of nearly 250 different proteins, sugars, fats and other compounds in blood collected from half a million volunteers."
Ian Sample
Free speech matters more than most of us think, here's why
“Which means anytime we think about giving Washington more power to restrict speech, we ought to ask, “How would I feel if my least favorite politician was the one deciding which thoughts could land me in jail?” — Why free speech matters, Kite and Key Media
"So, if you’re willing to make exceptions to free speech for people you don’t like … well, that’s no longer free speech."
Air conditioning saves lives
“The mortality impact of extremely hot days fell by 75 percent in the United States between 1960 and 2004, driven primarily by the adoption of residential air conditioning (AC).” — Rising temperatures don't necessarily mean rising death rates.
Kyle O’Donnell
Pew estimates a total of 47,000 gun-related deaths in the United States in 2023. By contrast, the 2022 heatwave in Europe resulted in 61,000 heat-related deaths. If you care about life, air conditioners are more effective at saving lives than almost anyone realises.
Switching on opportunity: How electricity can transform jobs in Africa
Poor reliability, limited transmission and distribution, corruption and high costs for electricity are limiting Africa's economic growth. When it comes to electricity abundance, Africa is no exception to the rule that more abundant and inexpensive energy equates to more human progress.
“As we seek to help lift people out of poverty by giving them access to better jobs, energy has become one of the critical levers for change.”
Ousmane Diagana
An unprecedented Huntington's disease breakthrough
A new breakthrough gene therapy has shown dramatic results in the world’s first treatment for Huntington's disease. The new drug reduced the progression of Huntington symptoms by 75% over 3 years in a small test group.
“The entire procedure takes 12 to 18 hours. One injection seems to be enough to permanently lower levels of mutant huntingtin in the brain.” “This could be a major breakthrough,”
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