(White) America is coming apart at the cultural institution seams: work, church, marriage are all declining
(White) America is super-segregated for the super-wealthy
It is an interesting read, and motivated me to make a few notes to share.
I think Murray has an interesting argument, without having any solution to offer. But I think something else offers us some hope. There are changes that I think are coming, that I'm not sure Murray saw.
Think about these trends that you might have seen:
The reduction in industriousness ("available to work") may change as the Millennial generation is much more entrepreneurial. If you are inclined to make your own opportunity, you're not as inclined to wait for one or to drop out.
The rise in un-married births and the drop in marriage may also be contradicted by the social patterns of upcoming groups who are delaying marriage, but are being more committed than previous generations.
The concentration of wealth may be counteracted by the trend toward small and local business as a viable alternative to the large corporate behemoth.
The upcoming generations (Gen X onward) are more interested in building societal good right into their businesses, and show a big interest in doing good as well as profiting.
In short, I don't contradict any of the current numbers. I just think there are some interesting trends happening that are positive signs. A tolerance for inefficiency in business and society are giving us all more options, and may be the most hopeful sign I've seen.
I have a lot more to say on a tolerance for inefficiency, one of these days.
This old windmill was on a very unstable old tower. The pump itself had needed repairs for a couple of years. Because of the drought, we need to get cattle back on this place. So instead of repairing the old windmill again, we decided to go solar.
Speaking as someone who has to climb windmill towers, too, I was just fine with this.
We've converted one other old well to solar, but this was the first time we took down the old tower. I knew you'd want to see, too.
Actually, that came down easier than I thought it would. Hey, I was just up there!
Here's the first step of the solar pump installation, temporarily anchored to the post hole diggers (with the red handles) until we get the fence up and the tank in place.
Why solar? Well, it uses plastic pipe and a very lightweight pump, so the well is easier to pull up in case repairs are needed. And it does not require the tower, which in this case, we were perfectly willing to part with!
Our two remaining windmills are on good, solid towers, so I think they have long and useful future in front of them pumping water so thirsty calves can drink.
