The Nobel Prize in Economics and the Role of the State in R&D
The Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Mokyr, Aghion, and Howitt for their work on endogenous growth through “creative destruction” has sparked debate about the role of the state in research and development (R&D). Endogenous growth, driven by internal factors like human capital and innovation, contrasts with exogenous growth reliant on external resources. Creative destruction describes how new innovations replace outdated products, as seen in the evolution of cell phones. While the laureates advocate limiting the state’s role to protecting smaller innovators, examples like China’s state-driven R&D success and the U.S.’s public-funded military-industrial research highlight the state’s importance. In developing nations like Bolivia, the state should fund basic research, leaving application to efficient private companies to foster innovation and critical thinking among youth.
Lourdes
Lourdes is much more than the 72 miracles certified in 167 years since the apparitions of the Virgin to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
Lourdes, an important Christian destination, is characterized by its purifying water, its spiritual climate of peace and ceremonies such as the torchlight procession.
In addition to physical healings, the author experienced personal “other miracles”: a reunion with a Bolivian friend in Paris, an unexpected seat at a packed Mass with cancer survivors like himself, and the miraculous recovery of a lost hearing aid. A prayer for the healing of Bolivia from populism could not be missing, trusting in a change with the new government.
Scientific research in the Bicentenary
The column is about the relevance of Research an Development (R+D) for Bolivia in its Bicentenary. Natural laboratories and horizontal cooperation are the clues for successful research.
The expensive banquet of Artificial Intelligence
The article highlights the enormous energy and resource consumption required by Artificial Intelligence (AI), comparing it to other large consumers.
Conclusion: The development of AI involves very high environmental and economic costs, and its sustainability will depend on improving technological efficiency and educating users. Countries like Bolivia could benefit if they can strategically integrate into this value chain
The Summit of the Lament on Energy
This column is a short summary of a Summit on Energy where laments and reproches were heard from specialists and authorities. Hydrocarbons, electricity generation and lithium economy were the main issue exposed and discussed in the event.
The “resurrection” of the dire wolf
This column is about the “de-extincion” of dire wolf specie and the implications of this scientific goal.
The yawn
The ancient Romans used to say “Semel in anno licet insanire” which, freely translated, means “Everyone is allowed to do crazy things once a year”. That only time is, in my case, the Carnival, whose celebration continues today. In fact, even this (so-called) solemn columnist has decided to take the carnival party seriously and venture […]
PLANET WATER
This column is about the book “Agua” (water) by Dr. Hernán Vera Ruiz and some peculiar properties of the element of life
Galileo in Bolivia (English version)
A few days ago, I was contacted by a former student of mine, to ask me to support with a letter the initiative to include a book, preserved in the National Library and Archives of Bolivia in Sucre, in the “Memory of the World for Latin America and the Caribbean” program of UNESCO. This book […]
The obligation to align
At no time in history have plurality and tolerance of ideas and life choices been so appreciated and defended as in ours, yet no other era has been so polarized as to force everyone to align themselves with extreme positions. For the progressive and socialist left, liberals are all genocides, Zionists, exploiters and imperialists. In […]