No where to hide

[Pet Hog]

When I have my self driving car, I am all for traffic lights going away...

Self-driving cars was also my first thought when the traffic lights argument was raised.  If we don't have a government controlling traffic, we might devise alternative methods for road safety that don't involve lights at all.  Self-driving cars might obviate the need for any road signs.  It would be a completely private solution to a public problem.

[moda0306]

What's with government and traffic lights?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFOo3e0nxSI

OMG CHAOS!!!!!!!!!! Don't you see! We need more CONTROL! Spontaneous order from chaos is an impossible, non-existent concept! Without a central authority we'll all be doooooooooooomed! Never mind that it appears to be working… it's just a ruse designed to lull you into a false sense of complacency! Soon there will be unspeakable, unimaginable calamities!

Doesn't that all seem a bit odd to you?

First off, there's congestion down the road somewhere screwing up the whole thing. Is that another place where the light was changed to a stop?

Further, it appears that their IS a requirement to stop by a couple parties, so it's not just a free for all. And I think it's common knowledge that one-way stops are more efficient than lights as long as they don't get too over-crowded on the stop sign and favor the highway goers over those trying to get on it too much.

To me, lights are about balancing the traffic of what would be a completely one-directional congestion. They're not meant to actually reduce it overall. For the most part anyway. Obviously accidents factor in.

In my experience, four way stops and lights suck, but are necessary to balance congestion amongst various directions. Roundabouts are where it's at.

[flyingpylon]

In my experience, four way stops and lights suck, but are necessary to balance congestion amongst various directions. Roundabouts are where it's at.

I live next to the roundabout capital of the U.S. and although they have their own issues, roundabouts do work pretty well, certainly better than 4-way stops.  But surely there is someone somewhere that will fight to preserve the status quo to save the union jobs at all the traffic light and stop sign factories.

[Stewardship]

Traffic could undoubtedly be optimized if the government weren't in charge of it.  Traffic signals could function under better algorithms that allow traffic to proceed more efficiently for everyone.

This discussion reminds me of local candidates 20 years ago, before we had rush hour congestion, promising to prevent Los Angeles style traffic here in Las Vegas.  What we have now is Los Angeles style traffic.  No apologies from anyone there.

[MachineGhost]

Wow, 16 pages of hand wringing again in just a bit over two weeks?  I'm not going to even bother reading.

Some people need to get out of the PP.  There's no shame in admitting defeat.  There are less risky portfolios.

[Stewardship]

There are less risky portfolios.

Such as?

[MachineGhost]

There are less risky portfolios.

Such as?

Burn's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio.

[ochotona]

There are less risky portfolios.

Such as?

Burn's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio.

Larry Swedroe?

[Libertarian666]

There are less risky portfolios.

Such as?

Burn's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio.

I looked for that briefly and couldn't find it, so does it have any significant amount of gold? If not, I don't consider it low-risk.

[rickb]

Such as?

Burn's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio.

I looked for that briefly and couldn't find it, so does it have any significant amount of gold? If not, I don't consider it low-risk.

MG must mean Swedroe's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio (Burns is the Couch Potato guy).  Swedroe's Fat Tail Minimization Portfolio is 30% stock (half small cap value and half emerging markets), 35% TIPS, and 35% short term treasuries.  No gold (Swedroe does not like gold).

[Stewardship]

I looked for that briefly and couldn't find it, so does it have any significant amount of gold? If not, I don't consider it low-risk.

+1

[LC475]

Harry Browne was a smart guy but he was not infallible. Stating that government never works is just silly.

Well, I guess from that we can say that government works for you.  Bully.

That's great you have an opinion and are not afraid to voice it.  I am happy to allow you your opinion.  My only wish -- it is a simple wish -- is that those of your point of view would allow me to have mine.

Seems only civilized.

But then, perhaps I'm "just silly."