[WorkingClassFilth]

If you've read about the work of Julian Simon, do you understand the concept of life reserve indices? In contrast, do you realize how incredibly stupid Paul Erlich seems in relation to his endlessly wrong predictions about everything from population to protien supplies? No wonder that guy had to get gigs on TV shows to hawk his Malthusian snake oil.

Land prices are cyclical and do not reflect a shortage. If you want land, it is still available - and cheap. It all depends on location, location, location.

Finally, yes, there are environmental issues that need to be considered. Having said that, if you are an urban American, your air, land and water are likely cleaner now than they were in 1968 when, ahem, American living standards peaked (according to the article).

[liberallarry]

Yes, Paul Erlich is an unattractive person (I'm told Simon wasn't too hot either). Yes, he was wrong and arrogant ... repeatedly.

Yes, business cycles and other technicalities make it difficult to gauge real prices and their direction. Difficult, but not impossible.

We have skyscrapers because cheap land in major cities is simply unavailable. Resorts which were pristine only a few years ago are now trashed and over-crowded. Water is expensive and getting more so. What evidence will convince you?

Location, location, location. We've not yet run out of good cheap land but we're exploiting it at an incredible rate and - as real-estate agents like to point out when they're selling beach-front property - noone is making any more of it.