Category: Philosophy

The petition of the candlemakers

We candlemakers are suffering from the unfair competition of a foreign rival. This for­eign manufacturer of light has such an advantage over us that he floods our domestic markets with his product. And he offers it at a fantastically low price. The moment this foreigner appears in our country, all our customers de­sert us and turn to him. As a re­sult, an entire domestic industry is rendered completely stagnant. And even more, since the lighting industry has countless ramifica­tions with other native industries, they, too, are injured. This foreign manufacturer who competes against us without mercy is none other than the sun itself!

Here is our petition: Please pass a law ordering the closing of all windows, skylights, shutters, cur­tains, and blinds — that is, all openings, holes, and cracks through which the light of the sun is able to enter houses. This free sunlight is hurting the business of us deserving manufacturers of candles. Since we have always served our country well, gratitude demands that our country ought not to abandon us now to this un­equal competition.

We hope that you gentlemen will not regard our petition as mere satire, or refuse it without at least hearing our reasons in support of it.

First, if you make it as difficult as possible for the people to have access to natural light, and thus create an increased demand for artificial light, will not all domestic manufacturers be stimulated thereby?

For example, if more tallow is consumed, naturally there must be more cattle and sheep. As a result, there will also be more meat, wool, and hides. There will even be more manure, which is the basis of agri­culture.

Next, if more oil is consumed for lighting, we shall have extensive olive groves and rape fields.

Also, our wastelands will be covered with pines and other res­inous trees and plants. As a re­sult of this, there will be numerous swarms of bees to increase the production of honey. In fact, all branches of agriculture will show an increased development.

The same applies to the shipping industry. The increased demand for whale oil will then require thousands of ships for whale fish­ing. In a short time, this will re­sult in a navy capable of upholding the honor of our country and grat­ifying the patriotic sentiments of the candlemakers and other per­sons in related industries.

The manufacturers of lighting fixtures — candlesticks, lamps, candelabra, chandeliers, crystals, bronzes, and so on — will be espe­cially stimulated. The resulting warehouses and display rooms will make our present-day shops look poor indeed.

The resin collectors on the heights along the seacoast, as well as the coal miners in the depths of the earth, will rejoice at their higher wages and increased pros­perity. In fact, gentlemen, the con­dition of every citizen of our country — from the wealthiest owner of coal mines to the poorest seller of matches — will be improved by the success of our pe­tition. 

Translated and slightly condensed by Dean Russell from Selected Works of Frederic Bastiat, Volume 1. Paris: Guill­aumin, 1863. pp. 58-59.

Week 10 of a Lockdown in NZ

The kids had their ‘school holidays’ last week, but given that they have been stuck at home for the last nine weeks, it didn’t quite go as I planned six months ago.

I had originally planned to spend a week with the kids visiting old relatives and a few adventures (jet boating and kayaking) while we were down south, but ended up spending the week at home with the kids instead.
On top of this, my oldest daughters birthday was last week as well.

To give the kids something to look forward to, I managed to buy a clay pizza oven online, as well as a few skateboards.
The pizza oven went down a treat after a bit of working out how to get the best out of it.

The skateboarding went well until I fell off and sprained my wrist.
Luckily, I still had the notes from the physiotherapist from when I sprained it last time….

The birthday party went as good we could get under the circumstances, and I think my daughter (16yrs) understands we did the best we could. It was a low key affair as no friends or relatives could attend. She was quite delighted to just have everyone play monopoly as well other card games.

Living in the covid present, but life goes on

I’m a casual cyclist at best these days and I mostly ride to keep fit and stay at a healthy weight. I don’t go as fast as I used to ten years ago, because it takes weeks of physio to get my knee’s back to normal if I over do it (again).

Gone are the days of flying down a hill trying to break the landspeed record, and going hard out on a hill climb, I’ve finally learnt that I’m not as indestructible as I was 30 years ago.

I usually ride to another town for breakfast, which is up to 24km away (15 miles), then wonder back home, but these days it’s a bit complicated because you can’t sit at a cafe because of covid lockdown restrictions.

To get around this, I simply buy a takeaway meal, and sit on the ground with it. It may sound a bit uncomfortable for some, but I’ve gone for months without eggs benedict for breakfast, so needs must!

They don’t have a lot of customers these days and are always pleased to see a regular customer.

Todays ride was a windy one, so I was fast getting there and slow back.

My tactic for riding the bike these days is to keep a good cadence, and simply not put a lot of power thru my knee’s for any length of time. When it comes to hills, I change down pretty quick and just grind away, while admiring the scenery.