Merijn Antifa Knibbe
@merijnknibbe.bsky.social
Economic historian, involved with the interplay of the long-run development of physical and monetary value of production and wealth. Anti-fascist (shorter: Antifa).
Checked Twitter. Elon is using his Algo against the (low) EU fine. This shows why this fine is a good fine.
December 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Checked Twitter. Elon is using his Algo against the (low) EU fine. This shows why this fine is a good fine.
As a teenager, I read stuff about Elvis. Especially the early years. I never read about this (see the picture attached, saw the movie on television, and googled it...)
Still like this song:
www.bing.com/videos/river...
Still like this song:
www.bing.com/videos/river...
December 5, 2025 at 10:29 PM
As a teenager, I read stuff about Elvis. Especially the early years. I never read about this (see the picture attached, saw the movie on television, and googled it...)
Still like this song:
www.bing.com/videos/river...
Still like this song:
www.bing.com/videos/river...
It´s official. On day 334, we got a new seasonal low for arctic sea ice extent. Statistically, the low is actually not that interesting. More interesting is that historically, sea ice extent during this period of the year was quite predictable (the grey bands). Not anymore. A new epoch.
December 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It´s official. On day 334, we got a new seasonal low for arctic sea ice extent. Statistically, the low is actually not that interesting. More interesting is that historically, sea ice extent during this period of the year was quite predictable (the grey bands). Not anymore. A new epoch.
Arctic sea ice levels are bound to reach a new seasonal record low.
November 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Arctic sea ice levels are bound to reach a new seasonal record low.
Gross fixed investment. Greece. Almost of the chart, downwards.
1) A deep, very long slump after 2008
2) Only intellectual property products (´windows´) do not show it.
3) An extended and almost complete collapse of gross investments in dwellings. Gross investment includes maintenance.
1) A deep, very long slump after 2008
2) Only intellectual property products (´windows´) do not show it.
3) An extended and almost complete collapse of gross investments in dwellings. Gross investment includes maintenance.
November 26, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Gross fixed investment. Greece. Almost of the chart, downwards.
1) A deep, very long slump after 2008
2) Only intellectual property products (´windows´) do not show it.
3) An extended and almost complete collapse of gross investments in dwellings. Gross investment includes maintenance.
1) A deep, very long slump after 2008
2) Only intellectual property products (´windows´) do not show it.
3) An extended and almost complete collapse of gross investments in dwellings. Gross investment includes maintenance.
Still updating my time series on gross fixed investment. This is the last one (I tell myself). 2025 is not included, imo, purchases of weapon systems by ICE have to be included from 2025 onwards.
November 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Still updating my time series on gross fixed investment. This is the last one (I tell myself). 2025 is not included, imo, purchases of weapon systems by ICE have to be included from 2025 onwards.
Still updating my gross fixed capital formation series. Added India, Argentina, Chile, Brazil. Updated Japan.
Argentina and Brazil both have low rates of gross fixed capital investment. Populism for the rich.
India does well.
Argentina and Brazil both have low rates of gross fixed capital investment. Populism for the rich.
India does well.
November 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Still updating my gross fixed capital formation series. Added India, Argentina, Chile, Brazil. Updated Japan.
Argentina and Brazil both have low rates of gross fixed capital investment. Populism for the rich.
India does well.
Argentina and Brazil both have low rates of gross fixed capital investment. Populism for the rich.
India does well.
In other news: the African Lion is awakening.
November 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
In other news: the African Lion is awakening.
I´m working on this blogpost about ´capital´ in the new national accounts guidelines, updating time series.
More ´my YFTTG´ material. A comparison of Greece and Türkiye. While Greece stuck to the ´Frankfurt consensus´ playbook, T. didn´t. Mind: pre-modern investment rate were a little over 10%.
More ´my YFTTG´ material. A comparison of Greece and Türkiye. While Greece stuck to the ´Frankfurt consensus´ playbook, T. didn´t. Mind: pre-modern investment rate were a little over 10%.
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
I´m working on this blogpost about ´capital´ in the new national accounts guidelines, updating time series.
More ´my YFTTG´ material. A comparison of Greece and Türkiye. While Greece stuck to the ´Frankfurt consensus´ playbook, T. didn´t. Mind: pre-modern investment rate were a little over 10%.
More ´my YFTTG´ material. A comparison of Greece and Türkiye. While Greece stuck to the ´Frankfurt consensus´ playbook, T. didn´t. Mind: pre-modern investment rate were a little over 10%.
I´m preparing a blog post about ´capital´ in the new national account guidelines. As a background, I´m updating some time series. This is already worth sharing.
Interpretation: Austerity led to enduring 19th-century rates of fixed investment in Greece (20/21th century is 18-35%)
Interpretation: Austerity led to enduring 19th-century rates of fixed investment in Greece (20/21th century is 18-35%)
November 13, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I´m preparing a blog post about ´capital´ in the new national account guidelines. As a background, I´m updating some time series. This is already worth sharing.
Interpretation: Austerity led to enduring 19th-century rates of fixed investment in Greece (20/21th century is 18-35%)
Interpretation: Austerity led to enduring 19th-century rates of fixed investment in Greece (20/21th century is 18-35%)
One difference: market transactions are basically ex ante anonymous. Commons transactions are not. In this case, to the contrary.
A festive meal and indulging in drugs (tobacco, alcohol) and luxury food are even meant to strengthen social and emotional ties.
There are things like a binding lunch.
A festive meal and indulging in drugs (tobacco, alcohol) and luxury food are even meant to strengthen social and emotional ties.
There are things like a binding lunch.
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
One difference: market transactions are basically ex ante anonymous. Commons transactions are not. In this case, to the contrary.
A festive meal and indulging in drugs (tobacco, alcohol) and luxury food are even meant to strengthen social and emotional ties.
There are things like a binding lunch.
A festive meal and indulging in drugs (tobacco, alcohol) and luxury food are even meant to strengthen social and emotional ties.
There are things like a binding lunch.
It was not ´free of charge´ for the Commons, had to pay the amounts mentioned to mr. Visser, owner of a pub. A commercial transaction and market prices.
It was free of charge for the members. A ´Commons transaction´ and an in-kind ´Commons price paid´. But, albeit ´free´, it was binding, too
It was free of charge for the members. A ´Commons transaction´ and an in-kind ´Commons price paid´. But, albeit ´free´, it was binding, too
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
It was not ´free of charge´ for the Commons, had to pay the amounts mentioned to mr. Visser, owner of a pub. A commercial transaction and market prices.
It was free of charge for the members. A ´Commons transaction´ and an in-kind ´Commons price paid´. But, albeit ´free´, it was binding, too
It was free of charge for the members. A ´Commons transaction´ and an in-kind ´Commons price paid´. But, albeit ´free´, it was binding, too
In 1910 the Commons of Holwerd (on the island of Ameland) organized 68 members to repair the dykes around the meadows (´miede´). They were not paid, but they received a ´free of charge´ lunch (sigar: 5 cents per piece, gin: 15 cents per piece, ´koek´: 10 cents). ´Free of charge´... but binding.
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In 1910 the Commons of Holwerd (on the island of Ameland) organized 68 members to repair the dykes around the meadows (´miede´). They were not paid, but they received a ´free of charge´ lunch (sigar: 5 cents per piece, gin: 15 cents per piece, ´koek´: 10 cents). ´Free of charge´... but binding.
Climate deniers discovered that solar radiation reaching the Earth is increasing. And use this to deny the influence of Greenhouse gases. Sigh. Radiation reaching the Earth IS increasing. Because pollution, which reflects radiation and cools the earth, is decreasing.
It´s still greenhouse gas.
It´s still greenhouse gas.
November 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Climate deniers discovered that solar radiation reaching the Earth is increasing. And use this to deny the influence of Greenhouse gases. Sigh. Radiation reaching the Earth IS increasing. Because pollution, which reflects radiation and cools the earth, is decreasing.
It´s still greenhouse gas.
It´s still greenhouse gas.
November 12, I´ll talk about the Hisgis data for the Netherlands and their meaning for the ´history of hay, haying, and haylands: peasants, commons, and commercial farmers` 1511-1973 (green on the map of Amsterdam and its surroundings is haylands. These were the lands with the highest taxable value)
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
November 12, I´ll talk about the Hisgis data for the Netherlands and their meaning for the ´history of hay, haying, and haylands: peasants, commons, and commercial farmers` 1511-1973 (green on the map of Amsterdam and its surroundings is haylands. These were the lands with the highest taxable value)
k) Considering my cash flows and liquid assets, 20 to 30 kWh is a responsible investment. In a purely economic sense.
That´s the production side. On the consumption side, we have the beef about beef... It´s hard to change your ways...
That´s the production side. On the consumption side, we have the beef about beef... It´s hard to change your ways...
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
k) Considering my cash flows and liquid assets, 20 to 30 kWh is a responsible investment. In a purely economic sense.
That´s the production side. On the consumption side, we have the beef about beef... It´s hard to change your ways...
That´s the production side. On the consumption side, we have the beef about beef... It´s hard to change your ways...
i) I´m going to be part of this wave.
h) But: why 30 kWh? My solar cells will be able to charge these for a long time of the year, off-grid will be slightly longer, but it´s mainly an economic decision.
h) But: why 30 kWh? My solar cells will be able to charge these for a long time of the year, off-grid will be slightly longer, but it´s mainly an economic decision.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
i) I´m going to be part of this wave.
h) But: why 30 kWh? My solar cells will be able to charge these for a long time of the year, off-grid will be slightly longer, but it´s mainly an economic decision.
h) But: why 30 kWh? My solar cells will be able to charge these for a long time of the year, off-grid will be slightly longer, but it´s mainly an economic decision.
Interlude: no, spelling corrector, that´s not ´fossil fuels´. It is ´fossil fossils´. We will need oil for plastics, drugs, and more stuff. Oil for energy will go the way of the Dodo.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Interlude: no, spelling corrector, that´s not ´fossil fuels´. It is ´fossil fossils´. We will need oil for plastics, drugs, and more stuff. Oil for energy will go the way of the Dodo.
i) We do need to have a *democratic* market. Complicated. Individual battery owners will have to organize themselves into large international cooperatives to serve as a counterfailing power against grid monopolists, the government, and the ´fossil fossils` (that book about Oil is a century old!).
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
i) We do need to have a *democratic* market. Complicated. Individual battery owners will have to organize themselves into large international cooperatives to serve as a counterfailing power against grid monopolists, the government, and the ´fossil fossils` (that book about Oil is a century old!).
g) ´Smart´: batteries which supply the grid during times of ´Dunkelflaute´ (German for no wind, no sun). And which charge when there is a lot of wind and sunshine.
h) These batteries do not have to be huge. All technology exists.
h) These batteries do not have to be huge. All technology exists.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
g) ´Smart´: batteries which supply the grid during times of ´Dunkelflaute´ (German for no wind, no sun). And which charge when there is a lot of wind and sunshine.
h) These batteries do not have to be huge. All technology exists.
h) These batteries do not have to be huge. All technology exists.
d) A better grid starts with the present grid. Plus several million home batteries (in my country alone). This includes ´smart´ EV batteries. Cars will become batteries that you can use to drive, too.
e) We will, however, need smart batteries
f) Also, I´m 65. I can´t wait any longer.
e) We will, however, need smart batteries
f) Also, I´m 65. I can´t wait any longer.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
d) A better grid starts with the present grid. Plus several million home batteries (in my country alone). This includes ´smart´ EV batteries. Cars will become batteries that you can use to drive, too.
e) We will, however, need smart batteries
f) Also, I´m 65. I can´t wait any longer.
e) We will, however, need smart batteries
f) Also, I´m 65. I can´t wait any longer.
b2c) Long story short: living off grid in the winter requires a LARGE battery. That´s expensive for, basically only for two months a year.
c) Off-grid is no solution. A better grid, however, is
(Repeat: a better grid is the solution)
c) Off-grid is no solution. A better grid, however, is
(Repeat: a better grid is the solution)
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
b2c) Long story short: living off grid in the winter requires a LARGE battery. That´s expensive for, basically only for two months a year.
c) Off-grid is no solution. A better grid, however, is
(Repeat: a better grid is the solution)
c) Off-grid is no solution. A better grid, however, is
(Repeat: a better grid is the solution)
b2b But on a dark and dreary day towards the middle of November, the cells will produce... 0,1 kWh? On a sunny day, maybe 8. A 10 kWh battery will enable you to ´bridge´ 1 damp day in this period. This, however, increases very rapidly as days grow shorter.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
b2b But on a dark and dreary day towards the middle of November, the cells will produce... 0,1 kWh? On a sunny day, maybe 8. A 10 kWh battery will enable you to ´bridge´ 1 damp day in this period. This, however, increases very rapidly as days grow shorter.
2/ b2a) On a perfect summer's day, my solar cells produce 35 kWh, which is largely sold to the grid (15,5 cents per kWh). But, at night, we still use electricity from the grid (27 cents). A 5 kWh battery can easily solve the night problem. In summer, living off-grid is easy and cheap.
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
2/ b2a) On a perfect summer's day, my solar cells produce 35 kWh, which is largely sold to the grid (15,5 cents per kWh). But, at night, we still use electricity from the grid (27 cents). A 5 kWh battery can easily solve the night problem. In summer, living off-grid is easy and cheap.
Migration update 24 10 2025 (Eurostat data). Net migration, EU, 28 countries. Immigration, emigration, and net migration, UK. Migrant population, US.
In all these countries, immigration is high.
High immigration seems to be a characteristic of Western culture.
In all these countries, immigration is high.
High immigration seems to be a characteristic of Western culture.
October 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Migration update 24 10 2025 (Eurostat data). Net migration, EU, 28 countries. Immigration, emigration, and net migration, UK. Migrant population, US.
In all these countries, immigration is high.
High immigration seems to be a characteristic of Western culture.
In all these countries, immigration is high.
High immigration seems to be a characteristic of Western culture.