The New Rules with Alan Pentz
Rethinking Energy, Politics, and Social Progress: A Deep Dive
September 24, 2024
In this thought-provoking episode, Alan and Tonya explore the complexities of renewable energy, voter distribution, and fundamental philosophical differences underlying political debates. They discuss the challenges of scaling solar energy, analyze voter clusters in the US political system, and delve into the historical roots of conservative and progressive thought.
Alan and Tonya begin by discussing recent insights into renewable energy, particularly solar power. They explore the often-overlooked "soft costs" of solar installation and the potential for future innovations. The conversation then shifts to a detailed analysis of voter distribution in the US, based on recent polling data. They discuss the implications of this distribution for political strategies and the potential for a new winning coalition.

The episode takes a philosophical turn as Alan explores the fundamental differences underlying political debates. He traces these differences back to historical thinkers like Edmund Burke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, offering a framework for understanding current political tensions. The discussion concludes with reflections on the nature of political change and the concept of "political entrepreneurs."

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