Peak Oil
Donate Bitcoin

Donate Paypal


PeakOil is You

PeakOil is You

THE Jim Rogers Thread (merged)

Discussions about the economic and financial ramifications of PEAK OIL
Post a reply

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby FoolYap » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 11:58:06

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'P')rofiting for the sake of profit is a dead end that has led us into this financial and environmental quagmire. It makes little differerence how much one prospers if it comes at the expense of destroying the ecosystems that support you.


You seem to be arguing that agricultural commodities as a whole are, insofar as investing in them goes, akin to "sin products" like alcohol or tobacco or clearcut rainforest hardwoods?

I think that's a bit of a stretch, for the simple reason that most of the places in the US where corn or soy beans or wheat are grown have been growing those crops for decades. What original prairie ecosystems there might have been where those fields are now, have long since vanished.

As for excess fertilizer runoffs damaging aquifers, I expect that problem to vanish as fertilizer prices continue to rise. 8)

What would you suggest that one invest in, if not commodities like food?

--Steve
User avatar
FoolYap
Coal
Coal
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun 04 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: central MA, USA
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby MrBill » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 12:54:54

If you are true altruist I would suggest buying assets like housing that are falling at inflated prices to help the seller out.
The organized state is a wonderful invention whereby everyone can live at someone else's expense.
User avatar
MrBill
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 5630
Joined: Thu 15 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: Eurasia
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby billg » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 14:24:57

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Fishman', 'B')illg
You must live off the public trough. The only way to generate the money and yes capital to feed those folks and yes you (unless you are self sufficient and completely sustainable) is the mentioned manner.


Don't know what you are talking about...we are on a different wavelength entirely. I don't believe that greed can be transmuted into public benefit.

Foolyap wrote:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'Y')ou seem to be arguing that agricultural commodities as a whole are, insofar as investing in them goes, akin to "sin products" like alcohol or tobacco or clearcut rainforest hardwoods?


Actually, I'm referring more to the greed factor, not as much to agricultural commodities. That's another discussion.

Mr. Bill wrote:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')f you are true altruist I would suggest buying assets like housing that are falling at inflated prices to help the seller out.


The best kind of altruism would to throw all that hard-earned money in the fire pit.
"It is no measure of health to be deemed sane in an insane society" J. Krishnamurti

Second Attention
billg
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 803
Joined: Sun 17 Sep 2006, 03:00:00
Location: No man's land
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby cube » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 14:37:37

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'I')t definitely rubs me the wrong way when I hear about how people want to cash in on what is going to cause of lot of distress for a lot of people.

Image
cube
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 3909
Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005, 04:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby roccman » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 14:39:03

DBC 2010 Calls baby!!!!

Let the bull run!!!!
"There must be a bogeyman; there always is, and it cannot be something as esoteric as "resource depletion." You can't go to war with that." Emersonbiggins
User avatar
roccman
Light Sweet Crude
Light Sweet Crude
 
Posts: 4065
Joined: Fri 27 Apr 2007, 03:00:00
Location: The Great Sonoran Desert
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby FoolYap » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 15:08:49

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'A')ctually, I'm referring more to the greed factor, not as much to agricultural commodities. That's another discussion.


Ah. Well, the topic of the thread is "Agricultural Commodities to 'Explode'", so one assumes. :wink:

I'm invested in ag commodities, to try to earn enough to be able to retire some day. Not to mention, try to stay ahead of inflation. If ag commodities are rising in price, I'll invest in them. That's not greed, is it?

--Steve
User avatar
FoolYap
Coal
Coal
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun 04 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: central MA, USA
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby mattduke » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 15:30:13

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'I')t definitely rubs me the wrong way when I hear about how people want to cash in on what is going to cause of lot of distress for a lot of people.

My god billg you have less understanding of economics than a congressman. I can tell that you have never run your own business (or if you have it failed). You probably think that "everything should be free." Profit is the north star that guides society to improve it's condition. A profitable operation is one that produces things more highly valued than that which it consumes. The more profitable a business, the better off society is. Unprofitable businesses produce products less valued than that which they consume. They make society less well off and we should rejoice when they fail. Government taxes the profitable operations which makes us worse off, and subsidizes the unprofitable operations, making us worse off. Profits in the ag sector are causing a mad scramble to produce more food so we don't starve. Those who are "cashing in on the distress" are precisely the ones who are risking their own savings to alleviate the distress. Since you are so concerned about people's distress from food prices, why don't you allocate some of your own capital to the industry? Why aren't you happy that high food prices will impoverish more people? That will force them to consume less resources after all. Profit is only a crime when it comes from government expenditures.
User avatar
mattduke
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 3591
Joined: Fri 28 Oct 2005, 03:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby shakespear1 » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 16:28:35

If you do nothing you may not be able to afford to buy it. So understanding the problem prepare the situation by investing wisely :-)
Men argue, nature acts !
Voltaire

"...In the absence of the gold standard, there is no way to protect savings from confiscation through inflation."

Alan Greenspan
shakespear1
Heavy Crude
Heavy Crude
 
Posts: 1532
Joined: Fri 13 May 2005, 03:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby billg » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 18:30:14

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FoolYap', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'A')ctually, I'm referring more to the greed factor, not as much to agricultural commodities. That's another discussion.


Ah. Well, the topic of the thread is "Agricultural Commodities to 'Explode'", so one assumes. :wink:

I'm invested in ag commodities, to try to earn enough to be able to retire some day. Not to mention, try to stay ahead of inflation. If ag commodities are rising in price, I'll invest in them. That's not greed, is it?

--Steve


Other than profit seeking, why are you invested in ag commodities? What are your principles?
"It is no measure of health to be deemed sane in an insane society" J. Krishnamurti

Second Attention
billg
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 803
Joined: Sun 17 Sep 2006, 03:00:00
Location: No man's land
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby cube » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 18:44:37

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', '.')..
Other than profit seeking, why are you invested in ag commodities? What are your principles?
You make it seem like "profit seeking" is a bad thing.

How do you expect a company to produce things like planes, trains, automobiles, and other modern marvels if there are no "profit seekers" to invest their money into the company? hmmm?

without "profit seekers" we'd be living in the stone age.
cube
Intermediate Crude
Intermediate Crude
 
Posts: 3909
Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005, 04:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby MrBill » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 18:46:28

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FoolYap', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'A')ctually, I'm referring more to the greed factor, not as much to agricultural commodities. That's another discussion.


Ah. Well, the topic of the thread is "Agricultural Commodities to 'Explode'", so one assumes. :wink:

I'm invested in ag commodities, to try to earn enough to be able to retire some day. Not to mention, try to stay ahead of inflation. If ag commodities are rising in price, I'll invest in them. That's not greed, is it?

--Steve


Other than profit seeking, why are you invested in ag commodities? What are your principles?



I want to strip wealth away from the Paris Hiltons and Brittney Spears of the world! Duh!! ; - ))
The organized state is a wonderful invention whereby everyone can live at someone else's expense.
User avatar
MrBill
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 5630
Joined: Thu 15 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: Eurasia
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby seahorse2 » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 19:06:57

Mr. Bill,

What's your take on Jim Rodgers? What's his reputation in your world? Is he just pumping his own agenda?
User avatar
seahorse2
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 2042
Joined: Mon 18 Oct 2004, 03:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby MrBill » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 19:54:36

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse2', 'M')r. Bill,

What's your take on Jim Rodgers? What's his reputation in your world? Is he just pumping his own agenda?


Umm, yah! From Investment Biker onwards he is not shy to talk his own book! ; - )
Last edited by MrBill on Sat 01 Mar 2008, 06:14:02, edited 1 time in total.
The organized state is a wonderful invention whereby everyone can live at someone else's expense.
User avatar
MrBill
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 5630
Joined: Thu 15 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: Eurasia
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby seahorse2 » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 20:19:25

I can see he has an ego, but even egotist can be right. Do you think he knows what he's talking about on this issue? Do you generally agree or disagree with his comments in the quoted article?
User avatar
seahorse2
Expert
Expert
 
Posts: 2042
Joined: Mon 18 Oct 2004, 03:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby billg » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 20:34:22

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mattduke', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'I')t definitely rubs me the wrong way when I hear about how people want to cash in on what is going to cause of lot of distress for a lot of people.

My god billg you have less understanding of economics than a congressman. I can tell that you have never run your own business (or if you have it failed). You probably think that "everything should be free." Profit is the north star that guides society to improve it's condition. A profitable operation is one that produces things more highly valued than that which it consumes. The more profitable a business, the better off society is. Unprofitable businesses produce products less valued than that which they consume. They make society less well off and we should rejoice when they fail. Government taxes the profitable operations which makes us worse off, and subsidizes the unprofitable operations, making us worse off. Profits in the ag sector are causing a mad scramble to produce more food so we don't starve. Those who are "cashing in on the distress" are precisely the ones who are risking their own savings to alleviate the distress. Since you are so concerned about people's distress from food prices, why don't you allocate some of your own capital to the industry? Why aren't you happy that high food prices will impoverish more people? That will force them to consume less resources after all. Profit is only a crime when it comes from government expenditures.


William F Buckley is dead and so is the Corporation of the United States of Amerika. For what reason I cannot fathom, you distinguish between the profit-seeking endeavors of the government and those endeavors in the business world. Yes...I'll concede that there are few responsible small businesses that recognize ecological impact and live within their means but the great majority of businesses pay attention only to the bottom line. Likewise, all those factions that compose the government are interested in their bottom line.

We all know that industrial agriculture is unsustainable so why are we pouring more and more resources into it? Maybe that is where the profit is right now but it's not where you will find long-term sustainability. Stop kidding yourself mattduke...those investing in ag commodities care nothing about the planet and the little man who needs to feed himself. It's all about making a buck.

You ask me why I don't allocate some of my capital to the industry. Well, I've spent the last 7 summers working on small organic farms so I hope that counts for something.

By the way, I'm not so concerned about the distress felt about high food prices since that may be a wake up call for many people... I'm more concerned about the moral fiber of people who see a financial opportunity while the little man bites the bullet.
"It is no measure of health to be deemed sane in an insane society" J. Krishnamurti

Second Attention
billg
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 803
Joined: Sun 17 Sep 2006, 03:00:00
Location: No man's land
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby billg » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 20:41:54

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MrBill', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('seahorse2', 'M')r. Bill,

What's your take on Jim Rodgers? What's his reputation in your world? Is he just pumping his own agenda?


Umm, yah! From Investment Biker onwards he is not shy to talk his own book! ; - )


You are bragging...it's quite obvious AND pathetic.
"It is no measure of health to be deemed sane in an insane society" J. Krishnamurti

Second Attention
billg
Tar Sands
Tar Sands
 
Posts: 803
Joined: Sun 17 Sep 2006, 03:00:00
Location: No man's land
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby patience » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 22:08:46

billg,
What do you eat? How is it paid for? Shouldn't you, by the ethic you seem to be espousing here, donate that food or income to some less fortunate soul and quietly starve? If not, what are your limits of providing for ones self?
User avatar
patience
Resting in Peace
 
Posts: 3180
Joined: Fri 04 Jan 2008, 04:00:00
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby FoolYap » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 22:40:28

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FoolYap', 'I')'m invested in ag commodities, to try to earn enough to be able to retire some day. Not to mention, try to stay ahead of inflation. If ag commodities are rising in price, I'll invest in them. That's not greed, is it?

--Steve


Other than profit seeking, why are you invested in ag commodities? What are your principles?


What an odd question. I don't invest to try to improve the lot of others, if that's what you mean? That's what I make charitable donations for.

I find it a bad idea to try to invest for reasons other than making profits. I'm not completely unprincipled -- I prefer not to invest in tobacco companies, for example, because I don't see any good in the product at all -- but I am in it for the money, yes. Making profits allows me the luxury of having money to donate, among other things.

Out of curiosity, what do you invest in, and why? Friendly question.

--Steve
User avatar
FoolYap
Coal
Coal
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun 04 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: central MA, USA
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby dinopello » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 23:01:55

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FoolYap', ' ')I'm not completely unprincipled -- I prefer not to invest in tobacco companies, for example, because I don't see any good in the product at all


Some would say tobacco helps overpopulation.

But, anyway -your investing in Tobacco doesn't affect whether anyone smokes or not.
User avatar
dinopello
Light Sweet Crude
Light Sweet Crude
 
Posts: 6088
Joined: Fri 13 May 2005, 03:00:00
Location: The Urban Village
Top

Re: Jim Rogers: Agricultural Commodities to `Explode'

Unread postby FoolYap » Fri 29 Feb 2008, 23:05:30

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dinopello', 'B')ut, anyway -your investing in Tobacco doesn't affect whether anyone smokes or not.


True. It's a personal line I draw. Dammit, man, must I make sense 100% of the time??? 8)

--Steve
User avatar
FoolYap
Coal
Coal
 
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun 04 Sep 2005, 03:00:00
Location: central MA, USA
Top
PreviousNext
Post a reply

Return to Economics & Finance

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests



cron