Julian Simon is Everywhere & the Faces of Children
Don Boudreaux blogs about the passing of his friend over at Cafe Hayek. Don mentions that his friend retired after suffering from macular degeneration. Here is a message I shot off to Don:
Don,
My condolences for your loss in the passing of your friend, Hugh Macaulay. Your post instantly reminded me of an example that fits within one of your constant themes, our ever-expanding pool of prosperity . My father-in-law suffered from macular degeneration and went completely blind this past June, just in time for a visit from his grandkids whose faces he could no longer see. People can deal relatively easily with the prosaic implications of sight loss by relearning to get around and do everyday things, but the emotional pain that comes with the loss of seeing those young bright faces is immensely debilitating to even the hardiest spirit. In August this year however, my father-in-law underwent a new surgical procedure known as a vitrectomy, and his sight has been restored to a substantial degree. You read that right, complete blindness to adequate sight after a 1 hour surgical procedure. He will be able to see his grandkids' faces again! The story of the vitrectomy procedure is truly a Simonesque tale of human ingenuity. The instruments used in the procedure were designed by a doctor in his garage (http://www.retinatexas.com/vitrectomy_eng.html). The procedure is now widely performed with a high success rate. Every time I hear of attempts to diminish the motivation, either through regulation or litigation, to conduct medical research I wonder how many procedures like the vitrectomy we are denying to posterity (and to ourselves given the rapidity with which these innovations can go from experimental to commonplace).
Photo essay of the vitrectomy here: http://bleahy.home.mindspring.com/eyes1.htm
There are some key lessons in the story of the vitrectomy. First, no central authority or government agency planned it; it was brought to us solely by the application of one man's ingenuity and motivation. Think of this everytime someone says we should have nationalized healthcare. Second, many of our current constraints that we regard as given are not inescapable. Think of this everytime someone says we are running out of oil. Third, read, and encourage others to read, your Julian Simon!!!
Don,
My condolences for your loss in the passing of your friend, Hugh Macaulay. Your post instantly reminded me of an example that fits within one of your constant themes, our ever-expanding pool of prosperity . My father-in-law suffered from macular degeneration and went completely blind this past June, just in time for a visit from his grandkids whose faces he could no longer see. People can deal relatively easily with the prosaic implications of sight loss by relearning to get around and do everyday things, but the emotional pain that comes with the loss of seeing those young bright faces is immensely debilitating to even the hardiest spirit. In August this year however, my father-in-law underwent a new surgical procedure known as a vitrectomy, and his sight has been restored to a substantial degree. You read that right, complete blindness to adequate sight after a 1 hour surgical procedure. He will be able to see his grandkids' faces again! The story of the vitrectomy procedure is truly a Simonesque tale of human ingenuity. The instruments used in the procedure were designed by a doctor in his garage (http://www.retinatexas.com/vitrectomy_eng.html). The procedure is now widely performed with a high success rate. Every time I hear of attempts to diminish the motivation, either through regulation or litigation, to conduct medical research I wonder how many procedures like the vitrectomy we are denying to posterity (and to ourselves given the rapidity with which these innovations can go from experimental to commonplace).
Photo essay of the vitrectomy here: http://bleahy.home.mindspring.com/eyes1.htm
There are some key lessons in the story of the vitrectomy. First, no central authority or government agency planned it; it was brought to us solely by the application of one man's ingenuity and motivation. Think of this everytime someone says we should have nationalized healthcare. Second, many of our current constraints that we regard as given are not inescapable. Think of this everytime someone says we are running out of oil. Third, read, and encourage others to read, your Julian Simon!!!
posted by Donny Baseball at 10:41 AM
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