hi dig,
i agree with the basic premise that certain sorts of restriction deliver opportunity.
i am struggling with finding a worthwhile definition of the dividing line between those sorts of restrictions and ones that, say, target a slow-down in the growth of carbon emissions worldwide, which seem to produce nothing much.
so what i was thinking about is that it is hopeless to rely even on sensible restrictions to save the world, however dire the emergency. for instance, americans still drive large gas-guzzling cars and american politicians won't tax fuel consumption in an economically noticeable way. as engines became more efficient, us drivers sold their sedans and got into suvs.
innovation (eg in forms of energy) is the only likely route to a solution in my view, however innovation emerges. if solar (say) is cheaper than oil, folks will adopt it. moore's law hopefully saves the earth!
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