The Bet

In 1980, economist Julian Simon and biologist Paul Ehrlich engaged in a provocative wager regarding the future prices of five metals, symbolizing a broader debate over humanity's prospects. Ehrlich, known for his book The Population Bomb, warned of impending doom from overconsumption and resource scarcity, while Simon argued that human innovation and flexible markets would lead to prosperity. The Bet intertwines their lives and philosophies with significant political developments from the 1960s to the 1990s, exploring the rift between environmental concerns and free-market ideals, and advocating for social values as a basis for decisions on climate and planetary health.