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The OECD's Pathetic Attempts to Stay Relevant
The Bureaucracy Strikes Back!
Oh, the OECD. Still kicking, apparently. Every few weeks, they crank out another "report" or "study," desperately trying to justify their existence. This week's gem? Something about "Effective Carbon Rates" and how only a measly percentage of global emissions are actually being taxed properly. You can read more in their report, Effective Carbon Rates 2025.
Give me a break.
So, 44% of emissions are subject to some kind of carbon pricing, according to their fancy metric. And a whopping 11% face a rate over EUR 60/tCO₂e. Wow, groundbreaking. You know what else is groundbreaking? The fact that I had to wade through three pages of jargon just to understand what EUR/tCO₂e even means.
Meanwhile, they're patting themselves on the back because these numbers have "increased since 2018." Seriously? We're supposed to be impressed that, after years of climate disasters and increasingly dire warnings, we've barely nudged the needle on carbon pricing?
But here's the real kicker: the OECD is also busy welcoming new members like Argentina. Which is great, I guess, if you're into expanding your club of economically unstable nations. I mean, let's be real, what exactly does Argentina bring to the table besides more opportunities for bureaucratic bloat?
Industrial Ineptitude, American Style
And speaking of economic instability, let's talk about the US. The OECD is helpfully pointing out that we're lagging behind in government R&D investment in "industrial production and technology." Apparently, we're sitting pretty at just over 1% of the federal research budget, while countries like Iceland and Israel are throwing a third of their budgets at this stuff. According to a recent ITIF report, USG Investment in Industrial Research Low Compared to OECD Peers, the US is behind its peers in this critical area.
Iceland? What are they researching, better ways to freeze fish?
The stated goal is to enable national industrial competitiveness. You know, like competing with China. The report suggests a "reasonable goal" would be to invest at least 10% of the federal research budget by 2028. Okay, that's only checks notes a tenfold increase in three years. Sounds totally achievable in this political climate, right?
Offcourse, the real problem isn't just the numbers. It's the mindset. We're too busy chasing the next shiny tech unicorn to bother with the boring stuff like manufacturing and industrial processes. We'd rather build apps that deliver artisanal dog treats than, you know, actual things.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if we even want to compete anymore. Maybe we're content to become a nation of influencers and venture capitalists while the rest of the world builds the future.
Health at a Glance...and a Yawn
Oh, and they also released "Health at a Glance 2025." I didn't even bother reading it. I'm sure it's full of insightful data points about healthcare spending and obesity rates. Because that's what we really need right now: more data.
What I really want to know is, are we any healthier? Are we any happier? Are we any less stressed? I'm guessing the answer to all those questions is a resounding "no." But hey, at least the OECD has a bunch of charts and graphs to prove it.
So, What's the Point of All This?
The OECD is like that one friend who always shows up to the party with a stack of spreadsheets and a lecture about global economics. Nobody asked for it, nobody wants it, but they insist on sharing it anyway.
I'm not saying the OECD is completely useless. I'm sure there are some well-meaning people working there, crunching numbers and writing reports. But at the end of the day, it all feels like a giant exercise in self-justification. A way for bureaucrats to feel important while the world burns around them.
