Tony Morley
@tonymmorley.bsky.social
Progress studies, trade, free markets, economic and technological growth, writer and communicator. Classical liberal. Fellow Fellow, O'Shaughnessy Ventures: Founder: The Up Wing Links: lnk.bio/tonymmorley
Despite what you hear in the news, from the United States to Nigeria; and from Indonesia to India — "most people are fairly optimistic that their lives will improve" ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
October 20, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Despite what you hear in the news, from the United States to Nigeria; and from Indonesia to India — "most people are fairly optimistic that their lives will improve" ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
“Which means anytime we think about giving Washington more power to restrict speech, we ought to ask, “How would I feel if my least favorite politician was the one deciding which thoughts could land me in jail?” — Why free speech matters, Kite and Key Media
September 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“Which means anytime we think about giving Washington more power to restrict speech, we ought to ask, “How would I feel if my least favorite politician was the one deciding which thoughts could land me in jail?” — Why free speech matters, Kite and Key Media
In 1990, 37.6% of the global population survived on just $1—$3/day, by 2025, that ratio has fallen to just 8.5%, and continues to decline. Economic growth, trade and globalisation have been the unprecedented principal drivers of this progress. “The world has not gotten poorer.”
September 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM
In 1990, 37.6% of the global population survived on just $1—$3/day, by 2025, that ratio has fallen to just 8.5%, and continues to decline. Economic growth, trade and globalisation have been the unprecedented principal drivers of this progress. “The world has not gotten poorer.”
“But the facts are clear: There can be enough for everyone. The data tell us that lives are better now than lives were in the past—even though there are now many more lives around. Fears of a depleted, overpopulated future are out of date.” — Dr. Michael Geruso and Dr. Dean Spears
September 24, 2025 at 3:40 AM
“But the facts are clear: There can be enough for everyone. The data tell us that lives are better now than lives were in the past—even though there are now many more lives around. Fears of a depleted, overpopulated future are out of date.” — Dr. Michael Geruso and Dr. Dean Spears
E20: “Good vs Evil” — the best podcast episode of the year, declining global poverty, crop yields continue to increase through 2025 and more. Edition 20, Tony Morley for The Up Wing newsletter; progress delivered.
September 23, 2025 at 4:12 AM
E20: “Good vs Evil” — the best podcast episode of the year, declining global poverty, crop yields continue to increase through 2025 and more. Edition 20, Tony Morley for The Up Wing newsletter; progress delivered.
“Most crops, with the exception of sorghum and millet, have seen steady increases over the past 60 years, and that trend is expected to continue this year.” — The world is on track for record harvests this year Hannah Ritchie 🌽
September 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
“Most crops, with the exception of sorghum and millet, have seen steady increases over the past 60 years, and that trend is expected to continue this year.” — The world is on track for record harvests this year Hannah Ritchie 🌽
E19: Poverty is declining, the benefits of freer trade, Ireland’s escape from poverty and more: “While freer trade—in both exports and imports—makes us better off, the opposite is also true.” — Tony Morley for The Up Wing, Edition 19
September 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
E19: Poverty is declining, the benefits of freer trade, Ireland’s escape from poverty and more: “While freer trade—in both exports and imports—makes us better off, the opposite is also true.” — Tony Morley for The Up Wing, Edition 19
Between 1950 and 2025, Ireland’s GDP grew from $6580 per capita, to >$100,000 — while over the same period, life expectancy increased by 22 years; and just for good measure, child mortality fell from 5.4% to <0.3%. — How Ireland wrote the modern story of progress
September 8, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Between 1950 and 2025, Ireland’s GDP grew from $6580 per capita, to >$100,000 — while over the same period, life expectancy increased by 22 years; and just for good measure, child mortality fell from 5.4% to <0.3%. — How Ireland wrote the modern story of progress
We shouldn't have to explain 'comparative advantage' with crayon, but here we are: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” — Smith, The Wealth of Nations
September 5, 2025 at 5:56 AM
We shouldn't have to explain 'comparative advantage' with crayon, but here we are: “It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.” — Smith, The Wealth of Nations
Nuclear and solar are dominating power generation in Hungary, with solar overtaking gas, and coal's share falling to just 6%. Together, nuclear and solar made up roughly 66% of power generation in Hungary in 2024. ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
September 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Nuclear and solar are dominating power generation in Hungary, with solar overtaking gas, and coal's share falling to just 6%. Together, nuclear and solar made up roughly 66% of power generation in Hungary in 2024. ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
Global extreme poverty has declined significantly in the last 35 years, no matter how it's measured; however, in some of the poorest regions, progress has stalled. Free markets, free trade and globalization are the best tools we have to maintain momentum. ourworldindata.org/new-internat...
August 29, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Global extreme poverty has declined significantly in the last 35 years, no matter how it's measured; however, in some of the poorest regions, progress has stalled. Free markets, free trade and globalization are the best tools we have to maintain momentum. ourworldindata.org/new-internat...
Between 2019 and 2025, 52,426 new homes were connected to tap water in rural India every day, with the number of homes with access to a clean piped water connection growing by at least 124 million, from 17% to 80%.
August 25, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Between 2019 and 2025, 52,426 new homes were connected to tap water in rural India every day, with the number of homes with access to a clean piped water connection growing by at least 124 million, from 17% to 80%.
Tariffs raise prices for consumers in the short-run, and the long run, resulting in “an average per household income loss of US$2,700.” “U.S. tariffs have climbed to an average rate of 18.6%—the highest since 1933” www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/charting-...
August 21, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Tariffs raise prices for consumers in the short-run, and the long run, resulting in “an average per household income loss of US$2,700.” “U.S. tariffs have climbed to an average rate of 18.6%—the highest since 1933” www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/charting-...
“Already, children in the poorest parts of the world face better survival odds than the richest nobility of centuries past. A baby in 2020s Uttar Pradesh faces much better chances than in the rich countries of 1800: a quarter of the risk of dying." Mike Geruso, Michael Geruso 📉
August 18, 2025 at 10:35 PM
“Already, children in the poorest parts of the world face better survival odds than the richest nobility of centuries past. A baby in 2020s Uttar Pradesh faces much better chances than in the rich countries of 1800: a quarter of the risk of dying." Mike Geruso, Michael Geruso 📉
“Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.” — Walter E. Williams, American Economist
August 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
“Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.” — Walter E. Williams, American Economist
Turns out, “the poor have walked off the land into the factories as fast as the factories could take them.”, and they're richer for it. ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
August 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Turns out, “the poor have walked off the land into the factories as fast as the factories could take them.”, and they're richer for it. ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
The benchmark for extreme poverty has been raised to $3 a day, but even under the new calculation, the world's poor are doing better. “globally, the incomes of the poorest are higher in real terms,” up 28%. ourworldindata.org/new-internat... 📈
August 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The benchmark for extreme poverty has been raised to $3 a day, but even under the new calculation, the world's poor are doing better. “globally, the incomes of the poorest are higher in real terms,” up 28%. ourworldindata.org/new-internat... 📈
In a historic first, China has cut its carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to below 500 grams, down from 514g/kWh during the same period in 2024 and 539g/kWh from January to June 2023. www.reuters.com/markets/comm... 📉
August 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
In a historic first, China has cut its carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to below 500 grams, down from 514g/kWh during the same period in 2024 and 539g/kWh from January to June 2023. www.reuters.com/markets/comm... 📉
“So much of the progress that we now take for granted sprang up in a large and interconnected society. We have flourished beyond the dreams of anyone living in our small-world past. That is no coincidence.” — Dr. Dean Spears, Dr. Michael Geruso, After the Spike
August 5, 2025 at 11:19 AM
“So much of the progress that we now take for granted sprang up in a large and interconnected society. We have flourished beyond the dreams of anyone living in our small-world past. That is no coincidence.” — Dr. Dean Spears, Dr. Michael Geruso, After the Spike
More than a century of medical progress in the field of surgery, the development of new drugs, early detection and improved emergency intervention have reduced deaths from heart disease and stroke dramatically. ourworldindata.org/cardiovascul...
August 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
More than a century of medical progress in the field of surgery, the development of new drugs, early detection and improved emergency intervention have reduced deaths from heart disease and stroke dramatically. ourworldindata.org/cardiovascul...
“Today, after four centuries of rising productivity, English farmers are growing about ten times more food on the same land than in the past.” — Rising yields, falling hunger, Max Roser for Our World In Data ourworldindata.org/data-insight... 🥣
July 16, 2025 at 11:05 PM
“Today, after four centuries of rising productivity, English farmers are growing about ten times more food on the same land than in the past.” — Rising yields, falling hunger, Max Roser for Our World In Data ourworldindata.org/data-insight... 🥣
“The news has a negative effect on my mood.” Switch it off and subscribe to The Up Wing. We’re pro-growth, free markets, progress, techno-optimism, classical liberalism, and a better future for civilization. theupwing.com ✊
July 11, 2025 at 3:59 AM
“The news has a negative effect on my mood.” Switch it off and subscribe to The Up Wing. We’re pro-growth, free markets, progress, techno-optimism, classical liberalism, and a better future for civilization. theupwing.com ✊
“Roughly 90% of medicines prescribed in the U.S. are imported from other countries” Tariffs aren't just economically ruinous at home and abroad; they raise the cost of critical medicines. Put another way, free trade is good for your health. Visual Capitalist www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-u-s-...
July 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
“Roughly 90% of medicines prescribed in the U.S. are imported from other countries” Tariffs aren't just economically ruinous at home and abroad; they raise the cost of critical medicines. Put another way, free trade is good for your health. Visual Capitalist www.visualcapitalist.com/charted-u-s-...
This first container ship moved just 58 standard containers; today's largest move 20,000 to 24,346 standard 20' containers. Sneak peek, op-ed “What the West Wins from Globalization” 📦
July 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
This first container ship moved just 58 standard containers; today's largest move 20,000 to 24,346 standard 20' containers. Sneak peek, op-ed “What the West Wins from Globalization” 📦
Free trade is a powerful palliative for conflict and war. “If it takes two decades for your trees to bear a substantial harvest, you are extra vulnerable to warfare that might wipe out all your investments in one moment.” — @johanknorberg.bsky.social atlantic-books.co.uk/book/peak-hu... 🫒
July 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Free trade is a powerful palliative for conflict and war. “If it takes two decades for your trees to bear a substantial harvest, you are extra vulnerable to warfare that might wipe out all your investments in one moment.” — @johanknorberg.bsky.social atlantic-books.co.uk/book/peak-hu... 🫒