Entropy and its misuse, I. Energy, free and otherwise

Although human affairs unquestionably are limited by the fundamental laws of nature, including the laws of thermodynamics, the laws must be correctly applied to determine those limits. Nonetheless, thermodynamic analysis can identify promising technological approaches that may merit investment despite unfavorable market signals. However, evaluations of limits to human activity must not confound the inefficiencies and idiosyncrasies of current engineering practice with limits set by natural laws.