My problem is that what are we going to do when there is nothing for humans to do? Where will there be meaningful work? I think we have to think even beyond money to sheer fulfillment.
I’m not convinced that people need meaningful work—for a long time, wealthy people seem to have been content to live for the fun of it. I think we’re trained to think we need meaningful work.
It’s more plausible that people need to think they make a difference to other people, but that’s a matter of social and intimate relationships.
I agree. I also think that we might see what we can do to build solid communities where sharing, experiences, ritual, and life are a major driving force. In other words, the way things were not too long ago. Indigenous cultures could be helpful in reminding us how to live in this manner.
Art and relationships (including family and friendships) are the two big places left for fulfillment, that I see. Culture and/or institutions (town governments, media, companies, etc) would have to actively encourage people to do active, constructive things, though, I think—the failure mode where you do nothing but watch TV and play video games all day is probably even easier to fall into in a society where material comfort is easy to get and leaving the house is usually unnecessary. Rewarding people with recognition when they do things that are good for them seems like one way—frequent local contests for things like art, music and cooking so people can get social fulfillment from hobbies more easily.
Which isn’t to say it won’t be a problem—just that there’s stuff people can do about it.
I could see religion/spirituality also being a major driver. I could also see an cottage industry of human-made items cropping up as a source of revenue and also of purpose. I guess the big threat is corporations who use this, how we will make sure that things are cheap enough for people to actually afford to do anything?
I hadn’t thought of religion, but that makes a lot of sense. I could also see homemade gifts being really popular—making something specifically for someone is about more than the thing itself, so it isn’t so easily replaceable. I’d also be interested to see what happens when people have so much time and energy to devote to their relationships, with things like that.
Hm.. I’m not really sure how price incentives would work in this context. Avoiding monopolies would definitely be important. If we assume that problem is solved, would competing on price be enough? It’s a really weird sort of economics, when most of the customers’ income comes from a corporate tithe… I’m too tired for math at the moment, might take a look at it later.
My problem is that what are we going to do when there is nothing for humans to do? Where will there be meaningful work? I think we have to think even beyond money to sheer fulfillment.
I’m not convinced that people need meaningful work—for a long time, wealthy people seem to have been content to live for the fun of it. I think we’re trained to think we need meaningful work.
It’s more plausible that people need to think they make a difference to other people, but that’s a matter of social and intimate relationships.
I agree. I also think that we might see what we can do to build solid communities where sharing, experiences, ritual, and life are a major driving force. In other words, the way things were not too long ago. Indigenous cultures could be helpful in reminding us how to live in this manner.
Art and relationships (including family and friendships) are the two big places left for fulfillment, that I see. Culture and/or institutions (town governments, media, companies, etc) would have to actively encourage people to do active, constructive things, though, I think—the failure mode where you do nothing but watch TV and play video games all day is probably even easier to fall into in a society where material comfort is easy to get and leaving the house is usually unnecessary. Rewarding people with recognition when they do things that are good for them seems like one way—frequent local contests for things like art, music and cooking so people can get social fulfillment from hobbies more easily.
Which isn’t to say it won’t be a problem—just that there’s stuff people can do about it.
I could see religion/spirituality also being a major driver. I could also see an cottage industry of human-made items cropping up as a source of revenue and also of purpose. I guess the big threat is corporations who use this, how we will make sure that things are cheap enough for people to actually afford to do anything?
I hadn’t thought of religion, but that makes a lot of sense. I could also see homemade gifts being really popular—making something specifically for someone is about more than the thing itself, so it isn’t so easily replaceable. I’d also be interested to see what happens when people have so much time and energy to devote to their relationships, with things like that.
Hm.. I’m not really sure how price incentives would work in this context. Avoiding monopolies would definitely be important. If we assume that problem is solved, would competing on price be enough? It’s a really weird sort of economics, when most of the customers’ income comes from a corporate tithe… I’m too tired for math at the moment, might take a look at it later.