11–20 of 102 posts
So, I have a question and it may seem like a childish or stupid one because I think I've missed something somewhere. Our society, and I think capitalism in general, seems to be pinned on the foundation of perpetual growth. The question for me is: how can we have infinite growth on a planet with limited resources?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Technology? Well not infinite but up to the point of a dyson sphere.
What massive efficiencies have technology brought us lately? I count ... fracking as a real improvement. That's it!
Edit. Every example other people are posting have been around for longer than most of us have been alive. I’m not trying to take a dump on the notion of progress, but I feel the distinction between “new” and “maturing” is being lost.
So, I have a question and it may seem like a childish or stupid one because I think I've missed something somewhere. Our society, and I think capitalism in general, seems to be pinned on the foundation of perpetual growth. The question for me is: how can we have infinite growth on a planet with limited resources?
The same can happen with materials: there is definitely enough iron and brick and glass and cobalt on this planet to enable everyone to live in comfort and safety. One iPad likely requires far less natural resources than a C64 and screen, while delivering far more value. And once people are clothed, and fed, and housed, consumption increasingly turns to “intellectual” value, i. e. theatre, or Netflix, or a good book.
So, I have a question and it may seem like a childish or stupid one because I think I've missed something somewhere. Our society, and I think capitalism in general, seems to be pinned on the foundation of perpetual growth. The question for me is: how can we have infinite growth on a planet with limited resources?
I still personally believe that the real underlying truth of "peak oil" was that as lower EROEI sources replaced higher ones, even though we would be able to grow the total number of barrels per day, the net-energy provided to drive the economy from those barrels would(is) plateau(ing). Everyone who points to fracking (or even worse tar sands) as a disproof of peak oil never understood the underlying argument about h…
So, I have a question and it may seem like a childish or stupid one because I think I've missed something somewhere. Our society, and I think capitalism in general, seems to be pinned on the foundation of perpetual growth. The question for me is: how can we have infinite growth on a planet with limited resources?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Technology? Well not infinite but up to the point of a dyson sphere.
What massive efficiencies have technology brought us lately? I count ... fracking as a real improvement. That's it!
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Technology? Well not infinite but up to the point of a dyson sphere.
What massive efficiencies have technology brought us lately? I count ... fracking as a real improvement. That's it!
Long-distance message transmission
DTP
Photography
Short-haul flights
Electric lighting (LED uses less than 10% of the power of incascendent bulbs)
Travel, in general (remember luggage did not have wheels until the 70s because it was expected that a traveler would have servants to carry their luggage)