- 25 Dec 2009 18:53
#13277964
I like the idea of Technocracy, but it just won't work because humans aren't like you suppose humans would be.
For example, Technocrats argue that people will get bored if they are not occupied with something, and therefore, along with the social effects like climbing up the social ladder by doing work for the community, they will work anyway.
I just don't think it is possible to make people work as many hours as neccessary.
Especially when it comes to the health care. Caring for other people is a HUGE burden, and many people who work already like to care for other people. But in Denmark where we have something called "efterløn" (it is a system with early retirement which you can choose when you reach the age of 60, compared to the actual retirement pension at the age of 67), the vast majority of the workers in the health care system, would choose to retire early. This is due to the huge burden of caring for elderly, or the mentally ill. Some psychiatric patients are so ill that they are using up a lot of resources.
This burden will eventually lead to a desire from the community to call for compulsary euthanasia of the mentally ill, and I just don't like that thought.
In the good old days, the children were more than happy if they could get gift of a pair of new socks for christmas. Today you need to give them a notebook to make them "somewhat happy". We regard new socks, water, housing and bread as everyday things. In a technocracy, you argue that these basic needs will automatically be fulfilled. But I say that even if it is true, that scarcity can be wished away, this will lead to lazy people. I am pretty sure the vast majority would like to quit the dream of a space travel or other things which may be scarce.
I believe in the system where you have a dream, and if you want to follow it, you work for it, and it will eventually come true. I like this kind of reward. But I just can't, and neither should you - deny the fact that sometimes, people need to be FORCED to do some work! The money system is the most flexible type of compulsory labor, as you can use your money whereever you wish (assuming we are using same currency).
That is the main reason the monetary system was invented. It wasn't invented, expanded and developed so efficiently if it could be replaced by something better. Money causes problems, yes, it creates scarcity, yes, but we NEED this artificial scarcity of a new pair of socks.
For example, Technocrats argue that people will get bored if they are not occupied with something, and therefore, along with the social effects like climbing up the social ladder by doing work for the community, they will work anyway.
I just don't think it is possible to make people work as many hours as neccessary.
Especially when it comes to the health care. Caring for other people is a HUGE burden, and many people who work already like to care for other people. But in Denmark where we have something called "efterløn" (it is a system with early retirement which you can choose when you reach the age of 60, compared to the actual retirement pension at the age of 67), the vast majority of the workers in the health care system, would choose to retire early. This is due to the huge burden of caring for elderly, or the mentally ill. Some psychiatric patients are so ill that they are using up a lot of resources.
This burden will eventually lead to a desire from the community to call for compulsary euthanasia of the mentally ill, and I just don't like that thought.
In the good old days, the children were more than happy if they could get gift of a pair of new socks for christmas. Today you need to give them a notebook to make them "somewhat happy". We regard new socks, water, housing and bread as everyday things. In a technocracy, you argue that these basic needs will automatically be fulfilled. But I say that even if it is true, that scarcity can be wished away, this will lead to lazy people. I am pretty sure the vast majority would like to quit the dream of a space travel or other things which may be scarce.
I believe in the system where you have a dream, and if you want to follow it, you work for it, and it will eventually come true. I like this kind of reward. But I just can't, and neither should you - deny the fact that sometimes, people need to be FORCED to do some work! The money system is the most flexible type of compulsory labor, as you can use your money whereever you wish (assuming we are using same currency).
That is the main reason the monetary system was invented. It wasn't invented, expanded and developed so efficiently if it could be replaced by something better. Money causes problems, yes, it creates scarcity, yes, but we NEED this artificial scarcity of a new pair of socks.