- 17 Jul 2013 20:10
#14273383
Whilst automation may allow us to provide for people’s needs with minimal labour or risk of scarcity I feel that desires may be less easily satisfied.
If food were free millions would switch from the cheap tasteless grease they currently consume in favour of steak, lobster and regional specialities such as Champagne and Kobe beef. Currently beef and steak is more expensive than other foods because cows require more food and water than other animals in order to produce 1kg of meat. Would technocrats be able to meet this demand? Would they ration sea food whilst fish stocks replenish?
Buildings and cars that are designed by machines (or people attempting to obey strict environmental and safety standards) are often bland and monotonous. Architects and mechanics would have enough free time to produce their own property and may offer their services to others but since their time is finite and rewards for working are reduced wouldn’t there be shortages of new designs? Would people attempt to barter or steal products that are scarce? (Whilst housing isn’t scarce, charming and quaint buildings are.) Or perhaps someone has specific ideas about the design of the house s/he would like to live in but lacks the skills to implement them. Would there be enough architects available to satisfy the whims of people who suffer no cost at the point of use?
What if it were very important to someone that their house was unique? Is there any way for them to monopolise the design?
If the goal was to minimise labour in favour of automation then flexibility and diversity would be sacrificed.
If food were free millions would switch from the cheap tasteless grease they currently consume in favour of steak, lobster and regional specialities such as Champagne and Kobe beef. Currently beef and steak is more expensive than other foods because cows require more food and water than other animals in order to produce 1kg of meat. Would technocrats be able to meet this demand? Would they ration sea food whilst fish stocks replenish?
Buildings and cars that are designed by machines (or people attempting to obey strict environmental and safety standards) are often bland and monotonous. Architects and mechanics would have enough free time to produce their own property and may offer their services to others but since their time is finite and rewards for working are reduced wouldn’t there be shortages of new designs? Would people attempt to barter or steal products that are scarce? (Whilst housing isn’t scarce, charming and quaint buildings are.) Or perhaps someone has specific ideas about the design of the house s/he would like to live in but lacks the skills to implement them. Would there be enough architects available to satisfy the whims of people who suffer no cost at the point of use?
What if it were very important to someone that their house was unique? Is there any way for them to monopolise the design?
If the goal was to minimise labour in favour of automation then flexibility and diversity would be sacrificed.
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