Technology has been improving our production capacities over the centuries. It also brought new needs that in turn created more jobs.
I think that the widespread criticism of consumerism is the sign of an important event : now that we have a car, a fridge, a computer, a TV, more clothes we need, hot water, and a fully equipped bathroom, we just don' have any more demands.
If the population had the same demands as in 1700, it would be trivial to fulfill them. It would require maybe one day of labor per month per individual. Our demands grew faster than our production capacities, making the working week just a bit shorter, but now the demands do not increasing at the same pace as our productivity.
We have just reached the point where our material needs are fulfilled and we demand immaterial things : free time, healthcare, etc...
Could this be the point of inflexion toward a post-scarcity economy. I really wish.
I think that the widespread criticism of consumerism is the sign of an important event : now that we have a car, a fridge, a computer, a TV, more clothes we need, hot water, and a fully equipped bathroom, we just don' have any more demands.
If the population had the same demands as in 1700, it would be trivial to fulfill them. It would require maybe one day of labor per month per individual. Our demands grew faster than our production capacities, making the working week just a bit shorter, but now the demands do not increasing at the same pace as our productivity.
We have just reached the point where our material needs are fulfilled and we demand immaterial things : free time, healthcare, etc...
Could this be the point of inflexion toward a post-scarcity economy. I really wish.