I agree with your middle two paragraphs. However, though high productivity (as a result of advanced technology, cheap energy, etc.) may be necessary, it is not sufficient for a good society. The distribution of the wealth generated is the key factor, and it is no exaggeration to say that none of the extra wealth generated since the 1970s by advances in technology has been redistributed. There is no sign that this is going to change any time soon, and all the talk about a universal basic income is, so far, just BS. To the extent that it isn't, it's just a way of ensuring the capitalist dystopia we inhabit keeps on going the way it's going without imploding (see this: https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2016/09/23/aaron-bastani/money-for-nothing/ it sums up the point succinctly). I've made this observation before, but I'll make it again: it is the greatest of ironies that we are finally in a position to make a socialist utopia a reality, and we are further away from it than we've ever been in political terms.
Anyway, all this only applies to the West. There are all sorts of issues in other parts of the world - from the irreparable effects of global warming to wars (the two are linked, of course), etc. etc. which mean none of this is really a consideration for them.
As for your last paragraph, I see no solid evidence that they are trying to 'prevent' society from breaking down - all I see is that they are busy grabbing all the money they can (as well as the new type of power that comes with control of the world's data), and doing f-all for society in real terms (philanthropy doesn't count). And as for working with Trump, give me a break!
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branchandroot
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Date: 2017-02-05 06:57 pm (UTC)Anyway, all this only applies to the West. There are all sorts of issues in other parts of the world - from the irreparable effects of global warming to wars (the two are linked, of course), etc. etc. which mean none of this is really a consideration for them.
As for your last paragraph, I see no solid evidence that they are trying to 'prevent' society from breaking down - all I see is that they are busy grabbing all the money they can (as well as the new type of power that comes with control of the world's data), and doing f-all for society in real terms (philanthropy doesn't count). And as for working with Trump, give me a break!