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Armstead

(47,803 posts)
7. I think society will experience a fundamental breakdown before then
Sat Jan 18, 2014, 04:41 PM
Jan 2014

It could be a good breakdown in which we finally realize that we have to fundamentally re-think and readjust our roles in society and the role of commerce and money. Like seeing that people have broader roles, and that the spare time that such a trend would create can be put to constructive and/or enjoyable pursuits in a system that allows for broader coverage of basic needs and ewiser use of resources.

That's the optimistic take.

The pessimistic take is that we continue with business as usual, and we revert into a number of dystopian and possibly apocalyptic scenarios that I don't even want to think about.

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Vonnegut wrote about exactly this in "Player Piano," in the late 50's villager Jan 2014 #1
Yep... And It's Not Like We Have 20 Years... WillyT Jan 2014 #2
Something our species clearly excels at, eh? villager Jan 2014 #3
And drugs. El_Johns Jan 2014 #5
Hmmmm, not that I am agaist it but could this be why MJ is being legalized, or at least kelly1mm Jan 2014 #6
How do games of Musical Chairs usually end? Orsino Jan 2014 #4
I think society will experience a fundamental breakdown before then Armstead Jan 2014 #7
I'm Right There With Ya... WillyT Jan 2014 #8
This was the 'promise of the future' when I was a kid Matariki Jan 2014 #9
+1 woo me with science Jan 2014 #10
! edhopper Jan 2014 #11
Well... There's That... WillyT Jan 2014 #12
Kick !!! WillyT Jan 2014 #13
This Is One Of Those Threads/Subjects That People Just Don't Want To Consider, Right ??? WillyT Jan 2014 #14
I stand with Emma on this one. Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2014 #26
The birth rate is falling pretty fast. It has halved in 50 years. If that continues, this Squinch Jan 2014 #15
I Hear Ya... But I Don't Think That's Gonna Do It... WillyT Jan 2014 #16
There is that. And don't forget raising the retirement age. So far-sighted, aren't they? Squinch Jan 2014 #18
Are you thinking globally here? WinkyDink Jan 2014 #17
The near 50% drop rate is for the US, but birth rates are falling globally. Squinch Jan 2014 #19
Kick !!! WillyT Jan 2014 #20
And Another... WillyT Jan 2014 #21
Last Kick From Me... WillyT Jan 2014 #22
Pushing my kids into engineering. dilby Jan 2014 #23
Just think, you get to keep everything that you kill. Rex Jan 2014 #24
To answer the title question.....probably neither. nt AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #25
extremely interesting heaven05 Feb 2014 #27
You Are Quite Welcome !!! WillyT Feb 2014 #28
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