Should capitalism retire?
Recently I heard the following claim:
Capitalism required growth. Constant growth required resources. Since the earth has a limited resource capitalism leads to earth destruction.
Theoretically this is a sound theory, but practically (*)?
Today more and more GPD growth requires not material, but intellectual resources, like new software, games, movies or electronic books.
Today products require less resource – today’s TVs, electric bulbs or computers require less electricity, cars requires less gas.
We are taking much better care of our resources, for example today in the US we have more trees that we had 100 years ago.
We are using more and more renewable energy.
There is a new research to create an artificial meat. In 2013 first artificial burger cost $300,000, in 2016 the price dropped to $1000, which reminds me my first 40 mB disk I bought in 1984 for $410, today 4gB USB disk cost about $4. Production of artificial meat will not only end the cruel treatment of animals, but will release huge resources like land and water.
More and more we recycling our resources – the best example is recycling 40 ton steel bridge in Poland who some pragmatic individual decided to sell for recycling.
Israel proved that a sea water is unlimited source for drinkable water.
So the question when capitalism will run out of the resources – in 50 years years or in 1000 years?
And if not in 50 years – should we start to plan for year 3000?
Zalek Bloom
(*) What is a difference between “theoretical” and “practical”?
Once son asked a father – what is a difference between “theoretical” and “practical”?
Go and ask your mother is will have a sex with a strange man for 10 million dollars – said father. Son when to mom and ask her this question.
Well my son – said mom – I would never cheat on my husband which I love so much, but 10 million dollars is a large sum, we could buy a bigger house, newer car, go overseas for nice vacations – yes, for a 10 million dollars I would have a sex win any man.
Son goes to father and tells him what his mom said. Go and ask your sister is will have a sex with a strange man for 10 million dollars – said father.
Well – said the sister – I will have sex only with a man whom I love, but 10 million dollars is a large sum, we could buy a bigger house, newer car, go overseas for nice vacations – yes, for a 10 million dollars I would have a sex win any man.
Son goes to father and tells him what his sister said.
Well my son – the father said – theoretically we are multimillionaires, theoretically we have 20 million dollars in the bank, but practically we live with two very expansive hookers.