Please keep in mind that my analysis was prefixed as a fable. Jed correctly indicated the fact that my story did not clarify the role that automation would have on the economic system. Automation was sort of implied by the fact that as innovation continued and fewer people were needed in order to manufacture the same number of APWs, EAPWs, APEDs, and who know what other products, the implication was that automation was involved. Eventually, as automation evolved, nobody would be needed to run the factories. Well...I don't entirely believe that, but obviously fewer and fewer individuals will be needed.
I think Jed also correctly indicated the fact that my fable has a limited shelf life. IMO, at some point as automation continues taking over most of the dredge work we may eventually have to transform our entire economic infrastructure into a highly sophisticated computerized welfare state. IOW, everyone gets (is entitled to...) a minimum "allowance" that guarantees that everyone can purchase all the basic necessities of life, like food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and perhaps even a little pocket change for an occasional show. For those who remain ambitious, or find personal meaning in pursuing careers one's basic "allowance" could be increased by certain percentages based on what additional contributions they are able to generate for the benefit of society. Additional contributions of such a nature can obviously turn out to be highly subjective. Difficult to quantify. How does one quantify (rate) the economic contributions of artists, musicians, psychiatrists, scientists & theoretical researchers. What ought to be obvious to all is the fact that our society would suffer immensely if we didn't have enough careerists pursuing these esoteric professions. Therefore, such careerists ought to have an increase in their allowance. OTOH, there should also be in place something akin to a cap as to the maximum amount of allowance anyone is allowed to get. It would probably be useful to instill a sense of civic duty within the citizenship - that we are all more-or-less equal. Therefore, even the best of us should not be entitled to magnitudes more than those entitled to the minimum. I finally sez: Strive for a little Zen in life. Eventually we'll all end up being transcendentally happy on nothing! Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
