Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Reprise from 2011: Capitalism is dead. But how many of us is it gonna take with it? Look to OWS [View all]The2ndWheel
(7,947 posts)18. I think you focus too narrowly on capitalism
Humans were growing and expanding well before any sort of official economic system was in place. It's difficult to internally limit our growth. I know we're smarter than the average bear and all that, but we are still just another form of life. All life grows until it can't.
What we need is workable population control and a functional distribution system that ensures everyone has enough so they may live happy, self-fulfilling lives. If we have less attachment to useless, throwaway material possessions, we need to work less. If we have machines that absorb the work of production, then a major portion of the proceeds of that production ought to go to the people.
Ought is the key word there. That's a subjective word, so expect disagreement.
There is a path to a world in which everyone has the basics such as food, shelter, education and peace. People would not have to work as hard in this world. Everyone would have the time and opportunity to flourish as fully-functional humans. We just need wisdom to get there.
So human beings would get to enjoy all the products of the work that we wouldn't do, and have more free time to make use of those products? It sounds a little like more people might end up being the trust fund babies that we all love so much.
Not only does the biosphere have to deal with human beings, but it has to deal with machines too? Machines that would be undergirding a global civilization with all people with the opportunity to realize their full potential? That sounds like growth. Who's going to be the check and balance on that? Nobody.
It's not just capitalism.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
31 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Reprise from 2011: Capitalism is dead. But how many of us is it gonna take with it? Look to OWS [View all]
Jackpine Radical
Dec 2014
OP
It could sway the collective consciousness of the nation to recognize what is going on in this
RKP5637
Dec 2014
#1
Excellent description. A rebirth of the collective unconsciousness into something new? n/t
RKP5637
Dec 2014
#4
I was a big fan of participative management, the companies I worked for seemed to
RKP5637
Dec 2014
#6
Yes, many complained, but the top of the management hierarchy had different ideas and they
RKP5637
Dec 2014
#9
Great post, thank you. The media was desperately trying to get OWS to name a leader.
sabrina 1
Dec 2014
#8
Another great post from one of DU's finest posters. No doubt our "one to many communications" ...
Scuba
Dec 2014
#11
I totally disagree. Just look at DU, or any other forum... The left has never been more dead in US
Leopolds Ghost
Dec 2014
#12
Which is why corporations are working for both surveillance and control of the internet
woo me with science
Dec 2014
#14
I find it ironic that you call yourself a radical, and you critique capitalism, and you advocate for
ellenrr
Dec 2014
#17