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We’re staring the obvious in the face for decades: overconsumption is unsustainable. But our entire economy is based off this wasteful mode of production, so w
by wunderland 3y ago
We’re staring the obvious in the face for decades: overconsumption is unsustainable. But our entire economy is based off this wasteful mode of production, so we’re sold lies and happily latch onto fantasies to convince us that we can somehow overcome the negative externalities of profit maximization. As long as there are economic incentives to create trash, we will fill the oceans with garbage. I used to believe that we could solve this with “market solutions” which incorporate the true environmental cost of wasteful production, but this is just another fantasy. Even if the real cost of pollution could be known, there is no profit incentive to enact such a scheme.
We’ve got about 20 more years of maximizing shareholder value before we run off an ecological cliff.
- taylodl 3y agoPeople are going to learn the hard way that The Market they've been worshipping is a false idol. Don't get me wrong - I advocate for a regulated market economy, but the key point is "regulated." We have 200-300 years of experience now showing the kinds of problems vaunted market is unable to solve.
- drc500free 3y agoAgreed. Until you get rid of the ability to just take someone else's stuff by force or fraud, there isn't oxygen for actual productive and creative work to flourish in the market. A "pure" free market doesn't ensure the positive feedback cycle that re-invests value back into the people and processes who created it. Instead, people are free to use their accumulated power to take value that others create.
- ip26 3y agoAs much as I would prefer to believe otherwise, the only way to completely eliminate trash is with a gigantic step-function increase in energy usage. Lowering consumption won’t do it alone.