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This feels a little like being sad that it rains sometimes, or that Santa Claus doesnt exist. I just can't even connect with the mindset that would mourn such a

This feels a little like being sad that it rains sometimes, or that Santa Claus doesnt exist. I just can't even connect with the mindset that would mourn such a thing. What even is the theory behind such an idea? Like how can one, even in theory, make more and more money every year and remain positive for society? What even could assure such a relation? Is everyone just doing something "wrong" here?

voltaireodactyl 2y ago
Traditionally one role of government has been to provide legislative oversight to temper unadulterated pursuit of profits. Lobbying and the related ills have definitely undercut that role significantly. But the theory is that government provides the guardrails within which business should operate.
Dylan16807 2y ago
Yes, the companies that prioritize growing forever are all doing something wrong.
- Nevermark 2y ago
  > Yes, the companies that prioritize growing forever <<irrespective of harm they are causing>> are all doing something wrong. <<I think that makes sense with my edit>>
ChadNauseam 2y ago
> Like how can one, even in theory, make more and more money every year and remain positive for society? By providing more and more goods and services that people value, or by providing more and more valuable goods and services > What even could assure such a relation? A government that tries to proactively identify ways that someone could make money in a way that could be harmful or helpful to people who aren't involved in the transaction, and tax those things based on to the degree that they are harmful, and subsidize them to the degree that they are helpful. The government should also take actions to prevent monopolies from forming, and to make sure everyone has as much information as possible before making a transaction.
jdbernard 2y ago
I acknowledge that this is an emotional response and emotions tend to be blunt instruments that don't really come with detailed reasons. > how can one, even in theory, make more and more money every year and remain positive for society? Why is making "more and more money every year" the assumed goal and "remain[ing] positive for society" the thing we have to barter over? Why do we accept, as a culture, the idea of profit is more important that people? That's sad to me. > Is everyone just doing something "wrong" here? Maybe? Maybe we've created a culture that is fundamentally opposed to our overall well being? I think we have, at least in some respects. To use your analogy, it's not so much that I am sad it rains sometimes. I'm sad that, knowing it rains, we are happy with companies that sell unsuspecting people homes in floodplains knowing there is a real chance that the inhabitants die in floods. Then when it happens the response is just, "well, that's just how it is, it rains sometimes."

voltaireodactyl 2y ago

Traditionally one role of government has been to provide legislative oversight to temper unadulterated pursuit of profits. Lobbying and the related ills have definitely undercut that role significantly. But the theory is that government provides the guardrails within which business should operate.

Dylan16807 2y ago

Yes, the companies that prioritize growing forever are all doing something wrong.

Nevermark 2y ago
> Yes, the companies that prioritize growing forever <<irrespective of harm they are causing>> are all doing something wrong. <<I think that makes sense with my edit>>

ChadNauseam 2y ago

> Like how can one, even in theory, make more and more money every year and remain positive for society? By providing more and more goods and services that people value, or by providing more and more valuable goods and services > What even could assure such a relation? A government that tries to proactively identify ways that someone could make money in a way that could be harmful or helpful to people who aren't involved in the transaction, and tax those things based on to the degree that they are harmful, and subsidize them to the degree that they are helpful. The government should also take actions to prevent monopolies from forming, and to make sure everyone has as much information as possible before making a transaction.

jdbernard 2y ago

I acknowledge that this is an emotional response and emotions tend to be blunt instruments that don't really come with detailed reasons. > how can one, even in theory, make more and more money every year and remain positive for society? Why is making "more and more money every year" the assumed goal and "remain[ing] positive for society" the thing we have to barter over? Why do we accept, as a culture, the idea of profit is more important that people? That's sad to me. > Is everyone just doing something "wrong" here? Maybe? Maybe we've created a culture that is fundamentally opposed to our overall well being? I think we have, at least in some respects. To use your analogy, it's not so much that I am sad it rains sometimes. I'm sad that, knowing it rains, we are happy with companies that sell unsuspecting people homes in floodplains knowing there is a real chance that the inhabitants die in floods. Then when it happens the response is just, "well, that's just how it is, it rains sometimes."