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> The way we do economics depends pretty heavily on there being enough jobs for everyone... That's the way many economists interpret the economy, but modern ma

• deciplex 12y ago
  Yes, culture will have to change. But the technological advances are coming an awful lot faster than cultures usually change, historically speaking. And even if we make it through to the other side, it's probably going to be painful. You act as though the Puritan work ethic is just a thing we can evaluate the efficiency of, and keep or discard based on the results of that evaluation. I wish this were so, but my wishing doesn't make it so.
  • JoeAltmaier 12y ago
    There are many subcultures. The Puritan ethic is probably quite small these days. A subculture can thrive alongside. How about this scenario: A rich person builds a town where a new ethic holds sway, using her money to 'fend off' the rest of the world and executing a new model culture, based on automation, creativity and leisure. Folks learn to envy its benefits; the young decide to emulate it. Soon only old Puritans live outside the new plan, in ghettos where they pretend to work and exchange money in a dusty farce of the old economy.