Quote from: jbreher on November 25, 2016, 07:42:45 AM

Society enjoys what limited abundance it has due to the fact that laboring for a wage is what leads to production of goods and services (i.e., wealth). If each person is free to create money (presumably in unlimited quantity?), for what reason will anyone labor? But no labor, no stuff. Problem.

Millions of people already donate their time without charge for all sorts of reasons. It's called volunteering. People volunteer for all sorts of reasons, but mostly because they believe in something or someone and enjoy being helpful and creative. You've heard of the Open-source movement? Lawyers working pro bono? So by definition, "labouring for a wage" is not the only means by which goods are produced and services offered. In my view, people are inherently restless and creative and like to find outlets for their creativity.

Some things are more scarce than others. Generally speaking, food isn't scarce - yet millions are malnourished and under-nourished. Water isn't scarce either, yet millions don't have access to clean drinking water. In my view, there's genuine scarcity and then there's the perception of scarcity fostered by the existing system. Where scarcity does exist, is it unsolvable? Many of these 'scarcity' issues could be solved (and solved intelligently, with a focus on minimising damage to the environment and maximising recycling potential) if only sufficient financial resources were available to solve them.

Quote from: jbreher on November 25, 2016, 07:42:45 AM

Here is the central nugget upon which I think you must chew: Money 'must be' scarce, because the things that it purchases are scarce.

See above. Let me rephrase your statement as follows: money must not be scarce, else the problem of scarcity will never be solved.

I will also repeat what I said earlier: if the logic of technological development reduces the need for human labour then we have a problem, don't we? Your solution is to throw your hands in the air in despair and do nothing at all. That is no solution.

Quote from: jbreher on November 25, 2016, 07:42:45 AM

If unbounded money is chasing after a certain item, whose money will be accepted for that item? Why does that person get the item, while everyone else is left grasping air?

OK, it's Black Friday and the media will no doubt kick up a fuss about the pushing and pulling and fighting a very small number of people are willing to engage in just to get something they want. The vast majority of people are not like that. Ever been to a supermarket in the middle of a massive snowstorm? I have several times and most of the stuff I needed was already gone. I didn't fight anyone for what was left though. I didn't see anyone else fighting over what was left either. Nor did I read anything in the media about people fighting over what was left. Fact of the matter is, you're looking in the wrong direction. You're very specifically and deliberately looking at theoretical negatives while ignoring all the potential positives.

HS