Quote from: Rigorous on October 26, 2017, 08:26:47 PM

Quote from: SixFigures on October 25, 2017, 10:20:40 AM

Quote from: Rigorous on October 19, 2017, 04:16:47 PM

Quote from: SixFigures on October 19, 2017, 11:48:49 AM

Quote from: Rigorous on October 14, 2017, 09:09:01 PM

Those examples of mass surveillance for oppression, despite the deep imprints they have left in history, are symptoms of an unsolved fundamental economic problem in the world: resource scarcity.

but the question for me arises whether scarcity is exclusively a problem? Without scarcity, much of the incentives that drive innovation, efficiency and performance would be gone. Scarcity is probably good and bad at the same time. Would you agree with that?

Some of life's biggest achievements have been made in the face of adversity such as cold, hunger and poverty. The saying goes "necessity is the mother of invention". It is ingrained in all of life to struggle for survival, not only of individuals, nor of mere groups or even species. All of life is connected, some commensalistic, others mutualistic and yes, there are also parasites. One could wonder, what is the reason life wants to survive? What is the next goal, if there is any? I do not know the big picture, and I too am a life form subject to survival instinct, therefore I can not objectively answer whether scarcity is good and bad at the same time.

You have to remember the majority of human's current world economy is based on infinite growth. The resources on earth are finite, therefore infinite growth is unsustainable.

The consumer in me says give me those GATCOINS Wink

There are some very interesting videos from Milton Friedman to be found on youtube about resources. In his opinion - and he explains that very well - resources are not finite. I can't remember the exact name of the video or the topic, but I remember that his words were quite convincing and they go into the direction of what you just said about "necessity is the mother of invention". It's even worth looking many of the videos, it is a really interesting series of Q&A during all the lectures he held as a professor.

Great, now I am up against a Nobel prize winner.

If there is one thing that is infinite in the universe, it is the never-ending debate between cornucopians and malthusians.

I am simply going by the physical definition of infinite: there are not enough atoms on earth and in the sun for infinity. I am aware that that is not very relevant for our lifetime.

I would have more to say about the subject, but I am afraid we will derail this thread about blockchain powered consumer loyalty programs.

I totally accept your position. But I am sure Friedman didn't win his prize for statements irrelevant to reality. And reality is what practice is about. Theory often does not take place in reality. As you said, it's better we go back to GATCOIN!

That's why we are here. Anyway, thanks for the small and interesting discourse!