Re: Gov't loves Gov't
Charlie Stross (charlie@antipope.org)
Mon, 26 Jan 1998 11:47:37 +0000
On Sat, Jan 24, 1998 at 09:48:38PM -0400, James Wm. Lewis wrote:
>
> Perhaps we should all realize that capitalism will soon become an
> absurdity and cease to exist. As technology increases productive
> capacities, and automates the whole process, you, me and all extropians
> may soon be able to sit on our butts, doing whatever we like, and still
> have all the goods and services we can dream of. . .absolutely free. .
> ..all without working.
>
> In Robotopia, as I have described it, everything will be free for
> everyone, because robots will do all the work, detect human needs and
> demands, acquire the raw materials, build the factories, replicate
> themselves, deliver the bounty to us, and never charge a penny.
Nice idea. Er, how smart are these robots? If they're
less than human-equivalent, who tells 'em what to do? If they're
human-equivalent or smarter, don't they have anything better to do with
their free time than pander to the whims of cerebrally- hypertrophied
apes? And where are they going to get the raw materials from?
> There would be no money. Because there would be no money, there would
> be no taxes. . .and possibly no government.
You paint a pretty picture. Somehow I don't think it's going to be
that simple ...
Hmm. you might want to read some of Iain M. Banks' novels for a
different take on a robotopia. (Personally, I'd _like_ to be a Mind.)
-- Charlie