The Economist: Let the Dollar Fall

[JohnT]

You know who you are...

[GePap]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
A weaker dollar will only mean that the production of consumer goods will switch from one part of the world to another part of the world. It does not solve the basic problem.

The environment never does well in economic collapses.

Basically the US is following Argentina's path- borrow and spend and keep the currency overvalued! And then, at some point, the whole thing will come down...

[Tripledoc]

Originally posted by GePap
The environment never does well in economic collapses.

Basically the US is following Argentina's path- borrow and spend and keep the currency overvalued! And then, at some point, the whole thing will come down...

Well, if the whole thing crashes and the present consumer binge is halted, no doubt the capitalists will have made such inroads into the political decision making process, that they will simply see this as an oportunity to collect labour at very cheap prices. Like Roosevelt and Hitler.

This opportunistic use of labour on creating infrastructure will only create the basis for yet another surge in consumption some time in the future.

[GePap]

Well, honestly, nothing you can do about it. People consume. At some point we will reach the top of the J curve, the species will crash, and the natural balance will restore itself.

[Main_Brain]

I wonder how long the Dollar will stay World Currency.

[Barinthus]

While I was living in Kenya, banks there love getting US dollars, UK pounds, and the euro. I'm sure the greenback will be popular for years to come... until yen takes over :P

[Tripledoc]

It is possible, if the political will is there, to create a stable society. It will be mildly totalitarian in that it will seek to halt enterprise, and change some basic conceptions, but that is the price to be paid for the survival of the human species.

[Barinthus]

Sometimes I feel that in order to solve our problems, we would have to cut the human population down to 5 to 10 million and that's all over the planet. However I woulnd't want to be the guy in the charge of doing that.

[Tripledoc]

Originally posted by DataAeolus
Sometimes I feel that in order to solve our problems, we would have to cut the human population down to 5 to 10 million and that's all over the planet. However I woulnd't want to be the guy in the charge of doing that.

That is a gross overstatement. The problem is not people. The problem is the consumption by each individual. Capitalism is driven by feeding wholly artificial needs. Why else commercials?

The state needs to intervene and shift the worlds production of consumer goods into ecological solutions.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
It is possible, if the political will is there, to create a stable society. It will be mildly totalitarian in that it will seek to halt enterprise, and change some basic conceptions, but that is the price to be paid for the survival of the human species.

Civ says its to build a spaceship.

Woot!

2 US companies on the threshold of first private spaceflights pending FAA.

[Tripledoc]

Well, as far as I know, no planet has yet been discovered that is suitable for settlement.

[alva]

The problem is not people. The problem is the consumption by each individual.

Sure it is!! ATM only a fraction is consuming, imagine if the whole words population would start consuming to US or European levels.

[yavoon]

Originally posted by Tripledoc


That is a gross overstatement. The problem is not people. The problem is the consumption by each individual. Capitalism is driven by feeding wholly artificial needs. Why else commercials?

The state needs to intervene and shift the worlds production of consumer goods into ecological solutions.

if the choice is between less ppl and us all living in 150 story apartment buildings like rats scared to consume things because the earth will collapse.

I vote less ppl.

[Tripledoc]

Originally posted by alva

The problem is not people. The problem is the consumption by each individual.

Sure it is!! ATM only a fraction is consuming, imagine if the whole words population would start consuming to US or European levels.

There is room for everyone. But the people must understand that it will mean a life comparable to the average North Korean citizen.

But that will only be for a half a generation. After that science will have found solutions to many problems.

They already have. For instance Volkswagen has developed a car that runs 100 kilometres per litre of gasoline. If every European was given such a car, many problems would be solved.

[alva]

So you are basically asking me to go and live in a cage for the 50 years???

How about slowing breeding habits somewhat?