From: Max M (maxmcorp@worldonline.dk)
Date: Tue Dec 10 2002 - 07:40:52 MST
Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Nov 2002, Ramez Naam wrote:
>>The basic idea is that longer life has allowed greater worker
>>accumulation of skills and experience which have in turn benefited the
>>economy.
>
> Hmmmmm.... I could have lived 30 or 40 years and become the best blacksmith
> or lumberjack in my state -- but not have a very big market for my skills
> at this time. One could argue that the increasing number of obese
> people in modern societies (in spite of all the experience and
> messages we get to maintain a healthy weight) will drive the economy
> in the other direction. Just because you have knowledge or experience
> doesn't mean you use it wisely.
Actually there is a pretty clear correlation between poulation growth
and economic growth.
The theory being that the poulation has grown at the same rate as food
production.
I believe that casuality chain is:
more food -> more people -> more brains -> more inventions ->
more non food production time -> more food
And then we have society as of today, where food production is only a
small part of society's economy.
-- hilsen/regards Max M Rasmussen, Denmark http://www.futureport.dk/ Fremtiden, videnskab, skeptiscisme og transhumanisme
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