[grania]

We've reached a point where "the economy" is totally separate from the economic well-being of about 90% of the population. Putting people back on welfare "to study for their GEDs" is merely a book-keeping move to in some way classify people the job market doesn't want or need.

So much of the population is becoming a cash crop for the elite, with less opportunity to move up. And too many seem to like it that way.

[ClearCase_guy]

I think that is exactly right.

Some people worry that automation is accelerating and that this will drastically decrease the need for human labor. However, many people point out that this trend has been passed through with agriculture and basic industrialization — we always end up with a greater need for workers, doing new and different things.

That’s all swell, but I do think we’ve reached that point where The Powers That Be may want to steer society toward an ultra-dependent lifestyle.

It’s worrisome. On the one hand, there could be hope, but on the other hand, some people want serfs.