[maro]

That's as silly as the Star Trek assumption that enlightened future societies will not need money (unlike the benighted Ferengi). Robots may increase the standard of living, but there will always be a scarcity of resources, and therefore always work to earn money to get those resources. Even today, you don't really have to work to get food, in our semi-socialist society, what with food stamps and welfare and relief organizations, but work is required to buy Play Stations, live in nice houses, buy copyrighted music etc. Thus it shall ever be.

[Momaw Nadon]

Thus it shall ever be.

Using your imagination, can you envision any way of being able to live wealthily without having to work?

[hunter112]

Robots may increase the standard of living, but there will always be a scarcity of resources, and therefore always work to earn money to get those resources.

Hmm, I was reading this thread, leaning on the side of a positive answer to the poster's question, then I came across your response. It jarred me into reality about the immutable nature of the laws of economics. Even with fusion energy, and other things unimaginable by the people of today, basic supply and demand will always prevail.

All that technology will do, is what it has done, allow a greater number, and greater percentage, of the population to enjoy a decent standard of living. And the only thing that will allow technological progress is freedom, which is the allowance of the natural laws of economics to work unfettered.