VipulNaik comments on Supply, demand, and technological progress: how might the future unfold? Should we believe in runaway exponential growth? - Less Wrong

14 Post author: VipulNaik 11 April 2014 07:07PM

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Comment author: VipulNaik 15 April 2014 10:05:19PM 1 point [-]

Won't the rate of economic growth be different (much larger) by definition?

Depends on the reason for the switch to a new paradigm. If the reason is that there are even more attractive options, then economic growth would accelerate. If the reasons are that we're running out of demand for improvement across the board, and people are more satisfied with their lives, and the technological low-hanging fruit are taken, then economic growth could be lower.

Comment author: ColtInn 15 April 2014 10:35:08PM 0 points [-]

I see. The demand side story. I suppose it is technically feasible but I find it unlikely in the extreme. There is nothing in history to suggest it and I don't think it fits with psychology. History is full of examples of how we won't want for anything after we have 'some foreseen progress'. We've had the luxury of being able to trade in some economic growth for more leisure, and still be better off than our grandparents, for a long time now, but haven't.

If the reasons are that we're running out of demand for improvement across the board, and people are more satisfied with their lives, and the technological low-hanging fruit are taken, then economic growth could be lower.

Do you mean lower than it is now? After a paradigm shift in advancement?