Politics
Out of context: Reply #14641
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- Josev0
I thought this opinion piece by Brooks was interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/1…He's referring to the e-book, “The Great Stagnation,”
"But his evidence can also be used to tell a related story. It could be that the nature of technological change isn’t causing the slowdown but a shift in values. It could be that in an industrial economy people develop a materialist mind-set and believe that improving their income is the same thing as improving their quality of life. But in an affluent information-driven world, people embrace the postmaterialist mind-set. They realize they can improve their quality of life without actually producing more wealth."
..."many of this era’s technological breakthroughs produce enormous happiness gains, but surprisingly little additional economic activity."
..."the automobile industry produced millions of jobs, but Facebook employs about 2,000, Twitter 300 and eBay about 17,000. It takes only 14,000 employees to make and sell iPods, but that device also eliminates jobs for those people who make and distribute CDs, potentially leading to net job losses."
- I'm not a fan of Brooks, but thought this was a good piece.Josev
- not sure i get it. is he saying todays amercians are wasting time finding happiness where it doesnt matter. and leaving behind confused masses?********
- behind a gen. of confused people. perhaps that so called happiness is not happiness but distraction from progressing?********
- instead of advancement all you need is a FB status of "lets advance" and a like button?********
- It's interesting and i would have liked to see him go deeper on the subject from varying views and eco states********
- He covered many areas which would need more insight, and my main concern is on happiness being provided part.********
- Not too mention the shift of values which = happiness as being a back slide in so many ways********