Automatic Abundance Possible, Not Certain

As we move to an economy where more and more of the "mind work," not just manufacturing or routine white-collar work, is done by technology, we could all enjoy the fruits of a world that "runs on automatic." But that's far from assured. If the transition is too traumatic for too many, we could end up as a mere automated banana republic. Or we could self-implode.

In the 1960's futurist and geodesic-dome inventor Buckminster Fuller wrote a book called UTOPIA OR OBLIVION. In it he said we had the technological means to create universal abundance, but could easily do ourselves in through greed and stupidity.

A principle he put forth was "more-with-lessing." That's productivity with a new name that I like. Produce more with less time, material, or money; just make sure the "more" is something of real value.

Fuller's term could help keep our eye on productivity that's worth pursuing versus productivity that's an illusion. When a company lets people go and pressures remaining staff to cover for them, that's often called "productivity improvement." And it could end up being the real thing; for example, overloaded employees could respond by inventing ways to be more efficient.

But if the employees just sweat harder and longer, there is no actual "more-with-lessing," just the same output with the same overall input, from fewer people. Or not even the same output. The overall shift could be negative: lower quality of life for overstressed workers; reduced morale and eventual decline for the company; reduced income for the displaced; and increased social costs associated with unemployment.

Fuller's book, very relevant today, is available from the Buckminster Fuller Institute.