I see a problem with humanity not having a future unless it really really can't ever fix itself.

If I had to jump ship from the US without having to learn a new language, where would I go? Doesn't Canada have the same old corruption like the US? Or Sweeden? Or Norway? Or Finland?

Living in the US, I'm not sure I even want to vote since there aren't any good choices. It's the lesser of two evils. Besides, politicians aren't really the ones who bring about change. After all, they're often paid to keep things the same.

It's the lesser of two evils.

Besides, politicians aren't really the ones who bring about change. After all, they're often paid to keep things the same.

If

I'm glad they volunteered.

...you do realize that there are usually more than two names on the ballot? You can vote outside the major parties, that's what I tend to do. When you do that you suddenly find that there are actually some decent candidates out there.

It depends on the politician. This tends to be the case today, yes, but it is not necessarily true, and good politicians who actually do good things for society can exist.

These guys, unfortunately, have no chance since such a large part of the country votes for one of two parties.

But human nature

I hold optimistic for the longer-term of eduction and Nations as I trust that far too slowly but nevertheless surely, they will adapt to new realities. Both will have to deal with a world which has a lot more 'getting smaller' to achieve and the realities for Nations especially are far reaching.

I mean, a smart phone today can be bought for much less than $500 .... that is ridiculous [I look forward to your replies!!! LOL]

Human nature does not exist.

The only ridiculous thing is that we are still using money to pay for things.

You shouldn't have to be blocked from using a utility like a smartphone because you can't afford it.

These people work in slave like conditions to make electronics

Yes you should have to pay. Just as you have to work for your food and your services everyone else does. There are no machines currently capable of doing all those things and society is not structured around people working to give you a smart phone, internet, electricity, housing, food, clothing, and everything else for free.

An alternative perspective on the Venus Project/Resource based economies
http://mises.org/daily/4636

The way we learn and the way we respond are not just environmental, we also have genetic dispositions towards our actions/reactions. If one person has a genetic difference in them where their body produces more testosterone then they may be more aggressive and if someone has a body that produces less they may tend to be more docile. That IS human nature and there is nothing you can do about that, at least for now.

The factory should be automated

with technicians here and there to manage things.

I don't think it's acceptable for these people to be working in those conditions

nor do I accept a system where not just me, but where they cannot have access to the very kind of device they are working to manufacture because they don't have enough money to purchase it.

Our society makes us work for those things.

What should be happening is our society working for us

What if no one wants to manage the factories because they'd rather be out with their families or pursuing their dreams? How do you propose that issue be solved, in today's world if we switched to a Resource Based economy?

Then try and do something to change it. You probably won't change it because cheap labor fuels our society and anything you do would be negated by the natural progression of technology anyways as machines will one day be able to do these repetitive jobs.

Because the machines are not sophisticated enough to do such things and people have to actually work to make the things we want/need.

It works for you as long as you work for it. Its a 2 way street kind of deal, you do a job that supplies a service, you get money, you put that money towards things you want and need which funds others to do the same.

Just wait a few years? The price on such things will inevitably drop and you will be able to afford things

They will be if/when we put effort into it.

Of course, a 100% automated/self-maintaining smartphone factory is entirely plausible- it's not like we're talking about nuclear fusion or anti-gravity skateboards.

Heck, we may not even need technicians to manage it. My point is that people will still be involved with managing our society, but it will be much less than currently required. Someone who loves robots/factories/automation would be happy to volunteer some of their time to make sure the factory is running smoothly. I'm not saying people need to work there 24/7.

In our society, it displaces people.

Take money out of the equation, and you get: you do a job that supplies a service to others, and others do jobs that supply you a service. That sounds much better to me- people helping each other, each in their own way with their own talents.

Take money out of the equation, and you get: you do a job that supplies a service to others, and others do jobs that supply you a service. That sounds much better to me- people helping each other, each in their own way with their own talents.

That's a great idea. It's been tried several times, and it's called communism, and unfortunately, as it sometimes is with great ideas, it doesn't work out as intended.