Malthusians on the March

Doug Henwood dhenwood at panix.com
Wed Dec 15 07:34:08 PST 1999


Russell Grinker wrote:


>But surely you are not implying that too much consumption by some
>(mal-distribution?) and too much waste production are the fundamental
>problems with the system?

"The" fundmental problems? I don't know that I'd use the definite article; there are many problems with The System. But here's where I strongly part company from LM & its sympathizers: yeah, the present structure of production and consumption is environmentally disastrous, and the work effort required to produce and consume at that level is socially disastrous. I'm certainly no neoprimitivist, but in this case, less can be more. I know the LM response would be to quote Robert Venturi - less isn't more, less is a bore.

Doug



More information about the lbo-talk mailing list