Miles Jackson wrote:
>
>
>
> I think we'd all be a bit better off with lower levels of
> productivity among workers (even lawyers!) as long as we're able
> to feed and shelter and clothe one another.
>
Probably human survival depends on radically reduced _production_, with or without changes in productivity. Proper use of the Great Plains (mostly [lightly grazed] grasslands, with only as much grain production as can be done without irrigation or gas drying) is necessary and will require more time spent (in a leisurely fashion to be bearable) on increased crop production in urban areas, which will require shorter and more porous hours of labor in industry, etc.
And the social chaos which would precede and accompany even a 'peaceful' transition to socialism will make much lower consumption levels than now seem relatively wonderful.
Carrol