Like on Star Trek!

I feel quite passionately that technological advancement is the only thing that can save mankind, period. Most social problems that one could pose can be drawn to a technological answer. For example, with abundant, free energy, efficient and sustainable farming techniques, and greater industrial automation, every person on this earth could be provided for. The challenge is overcoming scarcity, as it is scarcity (be it real or created) that creates most conflicts. In a world of abundant free energy and highly innovated material technologies, all can be supplied with whatever they need. In this system, the idea of greed or predation becomes a red herring because, unlike our current “free” market system, one does not have to lose for another to gain. ALL can benefit. NO ONE need be left behind, or left out, or subjugated, or oppressed, or taken advantage of. Those with some innate need for “more more more” can have it thanks to this tech advancement, and it doesn’t affect the lives of others in the least. In addition, there is no more need for profit or externalized costs because the inherent competition and fight for survival is removed.

My proposition, radical as it may be, is that the free nations of the world collectively invest whatever it takes to realize the sort of technological breakthroughs that we need to create a utopian society. This should be done with absolutely no concern for “debt” incurred and should be the top priority above all else. Money has no real value anyway, and after the transition to a technological utopia the “owed” will have no use for it as the idea of “wealth” will become a non-sequitur.

This will free humanity from the economic slavery that we now live in. The artist is free to produce and share with all without having to worry about their next meal. The teacher is free to utilize any resource their imagination can come up with without concern for the year’s budget. The materialization of our society that is so integral to the health of a consumer system is no longer relevant because there is no more need to struggle for the things you might need or want. In this way, we are freed from the huge amount of waste-life we currently experience.

My proposal is all-or-none. Although I can’t predict when the necessary tech advancements would come, it would be nothing compared to the time wasted on conflict and competition. Were governments and corporations to undertake such a task, I imagine the transition time would be surprisingly short. So, if this were to start in my lifetime, it would definitely be realized by the time of my grandchildren, except that I won’t have any.