Warning! This is one of those vague open-ended threads, waiting for discussion to suss it out. :p
Lately I've been struck by the idea that we (as humans, as societies) have either lost the ability to recognize "diminishing returns", or have become so accustomed to progress (or future potential), that optimism becomes dangerous or defeating.
You may be thinking to yourself, "WTF are you talking about, GeeGee"? Well, I don't really know just yet. But let's give it a go, shall we? Put on your thinking caps, grab your popcorn. :D
1) Longevity. Often "at any cost" or "at all costs". Subtopics: health care, energy, environment, sustainability
2) Equity. Another moving target. Subtopics: law, civil rights, regulation, education/information
3) Power. Abstract and/or concrete. Subtopics: all of the above, plus War, global relations
All those things involve wealth and government; economics and politics. There's an element of trust/mistrust, history and perception, too. I was thinking about Case Study type examples, where we weigh benefits and costs in every day life, without really thinking too hard about it.
The premie baby with multiple anomolies vs the elderly cardiac cripple.
The rural outskirts vs metro-urban or ex-urban sprawl.
The inner city minority student vs the unemployed suburban adult.
The citizens and migrants vs the immigrants. [And everyone against "The Terrorist"]
The established industries of the 20th century vs the new industries of the 21st.
The *declining* first world nations vs the emerging third world nations.
Etc. Seems to me we want to have it all, do it all, Be All, the world is our oyster, and every oyster has a pearl. So much so, that we can't/won't stop diving even without oxygen. Maybe a better analogy is the gambler who wins enough pots to keep gambling, but stays at the table one hand too long?
Diminishing Returns. How do you quantify or qualify that?
:popcorn:
