Will advanced technology lead to socialism?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between advanced technology and the potential shift towards socialism. Participants explore whether technological progress inherently leads to greater accessibility of resources and wealth redistribution, or if it fails to address fundamental economic issues.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant argues that in a technologically advanced society, resources become available to all at low costs, suggesting that this leads to socialism.
  • They provide historical context by comparing the evolution of cell phones from the 1980s to the present, noting that even the poorest can now access advanced technology.
  • Another participant counters this view by stating that their personal experience shows increasing bills, implying that technology does not alleviate economic burdens.
  • A third participant expresses skepticism about the argument, suggesting that having access to cheap technology does not equate to solving basic needs like food and housing.
  • A later reply reiterates the initial argument but challenges the notion that philanthropy is necessarily linked to technological advancement, suggesting that historical examples of philanthropy do not support this claim.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the impact of technology on economic structures and social welfare.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects differing personal experiences and interpretations of technological progress, with some participants emphasizing accessibility and others focusing on persistent economic challenges.

McCartney
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In a truly technologically advanced society everything is available to all for little money. If such a thing does not happen then there is no technological progress.

In 1983 the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X cell phone was 4k and as heavy as a brick. The battery only lasted a 1/2 hr. Nowadays many homeless have much more advanced no frills cell phones which are subsidized. The price of these no frills phones is less than 10 USD.

In a few years a commodity only available to folks with means is now available to the most poor in society.

The true wealthy people often reach a point where accumulating more wealth becomes redundant. These folks become philanthropists and by definition socialists as they give money away. This is mostly facilitated by technological development.

We are not far away from a time where currency will be impractical.

The end result of technological innovation is socialism.
 
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No. My bills are getting larger, not smaller.
 
I totally agree. It doesn't mater if you can't afford food and housing as long you can have a really cheap cellphone.:rolleyes:
 
McCartney said:
In a truly technologically advanced society everything is available to all for little money. If such a thing does not happen then there is no technological progress.

In 1983 the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X cell phone was 4k and as heavy as a brick. The battery only lasted a 1/2 hr. Nowadays many homeless have much more advanced no frills cell phones which are subsidized. The price of these no frills phones is less than 10 USD.

In a few years a commodity only available to folks with means is now available to the most poor in society.

The true wealthy people often reach a point where accumulating more wealth becomes redundant. These folks become philanthropists and by definition socialists as they give money away. This is mostly facilitated by technological development.

We are not far away from a time where currency will be impractical.

The end result of technological innovation is socialism.
This is ridiculous, just look at past philanthropists, it had nothing to do with technology.
 

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