Treknomics
I have sort of wondered about treknomics. Why are we not living in a Star trek world? Isn't part of the puzzle have to do with the 'need' for stuff? What is a need for an object that isn't used? The fifth car is not a need except in the sense of its role in determining social status and the political power that is derived from social status. Smith stated that the views of the wealthy are given more credence even when these views maybe irrational. Needs are to an extent socially determined. Once you make enough for basics like food or shelter your needs become increasing subjective. Scandinavian countries are happier because they do not have the same need for 'positional' possessions (?); these societies are less accepting that wealth equals credibility. Socialism undermines the political power of the wealthy that is derived from wealth. A fundamental bit of human sociology would have to change before treknomics can be successful and clearly we are not there yet.










