"With respect to society, the developing world, like all those Chinese coming out of poverty, and Indians likewise, all want a steak sandwich and several pairs of shoes. They see our society as the model. We are effectively killing ourselves very slowly."
that's the heart of the problem - food, the quantity and even protein aren't an issue - the issue is as you say - that people want a steak sandwich --
IMO - that will change dramatically in the very near future - perhaps within 20 years - most surely - 50 years -
grazing will be gone - the killing of live animals for meat will be gone - in it's place there'll be probably factory grown meat. Also vegetable alternatives and also insects in far greater use than atm.
as to -------
"If we don’t get technological breakthrough to change the economy of the world, we are doomed"
we will have a radically changed economy - if we don't begin to experiment with that soon - then, technology will change it for us - like it or lump it
personally, the way I see it going is that we won't experiment much or enough - and, what we will find is perhaps a series of technological changes -- will just force change -
I think it will come rapidly - basically as good as overnight - because although I can see a number of technologies will drive it - self drive autos, robotics in all sorts of industries, full automations etc etc - that's all heading that way now
I still think that there's going to be a blockbuster bomb dropped - like the personal robot -
that too may well come in versions - like - we've had very basic versions so far - but, really - I don't even count them because in practice - they are basically out of zero to ten -
less than 1 - their report card of what they can do is dismal --
BUT one technological advance - some sort of large leap in computing power - and, the personal robot could almost be born overnight
when that happens -------------- boom - all over red rover - governments will have to really bring in draconian power to stop their use - or else be forced to change the entire economic system - because it's going to change anyway - overnight
just imagine if we could wave a magic wand and have a personal robot (or as many as we want) - and it can perform like any human - just better.
that's not an if - that's a when - and, if that when comes suddenly - oh, boy, there's going to be a hell of an adjustment
all that work that's being done from home now?? --------- finished
the boss will have a fleet of robots and there'll be no humans employed - or - humans will get their personal robot to do the job at the desk - while they go to the beach.
who knows - what we do know - is that humans will be obsolete - one way or another
stone age man never had that problem
