Post #2974531

2026-05-13 03:04 UTC

> when wages increases demand for goods and services increases You slipped it in right there yourself. This consumerist mindset can only exist with infinite growth. It seems natural but that's only because we've been immersed in growth for hundreds of years. If I make $1 today and that dollar covers every necessity and basic luxury I could expect then there's no reason I need to spend more. $2 can only provide diminishing returns on quality of life. I don't need a second house because I get less than the X¢ of value from my primary residence for the cost of 2*X¢. It's reasonable for me to give that excess back in taxes/charity (allowing someone else the full $1 value) or even stash it in my mattress for a rainy day (deflationary pressure). The only reason for me to spend a portion on a second house [I'll rarely use] or car [I won't drive] or new hobby [I don't have time for] is if advertising convinces me I'll get $1+ QoL value from the purchase. But that's a flat lie, as any study on happiness will tell you.

Replies (1)

@Pacattack57@lemmy.world 2026-05-13 03:26

I don’t know where you’re getting this infinite growth idea. No one believes that or actually thinks that’s possible. You’re alluding to the fact that each CEO of a company cuts and cuts so that each quarter they can show growth but that has nothing to do with macroeconomics. When people have money, they spend it. There are hundreds of years of consumer data to support that. The discovery of oil, the gold rush, the industrial revolution and countless other examples of periods of excess wealth that creates lots of jobs and lots of spending. You are also mentioning buying houses and multiple cars and stuff; that represents like 3% of the world population and shouldn’t even be brought up. Also keep in mind we’re talking about real human beings. People with families and parents they need to take care of. It is only natural for a government to do what it can to minimize the effects of inflation so that people don’t go hungry or lose their jobs.

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