Anti-Wage-Slavery, Pro-Freedom Quotations Of The Week 352, 353

In the 17th century, the Englishman, Francis Bacon, believed that natural philosophy (what we call science) could be applied to practical problems, and so, the idea of modern technology was born. For Bacon, the problem was this: how could man [sic] enjoy perfect freedom if he [sic] had to constantly labor to supply the necessities of existence? His answer was clear -- machines. These labor saving devices would liberate mankind, they would save labor which then could be utilized elsewhere. "Knowledge is power," said Bacon, and scientific knowledge reveals power over nature.
from
Lectures On Modern European Intellectual History
The Origins of the Industrial Revolution in England
Steven Kreis

The essential problem of our economy is that it can produce much more in goods and services than it can consume given how it pays out incomes. Furthermore, even a more equal distribution of income would not lead to a sustainable improvement in this situation in the long run. Technological progress is such that we will continue to need less and less workers to produce the goods and services we need. The artificial inducements to consumption and investment of military expenditures, conspicuous consumption and invidious waste are also pretty much at their maximum, with increases here not being sustainable either.
Basic Income Income for the United States of America:Ensuring that the Benefits of Economic Progress Are Equitably Shared

by Charles M. A. Clark, Ph.D., Department of Economics

College of Business Administration,

St. John's University