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reformist2

(9,841 posts) Sun Jul 21, 2013, 09:14 PM Jul 2013

Capitalism 101: If one and only one machine makes everything in the world, how many people exist?

The correct answer is one, the owner of the machine.

Maybe that's too harsh. If the owner is nice, then the correct answer is as many people as he allows to live. But who lives and who dies, is always up to the owner of the machine.

Class dismissed!

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Capitalism 101: If one and only one machine makes everything in the world, how many people exist? (Original Post) reformist2 Jul 2013 OP

Additionally, the reason that person owns the machine ZombieHorde Jul 2013 #1

Eventually none NoOneMan Jul 2013 #2

I think that is the fallacy of capitalism. He needs consumers to use and pay him for what the machi rhett o rick Jul 2013 #3

An all-powerful supreme dictator deciding how much of anything anyone deserves. Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #4

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)

1. Additionally, the reason that person owns the machine

Reply to reformist2 (Original post)

Sun Jul 21, 2013, 09:17 PM

Jul 2013

is because people are convinced that he owns it. Ownership is a matter of perspective.

NoOneMan

(4,795 posts)

2. Eventually none

Reply to reformist2 (Original post)

Sun Jul 21, 2013, 09:38 PM

Jul 2013

That machine is destroying the planet.

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)

3. I think that is the fallacy of capitalism. He needs consumers to use and pay him for what the machi

Reply to reformist2 (Original post)

Sun Jul 21, 2013, 10:13 PM

Jul 2013

machine produces. Kill all the consumers and he is alone with his machine producing worthless junk. Henry Ford knew better.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)

4. An all-powerful supreme dictator deciding how much of anything anyone deserves.