1/2 A second aspect that we have to consider regarding the price that has to be paid has to do with the replacement of one product by another. In general no note is taken of products that have disappeared. Thus in estimating textile consumption, account is taken only of textiles that are actually used (wool, cotton, artificial products) and none of those that are no longer used (linen, hemp), which were more common than is often thought and much more durable. This is not to
@ebbot 2/2 deny that consumption is up but to point out that the growth is far less important than imagined. We have to include products that are eliminated. Mechanized farming may produce more food, but we have to consider that a calorie of food now demands the consumption of a calorie of fuel. A team of oxen or horses would use less. --Jaques Ellul The Technological Bluff (1988) #technology #dystopia