Title:
Trekonomics
Author:
Edition:
First edition.
Publication Date:
2016
Publication Information:
San Francisco, California : Published by Pipertext Publishing Co., Inc., in association with Inkshares, Inc., 2016.
Physical Description:
xv, 265 pages ; 24 cm
ISBN:
9781941758755
Abstract:
What would the world look like if everybody had everything they wanted or needed? Trekonomics, the premier book in financial journalist Felix Salmon's imprint PiperText, approaches scarcity economics by coming at it backwards through thinking about a universe where scarcity does not exist. Delving deep into the details and intricacies of 24th century society, Trekonomics explores post-scarcity and whether we, as humans, are equipped for it. What are the prospects of automation and artificial intelligence? Is there really no money in Star Trek? Is Trekonomics at all possible?
Contents:
Foreword / by Brad DeLong -- Introduction: "Dream not of today, Mister Picard" -- "... Money went the way of the dinosaurs" : the absence of money in Star trek -- "... Why is everyone so worried about holograms taking over the universe?" : the meaning of work in Star trek's society -- "Tea, Earl Grey, hot" : the replicator -- "... Only a fool would stand in the way of progress" : natural limits and technology substitution -- "... The thought that warp engines might be causing some kind of damage" : free riding and negative externalities in a post-scarcity world -- "... That future, that space station, all those people... they exist" : sources of trekonomics in classic science fiction -- "There are still many human emotions I do not comprehend ..." : the psychology of utopia -- "Never be afraid to mislabel a product" : the ferengis, interstellar capitalists -- "I live in the hope that you may one day see the universe for what it truly is ..." : prospects for trekonomics in the real world -- Conclusion: "Live long and prosper".
Language:
English
