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July 29, 2003 Imagine what would happen if the Federal governenment applied all of our modern technology to making the economy more efficient and responsive to the wishes of the people. For example, they could fund the use of computers to track and evaluate the output of every employee in the public and private sector. Then, each worker could be rewarded in proportion to the calculated value of their contribution. This would enable activities to be properly incentivized based on an objective calculation of their their societal value. It would also serve to channel everyone’s efforts towards delivering the greatest value for the resources expended. Of course, such a system would depend on accurately determining the value society places on each good and service that the citizenry might produce. This would require some system of measuring the value each citizen places on each item in their consciousness. Individual data could then be cumulated to yield a collective matrix of societal value toward which human and materials resources would be directed. Fortunately, with the advances in data communication and database management, this level of accuacy is now feasible. It is now possible that every citizen could be provided a hand-held computer linked by microwave transmission to Washington via satellite. People would make all purchases electronically by punching buttons on the keypad. Washington would receive a moment-by-moment picture of societal demand and value. The information could also be trended to predict future demand for the purpose of determining production schedules and needed additions to productive capacity. Trend data could be supplemented by weekly opinion polls in which everyone would express what products and services they are most likely to purchase in the next three months, six months, nine months, and twelve months. Imagine a system that precisely measures the collective wishes of every citizen moment by moment; that accurately forecasts future trends; that rewards those who most efficiently and effectively deliver what society most values; that allocates human and other resources toward the highest level of societal fulfillment and happiness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if such a system could be implemented? Well, actually, such a system already exists. It’s called the free market. ------------ Email Lance Paul Nelson: intersectinc@earthlink.net Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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