Growth

[KevinC]

This topic fits both under Governance and Population, but I suspect its mostly Governance, so I'm posting it here.

Problem:  Between a massive decrease in our population and a shift to 100% recyclable products, consumerism is going to plummet.

Companies, cities, and social organizations are all going to have to learn to deal with reduced populations and still feel healthy.

Perhaps companies could shift towards making the most reliable products for the lowest cost instead of focusing on making the most profitable products.  One potential law previously hinted at would be that all companies had to buy back and recycle their products.  Companies like Apple are doing that today, so its not a completely insane idea.  However, doing so for items like major appliances would be costly, so making better appliances that lasted longer would help reduce that cost.

Side note:  For those oldies amougnst us, like me, we can remember when appliances like washing machines and refrigerators would last for AT LEAST 20 years.  Now your doing good if you get 5...