[crc32]

I think there are a couple of problems with the "rising tide floats all boats" argument.

> My only metric is is it getting better on average for me and other people

This might be true for you, but may not be for all. Research suggests that on the whole people value relative wealth more than absolute wealth [1] making inequality an important predictor for social stability, a prerequisite for a capitalist system based on property rights.

> I hope capatilism lasts another couple of hundred years and everyone gets to level 3 or 4

As other comments have pointed out, it looks as though an economic system predicated on permanent growth - or even a particular rate of growth - might have some limits. It seems like it's not sustainable with our current level of technology.

[1] http://science.sciencemag.org/content/318/5854/1305.full?ijk...

[james_s_tayler]

You know the Marxists (and everyone was one back then) claimed in the 1930s that capitalism was dead. That was almost 90 years ago. [1]

It's the 21st century. It started in the 17th century. It's not dying tomorrow.

I fully support the notion that one day capitalism will eat itself like Marx claimed. I think it actually will. I think that's a very sensible conclusion to come to. Just like I believe my car won't run forever and will eventually break down and be beyond repair or no longer viable. I'm just happy to drive it until the actual point at which it becomes not viable anymore and not proclaim the sky is falling and my car is doomed because I hear one small noise coming from the engine.

[1] http://helian.net/blog/category/socialism/