[tw04]

There is a finite amount of land on earth, and a finite amount of most natural resources. We currently have no indication we will EVER develop faster than light technology.

Any discussion not grounded in those facts is a dishonest discussion. It is a zero sum game until those externalities change because ultimately our species is built upon extraction resources to produce wealth. It IS a zero sum game until you or someone else invents a means of solving the first order problems.

[CommieBobDole]

Isn't most of our economic growth based off inputs of energy (in the form of labor, electricity, etc) that ultimately derive from the sun, though, rather than primarily non-renewable non-recyclable resource extraction? The sun is technically a non-renewable resource, I guess, but only on cosmic timescales.

[tw04]

Where do you get photovoltaic cells? Where do you get copper wire to transport it? Where do you get transformers? Where do you get batteries?

Anyone downvoting me because they think renewable energy overcomes the finite resources on planet earth are absolutely delusional.

We literally have evidence of the scarcity of resources when China started threatening to limit access to rare earths. CaN other countries build capacity at some point? Sure. What happens when you’re in a country that has none naturally and the countries that do have access don’t feel like selling you any?

What’s that? It’s a finite resource that results in a zero sum game?

[cm2012]

On a trillion year time frame, sure.

[tw04]

How much of the land on planet earth is currently unclaimed by a nation state or individual?

You don’t need a trillion year scale for the average man to already be dealing in finite resources and ability to create wealth.

It takes 30 seconds of research to see the cost of an acre of land has far exceeded inflation over the last 50 years. That’s finite resources at work.