[hershel]

Another option : the haves will offer a tiny share of the economy(which with optimized technology might suffice for a basic standard of living) and zero influence to the have nots and drown them with escapism ,all controlled from above by a strong totalitarian state.

Sound familiar ? if it works so far, why won't it work further on ?

[virmundi]

I don't think escapism actually escapes anything. The US welfare state is escapism from a certain view point. However, the people in it are pretty much locked in place by the system. They are also locked out of "good places". I conjecture this is what causes the crime rate among that same population. They see little opportunity to improve their lot by any means other than violence.

[hershel]

There's some research[1] showing that video game escapism reduce crime. Other research show that porn reduces sexual crimes.

Add to that the free use of marijuana (which generally decreases motivation ) , the better capabilities of police enforcing crimes, the possible growing acceptance of unemployment in an automated society, you'll see even further reductions.

[1]http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/111191-Less-Crime-...