Americans Are Using Less Steel, Paper, Fertilizer, and Energy

Re:Americans Are Using Less Steel, Paper, Fertilizer, and En... by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday October 09, 2019 @04:23PM (#21207581)

Well... just last night, I was planning a trip. There was a place I could see on Google Maps (satellite view) that looked interesting, but it wasn't clear that I could turn onto it (there might be a barrier or an elevation difference). But Google Street View made it clear that I could turn onto this little dirt road in the middle of nowhere. For free.

That isn't wage growth. And yet, I am better off for being able to do that - not better off in terms of dollars, but better off in terms of being able to more easily do the things that I want to do.

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Re:Americans Are Using Less Steel, Paper, Fertilizer, and En... by prawn on Thursday October 10, 2019 @12:26AM (#21210882)

Would the computer or mobile phone used to see that satellite map be a new category of device if we're comparing to 30+ years ago? I remember when I first moved out of home that there were council rates, water, electricity and gas bills. Optionally, phone too. Now there's internet, 2x mobile phone plans (more if you have teenagers), Netflix, Stan, etc.

A lot of people are upgrading phones or laptops every few years too.

The tech is great, but it isn't always free.

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Re:Americans Are Using Less Steel, Paper, Fertilizer, and En... by random023987 on Wednesday October 09, 2019 @04:53PM (#21207943)

I think most people would prefer to decide for themselves if that's worth the $40,000/yr that they would have had if wages kept up with productivity.

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