cme y. a.» Note: This is the sixth of 20 essays by leading men in the world’s academic community. The writer of this article is professor vf econo- mics at the London School of Economics. Herein he dis- cusses, in connection with what t he calls the materialistic so- ciety, achievements and social costs in connection with global plenty.) by E. J. Mishan An answer to the question whether economic growth is only a glance at the historical record. For thousands of years prior to the last two hundred, civilizations rose and fell. There were times of prosperity and times of hardship. But in none was there an era of prolonged economic growth. The question that exercises society can survive without eco- nomic growth. Since economic growth in an exceptional state— an aberration perhaps—the “question at issue is just how long economic growth can be ‘sustained on the small planet earth. We of this generation are al- ready being pressed against the inescapable limitations of a finite planet. Whether or not we succ/ill] in time in stabilizing popule®ion, we cannot much longer continue to use up space, to ransack the earth’s re- sources, and to fill its air and ‘waters with effluent with the reckless abandon that has char- acterized our activity since the industrial revolution. Two hundred years of scienti- fic discovery and innovation have imbued us with faith in technological progress. Yet, that technology has been based on physical conditions that no longer obtain: virtually un- limited resources and a virtual- ly unlimited capacity of the bio- fluents of technology. It remains to be seen how technology will cope when abundance in these vital re- tion, ¢ If 2ventually we conclude that economic growth cannot con- tinueghnuch longer, or if we con- clu momentum will result in a de- cline in social welfare, we may elect to move off the growth tra- jectory toward a more stable economy. If we do so, a number of economic, administrative of which however—were we in earnest—would be difficult to deal with. (One has only to remember the speed with which Britain in 1940 transformed her- self into a total war economy, and successfully maintained a strict rationing system over all consumer goods for about 10 years, to realize what extraor- dinagy feats of organization a nat ean perform when its will is set.) And, though it would be of some interest to speculate on the extent and form of govern- ment intervention that would be necessary during the transition to a stable economy, and the al- ternative schemes for rationing present climate of opinion such discussions would be prema- ture. They will be pertinent only when society is prepared to re- gard seriously the proposal that we move off the growth path. In the circumstances, it would seem to me more sensible to contribute to the debate by un- covering some of the unhappier consequences of continued eco- nomic growth in the affluent so- cieties of the West. Consider first the motive for- ces behind economic growth. As Bernard Shaw once remarked, “Discontent is the mainspring of progress.” This discontent is writ large into the ethos of the consumer society. It is institu- tionalized ‘by the agencies of Madison Avenue, and hallowed by our system of education. If continued discontent with what they have is required to keep people buying the increas- ing outputs of modern industry, and if continued discontent with their status is necessary to keep them working the machine, can we really believe that people can somehow be made happier as they absorb more goods? The secret of how to keep people running is to widen the gap be- tween their material condition and their material expecta- tions. That gap is a measure of their discontent, and it was never wider than it is today. In an affluent society people’s satisfactions, as Thorstein Veb- len observed, depend not only on the innate utility of the goods they buy but also on their status value. Thus to a person in a high consumption society, it is not his absolute real income that counts as much as his relative income—his position in the structure of income. Thus, he may feel aggrieved receiving a 10 percent rise in his income ‘if incomes of others have risen by 20 percent. The more this attitude pre- vails—and the ethos ‘of our so- ciety tends to promote it—the more futile is the objective of economic growth for society as a whole. For it is obvious that over time everybody cannot be- come relatively better off. Thus, once people’s satisfac- tions come to depend almost wholly on a relative income, or on some other index of status, a sustained rise in the levels of consumption—though it may ing the momentum of powerful corporations—yields little addi- tional satisfaction to society, even in the absence of all spill- over costs. Indeed, obsessive concern with status and income and, in consequence, a lifetime devoted to nursing one’s pros- pects go far to drain the joy from one’s spirit. Secondly, we might want to ponder briefly on some of the unexpected repercussions of a number of much heralded in- ventions. The automobile, in ad- dition to producing congestion, noise, stench, visual distrac- tion, has been responsible also for the monotony, sameness and ugliness of vast urban areas the world over. Having multiplied like the locust, having swarmed through every street and alley, automobiles have eliminated all the gaiety and mingling once ties of the world. The airliner, in addition to plunging us into an era of shrieking skies, has been re- sponsible for a tourist explosion that has destroyed irrevocably all the onee-famed resorts. This process of ‘erosion continues year by ‘year. Alas for our grandchildren who are on the way to inherit a world almost bereft of scenic beauty and grandeur. Thirdly, we might wonder in a general way whether the unto- ward consequences of commer: cially inspired technology are inescapable. Does not universal plenty it- self breed a ‘‘throw-away”’ atti- tude to things? Gifts lose the power to move when a person has “everything” and when wealth is such that no sacrifice is entailed in bestowing them. But technology not only des- troys our relish of life by sating us with goods; it is an insidious force in its own right. As a form: of compulsive systematization it has begun to edge itself into every niche of what used to be our private lives and secret feelings. Methods for attaining success, for ‘‘optimizing’’ in sex, are taught by tape and manual. Techniques for love, friendship, fervor, sarcasm, surrender, . repartee, fantasy, impulse and laughter .are all imparted to the buyer of the booklet or enroller in the course. Soon there might be no corner into which a person can crouch and call his own. He will become a part of a world of mime and mimickry, where feelings are engineered, where spontaneity is rehearsed and no untutored emotion is left to well up in him. Imagine a world in which all the affection we can, expect to receive has been studied as a technique. Again, the laborsaving inno- vations at which technology ex- cels have the effect of transfer- ring people’s dependence on others to dependence on the machine. Yet is it not true that human interdependence is the source of mutual affection; of giving and receiving? Pack- aged and precooked foods save the time of the busy housewife, who is now enjoined to add to her dignity by competing for cash on the labor market. But when a woman cooks for her man or her family is it only a chore? Or is there not also an instinctual gratification in such an act of tenderness and affir- mation? Children’s television pro- grams make storytelling at bedtime obsolete. But does not the child who lis- tens to his parents gently un- folding the tale enjoy and share a richer experience? True, we can, at the flick of a finger, flood the room with orchestral music that is perfectly executed. But before the turn of the century, when the music a man enjoyed might depend on his wife’s skill at the pianoforte or on his daughter’s singing,was there not also some quiet joy flowing between them? It is sobering to wonder ser- iously if more and more of what is innately trivial is being gain- ed at a cost of more and more of what is innately valuable. Allow that the machine is incompara- bly efficient, can its efficiency in yielding services compensate for the inevitable loss of authen- tic human experience? Can anyone reasonably expect tech- nological innovations in the future to be more humanizing? Surely it is more likely that the main thrust of product inno- ACHIEVEMENT: This photo from a Charlie Chaplin movie, «Modern Times," seems to say that there are problems in 20th Century achievement. Dr. E.J. Mishan poses some of the prob- lems in his essay in the America and the Future of Man series. (Photo from United Artists’ “Modern Times.”’) vation associated with econo- mic growth in already wealthy countries will act to diminish over time opportunities for direct communication between people. For such innovation seeks overtly to reduce their need of the direct services of other human beings. Thus, personal contacts have already declined with the spread of more efficient labor- saving devices such as super- markets, cafeterias, vending machines, transistors, televi- sion sets and, of course, the automobile. And they will con- tinue to decline with the trends toward computerization in of- fices and factories, toward pa- tient-monitoring machines and computer diagnoses in hospit- als, and toward closed-circuit television. instruction, autcmat- ed libraries and teaching mach- ines. Thus, the compulsive search for efficiency, directed mainly to innovations that save effort and time, must continue to pro- duce for us elegant instruments for our mutual estrangement. The consequence of the trium- phant advance of technology is an unavoidable drying up of the direct flow of sympathy and af- fectionate communication be- tween people. Finally, we might ask if the things commonly associated with the good life—a more set- tled way of living, less frenzy, more margin, a sense of space and ease, an environment of na- tural beauty and architectural dignity, a rehabilitation of norms of propriety and taste— can ever be realized by rich consumer societies eternally straining to woo the consumer with ever more outlandish and expendable gadgetry, and eter- nally seeking for faster econo- mic growth. And, what of the other attri- butes by which men live? If it is conceded that once sub- sistence levels have been pass- ed—and they have in ‘the West—the sources of men’s more enduring satisfactions spring from mutual trust and affection, from sharing glad- ness and sorrow, from giving love and accepting it, from openhearted companionship and laughter; if it is further conceded that in a civilized so- ciety the joy of giving is aug- mented primarily by the sense of wonder inspired by the un- folding of nature, by the percep- tion of beauty inspired by great art, and by the renewal of faith and the good; if this much is conceded, is it possible to be- lieve also that unremitting at- tempts to harness the greater part of men’s energies and inge- nuity to the task of amassing an ever greater assortinent of ma- terial possessions cin add much to people’s happiness? ..(Edjtor’s Note: The first contact session for students taking this course for college credit will be held at the Hayfield House on the Wilkes- Barre campus of Penn State, in the Memorial Room from 7 to 10 p.m. Clyde Hopkins will be the session leader.) Dallas scholar On Dean's List Nancy Lee Ziegenfus, RD 3, Dallas, was one of nearly 900 undergraduates who qualified for the dean’s list at The Penn- sylvania University for the Park campus. An average of 3.50, on a four- point system, or better is re- quired for inclusion on the dean’s list. Miss Ziegenfus at- tained a 3.67 grade for the term which ended in August. For The low. re No. 36 93rd Congress Record | November 1, 1973 Passed, Oct. 30. TIVES Yea and nay votes Record teller votes Total Through 1971 1972 Oct. 1973 212 244 240 108 85 167 320 329 407 next Wednesday, Nov. 7. Dallas Township Dallas Township police re- ported that Halloween was very quiet this year and that there were no major. complaints. The only incident which was recorded during the week oc- curred Nov. 2 at 2:40 p.m. and was reported by Patrolman Russell Banta. J. Mark Rogers, 29 Shaver Ave., Shavertown, was travelling south on Lower Demunds Road when he lost control of his car and went off the road on the right hand side. He came back across the road off the left hand side, hit an em- bankment and turned over. Nancy Fink, 96 Franklin St., Shavertown, was a passenger in to see their family physicians. The patrolman estimated damages at $2,000. The car was towed from the scene. Kingston Township Police chief Paul Sabol stated that the Halloween season was very calm. There were two egg- throwing incidents and one bro- ken window, but no other damage was reported. Kingston Township had one accident last week. According to the report, James Grablew- ski, Overbrook Avenue, Dallas, was travelling northeast on Carverton Road and crossed over into the west bound lane to avoid a water puddle. Frank C. Ammons, 187 Madison Ave. Wilkes-Barre, was travelling in gone off the road attempting to avoid the Grablewski vehicle when the cars collided. Chief Sabol, who investigated, stated that both cars were re- moved from the road when he appeared on the scene. He esti- mated damages at $400 to the Grablewski vehicle and $200 to the Ammons truck. Dallas Borough Bernie’s Pizza shop has been the next borough victim of the broken-glass-vandalism epi- demic here. Patrolman Edward Montross reports that the left front window of the eating place was damaged between 12 and 8 il A bicycle was stolen from a garage at 365 W. Center Hill Road. Mrs. Melvin Vivian Jr. called the borough police, Nov. 3, to report that she discovered the loss at 8:35 a.m. She estimates that loss at $20. Patrolman Montross was at the scene of an 11 a.m., Nov. 4, accident at the intersection of Route 415 and Center Hill Road. No one was injured. Patricia McGoarty, 157 Church St., Dallas, according to the police report, was facing east on Center Hill Road, at the stop sign. As she pulled away from the sign, she did not see a car driven by Ann Covert, RD 3, Dallas, heading south on 415. The resultant accident caused an estimated $650 damage to the McGoarty car ;$50'to the Covert from the scene by their owners. Chief Titus investigated a 9:15 a.m., Nov. 6 accident, which saw two persons go to the Nesbitt Hospital complaining of pain. As the chief’s report explains it, Donald E. White, RD 1, Springville, thought that a car driven by Paul Selingo, Overbrook Avenue, Dallas, would stop and let him go through, as he proceeded south on Main Street. Mr. Selingo, meanwhile, thought that the White truck would allow him to pass on without stopping, as he traveled north on Pioneer Avenue. The car and truck came together at the inter- section. Neither vehicle was obliged to stop by a stop sign. The only such sign at that intersection applies to vehicles heading north on Main Street. Mrs. Selingo was removed to the Nesbitt Hospital im- mediately by the Dallas Am- bulance, complaining of diz- ziness and with a leg cut. Mr. Selingo, who later began to complain of pains, was taken to his home. From there he, too, went to the Nesbitt Hospital for treatment, using his other auto. The damaged Selingo car was removed to the local Exxon station by the AAA. Estimated damage to the car is $700. The Forty Years Ago 1933 : Huntsville Christian Church was 90 years old. Arthur Brown, ware merchant, local hard- moved his formerly occupied by the Risley Hardware Company, consoli- dating the two businesses. The store in the Kunkle Building, Main Street, formerly occupied by Arthur Brown, was said to have been purchased by a drug- store. Election officials asked voters to speed up their balloting. Three minutes ‘per ballot was permitted. Distillation of wintergreen, once an important mountain industry, was just about a “dead duck.” George Rice, Lehman, joined: the 400 Bushel Club with a yield of 477 bushels of potatoes (Michigan russets) to the acre. It was decided to keep the restaurant at the Harveys Lake picnic grounds open for the winter. Paper was loaded with political ads, little else. Wesley Himmler, Peter D. Clark, Harry Garrahan, Leonard D. Morgan, Raymond Laux, Wilson. Ryman, Russell Case, Vote straight republican, vote independent. Thirty Years Ago 1943 Two Edwardsville girls and a Larksville man died instantly as their car hit the concrete bridge east of Lehigh Valley station in central Dallas. Jim Besecker and Robert Hislop Jr. heard the crash and summoned Approximately 2,000 ‘A’ gas ration books were distributed. Rachell Wykoff, 95, cast her ballot. Dallas band was again without a director as Jean Vercoe Mulligan left to teach in Kentucky. Ensign Judson Bailey was killed in Australia in a gun explosion. Harry Ohlman, Republican, defeated William Baker, Democrat, for the Dallas school board. Heard from the Outpost: Al Jones, Oxnard, Calif.; Sgt. and Mrs. James Knecht, Fort Campbell; Russell Transue, Seymour Johnson Field; Roy Schultz, North Carolina; Rusty Rhodes, Beaufort, S.C., John Reese, Americas, Ga.; Allen Daniels, Denver; Larry Drabick, Texas; Estelle Preshko, . Denver; Dean Kocher, Fort Jackson; Dur- wood Splitt, North Africa; Herbert Culp, Fredercik AFB. Died: Harry A. Williver, 63, Shavertown.’ Twenty Years Ago 1953 Raymond Hedden started building beautiful apartments in Dallas. Dallas Borough Council rented space in the borough building for a State liquor store. Borough expected to occupy the former Oliver property by December. The Victor Cross family brought home the bacon again at the Halloween parade, taking a whole flock of prizes. Star of the show was the dragon with the small Crosses forming legs. solid Republican ticket. Died: Katherine Stringham, 27, West Dallas; Charles Popky, 57, Harveys Lake; D.P. Thomas, Harveys Lake; B. Worthington, 79, Harveys Lake; Ralph Major, 63, Lehman Heights. Mrs. W.H. Nevel celebrated her 93rd birthday. Ten Years Ago 1963 Halloween parade attendance was down due to rain. L.L. Richardson and James Kozemchak won school director seats. Beverly Eck was crowned three small children lost all their possessions in a fire at Loyalville. Captain Harold C.H. Birth advanced to senior pilot. Freddie Hennebaul returns Center, Philadelphia, to a new home in Dallas. Freddie was permanently injured in freak school wrestling accident. Lake Township Supervisors receive Ruckno plans for Hemlock Gardens project. Dallas schools Education Week. George Halowich, Harveys Lake, shot first wild turkey of pounds. Born: Ruth Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cooper, Dallas; Karen, daughter of Mr. Thomas Spruth, Dallas; Ed- ward Brian, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Layaou; Dallas; Jeffrey Lynn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gardiner, Dallas; Betty Jane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Sweet Valley; David Alan, son of Mr. and Mrs. were born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bonomo, Sweet Valley. Died: Eric Weber, Beaumont; ‘Kathryn Lynn Fesko, 18 mos. Harveys Lake, Hi Local supermarket ad specials read: pork loins, 33 cents a pound; sirloin and T- boiled ham, 79 cents a pound; 10 pork chops, 69 cents a pound. H. Westfield. Chet Davis. \ White-driven truck = was removed to Wesley's Gulf station by that facility’s wrecker; it was damaged an estimated $500-worth. a.m., Nov. 4. Holes were shot through the window by what was obviously a pellet gun. Damage has been estimated at $70. GATE OF HEAVEN MONDAY—Beef barbecue, buttered buns, potato chips, sliced peaches, cookies, milk. TUESDAY—Ravioli with meat, buttered beans, white cake with topping, bread and butter, milk. WEDNESDAY—Peanut butter sandwiches, celery sticks, sliced peaches, milk. THURSDAY—Creamed turkey, mashed potatoes, Ghiktered corn, cranberry sauce, oatmeal raisin cookies, bread and butter, milk. FRIDAY—Baked macaroni with cheese sauce, buttered peas, but- terscotch pudding, bread and butter, milk. LAKE-LEHMAN MONDAY —Vegetable soup and saltines, meat salad sandwich or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, fruit, milk. TUESDAY—Hot dog on bun, sauerkraut, baked beans, gelatin with topping, milk. WEDNESDAY—Hamburg on bun, buttered corn, fruit, milk. THURSDAY —Turkey, filling and gravy, mashed Dotatoes, butter- ed peas, cranberry sauce, cookie, milk. FRIDAY—Tuna burger, potato chips, cabbage salad, pudding, “milk. ) pizza, carrot and Oct. 24—Lynn George, home accident, Lower Demunds Road, rendered first aid. Crew: Bob Besecker, Dave Carey and Donald Bulford. Oct. 27—Dallas—West Side Tech football game. Crew: Bill Ward, Don Shaffer, Kay Wright. Oct. 27—Football accident, Sam Castellini, Courtdale to General Hospital. Crew: Bill Ward, Don Shaffer and Kay Wright. Crew: Jim Davies and Ed Roth. Oct. 29—Mr. McClosky, White Birch Trailer Court to Vets Hospit- a. Crew: Jim Davies and Delmar Besecker:. Nov. 2—Russell Siley, Browntown to General Hospital. Crew: Ted Wright and Jim Davies. Nov. 3—Dallas-Bishop O'Reilly football game. Crew: Ted and Kay Wright, Jim Brown. Nov. 3—Jennifer Spencer, Norton Avenue, Dallas to Nesbitt Hos- pital. Crew: Bob Besecker, Mike McFadden and Harold Smith. NOXEN Oct. 19—Daniel Swire to General Hospital, automobile accident. Crew: Earl Crispell, Calvin Strohl and Elmer Rice. Oct. 26—Dawn Shook to General Hospital. Crew: Dave Fritz and Dale Clark. Oct. 27—Irene Maransky from Rural Health Clinic to General Hospital. Crew: Howard Keller, Ralph McCormack and Earl May. ‘Hospital. Crew: Earl Crispell and Howard Keller. Philadelphia. Crew: Spencer Holmgren and Bob Crispell. Oct. 29—Raymond Hogan, Harveys Lake, from Rural Health Dave Grossman, and Howard Keller. 5
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers