Reply #2: It's called "capitalism," and it will eat itself alive.

[Atman]

If it doesn't eat the rest of us alive first.

Capitalist's, corporations, must return ever-increasing dividends or profits to their shareholders. Period. It's in every corporate charter in one way or another. It's all about "maximizing shareholder value." Profits and earnings from income must always go UP. If they go down, it means the Board of Directors is doing something "wrong." Therefore, we cannot allow the consumer to reduce his use of our product, no matter what the reason...if they do, we'll simply increase the price.

And the beast eats itself.

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