Manna: a possible future

Marshall Brain's Manna is a very interesting story about how technology can either slave us or free us. It's a very good reminder of some powerful ideas:

• Technology can make heaven in earth. Certain degrees of prosperity can only be attained in extremely high tech environments.
  
• Technology can make hell in earth, although low tech settings are also quite appropriate for spreading suffering.
  
• We are responsible of the outcome of technology. If we don't want the way things are going, we better start doing something about it.
  
• Advanced robotics is going to be a very disruptive technology. Our current socio-economic structure will need profound modifications to adapt to it.