You have a very one-dimensional opinion on consumerism. Increased consumption doesn't just mean selling twice as many shoes as yesterday for half the quality. It also means augmenting existing services: Like creating a telephone connection instead of a telegraphic line. Or creating a global computer network instead of a simple telephone connection. It's a very virtuous cycle. Of course it's not a guarantee for a better world but your proposal that [w]e should think about how to work less and consume less is a certain path towards a lower quality of life.