This is fun. Essentially, this can be abbreviated ( and perhaps is supposed to be ? ) as a single ( confusing ) sentence.
Later: Hm; I tried, but am unable to [ sensibly ] re-position the duplicative "does" and the "is" and "becomes." Too many tenses, but ought to be workable. Maybe it would make a good parlor game. "Put these three truths in one sentence."
Well, it was fun trying ( but "trying" isn't in the list ! )

... as it produces ... what ? Some production is critical but consumes little in the way of energy. As to people-production- and-consumption, let me think: VOTING consumes little energy but may produce much.
The generality is fun to use as a base for comparison purposes, but needs nearly-microscopic examination when applied to life situations ( which may be the point, Bob ! )

Mike, Norwalk. Agree with your reaction, which opened the floodgates, as if you'd turned on a switch. VOLUMES, INDEED ! I'll return to check the excess (?) verbiage later today.

I can't wait to read some positive remarks some day
( preferably sans the poor childish three and four letter word vocabulary ). Question: when we critique the published critiques, are we then turning a negative into a positive ?

Has this nation always been a collection of finger-pointers ?
( I KNOW, I KNOW: NOW I'M FINGER-POINTING. Sorry. )

A favorite poet who delivered wonderful talks at Middlebury College's Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, VT. He definitely had a way with words !

So this is where "Bread and Circus" comes from ! There was ( still may be ) a group that traveled around New England that adopted the name. I never closely-observed their philosophy but my impression was that they were FAR left.( Maybe I'll do a bit of research today to find out more ).

ME ? I think Tommy boy had the right idea !

Brain-stirring !

Hopefully, just over 5 decades later, Mr. Lewis' ideas still can "hold water." I suppose ALL "philosophers" have the liberty (or take it ) to criticize everyone else's' actions. NOT THAT WE DON'T NEED CRITIQUES -- ALL OF US -- BUT I OFTEN THINK THE "PROFESSIONAL" PHILOSOPHER NEEDS MORE-THAN-A-NORMAL CRITIQUING, SINCE AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEY ARE THE REPOSITORY OF WISDOM (They and those with a Religious bent, who also tell us what life is all about). I AM OPEN, BUT NOT EASILY LED.

Can't now source it, but ..."Everyone's queer save me and thee and sometimes I think even thou art a little queer."
OR -- "The pot calling the kettle black."
OR -- how long since you've checked YOUR mirror ?

Today's positive outlook from Chris Hedges.

The President of the United States named Abraham Lincoln must be turning over in his grave.

The problem tends to be the definition of "the people." Not ALL the people are of the "thinking" variety, uninformed and not caring, already taking from governments ( and happily so, since someone else is paying for the benefits ).
Our democratic republic fails in its education responsibilities and the products are more concerned with "free stuff" than with the history and freedoms fought-and-died for over the years.

So many "opinions" in one place. All truths ?

Not too much in this world that's "absolute," but boy-oh-boy, doesn't this guy have it right !!

Well, duh !!

All the world is queer save thee and me and even thou art a little queer. Robert Owen. ( It came to mind after reading the Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens quotation ) Now I need to research Owen, his time and his works.

I missed all the nuances, I guess, but can't pass up the chance to say "at least, Waffler isn't waffling." ( Not funny ? )