Would free energy cause the world's economy to collapse?

Question

If you could run automobiles and industry on, say, compressed air, how would that effect the world economy.

Answer 1

of course not. it would just alter it, and in the end, would improve it.
currently, the cost of energy is calculated into everything that is shipped and manufactured. if that cost vanished, goods would become more affordable to make, produce, and transport. everyone would benefit, and workers could keep more of their paychecks, since they wouldn't be buying gas.

Answer 2

In the beginning, yes.

As our sources of energy is diminishing throughout the years (eg. oil), many companies are converting to other efficient sources of energy.

It also has to take time as well, it cannot just change with effect immediately. So, same goes for the industries, they will slowly adapt to this change.


The economy will collapse quite a bit in the beginning, but they will slowly pick it up as time passes.
They will gradually adapt to new norms and the economy will be back on its feet again ^_^

Hope this is the answer you are looking for ^_^

Answer 3

If energy suddenly became free, there would be quite an adjustment for everyone, but I think we would survive. If we substitute "very, very cheap" for free, it doesn't kill the economy. For example, tools from China are very cheap compared to what it used to cost, but it doesn't disrupt the economy. Computing power is extremely cheap now, but the world hasn't collapsed. We just use it.

Funny you should mention air. Air is vital, but it's free (sort of), so we rarely think about it.

Answer 4

YES, BUT YOU SAY IT LIKE ITS A BAD THING... MONEY IS WHATEVER "WE" AS A SOCIETY DECIDE IT IS, I SAY MONEY IS AN TOOL OF ENSLAVEMENT BY THE 'HAVES" OF THIS WORLD, MAYBE NOT IN THE PAST BUT IT IS NOW, THIS ARTICLE (BELOW) MAY BE ALITTLE EXTREME BUT YOU WILL GET THE DRIFT, WE COULD HAVE FREE TRADE OR WHAT EVER KIND OF SYSTEM WE WANT!!

http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.1907839.0.islanders_revive_pig_tusk_economy.php
(COPY AND PASTE INTO BROWSER) A STORY FROM THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH (NO FORM OF CASH USED)...SWEET

Answer 5

that's a good question, I suppose alto of gas stations would go out of business, that would only hurt the big corp;s that run the gas stations, would put alto of mini mart's our of business, since the eastern people own most of them, I supposed they would figure out a way to charge alot of money for compressed air, even though we have an air compressor at our house, they would come and take it away, no body could own an air compressor, or face jail time!!!!! it would hurt alot of the big wig's that run our country, and have investment's in oil rich countries, that would be interesting !!!!!!!

Answer 6

for sure the economy would suffer,but it would only be temporary. The economy would adjust and then probably do better than ever.