The Zero Marginal Cost Society audiobook cover - The Internet of Things, the Collaborative Commons and the Eclipse of Capitalism

The Zero Marginal Cost Society

The Internet of Things, the Collaborative Commons and the Eclipse of Capitalism

Jeremy Rifkin

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Economics

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The Zero Marginal Cost Society
The Decline of Capitalism+
The Collaborative Economy+
The Interconnecting Internets+
Decentralized Production+
The Future of Education+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
How does the automation of labor ultimately threaten capitalist enterprises, according to the text?
  • A. It increases the cost of raw materials and physical infrastructure.
  • B. It causes widespread unemployment, leading to a severe decrease in consumer spending.
  • C. It leads to a shortage of highly skilled workers like radiologists.
  • D. It requires too much energy to maintain, violating the laws of thermodynamics.
Question 2 of 8
Why might capitalism's drive for increased productivity eventually lead to its own collapse?
  • A. It drives marginal costs toward zero, causing supply to increase and prices to plummet.
  • B. It encourages monopolies that stifle technological innovation and competition.
  • C. It makes physical goods entirely obsolete, destroying the traditional retail sector.
  • D. It causes governments to heavily regulate free markets to protect workers.
Question 3 of 8
How does the second law of thermodynamics relate to the limits of capitalist growth?
  • A. It proves that economic growth can continue indefinitely if energy is shared evenly.
  • B. It demonstrates that human labor is inherently more energy-efficient than software and robotics.
  • C. It suggests that decentralized production requires significantly more energy than mass production.
  • D. It shows that creating ordered goods destroys available energy, conflicting with capitalism's need for continuous growth.
Question 4 of 8
In the emerging internet-enabled economy, what defines the new class of individuals known as 'prosumers'?
  • A. They simultaneously consume and produce content, focusing on sharing and access rather than ownership.
  • B. They are wealthy investors who control the physical infrastructure of the internet.
  • C. They prioritize owning tangible goods over digital access to support local economies.
  • D. They solely consume goods produced by large, monolithic corporations.
Question 5 of 8
What is a key feature of the emerging 'Energy Internet'?
  • A. A return to fossil fuels managed by decentralized local governments.
  • B. Intelligent smart grids that monitor and adjust to the green energy generated and consumed by everyday individuals.
  • C. The consolidation of electric power into a handful of massive, centralized European corporations.
  • D. The elimination of feed-in tariffs to discourage individual solar panel installations.
Question 6 of 8
How could a 'Logistics Internet' solve current inefficiencies in the transportation of goods?
  • A. By having companies share storage spaces and distribution routes coordinated via sophisticated software.
  • B. By eliminating the need for warehouses entirely and shipping directly from 3D-printing factories.
  • C. By replacing all trailer trucks with automated drones and self-driving vehicles.
  • D. By centralizing all global distribution through a single, government-run facility.
Question 7 of 8
Why is 3D printing considered more environmentally friendly than traditional manufacturing?
  • A. It relies entirely on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
  • B. It produces goods that can be digitally downloaded, eliminating physical waste entirely.
  • C. It uses exact amounts of material, avoiding the massive waste generated by shaving and trimming raw materials.
  • D. It is heavily regulated by environmental protection agencies to ensure zero carbon emissions.
Question 8 of 8
How is the educational system transforming in response to the emerging Collaborative Age?
  • A. It is becoming more competitive, with a strict focus on standardized testing.
  • B. It is becoming more self-directed, interdisciplinary, and focused on sharing knowledge.
  • C. It is shifting toward top-down lectures to efficiently distribute information to larger class sizes.
  • D. It is discouraging the use of internet platforms to prevent cheating and plagiarism.

The Zero Marginal Cost Society — Full Chapter Overview

The Zero Marginal Cost Society Summary & Overview

The Zero Marginal Cost Society (2014) lays out a strong case for the self-destructive nature of capitalism, demonstrating how it is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. But in its wake, a new, collaborative, democratized economy will materialize – one made possible by the internet.

Who Should Listen to The Zero Marginal Cost Society?

  • People who are interested in the future of our global economy
  • Anyone who wants to learn about the personal and social impact of cutting-edge technology
  • Committed capitalists

About the Author: Jeremy Rifkin

Jeremy Rifkin is one of the most popular thought leaders of our time. In addition to advising leading companies, heads of state and even the European Union, he is the bestselling author of no less than 20 books, including The End of Work and The Empathic Civilization.

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