Thank you for that interesting and informative essay. It turns out, however, that a “free lunch” is possible. That is, I have discovered a way to increase material well-being without the deleterious effects of generating more wealth (yet does not involve redistribution). [If it matters, I do have an M.A. in economics.] The solution is an “allotted income” that would form the supply of money (as currency) for the economy. It could be implemented by any nation, however rich or poor. If curious, the proposal is summarized in a “5 min read” here in Medium.