Would you rather be the richest man on earth in the year 2011 if it became a total free market,
or would you rather be completely broke in the year 2211 if it was also a total free market?
Richest of course.
is this supposed to be a trick question? If it is, I dont get it
The idea is projecting how high the standard of living will be after 200 years of a free market economy.
If humanity has SOMEHOW managed to hold together a free society for 200 years I’d choose 2211.
I am not sure that even in a free market society, I will live until 2211. So, I will take being the richest man in 2011.
Well I’ve never been a gambling man, and betting that this sorry lot of glorified monkeys will have sorted things out in two hundred years and not blown themselves up sounds like one hell of a gamble to me…
I’ll take richest man in 2011. Payments to be made in gold, plz.
I’d take rich in 2011. Maybe my material living standard would be lower in many ways, but as a super rich person I would have the ability to influence things.
Remember, its your profit making ability and productivity which get you rich. If there was more capital per your person in 2211…
If I am “completely broke” in 2211 then productivity is irrelevant, because I have no money to spend.
“If I am “completely broke” in 2211 then productivity is irrelevant, because I have no money to spend.”
But there will be no more scarcity in 2211! Or money either! Haven’t you seen the Venus Project?
Hmm, it’s a tough one. I’d say 2211 if I could bring loved ones etc. Just because I’d want to live in a free society after a few generations, where the remnants of statism have finally disappeared.
The hypothetical is that you live out the rest of your life in either spots. So this means you will be transported to that time.
The hypothetical is that in the second one a total free market is reached some time between now and then, gradually.
Both options are a total free market. What would you want to influence?
For my purpose of the question, let’s say that you could bring none to either.
I’d def take broke in 2211. Under ideal circumstances, I bet we’ll have commercialized space flight by then, so I’ll earn a bit of money, buy a junk spaceship, and re-create life like in the tv series “Firefly” while perpetually fixing the ship.
“Take my love. Take my land. Take me where I cannot stand. I don’t care, I’m still free. You can’t take the sky from me.”
Good times (and fantastic tv series) 
Just the benefit of free-riding* a rich free market 2211 economy would make the 2011 richest guy a caveman.
*Not in a bad sense, just enjoying the knowledge, architecture, views, discoveries and big charity available in such productive society.
I’d go for broke in 2211. With a completely free society, the possibilities would be almost endless and I’d love to be able to visit some other planets after I’ve clawed my way up from the bottom. Plus, I’d be simply curious to see how all of history had played out up to that point.
Broke in 2211, for sure. To find out why, just ask the question “Would you rather be the richest man in 1811, or broke in 2011?”
Yes, but accounting for the possibility that you’re an evil genie who always muddies the waters with lies of omission… 
Really, I can just imagine rocking up outside the Capitol Wasteland and being shot for all my bottle caps.
Nah, really, I’d pick completely broke in 2211 if there weren’t any funny strings attached. That kind of freedom is worth more than everything in this world.
even broke in 2050 would be better than richest man today. Scrooge McDuck’s point + exponential technological growth + diminishing marginal returns on wealth in terms of its contribution to my happiness.