CHAPTER VI

 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODUCTION,
 EXTRACTION, AND GROWTH


 We have seen that economic growth during the past

century relied heavily upon the production of metals, and

that these demands had to be met from a declining metals

stock. In order to bring out the implications of that

movement, we shall now examine more closely the relation-

ship between production and materials requirements and

supplies, and how that relationship has changed.

 Throughout history, productive activities

changed substantially on two occasions; first, when men

began to make implements and to farm, and second, when

men circumvented natural processes and began to use

inorganic materials.

 When men lived in caves and foraged for food,

they were very directly a part of nature; much the same

as any other animal. The arrangement of materials

remained largely unaltered, and foraging activities, if

considered productive, would have to be considered in

the same light as those of any other animal, in the

same sense as those of a stalking lion or a hunting bear.

Material well-being was tied closely to the natural

bounty of the earth.

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