When the resources run out, we have nothing. No manufacturing, nothing.
We are doomed.
PS: on the becoming smarter idea, seen an interesting piece on the U.S.A, as manufacturing moves to Asia, the people who used to do those jobs ie: those who are not capable of higher learning (not because of money either), have nothing, it is creating a massive under class.
Also on the FIRE (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate) sector, they do not actually produce anything, it is all paper shuffling, yet they account for 28% of the U.S work force and if they were not bailed out could you imagine the trouble the world would be in.
Maybe people should start reading this:
http://www.debtdeflation.com/blogs/