I think that's a fair question. Do we need to be producing as much as we are. Clearly in some industries we don't need to be, they have a lot of waste - food without better infrastructure, clothing by and large, poor quality electronics, etc.

But I think I'm equating productivity with efficiency and in that perspective I would say efficiency is king. We should work towards automation while ensuring it's benefits don't go purely to capitalists.

Certainly some of it is for consumerism, but a lot is construction materials and food. You want less houses? You want less food?