Decentralization may be nice, but it's generally much less efficient. Consumption would rise dramatically. Per-capita consumption decreases as centralization increases. Remember this from last year? http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=619099
Also, the book says:
[S]ince consumption is merely a means to human well-being,
the aim should be to obtain the maximum of well-being with
the minimum of consumption. The less toil there is, the
more time and strength is left for artistic creativity.
Modern economics, on the other hand, considers consumption
to be the sole end and purpose of all economic activity.
Consumption is a word that covers all kinds of ends. Unless you can create ex nihilo, artistic creativity is a consumptive endeavor.
> Decentralization may be nice, but it's generally much less efficient.
Depends entirely on the business in question and the technologies and human factors involved. There's a reason most dentists work in small practices, but electrical power and processors are made in large capital-intensive plants.
Actually I think a big dentist-center would be a cool thing. Less money wasted on competition, easier ways for patients to get a specialists opinion if needed, cheaper access to supply, more efficient use of dental technicians / staff in general.
I guess the scale of centralization is the real question.
Also, the book says:
Consumption is a word that covers all kinds of ends. Unless you can create ex nihilo, artistic creativity is a consumptive endeavor.