Ray, of Light wrote:

Now, imagine that someone grows a brain. He figures a way to simulate sensory input, Matrix-style, and gives the brain a faux-life based on, say, trading stocks. Or engineering, or telemarketing. He gives it limited access to the outside, and gets it generating income, and then he grows a thousand more. That man now has 1001 minds in his employ and a payroll of 300 calories per day, per head. Each has studied its trade since birth, and will never sue or strike or leave to compete with him.

Either way, the result is a mass of "people" that consume next to nothing and compete with dominating efficiency.