Eu sabia que tinha lido essa história antes, e depois de vasculhar as histórias de Asimov (o ponto final é que os robôs domésticos são usados para atender aos níveis de consumo exigidos), dmckee estava certo sobre a história sendo Frederik Pohl. É intitulado "The Midas Plague", e está incluído na antologia Midas World , além de ser adaptado em um episódio de "Fora do desconhecido"
In a world of cheap energy, robots are overproducing the commodities enjoyed by mankind. The lower-class "poor" must spend their lives in frantic consumption, trying to keep up with the robots' extravagant production, while the upper-class "rich" can live lives of simplicity. Property crime is nonexistent, and the government Ration Board enforces the use of ration stamps to ensure that everyone consumes their quotas. The story deals with Morey Fry, who marries a woman from a higher-class family. Raised in a home with only five rooms she is unused to a life of forced consumption in their mansion of 26 rooms, nine automobiles, and five robots, causing arguments. Trained as an engineer, Morey modifies his robots to enjoy helping to consume his family's quota. He fears punishment when his idea is discovered, but the Ration Board—which has been looking for a way to abolish itself—quickly implements Morey's idea across the world.
Você pode ler a história completa on-line aqui