I spent a number of years talking about the future of technology, on transhumanist email lists. AI, robotics, nanotech, space colonization, life extension, etc., were all popular topics. And some of our list members were academics and research scientists. But I have noticed a recent shift away from discussion of technology to politics. I would describe most list members as moderately conservative, but then they are older. They are not as optimistic as they used to be.
I think space colonization/industrialization is going to give hope to people, as it comes into being, over the next two decades. Especially once a "space elevator" is created, perhaps around 2040 or 2050, we will see massive numbers of equipment and people, cheaply going into space. It will be the next great migration.
I used to consider technological advancement in AI and robotics as a form of liberation for humanity, but considering our society, I see it probably being used as a form of replacement and enslavement, by the elites who will own everything. And eventually, AI may have the capacity to look at humanity, and decide we need to go, especially if we turn our militaries over to it...
I understand the frustration relating to BLM and cops literally getting away with murder, but when BLM graffiti on a monument is considered fine, and someone spray paints over it, "white lives matter," and the local police say they will investigate that, then we have a problem. At that point things feel like the police are taking their directives from social media and the mob. I worry about that slippery slope, and where it will lead. But on the other hand, you have police departments where they do a photo session of bowing the knee for PR reasons, and then immediately turn around and tear gas blm protestors. This shows the duplicity that social media can bring about.
I do agree that so much of America's "self-esteem" in wrapped up in our military. We may not take care of our business back home, but we do have a strong military, though our corrupt and inefficient military industrial complex may lead eventually to a defeat at the hands of China, over Taiwan. This would be a huge thing, the global equivalent of a schoolyard bully beating the crap out of a kid who is trying to protect his little brother. It would cause a sea change in how the world views and values us. I suspect right around 2030, China will make their bid to invade Taiwan. By then their navy will have around 150 more ships, than it does now, which would make a huge difference. And this is not even counting the huge number of attack drones, they will have by then, to destroy aircraft, surface ships and submarines.
What may cause China to attack sooner than 2030, is that the U.S. has plans to outfit many of our warships with powerful lasers, that could destroy hordes of incoming missiles. This could prove to be a huge game changer, because it would greatly lessen the Chinese ability to overwhelm us with their missile attacks, and sink our ships in large numbers. I could see China countering with scores of torpedo drones, which would need to be countered by us, with our own aquatic anti-drone drones. And of course subs would take part in this combat, but they are very expensive, and the drones would be cheaper to mass produce.
Japan still has a navy large and advanced enough, to basically single handedly contain China's current navy. And so if they increase their military budget, they will be a major worry for China. And a big part of the reason the PRC wants to take over Taiwan, is to use it as a forward base in muzzling Japan. But will the rising generation of Japanese have the courage to face a rising China? I don't know.
I worry about the rising soft power of China. They want a return to the days of the ancient Chinese dynasties, but this time with the entire world coming to their land, to pay tribute. It is possible that without even firing a shot, they may get that, if the West continues to be so servile, and desperate to have access to Chinese markets, at any cost.
I envision mgtow gaining much more ground, as more and more men spurn marriage and having children, as a reaction the the reality of divorce rape. This will make women reconsider feminism on a much larger scale than we see now, and mass media will become obsessed with the subject and how America's birthrate will be in the toilet, and how demographics will change over time. But I admit to having a hard time envisioning a serious reform of the family/divorce court laws. Perhaps...
I have a bad gut feeling about the U.S. and world economy. I would like to think things will be okay, but between the pandemic, global debt, games played by the international banking system, and technology trends that feed financial disparity, I suspect we have hard times ahead. At least for those who are not already relatively wealthy. I think the Mormon Church is on the right track, telling members to have a two year supply of food, in case of emergencies ranging from personal unemployment, to a world catastrophe.
The typical American family has less than a thousand dollars in savings, which is simply not enough for an emergency. Our wages have been stagnant/repressed for decades, and our buying power is vastly less than it was fifty years ago. The divide between the rich and the middle class/poor will only grow worse.
If we are not careful, and even if we are, we may go into a new "gilded age..."
An interesting article about how the economy may behave, and how it will affect people...
U.S. nominal gross domestic product (GDP), real GDP, GDP growth rate, GDP per capita, and debt-to-GDP ratio are important measurements.
www.thebalance.com
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