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where does this go?
You'll be begging for monarchy as you stare down the barrel of techno feudalism just like your ancestors did for the thousands of years before you
Have you ever read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley?
They're both dystopian novels but they warn about very different types of realities. I think Brave New World's concerns are more likely to come about than 1984's.
Control through pleasure and degeneracy
I do hold hope that there's going to be push-back. I'm already seeing it. I think the time of hedonism will pass. In a completely materialist world where everyone is focused on themselves, we have a meaning crisis. I'm only seeing it in small anecdotal things, but I do think the zoomers are more likely to come out of this less materialist than any other generation.
When I've spoken with clergy from traditional sacramental religions, they say the same thing. Their numbers are booming with young people seeking meaning in a world gone mad. Will that scale? Will that stick? I don't know, but I hope so.
I feel the same way. The zoomers basically got three consecutive generations showing them how not to live their lives.
If not them, it might be their kids. If they have kids.
Someone will have kids. We're still pretty far from the point of no return on that front.
Incredibly insightful book.
But what is the story people beleive that follows after the story of self determination. Of globalism. Of democracy.
Rise in national identity? That seems to be a trend though I am not sure it sticks after the massive diversification of populations.
What moral guiding principles do people organize around? Faith in the ideals of democracy are on life support.
Do we drift into a techno neo-nationalism? Or do we see globalism take over and the idea of nations die?
I think the story becomes: "All those ideals (like liberty, democracy, equality, etc) were never real, they were just a plot by [fill in your villain] to control you. So now you shouldn't bother with any of that, just pay attention to your phone and have faith in bureaucracy."
Trust the experts and follow the science
That’s not how this works
Science is and has been the religion. We never have nor ever will have separation of church and state. We either have a new religion (what we have today) or we have two institutions that work together and balance each other.
How do you like them apples.
Religion is just a different word for world view. Many religious people, maybe most are actually more centered on their political world view than their "faith". Its sad but true. The worst part is that most do not realize it. They think they are voting "christian" but really they worship the nation state. And the science obsessed other half are not better. They think they can keep the two separate but one always wins over. It ain't the church either.
I agree, however democracy is society's escape valve, and it's not going anywhere. Corporations handpick the candidates and give them to the people to vote for so they feel like they're an important part of the process, only to then return to the complacency of everyday life.
The story might be "Thank goodness these smart people are keeping me safe from all this scary stuff I don't understand."
The state has to be a variation on this theme or it will face rebellion.
Without being a broken record, this is also the typical cycle of the rise and fall of these same empires. In my view, life today is so artificial, detached from nature, and dependent on synthetic elements (meds, economic controls, consumerism), that every rebellion ends up serving as the foundation for a new corporation rather than a break between individuals and this fraud.
Yes, because the rebels never actually understand the problem or, if they do, the movement gets coopted.
You CANNOT have freedom and a government.
Government literally means NO freedom.
Every trend I see is toward governments exerting more control over the people within their borders.
Tech is aiding this (flock, internet surveillance, bank secrecy act, digital payments, cell phones).
Seems like that increases. So where does it go? I think its a thing where the average person has far less freedom than even a decade ago. Rich people and people in charge probably get to do whatever they want.