Prediction: What will the USA look like in 20 years ?

[Bubblehead1980]

As we well know, United States is a complete and total cluster at the moment, and has been for a long time. Believe we are descending into a 1984-esque dystopia? Believe things about to progress rapidly into a better society ? , or stay somewhat the same with better technology? Interested in others predictions.

Last couple of semesters I have taught a class as an adjunct and require a paper as part of my course discussing this very topic. Naturally, require some sources i.e. evidence to support such predictions/ Just curious as to the views of the diverse group of people here.

[bstanko6]

Here is what it will look like

https://youtu.be/mk7782dm884

[Skybird]

The whole Western sphere, as a culture and civilization, is imploding, collapsing. Rivalling powers like China and Islam just just need to wait, and later pick up the remains comfortably, without much of a fight. Specifically the American fate: it will go down like the British Empire. And the denial of that reality will continue to be the narrative for as long. Extremist Christian sects will regionally establish fascism-like regimes, so will the rich and powerful in an attempt to stick to power for a bit longer. The skin of the old society and culture and its value system will break open, like with insects undergoing their metamorphosis, and the new rules will break out of it. But new must not mean better. I would not want to live in a Sineo-controlled nor Muslim regulated world. Age is on my side there. My timing to exist, may priove to have been perfect: after the big wars, in an era of relative peace and wealth and self-reflection, before the following deep darkness. I consider myself to be very, very lucky. I witnessed maybe the climaxing of the West. The price is to also be aware and see the beginning of its fall too doom. What goes up, must come down. Everythign runs in cycles. In a millenia or two, maybe the new Islamic darkenss will be brought tio an end again. Or maybe man will not survive long enough, considering how determined we make sure to send this world to hell. The ecological destruction maybe will betray early the new rulers for their prey and fortune.

"For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!." - The Hunger Games.

[Sonicfire1981]

Here is what it will look like
]

You have issues, man...

On topic. You could not have picked a time where this was more difficult to predict, with the possible exception of the cuban crisis and a couple others. I of course don't believe the future in 2040 will look like the future of the 80ies. The US is in a difficult position, with big oil on decline and a lot of people not stomaching that so well. A key driver for innovation would be a sharp rise in energy pricing (because innovation never happens unless it has to). So a train of thought would be to think of the economic effect when US is left behind and still relies on fossiles when they get scarcer and scarcer.
I also hate to bring up this parallel, but you may want to take a look at the weimar republic, which was a naive democracy with little safety features against people who wanted to rise to absolute power. Could this happen to a US society? dividing it into "we" and "them", ~burning~ media that is not pleasant to ones cause, using peasants with torches to scare opposition, repeating lies in public until it practically becomes truth. Making the ordinary man believe that everything in ones power is done to improve his situation.

I'm sorry for this unordered list, which wasn't my intention as I started writing. but, for an academic, this "could this happen in the US" might be an interesting thesis.

[bstanko6]

I think you guys gave up on life!

I think it’s cute you’re writing down your ideas, poetry, Marxist lies. But we saw what happened to Marxist ideas… They fail.

The US rose up against a gigantic superpower Britain, and did just well. It even fought 2 world wars, it came out better for it. It can stand the test of time to Muslim extremists, and Communist China. I’m not worried about countries that can’t even provide power to its people on a daily basis. Much less a state like California trying to run this country as it is right now when they can’t even do the same thing.

Now I’m just a simple man, I can’t write poetic Marxism like you guys can, but I know what true America looks like. I live here and I enjoyed every day. I fought for it and currently protect it.

What I do know is, the people here will not put up with this Biden crap for long.

They will not allow this to happen much longer. The time is turbulent and the violence is increasing evermore every day. Something will break, and the machine will slow, but we will get up and we will be running again.

In the words of Calvin Candy from Django unchained “There have been a lot of lies told around this table, but that one you can believe!”

[Bubblehead1980]

Here is what it will look like

https://youtu.be/mk7782dm884


LMAO:haha:

[Sonicfire1981]

I think it’s cute you’re writing down your ideas, poetry, Marxist lies. But we saw what happened to Marxist ideas… They fail.

Fun fact: more democracies have failed than marxistic.... uhm. societies.


Now I’m just a simple man,

You're absolutely entitled to be. the consequence is: not every question is for you.

What I do know is, the people here will not put up with this Biden crap for long.
It's not about that.

In the words of Calvin Candy from Django unchained “There have been a lot of lies told around this table, but that one you can believe!”

You must be smart. you can quote... things.

[Buddahaid]

I'll be 84 if I'm still kicking and probably won't care as long as my meals are on time! Oh, and my nurse is a cute brunette....

[bstanko6]

Sonic...

You are right, more democracies have failed.

But all the other government types have been around because of use of force, military occupation, and fear. You can keep that ****.

[Platapus]

In 30 years I will be dead. I just hope my country keeps together until that happens.



No way to predict what will happen in the next 30 years, we don't know what will happen this year.

[Rockstar]

Barring some global catastrophe the biggest and most obvious change will be the population. As the number of people increase so to will be a need for greater control of communications outlets and the narrative for the sake of maintaining order. One noticeable thing I see now and may presumably only get worse is how the internet and the instant access to information has dragged children into the realm of identity politics, and the party rhetoric. Funny thing is I find absolutely no difference between how a 14 year old and some of the older fellas communicate. Its a battle of egos on the school play ground. Thankfully though there are a few real thinkers which take the time to talk some sense but unfortunately they are becoming harder and harder to find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ybzC2wP7Q&feature=emb_logo

Wanted to add too that its not all doom and gloom or 1984 social control and fear. I think there's going to be some pretty kewl advances in science, space exploration, energy, medicine, preserving our enviroment. All of which will greatly benefit the United States and humanity. I'm really happy about that and looking forward to it. 20 years from now I'll be 79, hopefully still having a good time, able go out into the wild and spark one up on occasion while marveling at all the new stuff :D

[Catfish]

Here is what it will look like

https://youtu.be/mk7782dm884
:haha:
Isn't this the murderer from "The silence of the lambs"?

[mapuc]

I think the most important question would be:

Will there still be a Subsim forum 20 years from now ?

Markus

[Buddahaid]

Barring some global catastrophe the biggest and most obvious change will be the population. As the number of people increase so to will be a need for greater control of communications outlets and the narrative for the sake of maintaining order. One noticeable thing I see now and may presumably only get worse is how the internet and the instant access to information has dragged children into the realm of identity politics, and the party rhetoric. Funny thing is I find absolutely no difference between how a 14 year old and some of the older fellas communicate. Its a battle of egos on the school play ground. Thankfully though there are a few real thinkers which take the time to talk some sense but unfortunately they are becoming harder and harder to find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ybzC2wP7Q&feature=emb_logo

Wanted to add too that its not all doom and gloom or 1984 social control and fear. I think there's going to be some pretty kewl advances in science, space exploration, energy, medicine, preserving our enviroment. All of which will greatly benefit the United States and humanity. I'm really happy about that and looking forward to it. 20 years from now I'll be 79, hopefully still having a good time, able go out into the wild and spark one up on occasion while marveling at all the new stuff :D

I've been a lot of SciFi short stories from post WW2 on through the seventies, and outside of some dated domestic norms, the same political worries and fears of today are brought up again and again.

[Sean C]

I think there will be a lot of people running around like their hair is on fire claiming that the end is near and evil is among us. Meanwhile most people will just want to collect a paycheck and be left alone.



IOW, more of the same.

[3catcircus]

We'll either be a flaming ruin with the rest of the world or we'll be entering a new golden age - nothing in between.


We've got far too many governments and corporations at all levels filled with narcissistic power-hungry. money-crazed "leaders" more interested in their own club's membership than of the citizens they represent. Between dealing with antifa/blm lawless maniacs, dealing with other governments' predations on each others territories and people, we're headed for another world war unless we can throw them all out of office and get people who are actually interested in helping their neighbors.


On the other side - there are *constant* announcements of new discoveries in the sciences - NASA achieve long-distance quantum teleportation; a professor at Princeton invented a new nuclear rocket thruster that uses magnetic fields to increase thrust significantly, new simple tests to detect all types of diseases; crispr gene editing; xenobots; evidence of potential life on Venus; figuring out 3D shapes of proteins based upon their sequence of amino acids; measurement of the shortest unit of time; additional manufacture and study of einsteinium in the quest for the island of stability; discover of material on earth older than the solar system; finding of tyranosaur embryos; exercise-induced proteins that can reverse age-related cognitive decline; a new pain-suppression center in the brain; advances in additive manufacturing; a new quantum sensor that can analyze the entire RF spectrum; a new class of superconductors...


If all of these advances in basic scientific research can be brought to bear, we can solve many of the world's problems - governments and industry just need to get out of the way.

[August]

I think our two political sides will unite to defeat the Germans once and for all. They are after all the worlds biggest threat to liberty.

[Onkel Neal]

Let's not turn this thread into another political mess.

[Rockstar]

As for the social control thing. I'm not talking Stalinist, 1984, Gulag Archipelago, dictatorships etc. etc. kinds of things. I'm thinking of it as a more subtle approach. We already have the New York Times suggesting a 'reality czar' which admittedly is at the moment only someone's opinion, but that's how things start.

In my opinion in order to maintain some kind of social control you do need to control the narrative and the media sources. That why I'm think in twenty years there will be tighter control over the internet and what is available on it. I also think because of the intardnet we will see the number of children grow who become very much involved in identity politics at an early age.

Here's some more sci-fi, think Robo Cop ;)

Nevada bill would allow tech companies to create governments

https://apnews.com/article/legislature-legislation-local-governments-nevada-economy-2fa79128a7bf41073c1e9102e8a0e5f0

Will it happen? I don't know, but its a start. If not this time maybe next or maybe in twenty years.

[3catcircus]

As for the social control thing. I'm not talking Stalinist, 1984, Gulag Archipelago, dictatorships etc. etc. kinds of things. I'm thinking of it as a more subtle approach. We already have the New York Times suggesting a 'reality czar' which admittedly is at the moment only someone's opinion, but that's how things start.

In my opinion in order to maintain some kind of social control you do need to control the narrative and the media sources. That why I'm think in twenty years there will be tighter control over the internet and what is available on it. I also think because of the intardnet we will see the number of children grow who become very much involved in identity politics at an early age.

Here's some more sci-fi, think Robo Cop ;)

Nevada bill would allow tech companies to create governments

https://apnews.com/article/legislature-legislation-local-governments-nevada-economy-2fa79128a7bf41073c1e9102e8a0e5f0

Will it happen? I don't know, but its a start. If not this time maybe next or maybe in twenty years.

Social control? What do you think requiring masks and lockdowns is when the science points away from it as being effective outside of the clinical setting, but a trial run.

OCP- style megacorps? We're already there with tech companies and defense industries.

Time just published an article where they practically chortle like robber-barons while gloating that the left worked in unison with antifa/blm and Dems to stop Trump from being re-elected.

The only way to not end up 1984 is to get rid of every single elected official and CEO and put different people in their place. Term limits for all elected office is a good start. Preventing the government/industry/lobbyist revolving door is another good start.

[skidman]

Social control is happening on Sunday morning in every church when science is portrayed as sin, abortion becomes murder, evolution never happened, God decides who will die from covid, and the highest possible amount of fear is put into every worshipper. Masks? Ridiculous!

[3catcircus]

Social control is happening on Sunday morning in every church when science is portrayed as sin, abortion becomes murder, evolution never happened, God decides who will die from covid, and the highest possible amount of fear is put into every worshipper. Masks? Ridiculous!

Social control? Church is voluntary, last time I checked.

[skidman]

peer pressure

[3catcircus]

peer pressure

Peer pressure? The teenager stage only lasts a few years for most people...

[skidman]

Well, for most...

[Texas Red]

That why I'm think in twenty years there will be tighter control over the internet and what is available on it. I also think because of the intardnet we will see the number of children grow who become very much involved in identity politics at an early age.


Yikes, I guess i am there already.

[Buddahaid]

It's really just the same old crap in new clothes. Nothing has changed for millennia except the names and tools.

[Bubblehead1980]

Interesting answers from all.

Really difficult to say because things have grown so unpredictable. Never would have predicted 2016 and was surprised Biden defeated Trump in the manner he did. I find the mass mail in vote suspect but if they had evidence, feel it would have been out there. Would take one massive conspiracy for courts to ignore evidence, especially the Trump appointed Judges.

Barring some catastrophe I believe will be better off but much different. Mainly due to the advances in technology and frankly, as large numbers of less open minded people who tend to be older die off. The current group of 18-22 years are much maligned and their social habits annoy me immensely, but since began teaching, they are actually an inspiring bunch overall. They are socially conscious and act on these convictions, something I did not see among the rank and file of my generation ( I am 35) for the most part. This generation is not one which will tolerate going through life not being paid a living wage nor watching others suffer same fate, or a nation without universal health coverage, vacation, sick leave, parental leave, you know things most of the civilized world have. They are willing to take on corrupt institutions such as wall street. With automation becoming a major factor in our economy in next twenty years, a Universal Basic Income such as that proposed by Andrew Yang will not doubt become a necessity. There will be growing pains and plenty of ugliness but believe it will work out fine in the end.

On the other hand, can see us being a in a pseudo 1984 by then. Difficult to tell really.

[Catfish]

Interesting :)
This (a)social behavior also unnerves me, especially Facebook-bullying :hmmm:

But also I think this fits: "Whenever a child learns critical thinking, somewhere a conspiracy theory dies."

[ikalugin]

Interesting answers from all.

Really difficult to say because things have grown so unpredictable. Never would have predicted 2016 and was surprised Biden defeated Trump in the manner he did. I find the mass mail in vote suspect but if they had evidence, feel it would have been out there. Would take one massive conspiracy for courts to ignore evidence, especially the Trump appointed Judges.

Barring some catastrophe I believe will be better off but much different. Mainly due to the advances in technology and frankly, as large numbers of less open minded people who tend to be older die off. The current group of 18-22 years are much maligned and their social habits annoy me immensely, but since began teaching, they are actually an inspiring bunch overall. They are socially conscious and act on these convictions, something I did not see among the rank and file of my generation ( I am 35) for the most part. This generation is not one which will tolerate going through life not being paid a living wage nor watching others suffer same fate, or a nation without universal health coverage, vacation, sick leave, parental leave, you know things most of the civilized world have. They are willing to take on corrupt institutions such as wall street. With automation becoming a major factor in our economy in next twenty years, a Universal Basic Income such as that proposed by Andrew Yang will not doubt become a necessity. There will be growing pains and plenty of ugliness but believe it will work out fine in the end.

On the other hand, can see us being a in a pseudo 1984 by then. Difficult to tell really.

The issue is that the road to hell is paved with best intentions and highly cooperative people tend to be a key component in totalitarian regimes as they form the outer party.

In general my concern is that identarianism is being used by the elites to distract from the real underlying problems of society (such as stagnating wages despite rising productivity).

So I am not optimistic, I believe that public movements who’s work is required to achieve positive outcomes (such as UBI that is considered by some to be the answer to automation) are being subverted by the powers that be and atomised.

And lack of leaders rather than influencers is going to make those movements impossible to control eventually, leading to mass public strife.

[3catcircus]

Interesting answers from all.

Really difficult to say because things have grown so unpredictable. Never would have predicted 2016 and was surprised Biden defeated Trump in the manner he did. I find the mass mail in vote suspect but if they had evidence, feel it would have been out there. Would take one massive conspiracy for courts to ignore evidence, especially the Trump appointed Judges.

Barring some catastrophe I believe will be better off but much different. Mainly due to the advances in technology and frankly, as large numbers of less open minded people who tend to be older die off. The current group of 18-22 years are much maligned and their social habits annoy me immensely, but since began teaching, they are actually an inspiring bunch overall. They are socially conscious and act on these convictions, something I did not see among the rank and file of my generation ( I am 35) for the most part. This generation is not one which will tolerate going through life not being paid a living wage nor watching others suffer same fate, or a nation without universal health coverage, vacation, sick leave, parental leave, you know things most of the civilized world have. They are willing to take on corrupt institutions such as wall street. With automation becoming a major factor in our economy in next twenty years, a Universal Basic Income such as that proposed by Andrew Yang will not doubt become a necessity. There will be growing pains and plenty of ugliness but believe it will work out fine in the end.

On the other hand, can see us being a in a pseudo 1984 by then. Difficult to tell really.

The issue is that the road to hell is paved with best intentions and highly cooperative people tend to be a key component in totalitarian regimes as they form the outer party.

In general my concern is that identarianism is being used by the elites to distract from the real underlying problems of society (such as stagnating wages despite rising productivity).

So I am not optimistic, I believe that public movements who’s work is required to achieve positive outcomes (such as UBI that is considered by some to be the answer to automation) are being subverted by the powers that be and atomised.

And lack of leaders rather than influencers is going to make those movements impossible to control eventually, leading to mass public strife.

We are, I think, at a crossroads one more time in history.

Like the change from hunter-gatherer nomads to living in permanent locations, the implementations of democracy, the end of the Roman Empire, the transition away from feudalism, the Renaissance, the industrial revolution, and the invention of the transistor.

Think about it in terms of modern computing. I'm old enough to remember when the home computer was an expensive novelty. The industry exploded with the invention and large-scale sales of the miniComputer. DEC, Data General, IBM, Wang, over 100 companies involved. Then came the Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 400, IBM PC, etc. It was a glorious time when the games industry followed - new hardware meant better games which forced the invention of new hardware in a continuous spiral of development. Guys making games actually understood what was going on in the silicon and could write microcode and machine language to interface directly with the hardware to make their games better. Now - computers are a commodity item, most people use toolkits and development suites so they don't have to understand the hardware, and new developments are now incremental and not necessarily an improvement (such as the various flavors of iphone introduced every other year...) For all of the "advancements," the industry is stagnant. Gameplay is forsaken in favor of flashy graphics and the games are quickly played because of our ever shorter attention spans.

*That's* where we are at as a planet right now - all flashy graphics and the attention span of a gnat.

[AVGWarhawk]

Social control is happening on Sunday morning in every church when science is portrayed as sin, abortion becomes murder, evolution never happened, God decides who will die from covid, and the highest possible amount of fear is put into every worshipper. Masks? Ridiculous!

As pointed out, church is voluntary. In fact, over the past year by and large church services have been conducted over youtube, FB and the like. Also voluntary to tune in or tune out. It does show that a actual structure is not necessary, however, the human interaction is gone as well. Something that everyone needs.

I don't know of any churches putting fear into their parishioners. It appears this is all you see churches do? The reality of it is church helps people through times like this. Fear, anxiety and uncertainty. The hell fire evangelical are very few in number. Beyond that, the outreach programs conducted by churches are incredible. Looking after the homeless, elderly(take care of their homes/food), human trafficking outreach, drug interdiction, to name a few.

[Rockstar]

Social control? What do you think requiring masks and lockdowns is when the science points away from it as being effective outside of the clinical setting, but a trial run.
.

Shaping public opinion through media is social control. Expecting the population to wear masks to help slow the spread of a deadly virus. Is in my opinion a very reasonable request that makes a lot of sense.

[AVGWarhawk]

As we well know, United States is a complete and total cluster at the moment, and has been for a long time. Believe we are descending into a 1984-esque dystopia? Believe things about to progress rapidly into a better society ? , or stay somewhat the same with better technology? Interested in others predictions.

Last couple of semesters I have taught a class as an adjunct and require a paper as part of my course discussing this very topic. Naturally, require some sources i.e. evidence to support such predictions/ Just curious as to the views of the diverse group of people here.

I see no progression into a better society. I see two classes. The haves and have-nots. No middle class ATM machine to feed the federal government money(tax). Socialism is on the table. The current group in DC are feeding into this by use of promising money. Larger stimulus checks. College loans paid off. What is next? People are being groomed to rely on the government for everything. Gas powered vehicles are gone. Already begun. VW,GM and Ford all have made it known that combustion engines are being fazed out. Keystone pipeline. Done. Fracking on federal land. Done. The Green New Deal will solve everyone's problems. The USA manufactures nothing. Truly a society made of services(restaurants, healthcare, etc.). China will manufacture everything. The USA is just about there in this respect.
I see less freedoms. The Constitution ignored(happen already). Companies such as Amazon will be the only go to for purchases. Stores will be closed(already happening. Sears, JC Penny are on the way out. Walmart eventually).

[AVGWarhawk]

Shaping public opinion through media is social control.

Never a truer statement and well demonstrated over the past 4 years.

[3catcircus]

Shaping public opinion through media is social control. Expecting the population to wear masks to help slow the spread of a deadly virus. Is in my opinion a very reasonable request that makes a lot of sense.

Even when clinical studies conducted multiple times point to the problems of an untrained public wearing masks? Medical personnel trained in PPE is one thing. Joe 6-pack wearing the same mask multiple times over the week, trapping bacteria, taking it off to scratch his face, typing in his pin code at the grocery store point of sale and then touching his mask - these are not effective when used this way, which is how the majority are using masks.

The basics are most likely 90% sufficient because they work with every other virus that spreads the same way: stay home when you are feeling sick; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands after touching things other people have touched.

But you'd never know this because of the media continuing to bleat the same message about masks, deflecting when confronted with study results, and reporting based upon medical advice from "experts" who have proven that they have a political agenda instead of just the science itself.

[Skybird]

^
sigh

[AVGWarhawk]

Even when clinical studies conducted multiple times point to the problems of an untrained public wearing masks? Medical personnel trained in PPE is one thing. Joe 6-pack wearing the same mask multiple times over the week, trapping bacteria, taking it off to scratch his face, typing in his pin code at the grocery store point of sale and then touching his mask - these are not effective when used this way, which is how the majority are using masks.

The basics are most likely 90% sufficient because they work with every other virus that spreads the same way: stay home when you are feeling sick; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands after touching things other people have touched.

But you'd never know this because of the media continuing to bleat the same message about masks, deflecting when confronted with study results, and reporting based upon medical advice from "experts" who have proven that they have a political agenda instead of just the science itself.

I don't know about you but....
1. My mask(s) is washed regularly.
2. Under no circumstances to I touch my face/mask while in a store.
3. After entering my PIN and completing the transaction I spray my hands with 72% alcohol.
4. My mask remains on until I reach my vehicle. After loading I spray my hands again then remove my mask.
5. I have visited several restaurants. After touching the menu I spray my hands. I have done this even before the virus.

The point being, masks are only one portion of keeping the virus at bay. Statistically proven, families having a visit are the largest spreaders of the virus. No masks, hugging, touching and close proximity. Number 5 spreader on the list is restaurants.

[mapuc]

Will USA still be a super power, the most powerful country in the world or will USA drop several steps down the ladder and become an ordinary country, where China has become the most powerful country and EU has overtaken second place.

Markus

[AVGWarhawk]

Will USA still be a super power, the most powerful country in the world or will USA drop several steps down the ladder and become an ordinary country, where China has become the most powerful country and EU has overtaken second place.

Markus

No, I do not believe the USA will not be a super power any time soon.

[Jimbuna]

Will USA still be a super power, the most powerful country in the world or will USA drop several steps down the ladder and become an ordinary country, where China has become the most powerful country and EU has overtaken second place.

Markus

I mean no disrespect Markus but that reference to the EU :har:

[3catcircus]

I don't know about you but....
1. My mask(s) is washed regularly.
2. Under no circumstances to I touch my face/mask while in a store.
3. After entering my PIN and completing the transaction I spray my hands with 72% alcohol.
4. My mask remains on until I reach my vehicle. After loading I spray my hands again then remove my mask.
5. I have visited several restaurants. After touching the menu I spray my hands. I have done this even before the virus.

The point being, masks are only one portion of keeping the virus at bay. Statistically proven, families having a visit are the largest spreaders of the virus. No masks, hugging, touching and close proximity. Number 5 spreader on the list is restaurants.

That's you. That's me. That's not everyone. Most people have no idea what their risk factors are and the social control via media and incompetent authorities based upon gut feel instead of science has resulted in people not being allowed outside in fresh air and sunshine, unnecessary deaths of vulnerable people in nursing homes, and weakening of peoples' immune systems due to isolation.

When you have a press representative taking people they still need masks and distancing even if vaccinated but has no idea why she is saying what she is saying, when you have a Dr. Who freely admitted he put out false information to prevent a run on masks and purposely lied about herd immunity percentages, it makes it extremely difficult for people to believe anything that is presented by authorities or media.

The inability of authorities and media to tell the truth and only report the facts is one of the reasons why we will become a 1984-esque dictatorship unless we are able to throw them out of office - especially the ones which have been in office for decades with nothing done for their constituents.

[AVGWarhawk]

That's you. That's me. That's not everyone. Most people have no idea what their risk factors are and the social control via media and incompetent authorities based upon gut feel instead of science has resulted in people not being allowed outside in fresh air and sunshine, unnecessary deaths of vulnerable people in nursing homes, and weakening of peoples' immune systems due to isolation.

When you have a press representative taking people they still need masks and distancing even if vaccinated but has no idea why she is saying what she is saying, when you have a Dr. Who freely admitted he put out false information to prevent a run on masks and purposely lied about herd immunity percentages, it makes it extremely difficult for people to believe anything that is presented by authorities or media.

The inability of authorities and media to tell the truth and only report the facts is one of the reasons why we will become a 1984-esque dictatorship unless we are able to throw them out of office - especially the ones which have been in office for decades with nothing done for their constituents.

Yes not everyone is you or me and how we handle staying COVID free. But that is the key, we make best practice to not contract COVID from those marching around like their is no virus. I have seen this crap with my own BIL. My wife and I act accordingly with his nonsense. Act accordingly knowing there is a bunch if misinformation concerning the virus. You can't fix stupid.

However, for the 1984 type deal I possibly see a COVID vaccine card required to enter a building or participating in something. Never happened with the flu vaccine offered yearly. But....one never knows.

You are speaking term limits. I agree on limits for those in all offices on Capitol Hill.

[August]

The only way to not end up 1984 is to get rid of every single elected official and CEO and put different people in their place. Term limits for all elected office is a good start. Preventing the government/industry/lobbyist revolving door is another good start.


I completely agree but unfortunately it's never going to happen. Those in power now will prevent it just like they saw to it that outsider Trump was a one term president. The establishment has reasserted their control of the government and I don't think they will loosen their grip on it ever again. I truly feel that by the time Platapus kicks off in 30 years our civil liberties will be just a memory.

[Cybermat47]

Term limits for all elected office is a good start.

I usually disagree with you, but this right here is a damn good idea.

[Bubblehead1980]

I see no progression into a better society. I see two classes. The haves and have-nots. No middle class ATM machine to feed the federal government money(tax). Socialism is on the table. The current group in DC are feeding into this by use of promising money. Larger stimulus checks. College loans paid off. What is next? People are being groomed to rely on the government for everything. Gas powered vehicles are gone. Already begun. VW,GM and Ford all have made it known that combustion engines are being fazed out. Keystone pipeline. Done. Fracking on federal land. Done. The Green New Deal will solve everyone's problems. The USA manufactures nothing. Truly a society made of services(restaurants, healthcare, etc.). China will manufacture everything. The USA is just about there in this respect.
I see less freedoms. The Constitution ignored(happen already). Companies such as Amazon will be the only go to for purchases. Stores will be closed(already happening. Sears, JC Penny are on the way out. Walmart eventually).

I do not disagree entirely but perhaps the way things are done and have been done for a long time are why there is no longer a strong middle class. Capitalism has failed far too many people for too long and when that happens, people become open to socialism or socialist ideas. I dislike it immensely and Trump but I have accepted we live in a global economy now so frankly our economic system must adjust for us to survive. Manufacturing is never coming back as we would like i.e. enough to provide the strong middle income working class we once had, China and other countries where they can pay slave wages for the foreseeable future in horrid conditions, that is where majority of things will be made. The US will be a consumer nation for most part, more than we are now, so we must progress especially as technology rapidly advances this decade and beyond. Andrew Yang was the only Presidential candidate to talk about it, because he is aware of that. Like it or not, a Universal Basic Income will become a necessity. A living wage for those who are employed must be paid. All of this with an American "twist" of course.

Far as leaving the combustion engine behind, that is a great thing. Oil is not an infinite resource and while we are not completely responsible for climate change, we certainly contribute to polluting the earth and the consequences, so if can move the country and thus the world off this technology. Why not? Fracking is not exactly great for the environment either. I've seen some of the issues first hand.

I see less freedoms as well, not a totalitarian state or dystopia but as tech advances, it becomes easier to restrict freedoms. A major political battle will be to reign in big tech such as Google, Facebook, Amazon etc. As I mentioned, a lot of growing pains, we are in a bit of a transitional time.

However, I still see an overall better society. One that joins the rest of the western world and provides basic services , protections such as universal health coverage, living wages, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, better overall labor laws which will foster a better working life for those stuck in the working class, most people. People's eyes seem open or be opening to many problems that once were not discussed such as systemic brutality by law enforcement along with the jail-prison industrial complex that allows the US have the largest number of incarcerated persons in the WORLD.

So again, growing pains yes, but strong evidence to believe we will be better off.

Also, you mentioned college loans. You are against any relief?

[3catcircus]

I do not disagree entirely but perhaps the way things are done and have been done for a long time are why there is no longer a strong middle class. Capitalism has failed far too many people for too long and when that happens, people become open to socialism or socialist ideas. I dislike it immensely and Trump but I have accepted we live in a global economy now so frankly our economic system must adjust for us to survive. Manufacturing is never coming back as we would like i.e. enough to provide the strong middle income working class we once had, China and other countries where they can pay slave wages for the foreseeable future in horrid conditions, that is where majority of things will be made. The US will be a consumer nation for most part, more than we are now, so we must progress especially as technology rapidly advances this decade and beyond. Andrew Yang was the only Presidential candidate to talk about it, because he is aware of that. Like it or not, a Universal Basic Income will become a necessity. A living wage for those who are employed must be paid. All of this with an American "twist" of course.

Far as leaving the combustion engine behind, that is a great thing. Oil is not an infinite resource and while we are not completely responsible for climate change, we certainly contribute to polluting the earth and the consequences, so if can move the country and thus the world off this technology. Why not? Fracking is not exactly great for the environment either. I've seen some of the issues first hand.

I see less freedoms as well, not a totalitarian state or dystopia but as tech advances, it becomes easier to restrict freedoms. A major political battle will be to reign in big tech such as Google, Facebook, Amazon etc. As I mentioned, a lot of growing pains, we are in a bit of a transitional time.

However, I still see an overall better society. One that joins the rest of the western world and provides basic services , protections such as universal health coverage, living wages, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, better overall labor laws which will foster a better working life for those stuck in the working class, most people. People's eyes seem open or be opening to many problems that once were not discussed such as systemic brutality by law enforcement along with the jail-prison industrial complex that allows the US have the largest number of incarcerated persons in the WORLD.

So again, growing pains yes, but strong evidence to believe we will be better off.

Also, you mentioned college loans. You are against any relief?

The issue isn't capitalism. It's crony capitalism entwined with leftist politics.

The robber-barons of the past may have been ruthless in business, but they then engaged in philanthropy on a massive scale, regardless of the political beliefs of those they helped.

The current tech barons do not appear to be so civic-minded unless their wealth is used to advance their personal beliefs. They treat employees as disposable or exploitable - with the blessing of the government they bought and paid for to allow H1B visas. The agricultural industry buys government to look the other way while they exploit illegal immigrants.

No way are you ever going to get industry to pay a bigger wage and more benefits and not pass the costs on to the consumer. Try doing that and taxing the middle class for all of these benefits and you'll end up with even more people who are worse off than before. Biden's $15/hr minimum wage will help 1 million people - while costing 1.4 million people their jobs.

As to student loans? Mine are paid off because I studied a field that leads to a good paying job that ensured I would be able to pay it back. Too many people end up going into debt for a degree in a worthless field of study - taxpayers shouldn't subsidize their poor decision - or the decision of the bank to issue the loan - this is the exact same situation as the housing market in 2008 when banks were issuing mortgages to people who would never be able to pay them.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Hard to guess, but I'm guessing as a society we'll still be functioning as an defacto aristocratic corporate plutocracy.

[Rockstar]

As phenomenon grows, business booms for cancel culture consultant

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/feb/8/phenomenon-grows-business-booms-cancel-culture-con/

Ruin and ostracism have been part of human society for centuries, as have the jail time and stigma that go with convictions for actual crimes. But the current atmosphere, in which people live in fear a stray remark or long-ago post on Facebook could crash their world, is relatively new and growing.