10-23-2018, 06:49 AM
Just to finish my thoughts on the post that revived this thread:
I don't see how we are back to the Cold War. The Cold War was a stand-off between two superpowers, each leading a bloc of other powers and fighting proxy wars in the middle grounds. This old order has collapsed - first the Soviet bloc in the the early 90s, then the U.S. bloc after the Iraq War debacle. We are in new territory geopolitically, with the U.S. waning in influence and lesser powers enjoying more freedom of action as a result. On top of that, the U.S. president has a fetish for dictators and absolute monarchs.
It's fun and exciting that the Gen-X billionaires, the big winners of the 3T, have taken up this private space race. But the effort involved for massive expansion into even the inner solar system is much too vast to see this in our lifetimes. And even were it to happen, it would require a concerted national effort, not just the effort of entrepreneurs.
Yes, this is an interesting development. Video games have become their own solid media genre. Also low-cost production videos on the Internet (ie. YouTube).
I'm pretty sure the Republicans are trying to bring back the Gilded Age.
Quote:11. So the period from 1991 to 2013 (or 2001) was the modern day interregnum. The Cold War is back with us, and many of the things that defined that age have returned. The way things are moving now, we might be right back in the same place with them that we were in the year 1950. Everything geopolitics today reflects this reality, from the trade wars, to the Syrian War, to the ISIS war, to the new digital reality. So I'm guessing that we have another "century" of Cold War.
I don't see how we are back to the Cold War. The Cold War was a stand-off between two superpowers, each leading a bloc of other powers and fighting proxy wars in the middle grounds. This old order has collapsed - first the Soviet bloc in the the early 90s, then the U.S. bloc after the Iraq War debacle. We are in new territory geopolitically, with the U.S. waning in influence and lesser powers enjoying more freedom of action as a result. On top of that, the U.S. president has a fetish for dictators and absolute monarchs.
Quote:12. Elon Musk is revolutionizing space. I believe that people like Musk and Bezos will finally bring in the space faring future by the end of this Crisis. The next High will likely see a massive expansion into space.
It's fun and exciting that the Gen-X billionaires, the big winners of the 3T, have taken up this private space race. But the effort involved for massive expansion into even the inner solar system is much too vast to see this in our lifetimes. And even were it to happen, it would require a concerted national effort, not just the effort of entrepreneurs.
Quote:13. Playing video games is no longer a waste of time since it can lead to a lucrative career. Video games are now a full blown member of the cultural landscape, and we live in an age in which a majority of people from all demographics play video games. Video games are now a primary medium to transmit cultural information. There is also esports which is exploding in popularity. Video games are now a professional sport. Now, people who are the best at games can make money off of it. Popular musicians now write songs and music videos for video games today.
Yes, this is an interesting development. Video games have become their own solid media genre. Also low-cost production videos on the Internet (ie. YouTube).
Quote:15. Laissez-Faire is now long dead (for now, at least). Compared to the 1990s, it looks substantially more like a centrally planned and controlled economy, especially since the crash of 2008.
I'm pretty sure the Republicans are trying to bring back the Gilded Age.
Steve Barrera
[A]lthough one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation. - Hagakure
Saecular Pages
[A]lthough one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation. - Hagakure
Saecular Pages