Musings on the Current State of Things

It seemed that our fate was soon to be revolutionized : we were well on our way to a semi post scarcity existence where we could afford be benevolent to all at negligible marginal cost. We were primed for unbridled productivity gains before our birthrate collapsed and negatively affected our way of life. Western liberal democracy, its culture and capitalism looked to soon be triumphant. If Civilization were a game America would soon win. In time it would overtake all parts of world eventually spread its likeness throughout the galaxy. In absense of other intelligent life we would eventually have the whole universe at our disposal. This needed not be a violent process, the Pax Americana and rules-based order would be extended and all creatures would thrive. Digital beings would increasingly augment us and eventually maybe/probably even replace us. We would defeat the Fermi Paradox.

This has all been turned on its head with the election of Trump. Our fate is suddenly uncertain. Geniunely regressive people have taken control at the top and are beginning to rot America from within. It is hard to see how this could have happened so fast. How has this demagoguue managed to convince so many people that our piece of the pie is too small rather than growing the pie for all. These people seek to isolate us to empower themselves. We must defeat them.

This will be a winner takes ALL game. Can we still acheive a well managed AI takeoff before a player with incompatible ideaology does so first? Only time will tell. The whole galaxy and maybe the universe is at stake!