The surveillance of chats and the prohibition of encryption in many Western countries must have a purpose. It mostly makes sense if democracy is dismantled.
Since the West doesn’t show signs of sharing resources voluntarily, my prediction is that the West is willing to fight a nuclear war to preserve its lead which cannot happen in a democracy.
Without that war, Asia will take over as the center of commerce and innovation. The brightest will move there, which means that the remaining people in the West have to be innovative without the main ingredience for innovation.
I’ll go with Hanlon’s razor there. The cops and politicians don’t really understand the magic boxes, let alone the game theory of adversarial uses layered on top of them. People use the boxes for bad things, they say just add a way to stop them, EZ. (Of course, we can’t and it’s not)
Since the West doesn’t show signs of sharing resources voluntarily
Which resources? The “only” tangible advantage the West actually has is strong institutions, and to a much lesser degree momentum. The science behind the technology is free for anyone to learn - even in excruciating detail if you go looking - and natural resources are actually less depleted in poor countries at this point.
That advantage could have been given up and shared. Instead it is defended, even with military power. Why fight those wars now and make enemies?
That advantage could have been given up and shared.
Strong institutions cannot be put in a crate and shipped overseas, no.
Countries like Japan, Singapore and South Korea slowly built their own, and are also developed now. Most poor countries just haven’t managed it yet for one reason or another.
America will suffer an economic depression and become more isolationist which will allow the depression to continue unabated. Millions die of starvation and exposure.
Millions die of starvation and exposure and preventable disease.
Yes, and as someone with a pricey cancer treatment at the moment which I can only afford due to Medicaid, there is a very good chance I will be one of them.
You and I don’t always see eye to eye on some issues, but I hope you know that I am always wishing you well and strength in your continuing battle. This internet rando wants you to be around and be here for decades to come. I’m pulling for you.
