Yeah but having desperately poor states bordering wealthy ones would require lots of security. There will be lots of desperate, unhappy people with lots of guns and potentially no reciprocity. I worry it would just lead to modern day bleeding Kansas or an Amercan wide version of the Troubles.

Like they’re already trying to take over the federal government, what’s stopping them from trying to take over a neighboring state?

My main point against the idea is that they wouldn’t need to hide the fact it was happening. If it were possible with current tech there would already be some AI subscription bullshit that listens and takes notes on everything you do all day.

Honestly most people I saw outside of the hardcore tech sphere were excited about apple intelligence until it became clear what a shit show it was. I don’t see how it was supposed to be any less invasive than windows recall but it got a completely different reaction. You just need a good advertising/propoganda department and people will pay you for the privilege of being spied on.