Imagine one of the most progressive places in the world. Universities in every city, unrivaled scientific progress, diverse demographics, free healthcare, subsidized higher education, and the welfare state. The glass ceiling has been broken and women are gaining prominence in fields they never had access to before. Citizens enjoy a five day work week.
I call this the "Neo-Feudal Technocratic Dark Age". Because of AI, centralized digital finance, panopticon surveillance, trans-humanism, graphene oxide tech, vaccine tech, and drone technology, it could be extended indefinitely without effective recourse by mere mortals. Aside from small pockets of resistance, the only way we don't all become slaves is if the potential slavemasters decide not to use their immense power. Think of a cross between 1984 and Hunger Games, with a bit of Brave New World sprinkled in.
I call this the "Neo-Feudal Technocratic Dark Age". Because of AI, centralized digital finance, panopticon surveillance, trans-humanism, graphene oxide tech, vaccine tech, and drone technology, it could be extended indefinitely without effective recourse by mere mortals. Aside from small pockets of resistance, the only way we don't all become slaves is if the potential slavemasters decide not to use their immense power. Think of a cross between 1984 and Hunger Games, with a bit of Brave New World sprinkled in.
I remember articles in the 70’s saying our “empire” was falling due to decadence.
Of course. And it will all happen again.
Amazing take! Thanks for this in depth analysis.