I am an optimist, but rarely sound like one. I'm wired to see, then fix problems. That journey isn't rosy but always worthwhile. So I don't love dramatic "failed state" proclamations.
Here's the most balanced view I have of what I'm pessimistic & optimistic about for the US.
A/
Here's the most balanced view I have of what I'm pessimistic & optimistic about for the US.
A/
I'm optimistic about:
1) Many young people are more civically engaged than ever.
2) Even the far left & right see many of the same problems. They mainly disagree on solutions. Eventually we can debate those.
3) Reserve currency + military buy us time to solve things.
B/
1) Many young people are more civically engaged than ever.
2) Even the far left & right see many of the same problems. They mainly disagree on solutions. Eventually we can debate those.
3) Reserve currency + military buy us time to solve things.
B/
4) We have the tools to aggregate and direct capital from individuals to where its needed. We've only scratched the surface for deploying it.
5) The entrepreneurial spirit is still here, but underutilized. You see glimmers on Shark Tank & some startups.
C/
5) The entrepreneurial spirit is still here, but underutilized. You see glimmers on Shark Tank & some startups.
C/
6) Real #innovation has shifted from consumer tech to far more meaningful infrastructure #tech. It will silently transform our lives for the better, but stay under the radar.
D/
D/
7) We're finally exploring economic & policy concepts outside our mainstream. #UBI, #cryptocurrency, #universalhealthcare, drug legalization, criminal justice reform. Though I dislike many of the proposals, I love that they expand our mental palate for good ideas yet to come.
E/
E/
8) Online platforms, while sometimes stifling, trite or mismanaged, do allow us to find good ideas, learn anything & develop/identify talent. This also has its downsides...
9) The recent stimulus package shows that when we want to throw money at a problem, we can find it.
F/
9) The recent stimulus package shows that when we want to throw money at a problem, we can find it.
F/
10) We've unlocked an era of experimentation that hasn't fully manifested. From alternative family structures to education models to coping with mental health (or lockdowns), people are resourceful, helpful & seeking better answers.
Next: pessimisteve
G/
Next: pessimisteve
G/
What I'm pessimistic about (not in order):
1) Too many expect solutions from govt, when it's what created the problems (healthcare, education, housing)
2) Politics are so toxic, scrutiny so great, only narcissists or nincompoops would enter the field. No one w/better options.
H/
1) Too many expect solutions from govt, when it's what created the problems (healthcare, education, housing)
2) Politics are so toxic, scrutiny so great, only narcissists or nincompoops would enter the field. No one w/better options.
H/
3) Tribalism. Tech enabled us to form self-reinforcing tribal bubbles, making them impervious to other viewpoints & defiant in their chosen beliefs. (ideafaktory.com/belief)
4) Truth has become structurally irrelevant. (Explored in ideafaktory.com/bs)
I/
4) Truth has become structurally irrelevant. (Explored in ideafaktory.com/bs)
I/
5) We're not coping well with technology or modernity. It's triggering loneliness, depression, self-loathing. But too many weapinize it-lash out at others instead of confronting difficult internal issues. The negativity of teh aggrieved is contagious.
ideafaktory.com/happiness
J/
ideafaktory.com/happiness
J/
6) We have a serious population-level education problem. Not schooling, but deductive reasoning, critical thinking & the scientific method. Worse, our most educated are often the biggest offenders. They treat a degree as a license to be closed-minded or condescending.
K/
K/
7) Empathy deficit. We talk a lot about diversity/tolerance/inclusion, but in trite, cosmetic terms. Little talk of empathy. It's not about external traits or who you date, but understanding & accepting others as individuals w/different values, lifestyles, experiences & ideas.
L/
L/
8) Consolidation. The growing size & power of giant, global corporations isn't just a threat to entrepreneurship, but a force for amorality, homogenization & shrinking liberty.
Thread on amorality:
On monopoly: ideafaktory.com/monopoly
M/
Thread on amorality:
On monopoly: ideafaktory.com/monopoly
M/
9) The growing size & power of Federal govt opens doors to corruption & overreach, while what impacts us most (safety, transport, education, healthcare) happens locally, where politicians can't afford to be dogmatic, just practical. That's also where accountability lies.
N/
N/
10) Pacification/lack of individual/common purpose. In some ways, Covid-19 gave us an existential jolt & glimpse at what a common cause might look like (while also turning neighbors into threats). What's missing: the tools to create & achieve audacious personal & mutual goals.
O/
O/
11) Seriously addressing poverty, addiction, mental health & those falling through the cracks. But doing so honestly, without infantilizing, absolving personal responsibility, or pretending families aren't key to the solution.
More:
ideafaktory.com/unbanked/
ideafaktory.com/3rules/
More:
ideafaktory.com/unbanked/
ideafaktory.com/3rules/
12) Decline in family & birth rates. Modern careers & lives of recreation do not create intrinsic purpose. Family & kids are the last thing that does. In aggregate, they're also essential for the viability of our economy.
Thread on family:
P/
Thread on family:
P/
13) Values vacuum. As traditional faith declines, we don't have an effective vessel for conveying individual values. Worse, that scales to a national malaise & growing disdain/distrust of each other. This is where we must start.
