The world of tomorrow
Visions of a glamorous, tech-driven future are contrasted here with today’s more jaded reality, where smartphones, social media and AI feel ordinary or even oppressive rather than utopian. Commenters debate whether stagnating optimism stems from corporate and oligarchic capture of progress, widening inequality and housing crises, or from psychological factors like the hedonic treadmill and choice overload, noting that material living standards and global poverty have in fact improved. Science fiction touchstones such as Star Trek, cyberpunk, and dystopias like Black Mirror serve as reference points for how cultural narratives about the future have shifted from bright optimism toward cynicism and fear.
Global Tech Trajectories and National Optimism
- Several comments contrast US “trailing edge” pessimism with more tech-optimistic cultures in East Asia (Shenzhen, Seoul, Taipei, etc.), though others note deep disillusionment and ultra-low fertility there too.
- Debate over whether the US is losing manufacturing capacity (smartphones, electrical gear, cars) versus remaining strong in areas like EVs, rockets, chips, cloud, and software.
- Examples mentioned: Tesla/SpaceX, Nvidia/AMD, Purism’s US-made phone, remaining US electrical equipment firms; also the absence of major US consumer drone makers.
Inequality, Oligarchy, and Political Capture
- Many frame the current era as dominated by a “corporate class”/oligarchy capturing most gains from innovation, with media and politics aligned to protect them.
- Others argue capitalism and corporate wealth have dramatically reduced global poverty and starvation, citing fertilizer and agricultural policy as key, while disputing exaggerated “billions died from communism” claims.
- Strong skepticism that future tech gains (2030–2050) will be broadly shared; expectation that existing elites will capture them. Some see eventual structural collapse or AI-driven loss of human control as likely resets.
Revolution, Agency, and Control
- Some insist mass uprisings (violent or non-violent work stoppages) are always possible; others counter that economic incentives, surveillance, propaganda, and automation make modern revolution extremely hard.
- There’s tension over voter responsibility vs. media/party capture, especially around recent US elections and foreign policy (notably Gaza).
Loss of Futuristic “Glamour” and Cultural Narratives
- Commenters note a shift from optimistic sci‑fi (Star Trek TNG, Tomorrowland) to darker, more cynical futures (Alien, cyberpunk, Black Mirror).
- The “future” feels ordinary, bureaucratic, or controlled rather than wondrous; tech like smartphones and social media is seen as both empowering and addictive/alienating.
Quality of Life, Housing, and Gratitude
- Arguments over whether people are “freer and richer than ever” versus crushed by cost of living, especially housing.
- Some blame NIMBYism and property-tax structures; others propose land-value taxation to discourage speculation and encourage development.
- Multiple comments point to dramatic declines in extreme global poverty, while others stress rising dependence on corporate systems and loss of meaning.
- A subthread emphasizes the hedonic treadmill and advocates intentional gratitude—recognizing how astonishing “ordinary” conveniences (hot water, internet, food security) already are.