Modernity has a framework that we inherited from the past, sustain in the present, and project into the future [see photo]. There is so much that we have brought forward under the guise of "modernity" that does not serve us well; however, here are three elements of that framework which can either help us or harms us.
The economy.
The fundamental element of global modernity is "low interest rates". This phenomenon led us to think debt is cheap, to support habits that rely upon cheap debt, and to believe that most wants can be attained if we have access to cheap credit. Given that debt is historically cheap we feel entitled to unlimited government benefits; this is because public entities can borrow at zero or negative interest rates and we should all be beneficiaries of this fact. Modern Monetary Theory extends all our notions of cheap debt with the radical claim that government can print new money without a limit. In fact, many modern habits are based on the notion that other people's money is available to fund College Degrees, homes, etc. This illusion will probably persists until interest rates rise as they surely will, soon; at this time a lot borrowers will be buried by debt. The belief that interest rates should not, and will not, rise is akin to a mantra that house prices can not, and will not, fall.
Social evolution.
Social evolution is being hyped at present because virtual networking is on a tear. Virtual networks facilitate "tight social ties" [in the virtual world most folks seek acceptance from their group, team, or collective] which slows innovation. Remember the groups with those tight social ties in the old schoolyard; they were closed to the radical ideas of the goths, rebels, loners, etc who all thrived on social innovations. The goths were a fad but they also introduced new ideas into a sterile pool of kids who complied with all the rules of the playground that such rebels largely ignored. Social evolution gets on a tear when our social ties are loose not tight. With all our current advanced technologies it is surprising that we have allowed "fear" to dim social evolution. Our high levels of "fear" are most evident by the stunning lack of open discourse on issues such as Climate Change, vaccination mandates, gender fluidity, racial profiling, etc.
New technologies.
New technologies survive, and thrive, if they provide a viable pathway to an alternative future. Steve Jobs did that when he launched the iPhone. Elon Musk did that when he launched his StarLink Network of satellites in low orbit. China did that when that nation began investing in Generation IV Nuclear Power Stations which are said to be safe largely because the reactor is cool not hot [excuse my ignorance if I have overstated that feature of Generation IV power plants]. Each of these new technologies are important because they offer us a possible "wormhole" to get beyond our "modernity trap". Let me begin to explain that claim just a little. The iPhone still has potential to reach beyond the "modernity trap" although at present it is still an essential part of it. The StarLink network has global reach whereas the 5G network is primarily a local asset; therefore, I expect the latter will become another essential part of the "modernity trap" whereas the former offers us a ray of hope that we can red pill our way out of this matrix. But... Generation IV Nuclear Power is being shunned by those who are captives of the "modernity trap".
Richard.
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