this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2024
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What about 50 years ago?
I think we're still ahead - the internet has provided a lot of new learning opportunities. When I was a kid in the 90s I explored Encyclopedia Encarta - if I'd had access to Wikipedia it'd have been many times richer.
Considering that knowledge and technology accumulate I think it'd be hard to find a time where enlightenment has decreased at a global level - local examples are depressingly common though... Afghanistan in the 60s and 70s was far more enlightened than it is today. If you're unfamiliar with what's happened to the country please feel free to enjoy an extremely depressing afternoon of enlightenment courtesy of the internet - you could also watch The Kite Runner.
Afghanistan is an interesting point. I will watch Kite Runner.
I wonder if America is on the verge of its own "Afghanistan."
America is fucking boned politically but thankfully it's not nearly at the level of being turned into an active war zone by the USSR and the CIA - America won that war by the way... the Taliban was America's government of choice because communism bad.
Nah, America is full of smart people - a whole lot of idiots too - but a lot of smart people and plenty of money. Personally, I emigrated to Canada, but I think it's not yet time to sound the doom bells... be fucking careful though because it'd be really easy to get truly fucked.
it's also key to point out that a lot of smart people or people with a lot of money to hire smart people. Are weaponizing alot but still small amount and a loud group of dumb people for decades and what you're seeing is all that come to a head.
Read up on the National Association of Manufacturers and James William Fifield Jr. It will make your skin crawl and this was back in the 40's as a response to FDR.