I Fear the Future

Most of my life it has felt like the world was generally improving. Sure we've had some bad periods over the last few decades, but overall things were slowly improving. Wars were becoming less frequent, murder rates and other crimes were falling, the standard of living was rapidly increasing in most nations, and technology gave us many new conveniences and new forms of entertainment.

Then 2020 came along and flipped the modern world on its head in multiple ways, and I'm not sure all those aspects of society are still improving. The growing anti-police sentiment is leading to more rioting, more murders, and more overall crime, with less police to stop it. Covid-19 has devastated living standards all around the world. Technology and media are now tools for controlling the masses.

It seems we are headed full steam ahead towards a dystopian future ruled by authoritarian governments who demand absolute obedience. What's even scarier is that a large portion of the population is convinced such a future is a good thing. It's not hard to see why this attitude is becoming more common when you look at the different forms of media pushing anti-west and anti-capitalism viewpoints.

A recent example that comes to my mind is "The Outer Worlds" video game from Obsidian. The game is about a future world where corporations basically control everything instead of governments, it's a highly exaggerated form of capitalism that is obviously intended as a criticism of capitalism. Even if it was written to be simple entertaining satire the underlying message still influences people.

Cyberpunk 2077 also has a very similar setting where corporations basically govern the city, and it leads to all sorts of suffering and inequality which is a major theme of the game. Don't get me wrong I love The Outer Worlds and Cyberpunk 2077, but one needs be very careful about how they interpret these stories. It's perfectly rational to oppose these extreme forms of unregulated capitalism.

These exaggerated narratives do influence how people think even if they weren't really designed to. Similar messaging can also easily be found in abundance among a wide variety modern movies and television shows. Now ask yourself how often you see extreme forms of socialism depicted in modern films and video games, despite the fact such governments have caused more poverty and death than any other.

Not only that they result in a type of subjugation to authority that goes far beyond any of the corporate oppression we see depicted in these fictional hyper-capitalist societies. It's also worth noting that most of the more pro-capitalist nations in the real world are also some of the most wealthy, but I've discussed all that before and that isn't the main purpose of this thread so I'll get to the point.

As the world embraces the deceptively warm hug of nanny-state socialism, I can't help but fear the future we are heading towards. It may be too late by the time the world realizes that warm hug is actually a tight grip which will squeeze away all our long cherished freedoms. I'm seriously beginning to wonder if the world will ever go back to normal, it feels like this really is the "new normal".

At this point wearing masks is clearly a political or fashion statement for many people. Even if the vaccines were highly effective some people just don't want things to go back to normal, they want us living in fear of basic human contact. It's unlikely that vaccines will remain effective in coming years because Covid-19 keeps mutating in ways that makes vaccines ineffective.

Just look at what's happening in India, they have a strain which seems almost completely unaffected by the vaccine. Just imagine when that strain gets into other nations... it's only a question of when, not if it will happen. So now every nation in the world has to stay in their own little bubble with no travel between borders for the foreseeable future, else we risk spreading these super-strains.

I'm not sure how strict the travel restrictions are in other nations but I know it's pretty bad in a lot of places. Australia hasn't allowed any non-Australians in or out for many months (New Zealand being an exception since they have almost no cases). Even if the vaccine manages to work and flights start happening again in one or two years, you can almost guarantee they will require proof of vaccination.

So say goodbye to any international travel if you refuse to get vaccinated. Over the years I've written my fair share of these long political rants, and I know I'm probably yelling into an abyss without having any real impact on the world, especially in current times where anything that goes against the mainstream narrative is suppressed... but I would feel worse if I didn't say anything and the future I fear unfolded.

Sounds more like you're afraid of change. Well, hate to break it to you but whether it's political, pandemic, or just getting older to the point where a lot of what you learned when you were a kid doesn't really apply anymore, and you have no idea who the hottest entertainers are, things gonna change.

You can either fight it or swing with it. But if you fight it, that's going to be your life as a foot dragger stuck in the past. Your choice.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

Your already on a roll of getting a bad social credit score for getting healthcare and education from the overlords using facial recognition, security cameras, and social media to monitor and database your dissonance. Just what until the mandatory NWO digital currency using blockchain to monitor how you spend every dollar.

a reply to: Blue Shift

or just getting older to the point where a lot of what you learned when you were a kid doesn't really apply anymore, and you have no idea who the hottest entertainers are, things gonna change

There may be some truth to this but you seem to think I'm some old guy when actually I'm quite young and I never really cared about the hottest entertainer, that sort of stuff seems shallow to me. Obviously I enjoy music and television a lot but it's for the story and emotions, not just to say I watched it. In any case I think it's completely valid to fear a dystopian future lmao.

You can either fight it or swing with it. But if you fight it, that's going to be your life as a foot dragger stuck in the past. Your choice.

Well... I'll oppose what I see coming until my death within the realms of sensibility. However, I have learned over the years to go with the flow, I've never been the type of person to stress out constantly or start arguments. The more important point is that I wont give up my principles or ethics, or my freedoms for that matter. It's not about having some "old fashion" beliefs, trust me you'd be amazed how open minded I am, it's about the future of this entire planet and what type of world we really want to live in.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

I saw it all begin in 2008. Since that point, the race card, gay card, gender card, etc., have been pulled by certain people over and over and over again. It's only gotten worse since then.

originally posted by: Blue Shift


You can either fight it or swing with it. But if you fight it, that's going to be your life as a foot dragger stuck in the past. Your choice.

Did you say the same thing to millennials and gen z when they began fighting everything they didn't like?

I doubt it. I don't understand why we can't just let one side have their own government and region and the other side have their own government and region. Then we don't have get in each other's way. Seems only one side doesn't agree with going our separate ways though.

a reply to: ChaoticOrder

I fear the future too. I also embrace change, so long as it is good and for the betterment of everybody, but that's not the direction we're headed in.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again, a nanny-state is just soft fascism, simple as that. And it is not a tool solely used by "socialists".

In Australia we've had it good over the last 30 years or so and the nanny state has always been there, but barely visible because most are doing well. Now the wheels have fallen off and the visibility of the nanny state is about to change, like Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde, the nanny state is going to grow some teeth and turn full fascist. If you've been paying attention you'll have seen a few glimpses by now.

originally posted by: LSU2018

originally posted by: Blue Shift


You can either fight it or swing with it. But if you fight it, that's going to be your life as a foot dragger stuck in the past. Your choice.

Did you say the same thing to millennials and gen z when they began fighting everything they didn't like?

I doubt it. I don't understand why we can't just let one side have their own government and region and the other side have their own government and region. Then we don't have get in each other's way. Seems only one side doesn't agree with going our separate ways though.

I think the trick will always be to not let our differences get in the way of the common goals most of humanity seems to agree is a "good" thing. Mostly raising families in peace. I think we can all agree on that. Yeah, we could fragment into multiple divisions where everybody believes in the same thing and does the same things, but it's a weak position. Reference the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia. You want to be like them?

The United States was founded on a very simple principle. No, not "freedom." It's "let's try treat each other fairly so we can all make money." Then we can discuss how to do that. No need to split apart and become weak. If we do that, what's going to stop one of those new countries from deciding that their government or religion wants to invade your country to get some better land or other resource?

Because we're all human, we have common ground. (Until our robot overlords take over.) We should work from that point to strengthen ourselves. What comes before "conquer?" Yup, "divide."

a reply to: Blue Shift

No need to split apart and become weak.

Cool then lets open all the borders, these flight bans are really killing the open border agenda... so do borders matter or not?

a reply to: Blue Shift

You

I think the trick will always be to not let our differences get in the way of the common goals most of humanity seems to agree is a "good" thing. Mostly raising families in peace. I think we can all agree on that.

Unfortunately, since the early 1990s, the DOE has been grinding away. The axe has gotten sharper in recent years, now that Democrats have an iron-clad grip on both houses of the legislature and control nearly every statewide office. In recent months, the department has more vocally declared its long-standing policy that homeschooling is illegal, unless the parent holds a state teaching certification or the homeschool comes under the control of a local school district.

fee.org...

Your going to be a child of the state, and the state is going to be your family. Like it or not....

a reply to: myselfaswell

Now the wheels have fallen off and the visibility of the nanny state is about to change, like Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde, the nanny state is going to grow some teeth and turn full fascist.

Very true but I'd say the transformation has already thoroughly progressed. I naively thought one of the few advantages of Biden getting into power is they might slowly start winding down the fear mongering, but if anything it's only gotten worse. I guess they want to convince people Covid-19 wasn't exploited for political reasons, and they'll take as much power as they can get while they can get it.

a reply to: Blue Shift

No, I don't want to be like the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia. I want to be like the United States used to be in the 1980's and 1990's when democrats could admit that there was a border crisis without being kicked out of their party, or when republicans could disagree with a black politician's policies and not be called a racist. As recently as 1996, democrats were in full support of increasing law enforcement by 100K to help stop or slow the crime rate in high crime areas (now it's racist). Also as recently as 1996, democrats agreed that there was an issue at the border and supported increasing Border Enforcement (now considered racist and the BP is considered the KKK). I prefer the media to be honest like they were in the 80's and 90's. I prefer promoting families that have a mother and a father instead of a single parent.

Do you think that's too much to ask?

oops

a reply to: Blue Shift

I think the trick will always be to not let our differences get in the way of the common goals most of humanity seems to agree is a "good" thing. Mostly raising families in peace.

Just as we can all agree food is a "good" thing... but disagree on the most effective and most ethical way of getting the food. Of course most of us want the same thing, we just disagree on how to get there. And we should never underestimate the power of those ideologies or their impact on the real world. Just take a look at the power of religion and what it can do with simple ideas, the destruction it can cause and the good it can cause.

originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
Most of my life it has felt like the world was generally improving. Sure we've had some bad periods over the last few decades, but overall things were slowly improving. Wars were becoming less frequent, murder rates and other crimes were falling, the standard of living was rapidly increasing in most nations, and technology gave us many new conveniences and new forms of entertainment.

Then 2020 came along and flipped the modern world on its head in multiple ways, and I'm not sure all those aspects of society are still improving. ...

Have a look at this as a starting point. Maybe it'll help ...

originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
Most of my life it has felt like the world was generally improving. Sure we've had some bad periods over the last few decades, but overall things were slowly improving. Wars were becoming less frequent, murder rates and other crimes were falling, the standard of living was rapidly increasing in most nations, and technology gave us many new conveniences and new forms of entertainment.

Then 2020 came along and flipped the modern world on its head in multiple ways, and I'm not sure all those aspects of society are still improving. The growing anti-police sentiment is leading to more rioting, more murders, and more overall crime, with less police to stop it. Covid-19 has devastated living standards all around the world. Technology and media are now tools for controlling the masses.

It seems we are headed full steam ahead towards a dystopian future ruled by authoritarian governments who demand absolute obedience. What's even scarier is that a large portion of the population is convinced such a future is a good thing. It's not hard to see why this attitude is becoming more common when you look at the different forms of media pushing anti-west and anti-capitalism viewpoints.

A recent example that comes to my mind is "The Outer Worlds" video game from Obsidian. The game is about a future world where corporations basically control everything instead of governments, it's a highly exaggerated form of capitalism that is obviously intended as a criticism of capitalism. Even if it was written to be simple entertaining satire the underlying message still influences people.

Cyberpunk 2077 also has a very similar setting where corporations basically govern the city, and it leads to all sorts of suffering and inequality which is a major theme of the game. Don't get me wrong I love The Outer Worlds and Cyberpunk 2077, but one needs be very careful about how they interpret these stories. It's perfectly rational to oppose these extreme forms of unregulated capitalism.

These exaggerated narratives do influence how people think even if they weren't really designed to. Similar messaging can also easily be found in abundance among a wide variety modern movies and television shows. Now ask yourself how often you see extreme forms of socialism depicted in modern films and video games, despite the fact such governments have caused more poverty and death than any other.

Not only that they result in a type of subjugation to authority that goes far beyond any of the corporate oppression we see depicted in these fictional hyper-capitalist societies. It's also worth noting that most of the more pro-capitalist nations in the real world are also some of the most wealthy, but I've discussed all that before and that isn't the main purpose of this thread so I'll get to the point.

As the world embraces the deceptively warm hug of nanny-state socialism, I can't help but fear the future we are heading towards. It may be too late by the time the world realizes that warm hug is actually a tight grip which will squeeze away all our long cherished freedoms. I'm seriously beginning to wonder if the world will ever go back to normal, it feels like this really is the "new normal".

At this point wearing masks is clearly a political or fashion statement for many people. Even if the vaccines were highly effective some people just don't want things to go back to normal, they want us living in fear of basic human contact. It's unlikely that vaccines will remain effective in coming years because Covid-19 keeps mutating in ways that makes vaccines ineffective.

Just look at what's happening in India, they have a strain which seems almost completely unaffected by the vaccine. Just imagine when that strain gets into other nations... it's only a question of when, not if it will happen. So now every nation in the world has to stay in their own little bubble with no travel between borders for the foreseeable future, else we risk spreading these super-strains.

I'm not sure how strict the travel restrictions are in other nations but I know it's pretty bad in a lot of places. Australia hasn't allowed any non-Australians in or out for many months (New Zealand being an exception since they have almost no cases). Even if the vaccine manages to work and flights start happening again in one or two years, you can almost guarantee they will require proof of vaccination.

So say goodbye to any international travel if you refuse to get vaccinated. Over the years I've written my fair share of these long political rants, and I know I'm probably yelling into an abyss without having any real impact on the world, especially in current times where anything that goes against the mainstream narrative is suppressed... but I would feel worse if I didn't say anything and the future I fear unfolded.

So what if international travel is stymied?

Who cares if the Green new world sees the banning of any airplane that isn’t a glider or a zeppelin and any ship who’s primary means of propulsion isn’t sail or solar?

What about it if the people spend their lives in one community and really sink deep roots into where they are?

What’s the problem with a feudal overlord owning the land and everything (including the people born there) on it?

A return to a neat and diverse culture, the same cultural system that saw the people’s of England have wildly different customs and practices, mannerisms and accents, within a very small geographical area.

It’s a diversity wonderland that’s within sight, if your eyes are good, just around the corner where you will own nothing, not even your body or the fruits of your labour’s, not have to worry about the ‘big picture’ and be happy mucking the sty and wooing the village hottie.

Utopia, no?

originally posted by: ChaoticOrder
a reply to: myselfaswell

Now the wheels have fallen off and the visibility of the nanny state is about to change, like Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde, the nanny state is going to grow some teeth and turn full fascist.

Very true but I'd say the transformation has already thoroughly progressed. I naively thought one of the few advantages of Biden getting into power is they might slowly start winding down the fear mongering, but if anything it's only gotten worse. I guess they want to convince people Covid-19 wasn't exploited for political reasons, and they'll take as much power as they can get while they can get it.

Ha! Foolish to believe appointing the school bully as hall monitor was going to reduce the fear in the hallways.

Half of you is awake...the other have asleep. Whats happening now has been in affect for millenial..The party is picking up and we are the main course. Did any body think the scamdemic was going away. We are headed for a miserable existence and unless we get off our keyboards we are doomed. Our only hope is that maybe some ones are working behind the scenes.a reply to: ChaoticOrder

Nothing to fear. It’s like this every time. Always ends the same way. Always. The vikings were correct. a reply to: ChaoticOrder

originally posted by: LSU2018
a reply to: Blue Shift

No, I don't want to be like the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia. I want to be like the United States used to be in the 1980's and 1990's when democrats could admit that there was a border crisis without being kicked out of their party, or when republicans could disagree with a black politician's policies and not be called a racist. As recently as 1996, democrats were in full support of increasing law enforcement by 100K to help stop or slow the crime rate in high crime areas (now it's racist). Also as recently as 1996, democrats agreed that there was an issue at the border and supported increasing Border Enforcement (now considered racist and the BP is considered the KKK). I prefer the media to be honest like they were in the 80's and 90's. I prefer promoting families that have a mother and a father instead of a single parent.

Do you think that's too much to ask?

No,it's not too much to ask.

I think America will get back to that way of thinking,eventually .

What scares me is,what it's going to take to get there.Very,very hard times are on the horizon.