It's almost 50 degrees Celsius in Iraq right now

submitted by EthnocratArcheofuturist from self.debatealtright

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[–]NeoRail 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

It might be possible to deindustrialise gradually, but it is hard to tell. Currently, the world economy depends on infinite growth for its existence. Stagnation threatens it, and contraction threatens it even more. Attempting a gradual deindustrialisation might still trigger an enormous crisis that could collapse the whole system immediately. Moreover, major crises that do not lead to complete economic collapse would still certainly lead to massive political backlash to deindustrialisation.

This might sound utopian, but I think the best option is a mix of reasonable government and even more technology. If we can create an AI-run, high tech, post-scarcity system designed to cater for a small world population, then we would have made a sustainable paradise. I think this is a more appealing vision than subsistence farming. The problem with this is that it would still require a world government, as well as incredible political discipline and skill, and also technical competence.

[–]EthnocratArcheofuturist[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Collapse is far more likely than a post-scarcity utopia.

[–]NeoRail 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

It is. This issue is also a political question though. What would be a good solution to the present crisis? I can't think of anything besides an illiberal world government.

[–]EthnocratArcheofuturist[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

illiberal world government

I don't see that happening.

[–]NeoRail 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

It is the kind of thing that will not happen unless it is made to happen. What other alternatives are there? Liberal world government is not going to happen either, and moreover even if it did, it would not be capable of solving the current crisis. Illiberal materialism like that of China is not satisfactory either, because it is not capable of forming a cohesive, consistent anti-transhumanist position. Only some form of forward-looking Traditionalism would be capable of both affirming human dignity and resolving the material crisis of the 21st century.

[–]EthnocratArcheofuturist[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Liberal world government is not going to happen either, and moreover even if it did, it would not be capable of solving the current crisis.

I completely agree.

Illiberal materialism like that of China is not satisfactory either, because it is not capable of forming a cohesive, consistent anti-transhumanist position.

I'm more skeptical of such an assertion. I think the Chinese have a much better shot at getting it right.

Only some form of forward-looking Traditionalism would be capable of both affirming human dignity and resolving the material crisis of the 21st century.

This sounds like a synthesis similar to that of fascist thinkers from a hundred years ago. It's basically archeofuturism.

[–]NeoRail 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I'm more skeptical of such an assertion. I think the Chinese have a much better shot at getting it right.

They do, but I do not think the current Chinese government would shy away from genetic engineering and other such forms of extremely objectionable technology.

This sounds like a synthesis similar to that of fascist thinkers from a hundred years ago. It's basically archeofuturism.

I don't know much about archeofuturism, but I think it would be beneficial to find a way to control and use modern technology while also maintaining traditional forms of life and government. I can see no other way forward.