I really worry about the stagnation part that looks like people feeling afraid to color outside the lines, do the safe prestigious thing. Feels like this is the terminus of David Brooks' early aughts essay "The Organization Kid".
Thanks! I agree that "meritocracy" has had a lot of downstream effects on America that nobody anticipated, rooted in the qualities we defined as meritorious. If merit means conscientious, obedient, and safe then that's what your society becomes.
Yeah William Deresiewicz’ Excellent Sheep was a good read as well. I also worry we have lost a sense of social equality. As someone recently wrote for the think tank American Compass, cross-class friendships have hit a low (and indeed Richard Reeves has found men without college degrees are reporting a deep scourge of loneliness).
Without the wilderness, I don't see how we can stay a pioneer culture. It's been over a hundred years now, the Americans who existed back then only existed because of the framework they lived in. It's a bit sad to see that aspect of our society deprecate, but if there is no viable solution, why pine for it? If we want to be like them we have to dream for the future. For me, the only way to continue their spirit is to expand into space.
This is great, Frank.
I really worry about the stagnation part that looks like people feeling afraid to color outside the lines, do the safe prestigious thing. Feels like this is the terminus of David Brooks' early aughts essay "The Organization Kid".
Thanks! I agree that "meritocracy" has had a lot of downstream effects on America that nobody anticipated, rooted in the qualities we defined as meritorious. If merit means conscientious, obedient, and safe then that's what your society becomes.
Yeah William Deresiewicz’ Excellent Sheep was a good read as well. I also worry we have lost a sense of social equality. As someone recently wrote for the think tank American Compass, cross-class friendships have hit a low (and indeed Richard Reeves has found men without college degrees are reporting a deep scourge of loneliness).
I hear what you are saying, but income inequality peaked in 2012. It's actually been going down for over a decade: https://time.com/6220111/income-inequality-us-2/
Without the wilderness, I don't see how we can stay a pioneer culture. It's been over a hundred years now, the Americans who existed back then only existed because of the framework they lived in. It's a bit sad to see that aspect of our society deprecate, but if there is no viable solution, why pine for it? If we want to be like them we have to dream for the future. For me, the only way to continue their spirit is to expand into space.
Great explanation. Worth the read.
Thanks