[pfraze]

A comment in the recent submission about Rome touched on the idea that civilizations are only rarely bound together and energized by an idea or vision for what life should be. When we have no goal for what we should be, we let things sit idly. Forgotten cities: no great plan for them except a few salves when we get worked up about it.

The American dream was an expansion-economy mindset: new industries meant new wealth meant lots of jobs which will elevate your standard of living. It seems like China is now experiencing their own Chinese Dream, but America doesn’t appear to be anymore. So we need to know what the plan is: are we creating huge new industries, or are we creating a new huge safety net? Are we reinvesting in capitalism or are we transitioning to a luxury economy? If it’s the former, then it’s time to break up monopolies. If it’s the latter, then it’s time to become socialists.