[gadflyinyoureye]

Those are rookie numbers. The US has 400 million guns. https://www.theglobalstatistics.com/united-states-gun-owners...

As to the revolt, America doesn't do that any more. Years of education have removed both the vim and vigor of our souls. People will complain. They will do a TikTok dance as protest. Some will go into the streets. No meaningful uprising will occur.

The poor and the affected will be told to go to the trades. That's the new learn to program. Our tech overlords will have their media tell us that everything is ok (packaging it appropriately for the specific side of the aisle).

Ultimately the US will go down hill to become a Belgium. Not terrible, but not a world dominating, hand cutting entity it once was.

[markvdb]

> Ultimately the US will go down hill to become a Belgium.

Sharing one's opinion in a respectful way is possible. Less spectacle, so less eyeballs, but worth it. Try it.

[nubg]

What's wrong with his comparison? He explained what he meant by "a Belgium".

[tanseydavid]

The entire side topic of guns and revolt seems misplaced in this thread.

The original Luddite movement arose in response to automation in the textile industry.

They committed violence. Violence was committed against them. All tragic events when viewed from a certain perspective.

My rhetorical question is this: did any of this result in any meaningful impedance of the "march of technological progress"?

[drysine]

>in a respectful way

The irony

[bonsai_spool]

> Ultimately the US will go down hill to become a Belgium.

I'm curious why you say this given you start by highlighting several characteristics that are not like Belgium (to wit, poor education, political media capture, effective oligarchy). I feel there are several other nations that may be better comparators, just want to understand your selection.

[drnick1]

I think it just means "once powerful and important, but now practically irrelevant." England is a better example though.