Technology's pros and cons regarding statist control

Our statist, interventionist government will shortly find itself between a problem and a dream. The problem is that technology is reaching proportions many steps ahead of government controllers. The dream is that now statists have many justificiations to expand power and control -- for the welfare of the people, of course. How can they allow the chaos of innovation and creativity in this hi-tech age?

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/05/04/the-printable-gun-has-arrived/

Follow the link above to find out about printable guns. Something has to be done! Oh, don't worry, statist will do that and much more. Technology meets statism -- who will win?

Not since the 60s and early 70s

I haven't seen this much chaos in the world since the 60s and early 70s. This is a great time to reassess what role government plays in the lives of Americans. It's an interconnected world, much moreso than in the 60s. Now, when one country has problems it affects more than just that particular country. Many countries have many serious problems, and we all feel it, but what role does our government need to play?

The tragedy in Japan was caused by nature, but many countries will respond, and many countries will be affected. Especially financially, we're all connected in the global economy. In a good way, we're connected culturally and emotionally. At one time, when we heard about a natural catastrophe, it didn't quite seem real, because foreign was actually foreign, but now we're familiar with Japan and Japanese culture. Through industry and technology, Japan seems to be next door as we watch the tragedy on many tvs that were made by a Japanese company, maybe even in a factory that's here in America which workers drive to in their Japanese-company-made car. Plus, in America, we are perhaps the most diverse country in the world, so there's a good chance our neighbor or co-worker is of Japanese origin.

You would think that in a global economy, if more countries were as diverse as America, we could place less emphasis on State power and identity and begin realizing the benefits of an interconnected world. This is a good time to head in that direction. As Saudi Arabia has its problems, as China struggles to become a nation more globally integrated, and as Russia continues to battle between old forces and new, and all over the world nations try to find their place in the midst of major change, it would be good if we were coming to a better understanding of interconnectedness, human similarities, cooperation, competition and peacful trade.

Most of the world's major problems, other than natural disasters, are caused by State leaders vying for political or religious power on an international stage, but State power and religious domination are of the past and don't belong in what's developing outside the power struggles among nation-states. The Communication/Technology Revolution has connected ordinary people in ways those of past generations could have never dreamed possible, and the great majority of the world's people don't seek State power. I would say that the great majority of the world's people much prefer peace and economic growth and enough prosperity to live comfortably. It's always been a simple fact that global interaction in peaceful trade is the best way for the whole world to become better off. It's a very negative statement about the human race that anyone anywhere suffers from hunger, abject poverty or curable diseases.

The knowledge and the resources are available for everyone in the world who wants to apply their labor in freedom and peace to live a comfortable life, yet there's still so much distress and unrest around the globe. Even in a wealthy country like the US, there are people fighting one another over matters that would appear ludicrous to a starving African. Which advanced nations will lead the way? At one time America saw herself as the nation taking the lead. The French have felt the same way, as have the British, the Germans, and those in the Ottoman Empire, or the Roman Empire. 

We (humans) have so much knowledge and technological expertise now, that it's insanity to be struggling against one another. At some point, hopefully soon, the people of the world will advance to the point where we can clearly see the futility of power-seeking between nation-states and realize that if we head in another direction, we can apply what we know to create something much more life-nourishing, something much more peaceful, compassionate and productive. America can be one of the leaders, again, but this time not as Internationa Directors of Progress, just free people with integrity showing how we do it and offering our help when we can.

Workers vs Capitalists

Despite the many changes in the workplace, in industry, in management practices, in technology and in capitalism itself, many people in the US and around the world, especially on the Left, still view Workers in a battle against Capitalist Overlords. Private sector unions and oldstyle industries are becoming dinosaurs in the US as hi-tech and service industry increase in importance. Unions are practically irrelevant in the private sector, and in this recession more and more companies are hiring temps. Even when the economy fires up again, the growth will be in small companies which aren't amenable to unions. The worker of the future will likely be his/her own boss as a contract worker, with benefits basically a thing of the past as individuals purchase private comprehensive insurance plans which aren't dependent on where they work.

There will still be manufacturing jobs, but they'll require more highly-skilled workers who won't fall into the union-type worker who at one time spent a work-life with one company protected by the union. The old idea of Workers fighting against the Man is an idea that has lasted beyond its usefulness. Unions will eventually price themselves out of the global market, and trying to hold on to this old idea will only delay the transition and drag down the American economy if the government tries to subsidize the old arrangement.

How will workers fare? Just fine if they gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become valuable. The responsibility to become a vital part of industry is being pushed on individuals. Government can't afford to create work, and companies can't compete without good workers who have the requisite skills and knowledge -- we'll transition by necessity from collective bargaining and union protection to individual merit and performance -- we'll have to.

Example of regulation and redtape

http://www.kidela.com/kidela/can-america-regain-the-rare-earth-elements-crown

We have a great need for rare earth, but because of an environmental scare years ago and over-reaction by our government, mining companies are hog-tied when it comes to competing for rare earth, therefore making us dependent on China which is reducing the amount we can access causing problems all the way down the business line.

This is a prime example of the need to use reason, loosen regulations and use technology to improve processes -- our govenment puts us behind the eight ball over and over, then we wonder why unemployment is so high -- not to mention the unintended consequences of "green" energy regulation and its effect on rare earth mining. There are so many connections in our economy, government economic engineering is not just stupid, it's dangerous. 

Adult Education

I believe adult educaton is one of our most important issues going into the 21st century, and not an issue which needs a government solution. Private industry should take the lead, and not just out of the goodness of their hearts but for practical reasons.

I know that young people coming out of college need jobs, but if we can remove government intervention in the economy enough, and this can be done in Europe and other countries as well, we could see global economic growth in the next 5 to 10 years like we've never experienced. The developing countries still have a long way to go and developed countries still have room for growth.

People are living much longer and this trend will likely continue. With SS and Medicare on the brink of collapse, rather than trying to figure out how to retire, perhaps we should be determining how to work longer and be productive. Living longer with better healthcare means our productive years will be longer. However, technological changes are leaving the older crowd behind, so if an older person wants to work longer, they have difficulty finding employment other than Wal-Mart greeters.

With companies sitting on piles of cash right now, it might pay off for these companies to offer adult education for re-training, contracting with the adults to receive inexpensive or free education/training with the agreement the older adults will work for the company upon completion of the education/training. Companies could get mature workers with a set of skills developed through the years that they won't find with college graduates, and most adults could work at reasonable wages if they have a nest-egg built up, especially if it's a large company with over-seas operations and the older adult could travel and experience something new. Many older people want to work and be useful, so companies should take advantage of this and offer them the training necessary to start another mini-career. To me is sounds like a win-win deal.

Who knows, older people might become so busy and productive, they live even longer and healthier because they don't have time to start dying.