Golden Age Assured

Politics are pretty silly. We need policies to keep things in place. Politics occurs when people differ on policies. And the divisiveness, the harshness stems from that.

But what if there was no cause for this divisiveness? What if our problems were mostly solved? What if the USA had such a huge surplus, such huge technological breakthroughs and social/ethical breakthroughs, that we no longer needed all the political strife and tension that is resident in D.C. and the state capitols?

I don't really think of such a future in such an outlandish impossibility. When you think about it, on the whole, it doesn't seem that difficult.

I think the true obstacle is hatred and separation itself. Humans have long since conquered most environmental challenges with technology. At the dawn of homo sapiens, the odds were stacked against the average human. During periods where humans outlawed and annihilated useful technology, those same environmental dangers reemerged. The medieval era in Europe wiped out many lives because of this. Divisiveness and terror ruined the lives of thousands. It was entirely unnecessary-- completely preventable.

We have so many tools in our toolkit now to live longer lives, to sustain our education, and to live richer, more fulfilled lives. I see no reason why, with the right mindset, we can't see an almost stress-free existence in the coming decades. Our advances have increased at exponential rates: our medicine has developed quickly, our social connections have spread almost worldwide overnight, and our ease of knowledge is practically limitless due to an absolute surplus of electronic devices.

In the year 2040 or 2050, I don't see a place of fear, disillusionment, and total abject poverty. I don't see a single, authoritarian government leveling political enemies and stealing from its people.

On the contrary; I see a peaceful and entirely enterprising, free world. I see evolved Arab nations, where civilization beats back the vestiges of barbarism. I see much more tolerant and friendly relations between all races. I see religions coming together to explore their benefits, art, and love. I see an absolutely golden age of economic prosperity; instead of measuring our deficit, we will be at a loss of whom to give our surplus proceeds. Salaries will increase, work time will decrease. Intellectual freedom and strength will thrive, mistaken notions based upon ignorance will vanish. Struggles for power will lose their appeal, while struggles for healthy relationships and equal friendships will be constantly established and maintained.

In the novel Brave New World, this society is basically the case. I do not believe we will find this to be some fantastical, ridiculous dream; I think we will find it to be an unavoidable reality. Our children will know a sweeter, fresher, easier future.

And so, back to my original point. If things were near-perfect, if our problems were very easily solved and petty, I think politics would almost disappear. In a future like this, I would definitely run for the office of President. The campaign would be a blast, because it simply wouldn't be serious. I would have fun with it: play some guitar solos, have rap battles with my opponent, sit there and eat some popcorn on stage. My tone of levity in such an era would be a reflection of the radiant, hopeful light emanating from each liberated human soul.