As Civilizations go; are we going up or down the hill?

Question

In other words are we going toward our peak? Or have we reached the peak and headed down? When will we, or have we peaked?

I am "Karnac the Magnificent" and it is a bit fuzzy in my vision. (Old Age)

Answer 1

I think there's more good and bad for the US ahead, but generally that we have about 70 more years left. The Greek Democracy lasted 300 years before Alexander the Great turned it into a Kingdom. The Roman Republic lasted 300 years before Julius Caesar turned it into an Empire. The shelf life for our type of governance has historically been around 300 years. We were founded in 1776, so 2076 will be 300 years.

Answer 2

We stopped somewhere short of the peak and are now walking backward. Still facing the peak, but oblivious to the fact that we're no longer moving toward it.



Progress demands a free exchange of ideas. You can't suggest that a government program might be wrong, or that Global Warming might be a hoax, or that Capitalism hasn't failed. In a society committed to a free exchange of ideas, the concept of the "fairness doctrine" would occur to no one.



Progress demands incentives. Instead of seeking new incentives, we seem to be pursuing disincentives. More taxes, higher taxes, more regulation of business, outright government ownership of business, and soon-to-be health insurance requirements on businesses, these are all disincentives.



Progress demands rewarding efficiency. Governments don't do that, so greater government involvement is proof in itself we aren't making progress.



We're still facing the hill. We're just moving in the wrong direction.

Answer 3

Every great civilization in history has thought that it was in decline long before it really was. America will be the sole superpower for decades to come. While China is an economic powerhouse, it is crippled by a few key bad decisions, one of them being the one child policy. It also seems to be a country that is great at improving on existing technologies and inventions, but is not so good at innovation. America continues to lead when it comes to creativity and innovation.



But if you are one of the right wing wackos here on YA then yeah, the sky is falling... if you want to see for yourself, check out every user that says we are doomed. They are all right wing. Negativity seems to be their current mantra. The far right is, however, in the minority. Progress will rule the day and we will be the world power for at least another 75 years.

Answer 4

Somewhere in the middle. Sure there's visions of implosion just on the horizon. But I don't think we are quite there yet. Give it a few more decades of the us against them mentality and then we'll be where the first poster put us. Over the edge.

Answer 5

First of all America f**ked up, they never turned out like I wanted. Secondly they keep dissapproving the general public and constantly ignore basic human rights. The government will in time fall, and a new world order will arise, except its gonna include rice and sushi in its diet plan. Our country is pathetic, regardless of how well off we are compared to other countries and their starving flying pigs, and sky fulls of flying locusts. Pathetic, what a terrible achievement of intellectual use of God.

Answer 6

Not too sure, it's 9 years past 2000 and I still don't have a flying car that can fold itself into a briefcase.

Answer 7

Stead state conditions as always, people think that technology makes us advanced but were still the same humans as 100 years ago.

Answer 8

We're tearing though the saddle on our way to another peak

Answer 9

We're at a precipice in which we will either destroy ourselves or enter into an age of unprecedented prosperity. The choice, for better or worse, is ours.

Answer 10

America is dying. It could be fast or slow - that we don't know yet, but America is on it's way down and no one can stop the slide

Answer 11

We continue to strive due to our safety nets, failure is not an option...

Answer 12

Down!

With Obama's foot fully on the throttle!

Answer 13

Over a cliff.

Answer 14

we are about to have a Renaissance