Futurism & Geopolitical Round-up (February 2024).
Peering into what’s happening around the world through the lens of Futurism & Geopolitical analysis. Remember, the best way to get the future you want is to… create it! Here’s your February 2024 round-up.
David Kirtley, founder of Helion Energy, gives us a nice little chat about the need/utility/potential for fusion power as a most splendid replacement for fossil fuels.
Life in 20 years with these 2044 Forecasts covering artificial general intelligence, fusion, biotech, and quantum computing. Let’s look at the touchstones and consequences for humanity.
Capital is now flowing into merging robots and A.I. – so, what might our future look like, if these financial bets pay off?
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In this episode, viewers are invited to explore a pivotal question with Raoul Pal: Are we witnessing the end of civilization as we know it, or the dawn of untapped, unimaginable outcomes for humanity? Raoul Pal, celebrated for his profound understanding of the financial markets and his success as a former hedge fund manager who retired at 36, delves into the current recession, the volatile global economy, and the transformative potential of technology and cryptocurrencies. The discussion navigates through critical topics including the impact of the debt cycle and hyperinflation, breakthroughs in the tech sector, the unstoppable advance of AI, and the natural cycle of recessions. Pal offers his insights into the complexities of the economic system, company strategies during downturns, and predictions for economic cycles and the housing market. Highlighting the importance of investing in technologies and cryptocurrencies, this episode promises an in-depth analysis of the economic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Featuring powerful insights from Raoul Pal, the episode tackles themes like the significance of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, the digitization of assets, the demographic influences on inflation and deflation, and the structural issues facing governments and central banks. With a focus on the future of AI and its implications for the global economy, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of economics, technology, and innovation.
Can I interest you in a future filled with lovely robots? Or maybe, killer robots? Or perhaps not. Time will tell.
In a recent episode of Wealthion, the audience is treated to a thought-provoking conversation between host James Connor and Jim Rickards, a renowned figure with a background as an advisor to the CIA and Pentagon. Rickards, noted for his profound understanding of global dynamics, delves into various pressing issues affecting the world today. The dialogue kicks off with an analysis of the Ukraine conflict, where Rickards offers his unique perspective. This segment sets the tone for the in-depth and often critical examination of international affairs. As the discussion progresses, Rickards articulates his views on Russia’s financial strategies and the potential consequences for the US Dollar, highlighting the intricate web of global finance and geopolitical maneuvers.
A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to the escalating tensions in Ukraine and the United States’ role and policies in the region, reflecting Rickards’ expertise in both geopolitical and economic domains. The talk then shifts to the Middle East, where Rickards unpacks the complex situations unfolding in the region and their broader implications for global stability. China’s real estate crisis and its potential ripple effects on the global economy form another cornerstone of the discussion. Rickards’ insights into this matter shed light on the interconnectedness of global markets and the potential for localized crises to have worldwide impacts. The conversation takes a turn towards the United States, with Rickards discussing the current economic trends within the country, including indicators that suggest a looming depression. This segment provides a sobering look at domestic economic health and its global ramifications.
Rickards also touches upon the geopolitical significance of Taiwan, a topic of increasing relevance given the island’s strategic position in global politics and economics. Finally, the episode concludes with a broader outlook on the global economy, with Rickards drawing historical comparisons to provide context to current events.
In an illuminating session at the last year’s Abundance360 summit, Ray Kurzweil, a renowned American inventor and futurist, engaged in a Q&A, delving into the fascinating realms of AI, human-machine integration, and the future of technology. Kurzweil, a pivotal figure in the development of OCR, text-to-speech, and speech recognition technologies, brought his extensive knowledge and foresight to the table, sparking intriguing discussions. The session commenced with a focus on the revolutionary aspects of Large Language Models, a topic that sits at the heart of modern AI research and development. Kurzweil, known for his work at Google in machine learning and language processing, provided insights into the exponential growth of technology and its transformative potential.
As the conversation unfolded, Kurzweil touched on various forward-looking topics, ranging from the future of health and medicine, predicted through the lens of technological advancements, to the evolving role of AI in work and education. His perspectives offered a glimpse into a future where technology and human life are even more deeply intertwined.
The dialogue also ventured into more nuanced areas, such as the ethical implications of ‘feeling machines,’ the challenges and opportunities in AI development, and the balance between optimism and concern in technological progress. Kurzweil’s thoughts on the future of encryption, mind reading technologies, and the role of AI in decision-making highlighted the multifaceted impact of AI on different sectors of society. Particularly engaging was the discussion around the aging population and caregiving, where Kurzweil explored how AI could revolutionize elder care. He also pondered the future of energy, the evolving role of chemistry in technology, and the significance of the microbiome in a holistic approach to health.
In a blend of personal and universal themes, Kurzweil shared his quest for longevity and his views on the potential for a robot in every home. He also touched on how exponential thinking could reshape parenting and unlock new potentials during sleep. The session concluded with an exploration of the evolving future of value, offering a thought-provoking look at how our perception of value might change in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Kurzweil’s insights at the Abundance360 summit provided a compelling glimpse into a future where the boundaries between human and machine, biology and technology, are continually redefined.
In this interview with geopolitical bod Peter Zeihan, we gaze into the possibilities and threats that the USA face in the decades to come – along with a Latin American-centric focus for a change. The conversation draws attention to the continent’s prominent role in the changing world map, highlighting its availability of energy sources and state-of-the-art technology developments. In light of the present political and economic climate, the discussion centered on the possibilities and threats that exist to encourage important players in the region to make strategic decisions.
A left-wing political foray into the multinationals’ current state of thinking about what form of government policies might benefit them, while asking whether said policies might also be of utility to your average person on the street?
An audio podcast examining how property laws have been altered around the world so that your once-hard ownership of shares/bonds/pensions/saving accounts and cash-in-the-bank has been swapped out for an unsecured creditor’s claim on the firms you use as your banks/brokers/investment houses, instead. Your securities aren’t ‘secure’ anymore. You now only have the appearance of ownership – nothing is protected. The next time the financial markets collapse, you could lose everything. And who will end up with your everything? The secured creditors who subverted national law to push through these legal changes. Those naughty rascals.
A dive into Microsoft’s New Future of Work Report, which looks at how A.I. and robots are going to shake up jobs going forward.
Engineers are always probing for new methods to boost electric vehicle range, reduce battery pack weight, and enhance energy density. But it’s not only automakers. The aviation sector is keeping a careful eye on developments in battery technology. Sulfur, or sulfur as it is known in the US, has now joined the fight, giving this development a new dimension.
There’s a proven sum of money missing from the U.S. Government accounts that now numbers in the trillions of dollars, about equal to the entire GDP of the USA. That’s far more than can be comfortably spent on mansions and private jets if pure fraud was involved, so just why, how, and where has all this missive wonga ended up? There’s an academic, and an ex-U.S. Government Cabinet head who are both here to give you your 101 Induction for Beginners in this fascinating subject.
Cory Doctorow, a prominent figure known for his roles as a science fiction writer, activist, journalist, and blogger, has shared his insights into the lifecycle of online platforms. He explains this process through a three-stage decline that affects not just the users, but also advertisers and publishers. Doctorow’s theory is particularly applied to the technology giants often referred to as the “Big 5”: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft.
According to Doctorow, the journey of online platforms begins with them being beneficial to their users, creating a space where people feel valued and happy to engage. However, as time goes on, these platforms shift their focus towards maximizing benefits for their business clients, often at the expense of their user base. This shift leads to a degradation in user experience and trust. Eventually, these platforms go a step further by exploiting their business clients as well, aiming to monopolize all the value for themselves. This cycle, Doctorow argues, leads to the eventual downfall of these platforms, marking the end of their lifecycle.
Author and Russian history specialist Stephen Kotkin discusses the present geopolitical unrest, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the value of looking back to help one navigate the world of tomorrow.
The firm Open A.I. want robots for their A.I. and by golly, as this video shows, they are getting damnable close to getting it.
In a revealing conversation with David Rennie, a seasoned China-based reporter for the Economist and head of their Beijing Bureau, insights into China’s current socio-political climate were discussed. Rennie, who also co-authors the insightful podcast on China, the Drum Tower, brings decades of experience, fluency in Chinese, and regular interactions with both Chinese officials and citizens to the table. The discussion explored various critical topics, including the intentions of the Chinese leadership regarding Taiwan and the possibility of military action, the increasing public disillusionment with the economy, and the resultant nervousness within the government. Additionally, the conversation delved into why the Chinese leadership cannot afford to ignore public opinion and covered broader themes indicating a potential preparation for conflict.
Jay Martin engages in a conversation with David Goldman, an expert in geopolitical strategy and commentary. They dissect the intricate web of international conflicts, exploring both the subtle intricacies and broader connections. Their dialogue navigates through the persistence of conventional warfare in modern times and the strategic battles over worldwide resources, offering a critical analysis of contemporary global power structures. Additionally, they delve into the shifting realms of Chinese/US world dominance, blending historical perspectives with foresight into emerging patterns and developments.
Sam Harris shares a dialogue with Peter Zeihan, analyzing the disintegration of the global order. They explore the implications of the Bretton Woods system and the United States’ pivotal role in maintaining international trade routes. Their conversation extends to the anticipated decline of American security commitments, the downsizing of the US Navy, and the nuances of Houthi insurgency and strategies to counter Iran. They also scrutinize ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Israel’s future, and the challenges posed by immigration and demographic shifts. Additionally, they discuss Europe’s potential downfall, the conflict in Ukraine, the threat of nuclear engagement, China’s demographic downturn, the dangers of unsecured nuclear arsenals, and America’s comparative detachment from global upheaval. The discussion rounds off with considerations of U.S. national debt and immigration policies concerning the southern border.
