there is this ongoing fantasy of "the blessing just around the corner" with regard to tech. if we just invent the next big thing , life will be bliss. self driving cars, manual labor robots and so on. truth: we forgot about maintenance of tech we already have, infrastructure etc - no one wants to do it anymore neither politically nor physically. these robots will just be another points of failure and civilization will continue collapsing in the wake of it. as with many things in life, the "bliss" is to be found in the 180 degree direction: less technology, but dependable technology/software that works for 100 years without needing to be replaced. in the end, would you rather have a new tumble dryer/washing machine/microwave oven that can do fancier and fancier shit that you have to replace every 2-3 years, or one that can do NOTHING but dry clothes/wash clothes/warm food and keep it for 100 years? which one would ACTUALLY be more beneficial to you? do you want a car that you can trust your life with to start and take you from a to b any day of the week in any weather that just works for 50 years, or a new one every 5 years that can talk to you, help you do homework, entertain you in different ways? humanity is lost, what will provide this bliss is a return to small, high-trust homogenous societies. it would lower costs (because cooperation and voluntary work), it would lower carbon emissions (lol) and waste (because people would consume less), it would reduce mental health issues (because people would know their neighbours and work together and have an important role), it would increase freedom (because governance would be done through ACTUAL and voluntary social contracts, not state mandated shit). sorry for a long rant, but im only just under 40 and i feel like i am fuck 120 years old by now. the world ended ca. 2020