[ExI] commentary from those safely outside

[BillK]

On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 9:10 PM, Anders Sandberg wrote:
<big snip>
> The second big problem is that the US is starting to crash its myth. All
> societies are based on shared memes, often expressed as unifying myths. They
> give meaning and stability to the structure. When they break - like it
> happened in the Soviet Union - the repercussions are harsh. Nobody really
> wants to work for something meaningless, and nobody supports the structure.
>

Perhaps a shorter summing up might be the destruction of trust.

If every institution, IRS, NSA, Wall Street, Government, police,
justice system, etc. seems intent on screwing the public over, then it
is a natural reaction to treat them as enemies. When every contact
means you end up on the bad end of the deal, then you don't trust them
and avoid dealing with them.

But with 47 million living on food stamps and millions more surviving
on other benefits, who will be prepared to upset the system?  An
unhappy time lies ahead for the US.

BillK