> aren’t you much happier to be born now than 3000 years ago? Indeed I am - this is the most exciting time I can imagine being alive. And I agree in full with

> aren’t you much happier to be born now than 3000 years ago? Indeed I am - this is the most exciting time I can imagine being alive. And I agree in full with everything you've said. However, I think that governments, which have been essential for many of the developments we've enjoyed so far (and this is despite their reliably selfish and monopolistic tendencies), have largely run their course and are less useful with each passing day. I am thankful even for my own government (in the USA), despite it being run in a completely childish fashion at this moment. But recognizing the importance of something doesn't mean that I want it to live forever. Indeed, I think it often means being willing to let it go.