I think that, ultimately, your last point will be true. Many things about liberty in places like the UK seem to be treated as some kind of dogma rather than so

I think that, ultimately, your last point will be true. Many things about liberty in places like the UK seem to be treated as some kind of dogma rather than something that we can use to improve and enjoy life more. So people spend a lot of time arguing about them, but don't seem to do much with them (other than argue, I guess). The attitudes towards the type of things in this article are also much more positive from people I talk to in China. Not just random samples online, people that I know and trust. The social credit system for example, people are generally a bit uneasy about it (given the past of their country) but not against it, the practical impact that it can have to them seems like it's worth it. Technology in general seems to be met with much less cynicism and doubt there than the UK. So personally I think that I agree with the notion that these kinds of systems truly have the potential to be effective, and that somewhere like the UK is going to be incapable of harnessing them in the way that somewhere like China is. And as this becomes increasingly apparent the reaction that other countries will have will be interesting and perhaps scary. Will america become increasingly confrontational? Try to instigate something in Taiwan? Idk. 2025 is the year that I've chosen to wait until before I make a judgement as to how messed up things really are.