5 ms·

There's little doubt that the future paths of the democracies and China will resemble the cold war of the 60's and 70's. Can't we just spare the drama, cut to

There's little doubt that the future paths of the democracies and China will resemble the cold war of the 60's and 70's. Can't we just spare the drama, cut to the chase, swap corporate prisoners and get on with stockpiling weapons already?

doyoulikeworms 7y ago
Hmm, what if we cut everything out except for the space race?
- enjoylife 7y ago
  Considering the space race was abstractly, a push for strategic dominance of a physical domain newly enabled by technologies. I think it’s more likely this time around we will see a push into newly opened digital domains, e.g ml based cyber warfare.
  - TremendousJudge 7y ago
    Well, space is still out there though, and current tech is much better suited to dominate it than 60s tech. The first nation to figure out space mining and manufacturing will be light years ahead of any competitor
- MS90 7y ago
  Let's just jump all the way to the end. Someone needs to get a sledgehammer and go knock some holes in the Great Wall.
toasterlovin 7y ago
There's a pretty significant difference: China has way more untapped human capital than the Soviet Union. There's a good chance they end up with a level of economic development closer to South Korea or Japan than Eastern Europe. If that's the case, then it's like the Cold War, except it doesn't end in the economic collapse of the other side.
- mrtksn 7y ago
  They have very serious demographical issues though.
- hajile 7y ago
  Due to the one-child policy, china is headed for extreme economic issues -- even without interference. Those issues are already starting to become apparent and will skyrocket over the next decade or two. Extra economic pressure on top could definitely have a significant effect on the country.
  - pinkfoot 7y ago
    Yet Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, etc. with practically uncontrolled population growth are on the cusp of a golden age?
zachguo 7y ago
It may not be a total loss for mankind if there's another space race.

doyoulikeworms 7y ago

Hmm, what if we cut everything out except for the space race?

enjoylife 7y ago
Considering the space race was abstractly, a push for strategic dominance of a physical domain newly enabled by technologies. I think it’s more likely this time around we will see a push into newly opened digital domains, e.g ml based cyber warfare.
- TremendousJudge 7y ago
  Well, space is still out there though, and current tech is much better suited to dominate it than 60s tech. The first nation to figure out space mining and manufacturing will be light years ahead of any competitor
MS90 7y ago
Let's just jump all the way to the end. Someone needs to get a sledgehammer and go knock some holes in the Great Wall.

toasterlovin 7y ago

There's a pretty significant difference: China has way more untapped human capital than the Soviet Union. There's a good chance they end up with a level of economic development closer to South Korea or Japan than Eastern Europe. If that's the case, then it's like the Cold War, except it doesn't end in the economic collapse of the other side.

mrtksn 7y ago
They have very serious demographical issues though.
hajile 7y ago
Due to the one-child policy, china is headed for extreme economic issues -- even without interference. Those issues are already starting to become apparent and will skyrocket over the next decade or two. Extra economic pressure on top could definitely have a significant effect on the country.
- pinkfoot 7y ago
  Yet Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, etc. with practically uncontrolled population growth are on the cusp of a golden age?

zachguo 7y ago

It may not be a total loss for mankind if there's another space race.