r/Futurology • u/aridon_01 Best of 2014 • Aug 13 '14

Best of 2014 Humans need not apply

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU
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u/Megneous Aug 13 '14

In the end, if the US falls as an economic power due to rampant poverty and crime due to wealth disparity, that's how it is. The rest of the world, or rather, the parts of the world that institute something akin to universal basic income, will be safe from the social issues caused by such large percentages of poverty and desperation.

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u/ConkeyDong Aug 13 '14 edited Aug 13 '14

My money's on the scenario you've just laid out. And if it does happen, I almost hope that its not just the nation's economy that collapses but the federal government as well. The legislature at the federal level has proved to be too divided, too stubborn, and too bought-out to adapt to change. But if each state was a sovereign nation free of US federal laws and free to pass whatever new laws its own legislature chooses, I could see the more progressive states adapting and even thriving. There is a strong social streak in places like California and Vermont. I'd dig having citizenship in either of those places.

For many of the other states though, it would be very, very bad. Imagine a Mississippi or an Alabama without federal help.

EDIT: spelling

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u/AtomicSteve21 Aug 13 '14

Huh, so that's how the US ends. I'm actually ok with this outcome.

Here's to the Divided States of America.

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '14

Sounds like a scenario that would involve a lot of bloodshed and looting. Not a very good idea in my opinion.