The digital revolution is not responsible for idleness. If left unfettered by government, the economy will expand in response to improved productivity. And yes, they do build pyramids in places like Abu Dhabi and Singapore. The USA has become too tethered to government to adapt to economic change. It's not the fault of he digital revolution, however. It's the fault of our big institutions -- especially government -- not getting out of the way and even erecting barriers to further development.
I'm sorry but I need to disagree. I think there is something with humans that provides a precognitive sense. One could say, the individual reacts more quickly than society.
Many years ago, I noticed the tribal tattoo thing. It wasn't the tattoos themselves but the "Movement". The us and them mentality about it. People on societies periphery adorned themselves, either as a statement of individuality or in the case of servicemen, a statment of bonding.
Then, early 90s, tribal tattoos started showing up here and there by the early 2000s, everybody and his (or her) dog.
The same could be said of 1920s Germany. A spirit of the times, if you will. I'm sure the Germans have a word for it.
What's his name was the vessel for a mood, in the same way Reagan was the vessel for our movement. It is time. It is place. And in Reagan's case, it was anamoly. He wasn't supposed to be President. Bush was supposed to be President. What's that song about immovable force or something like that?
Societal evolution is not linear, it is radial and dynamic. Which is why we have a history of revolutions. Things go on and on until a critical mass is reached and explosion. We can base our outlooks on our observations but not our conclusions. We can't confuse our permanent underclass with the producers.