I’m starting this blog because I’m tired
—tired of watching society tilt toward cruelty and greed. I speak largely of the United States but the issue is a global one. It’s easy to assume problems exist in the bubbles we build for ourselves but that’s simply untrue.
In the United States we’ve been hit by extremely negative influences like MAGA, Christian fundamentalism, and the uber-wealthy. These groups have used populism to prop up a deeply self-involved man in President Trump. Slowly they’ve created what is essentially a war on average Americans, their freedoms, and their ability to live lives at or above subsistence.
We live in a world where we are approaching an era where society will have the tools, the knowledge, and the technology to feed everyone, house everyone, heal most illnesses, and teach every person on Earth. Each decade brings us closer to a future where technology can take care of our needs. It’s a type of singularity wherein technology provides more than it replaces. Where the benefits favor the populace over the opulent. However, as it stands now, these great changes to technology are being designed to exploit people. Prosperous men intend to use advancement to lower wages, reduce workforces, and increase profits. Additionally men like Elon Musk are gutting the US government’s ability to assist those that lose their jobs even in our current limited assistance. Men like him tout the benefits of AI as drivers of the betterment of mankind while ensuring that they are the only ones made better. We can do better. We as people of the US and the world can do better. We can push our technology and society to work hand in hand toward a near-utopian future.
This blog is named after the replicators in Star Trek because that really is the ultimate goal.
For those that don’t know, the Star Trek universe had something on Starfleet ships called food replicators. Essentially, a computer can understand the full molecular breakdown of various dishes. It can then use a base food material to create nearly any dish for the user. In Star Trek: The Next Generation Picard was known for asking for “Tea, Earl Grey, hot.” If I can find a supercut of him I’ll put it here. If I can find or make a supercut of the various orders I’ll put it here.
I’ve long found that this was the greatest invention in all of scifi. It solves the most basic problem for humanity. Sure it’s a great solution for hunger. A populace that is always fed is certainly one they can do so much more. However, the bigger problem it solves is scarcity. The idea that there’s only so much, so we all have to fight and struggle to get what we can. This is what has driven us as human beings since before there were human beings. All the way back to singular celled organisms swimming around in ooze. The food replicator solved the problem of scarcity allowing for a society that could be more concerned with fixing other problems. A society where you don’t have to hate your neighbor. One where wealth isn’t something to obtain. Without scarcity wealth is nonexistent because people can have what they wish. In many ways there really is less scarcity in the world today but there are elements that ensure continued scarcity. In some situations, such as water, there is a real threat of increased scarcity.
However, there are many industries where scarcity is mostly manufactured. OPEC and oil/gas companies have long been guilty of manipulating energy prices. They’ve even openly fought against renewable energy which works against their power and profit. Luxury manufacturers, diamonds, and sales of digital items thrive on manufactured scarcity. Replicators don’t fix water or energy but are a step towards reducing real scarcity.
We shouldn’t wait for science fiction to catch up. The technology is coming—but we need the will to steer it toward a future that serves everyone.
This blog is a space for me to think out loud, to ask hard questions, and to explore the vision of a post-scarcity future—one where automation, artificial intelligence, and abundance are used to free humanity, not tighten its chains. I may spend time talking about current politics or thoughts about a particular idea or theory. This will be a space to think aloud, mold an idea, and refine our knowledge. I want to discuss and clarify theories. I want to understand perspectives. I want to build a future. I’m okay with disagreement and I’m willing to adjust my view point. However, I won’t entertain BS. We all should understand that the earth is round, vaccines are generally beneficial and that Trump lost the election in 2020. Staying grounded is the only way to build a real future.
Who am I to have a say? Nobody
I’m just a guy struggling in Texas. Not wealthy. Not powerful.
I might face retaliation if my job reads this blog.
I’m taking that risk.
I have to.
Here’s what I believe plainly:
That the necessities of a basic modern life (food, water, housing, healthcare, education, internet, etc.) should be accessible and free or nearly free for everyone.
That automation will lead to a better future but in the meantime we need to provide protection for the transition with universal basic income, better social support systems, and a focus on sciences in education.
That we need systems where freedom is protected, not purchased. Where we all have the freedom to choose our trajectories, whether that’s to become a great scientist, a world explorer, an Instagram “star”, or just to sit on your butt at home.
That the wealthy and autocratic should not inherit the future—people with vision and compassion should.
I struggle on a daily basis watching the systematic intended poverty in the United States. It hurts my heart to see and participate in systems that make it impossible for the majority of us to rise out of poverty. Those that are most impoverished are more often punished for being so, rather than helped to find a better life. What kind of humans are we to continue to allow this? To fight over bullshit, while the jerks up top push us all further down.
This blog is the start of something I hope will grow—into a community, a movement, or maybe just a single clear signal through the noise.
Whatever it becomes, it begins here.
Welcome to Replicators After Stock Markets.
Let’s imagine the world that should already exist.
Replicators After Stock Markets 