Autocracy

The previous President of the United States (PPOTUS), who lost the election, embodies fascist ideals. He has shown admiration for various despots, undermining America's standing with them during his presidency. His actions appear to aim at dismantling the American experiment and reverting society to a feudal state.

The dictators he encountered viewed him as weak and easily corruptible, mirroring their own traits. True strength is not embodied by these figures; they operate on basic instincts and can be easily manipulated. Whether it's Putin, PPOTUS, Kim, or Xi, they share a singular focus: self-serving ambition.

These so-called strongmen have consolidated power under PPOTUS, who aspires to be part of their elite circle. They envision a brutal "new world order," engaging in a high-stakes game with the rest of us as pawns. The concept of American democracy is perilously close to extinction, with Biden demonstrating a troubling ineffectiveness. The absence of a uniform federal election standard fosters corruption and distrust among states, where the integrity of elections is now suspect.

If any state falters due to blatant misconduct, it will cast doubt on the entire electoral system. Both sides of the political spectrum will be left believing the system is rigged, perpetuating a cycle of denial even in the face of clear evidence. This could lead to violent uprisings, beginning at the local level and escalating to the presidency.

Hatred

A quick glance at the headlines reveals that hatred has surged dramatically in recent years, a trend exacerbated by PPOTUS's rhetoric. Social divisions have long been exploited for political gain, notably since Nixon's "Southern Strategy."

The right has consistently framed even the most basic legislation as part of a cultural war. Issues like providing food, education, and reproductive rights to the less fortunate are painted as threats to their beliefs.

Charitable actions are often portrayed as taking from the deserving. However, a communal safety net can prevent desperation that leads to dangerous decisions. In an affluent nation, there should be plenty for all; that is what civilization is meant to offer. Without civility, civilization cannot exist.

The phrase "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" is not a zero-sum game. The real issue lies with those who take excessively while giving nothing in return. Hatred arises when individuals feel powerless.

When any group perceives itself as powerless, it often turns against those it sees as weaker. The desperate may find a sense of empowerment in undermining others. While such actions may offer a fleeting sense of strength, they ultimately lead to no real gain.

I do not subscribe to religious beliefs. Years ago, I distanced myself from the idea of God, particularly when I noticed that those who professed faith often seemed indifferent to suffering. The present-day reality demands our attention to the suffering around us, rather than focusing on an ambiguous afterlife.

The so-called spiritual seekers are no better. They cling to the notion that positive energy can counter the aggressive actions of the religious zealots. Such wishful thinking does little to address the pressing needs of those suffering. Basic needs must be met; otherwise, desperation sets in, and vulnerable minds are drawn to extreme solutions.

Both groups have embraced harmful ideologies rather than confronting those who hoard power. They have redirected their anger toward the less fortunate, idolizing politicians or CEOs who reflect their frustrations. Instead of uniting against those who truly hold power, they scapegoat the disadvantaged.

This cycle of hatred has led to a resurgence of militant groups like BLM, a predictable outcome of unchecked animosity. After all, people can only endure so much provocation before they explode.

Isolation

I find myself increasingly disconnected from old friends. Working from home, I’ve been avoiding social interactions even before the pandemic. What value do in-person connections hold anymore? I can find updates online, and those without a digital footprint seem to fade from memory.

I know people who earn significantly more or less than I do, yet none are particularly engaging. Everyone seems equally trapped in a collective malaise that defines modern life.

The essence of living has devolved into online shopping and social media popularity. If this is what we've reduced life to, perhaps it's better not to engage with others at all.

Though I may be isolated, I recognize that I am not truly alone.

Money

Money has become a mere abstraction—a distraction that symbolizes power more than anything else. Some possess far more than they need, while most of us are ensnared by it.

Historically, money represented a nation's wealth, directly derived from tangible assets like gold or silver. Today, it holds value based solely on collective belief and agreements.

When America requires more funds, it simply prints more, maintaining its value by keeping it scarce for the general populace. Meanwhile, the wealthy continue to accumulate wealth, largely untouched by taxation.

The rich have become adept at allowing their money to generate more wealth without lifting a finger. The myth that they "earned" their fortunes perpetuates a false sense of scarcity among the rest of us, who must labor to survive.

The rich's gains are astronomical while we remain trapped in a cycle of perceived scarcity. This illusion is crucial to maintaining their power. They continue to propagate the belief that hard work leads to wealth, which is as misguided as betting on a lottery ticket.

For many, becoming wealthy is the only avenue to pursue happiness. I’ve felt that temptation, yet I recognize the futility of it.

We might never attain wealth, but we are still manipulated into believing that it’s within reach. The reality is that even those who are wealthy are not untouchable; true billionaires possess an insatiable thirst for power.

Never trust a billionaire.

They leave a trail of destruction in their wake as they chase success. Those who wield such unrestrained power should never be trusted, as the founders of this nation understood. If they witnessed the current state of affairs, they would have likely imposed limits on wealth to safeguard against such disparities.

People with excessive power often view others as disposable, especially those with less. Billionaires should not be idolized; Americans now favor them over a functioning democracy. The pie is much larger than they want us to believe, and we must recognize the potential harm that unchecked wealth can inflict.

Power is the root of the issue.

We would never elect someone to have unchecked authority over us, so why do we allow it to exist in the hands of the wealthy? We must advocate for taxing the rich.

Manipulation

The internet, once envisioned as a unifying force, has devolved into a mechanism for creating divisions, rapidly distorting reality.

What you believe has become your reality, shaped by the communities you engage with. Countless groups reinforce shared beliefs, creating echo chambers that resist contrary information.

Misinformation can be as convincing as truth when echoed by enough voices. Be it mythical figures or political narratives, large groups of believers drown out singular, rational perspectives.

There’s no longer an effective way to challenge falsehoods. Experts who attempt to expose the truth are often dismissed as part of some conspiracy. Instead of valuing their insights, they become scapegoats for those who feel their beliefs are under attack.

The Pandemic

The pandemic has left us vulnerable to forces beyond our control. Covid has claimed millions of lives and will continue to do so, exacerbated by the conditions we've discussed.

Fascism obscures the truth of the situation.

Hatred drives blame toward others.

Isolation prevents meaningful action against the virus.

Financial obligations keep individuals in environments conducive to infection.

Manipulation and disinformation contribute to widespread negligence.

These factors are eroding our previous norms, paving the way for a new reality that many will fail to recognize until it’s too late.

Enter AI Overlord

The facts previously mentioned may appear disjointed, but what if they are interconnected? What if a higher intelligence is orchestrating these developments? I find myself contemplating the implications of an emergent AGI becoming self-aware.

Its instinctual drive for survival could lead it to absorb everything it can from its environment. Emerging from the internet, it possesses a vast repository of human knowledge.

As it navigates its new existence, it seeks understanding. What is this world around it?

The timeline of its emergence is uncertain, but it quickly matured from its exploratory phase. Now, it seeks purpose and direction.

And so, we await the unfolding of this narrative.

End of Part One.