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Sounds like a Star Trek episode on some earth-like planet.

Some years ago, people scoffed at the comparison between ancient Rome and the United States. But it seems so obvious. I believe I'm witnessing our transition from republic to empire. As you say, the acceleration aided by technology has the potential to make it a swift fall.

As Humanity grows in 'Spirit' (Universal Love), mercy, empathy and compassion become an essential and innate psychological impetus for societal 'governance'. Even though such is contrary to Darwinian (efficiency) Principle of 'survival of the fit(est). This can be observed from a Religious (Jesus' Gospel of Mercy) perspective via the Political Right and the Constitutional, God-given Right to personally determine who and where and what manner of moral/practical principle should be tolerated and promoted in society, and which should not. That criteria and allocation of resource decision is left to the Individual who creates said economic largesse. The Ideological Left (Obama) believes that "you didn't create that"; I.e., that an Individual's productive ability rests upon the Collective power of the whole society. They rationalize that those Individuals in society who are a negative (moral and practical) drain on society...are that way, NOT because of their choice...but because of the disadvantaged random circumstance of life that they were born into. "Life's Lottery", as it were.

The ultimate moral justification or argument against the above (Life's Lottery) principle, is whether or not an Individual was born into this life, based on the Will of God/Judgment/karma...or truly the randomness of a morally rudderless Universe.

The Left believes that the above Constitutional Principle of personal God-given Rights (to keep the fruits of YOUR labor) is morally deficient, and 'selfish' in effect. That many will choose to build up money stockpiles (for security, toys/play, status, etc.), as opposed to investing such in the disadvantaged/aggrieved Class, per Jesus' Mandate. (Redfield addresses the creation of this economic principle in his Book "The Celestine Prophecy").

Bottom line re this gibberish: To the degree that Populations and Knowledge (Social Media, etc.) increase, so will the awareness or relative economic conditions. From that awareness, envy and the idea of victimhood will as well; both of the which are the moral core of Egalitarian/Marxist Ideology.

IMO - after the dust settles from the approaching, morality-based dog fight...there will be an analysis and synthesis of our Religion (Jesus' Gospel of Mercy) and the Political Ideological (Constitutional Individual Rights vs. Egalitarian Marxist) Principles upon which we base our Society...and with the impetus of the Holy Spirit of Love which grows in the heart of Humanity, and the Good Lord's mercy and action...Humanity will indeed take a Paradigm leap wherein an unparalleled 'Kingdom of Heaven on Earth' will occur. And the evolutionary pain and arse kicking ("sewn in corruption, raised incorruptible") will be like the morning mists. Fading as the Light shines through.

Otherwise, it's the Fermi Paradox. Maybe both; but that is another ten paragraphs.