Very good article. I disagree with the comments here that it’s too theoretical/high brow. From time to time I discuss these topics in a circle of friends and the language we use isn’t much different from the language of this article. There isn’t much “new” thinking here, but if it’s your first time then you’re exposed to a big question mark. It’s a fairly benign introduction to the genre of post-competent societal literature that has yet to have a name. Knut Hamsun is long gone, so we’ll need a new champion.

An argument can be made that the pessimism exhibited in this article is pointing its finger at the HN comments that are saying it’s too difficult to follow. Yes, the article is right on the money.

To paraphrase: due to social forces we have an inkling of capability left to actually do the things that our ancestors have done that brought us here. Yes, we have technology, but without the means to rebuild it, we are fucked. There is no next step because we haven’t completed this one yet, and already we’ve lost competency. This isn’t a new concept, plenty of books games etc discuss it - Fallout, Warhammer 40k both deal directly with tech that is no longer understood.

I would say we need more over-all rounded people. Your job where you sit in front of a computer writing code is great, but you should really know a variety of things and be able to piece together the gaps. Another good article earlier had an HN comment about how an “unqualified” customer analyzed damaged o-rings by the vibration of a motor. At the very least, learn how to grow some vegetables. Forget automated hydroponic irrigation systems. Just don’t be a complete idiot and this article will make complete sense to you.

Oh, and ignore people saying this is some right-wing dog whistle sponsored by Peter Thiel. These people live in a hell of their own making.