To survive the future, one must start by understanding the problem. The world we see today is the result of choices that started to be made in the 1970s. The positive momentum China currently has started with choices made during the 1980s under Deng Xiaoping. Things change gradually, and then suddenly, and the self-inflicted wounds by the US administration only accelerate what was already happening. There are few parts of the world not subject to the same forces. I strongly recommend reading The Invisible Doctrine by George Monbiot as a brief, first line explanation of many of the symptoms we currently see in the Western world.

The second thing to realize is that the current political and economic system is not a force of nature, it can be changed. Not easily and not quickly, but changed nonetheless. However, the beneficiaries of this possible change will be our children, and possibly their offspring.

As being stressed and concerned on a daily basis is hardly a useful emotion, we must take care of ourselves. It has become a radical act of resistance. To help ourselves, we can read world history, to understand how great powers and industries disappear and what can reasonably be expected in its aftermath. We can read philosophy, to help us think right and keep in touch with the things that are truly important in life. And we can create or appreciate art, to feed our soul. Importantly, we must make appropriate technology and media choices, so we limit our exposure to toxic things we have no direct control over to a level that is sustainable long-term for each individual. If you have access to a positive local community, cherish it and be welcoming to those who do not have that privilege.

I am not as bullish on the effects of AI as most people in technology, especially not LLMs, though I fully agree it is something to keep tabs on. It is however wise to see through the hype and beyond very powerful companies trying to justify an enormous investment with little to show for until now. Only Nvidia is selling shovels. That said, most CS has now become blue-collar work, and it is something people in the industry have not yet come to terms with.