Do you think this book predicts the future?

[bysa]

Let's hope this book doesn't predict the future. The idea of the U.S. "Losing its power" is a fun fictional way to pass I suppose, but all things considered what exactly would it mean for the country to lose its power? What does it exact the most power over? Wealth... influence... it's capitalism... other country's elections? Where exactly does its power lie? In its ability to defend itself? Too many variables...

[Fu Zaila]

While I wouldn't say that this book predicts the future, I will say that there are aspects of it that are definitely possible. For instance, I don't foresee any governments, U.S. or otherwise, giving over the level of control described in World Incorporated to corporations. I do, however, see some of the invasive technology described in our future if we aren't careful. Registries that track a person's every move could be made into a reality with relatively few adjustments to technology that we already have today.

I'd say that with the way some of the corporations have been developing the past few years, it would be no wonder if the government decides to hand them a share of their power. As for the registeries, it is already a possibilty today. You can probably get any information about any person if you look hard enough.

[Fu Zaila]

Let's hope this book doesn't predict the future. The idea of the U.S. "Losing its power" is a fun fictional way to pass I suppose, but all things considered what exactly would it mean for the country to lose its power? What does it exact the most power over? Wealth... influence... it's capitalism... other country's elections? Where exactly does its power lie? In its ability to defend itself? Too many variables...

I agree, there isn't a clear classification to identify nations of power. And yet, when it comes to 'ruling the world', the U.S. is pretty much a default answer. For them to lose power would mean chaos everywhere else; possibility of other nations going on war with each other to get to the position of the 'most powerful country'. But it still isn't clear just how such an influence can be borne on one nation alone. Is it the rulers? The government ideologies? Or perhaps the community itself?

[Fu Zaila]

It will take an immense amount of time for the US government to mess to this extent, let alone for the countr my to crumble. However, anything is possible at this point.

I think it wouldn't take much time for a nation to crumble. But I agree, till now U.S. has always climbed back and fought to gain control whenever a slight indication claimed against them. Not in the immediate future, no, but other nations rising to a similar position isn't far off a possibility.

[Mallory Porshnev]

I don't think the United States is losing its power anytime soon. That doesn't mean all its people will benefit from it, but the US has so many countries wrapped around its finger, I don't see the empire falling anytime soon.

[Eileen R]

Something extremely drastic has to happen for this future to come true,such as another world war, therefore I sincerely hope it is not predicting the future.

[Sunnyroyish]

Of course the utopian future that was portrayed in the book World Incorporated is a possibility. It can become a reality in the near future. Already North Korea is under dictatorship in the mask democracy.

[chelhack]

I believe that there is a chance that the United States has a great potential of losing its power. The reason for which I believe this is because of the actions of the people with the offices. Not to get into politics but I wouldn't or couldn't see other country's holding a great respect for the United States if the people in office to not hold, have or show any respect for other countries. We may be the land of the free but we definitly do not consists without a lot of the resources provided by these different countries.

[Izesicle]

It is definitely possible. There are many cases in history where superpower countries no longer hold as much sway over the world - Japan and Germany aside, look at Spain and Portugal.

[jay_2]

I truly hope that it does not predict the future. Though, it is very possible. You can never rule out the possibility of the United States losing their power. Never. Well this discussion just put me in a deep thought ha. Scary

[amandathebibliophile]

I am in the middle of this book right now, but already have the strong sense that some of what it’s describing is very, very possible. I should also add that although it’s a dystopian tale, I sense a current of something optimistic woven throughout. For example, that through getting rid of government, we finally “solve” the effects of greenhouse gases. Perhaps my opinion will change by the time I finish the story though...we’ll see!

[Britty01]

Are you sure you'd put your faith in Elon Musk? Just to be clear, the same nut job who wanted to use submarines, that couldn't fit, to rescue the Thai soccer team, and when his idea was deemed unworkable, called the diver a pedophile? Elon Musk a great salesman and is marketing his company well, but mental stability isn't always required to run a business. In all fairness though I would trust him over some world leaders such as Rodrigo Duterte.

So, that's exactly it. I would sooner put my faith in Elon Musk than in the ex-president of MY country (Jacob Zuma). He was about as fit to run South Africa as he was to perform open heart surgery on a duck. Musk at least has the brain power to LEARN how to run a country smoothly - even with his whackjob tendencies.
I never heard about the Thai boy submarine debacle. Sounds a little ridiculous, the divers couldn't even fit in there, never mind submarines.

Some presidents/leaders of countries are bad jokes, I am Nigerian and will leave it there. Apple just hit $1 trillion in market capitalization today, how many countries are worth a tenth or twentieth of that? Super corporations might actually be closer than we know.

I was thinking about that when I watched it happen, not a good thought.

[Rae_marisce14]

The book cannot predict the future, and so are we. Noone can predicts future. Only God knows what our future will be. But, we can do anything and everything to make our goals in living achieved in the near future. Because what we do today will be brought and happened in future we aim. Best to start it today, your future lies to your hands. What you've done today reflects your future. You made your future in two choices. It might fail or succeed. But what important is, decisions plus actions plus determination equals positive response to your future. The future is in you. Because the future is YOU.

[Fu Zaila]

So, that's exactly it. I would sooner put my faith in Elon Musk than in the ex-president of MY country (Jacob Zuma). He was about as fit to run South Africa as he was to perform open heart surgery on a duck. Musk at least has the brain power to LEARN how to run a country smoothly - even with his whackjob tendencies.
I never heard about the Thai boy submarine debacle. Sounds a little ridiculous, the divers couldn't even fit in there, never mind submarines.

Some presidents/leaders of countries are bad jokes, I am Nigerian and will leave it there. Apple just hit $1 trillion in market capitalization today, how many countries are worth a tenth or twentieth of that? Super corporations might actually be closer than we know.

I was thinking about that when I watched it happen, not a good thought.

I couldn't agree more. I don't want to take names. But I am frustrated with the easy way in which our leaders can influence people. They can fart and people are ready to worship it. It's sick. Meanwhile the super corporations are actually developing way faster than anyone would accept. Who knows what long-term plan is WIP behind those shiny glass doors? One day we might all wake up to a country run over by robots developed by some small corporation in hiding right now.

[Fu Zaila]

The book cannot predict the future, and so are we. Noone can predicts future. Only God knows what our future will be. But, we can do anything and everything to make our goals in living achieved in the near future. Because what we do today will be brought and happened in future we aim. Best to start it today, your future lies to your hands. What you've done today reflects your future. You made your future in two choices. It might fail or succeed. But what important is, decisions plus actions plus determination equals positive response to your future. The future is in you. Because the future is YOU.

Realistically speaking, my future is in my hands and your future is in your hands. But the future of the world had little to do with me or you or our actions. It depends on the community add awhile not on a single person. I do believe in faith and God, but I also believe that the consequences of our actions do play a role in shaping everyone's future.