Do you think this book predicts the future?

[Morgan Jones]

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.

[Roggyrus]

This could be considered an Apocalyptic novel, although there is no great upheaval or cataclysmic event that happened, the gradual erosion of America's power to corporate business is just as disastrous. When every activity in life is processed through the minions of a gigantic business empire such as World, Incorporated, living is in the grips of someone, taking out the freedom from everybody. The novel delineates ominous developments to come.

[gen_g]

I don't think it predicts the future, but perhaps there might be certain elements that come true. Empires rise and fall, and America is no exception. I don't think it will happen in the near future, but with the way things are going, I can say that (as someone not American) America's influence, honour and reputation have definitely taken huge hits due to the current government – one would be hard-pressed to find another who looks kindly upon the current administration.

I agree - America has taken a big knock when it comes to relationships with other countries. And it is much easier to comment as non-Americans. I think after so many years of creating partnerships and alliances with the world, America was looking like a true super-power. But that's being slowly broken down with the current government. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't live there or claim to know a lot about politics. But from what I've read in the news, it doesn't look positive.

You're right about it being easier to comment as non-Americans. I do agree too, it definitely doesn't look very positive, although only history can tell. LOL.

[Maemuna]

i have not read this book yet.

[OloladeO]

I have not read the book yet, but from the review, I certainly hope it doesn't. In fact, at the pace we are going, I highly doubt it.

[Nma26]

I don't hope for such a situation; but the government plays a major role in this future.

[Fu Zaila]

Probably not, in most cases, the future will ultimately be more mundane than anything else really. Remember Soylent Green? It takes place in 2022 and the only thing that has happened similarly is that soylent actually exists (As a powder but still)

But 40 years is still a long time, and with the rate the technology is advancing in present day, we can't really not expect some drastic changes in the future (the book is set in 2058).

40 years is not such a long time. Google was born 20 years ago, and most of the big tech companies we know today were also born in the 90’s. Anything is possible, the only thing that seems probable is most likely drastic change!

That's exactly what I'm trying to say. though change maybe slow, it definitely shows results when given time, and 40 years is just that!

[Fu Zaila]

Everything will depend on collective belief of the citizens because they are the one who will decide about the future. Present day governments and corporates only can try to shape their belief.

That's what is happening. But the people would refuse to be spoon-fed sooner or later. Just like Agent Silver, in this novel, even though I haven't read it.

I'm going to need to disagree with you. People always want to be spoon fed because critical thinking is harder. And let's face it, reading isn't a strong suit for most people. Short sound bites, catchy slogans, and emotional appeals shape the collective beliefs and will change the tide of a culture. Governments, corporations, NPOs, and any other group spends considerable amounts of money and time to push thought towards their cause. I haven't finished the book yet, but Agent Silver is not the average person in a country and his fictional responses shouldn't be relied upon to depict current people.

There are still a small fragment of people who are trying to see the backstage of our so-called government. I feel like, it's not going to be too long until others join in. But your arguments makes sense too. Catchy slogans and promises are what general public most gravitate towards. Sometimes, it's for the best, but sometimes people are only making a fool of themselves. And yeah Agent Silver's actions might bot be suitable to conclude the present case scenario, but there's always a little truth in fiction.

[[Valerie Allen]]

How interesting you ask. I'm in the midst of reading the book and wondering the similar thing. But, what I will say is that World, Incorporated: A Modern Dystopia does remind me of Left Behind book series of 16 best-selling religious novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, dealing with Christian dispensationalist End Times: the pretribulation, premillennial, Christian eschatological interpretation of the Biblical apocalypse, whereas, the primary conflict of the series is the members of the Tribulation Force, an underground network of converts, against an NWO-esque organization, Global Community, and its leader Nicolae Carpathia—the Antichrist.

[Hollyrobb42]

Usually I wouldn’t agree to something like this, but considering the way things have been going, anything seems possible! I don’t usually think about what the future holds or think that anything can predict it, but this comes pretty close.

[thaservices1]

I think it is entirely possible, but only probable if its more behind the scenes. I think the premise itself is already more incorporated into our society than most realize. The US government has already privatized the prison systems with most of the general public being either unaware or unconcerned. I think, between campaign donations and lobbying practices, the corporations have all the hold they need on the public without resorting to an actual throwing over of the government.

[JHuschle519]

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.

[Alicia09]

I'm currently reading this story and I was thinking the same question. I think it's entirely possible that the United States government will crumble, but it has to be because of a larger force like World Incorporated (in the story) and an extremely powerful military in order for this to happen. In other words, we as citizens would have to do what the citizens in the story did; we would have to pull out all our money from bank accounts, abandon our homes to avoid the IRS, live off the grid, riot when the IRS retaliates, and only hire private corporations like World Inc. for everyday services like paved streets. Then a super corporation like World, Inc. would have to be so powerful and get so many followers that the United States government loses their own employees to World, Inc. leaving them with nothing. So the answer is yes, but it would take a lot of time, money, power, and bloodshed from any kind of opposition.

[CatlynnHighlights]

With the way the government has been going so far, I find it completely plausible that we could find ourselves in a similar situation.

[daydreaming reader]

Anything is possible, I think this book just presents one of many perspectives.