Do you think this book predicts the future?

Use this forum to discuss August 2018 book of the month "World, Incorporated" by Tom Gariffo.
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ngoccanh
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Re: Do you think this book predicts the future?

Post by ngoccanh »

Fuzaila wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 09:37
ngoccanh wrote: 09 Aug 2018, 18:49 I think that it's entirely possible given the current state of affairs.The political climate in the U.S. right now is really damaging the relationships with other countries, and there does not seem to be an emphasis on advances
I have similar sentiments. But most people tend to think that US is too powerful to be ignorant of the rest of the world catching up to them and matching them in their powers.
:D :P
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Post by ngoccanh »

The book is really predicting the future of countries which are already having challenges now.thanks
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Post by bluesky5_ »

This book is like the weather, the meteorologists TRY to tell us what to expect the weather to be like in hours, days, weeks, but they have fallen inaccurate at times as we have seen ...I see the U.S. as a strong country because we are UNITED in our beliefs, in our strengths, and resources and above all we strive to keep up with the future.
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Post by SP33DY+H33DY+R3ADY »

Well, with respect to the description of cityscapes and advancements in technology, I think it is possible there exists certain variations of the above described in the future.

But with respect to the story outline, the protagonist, other characters, for example at headquarters, nature and the various unfolding patterns of thought of the characters, it did not seem to be a variation of any existences one could not imagine albeit certainly better possibilities of paths chosen leading to different lifestyles is possible in the future.
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Post by Kajori Sheryl Paul »

I believe that the world predicted by Garrifo is a likely depiction of the future, given the way, we are all becoming slaves to consumerism.
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Post by Bianka Walter »

FictionLover wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 16:39
Fuzaila wrote: 01 Aug 2018, 00:35 World, Incorporated depicts the country of United States, which is no longer ruling the world. The unrest and intolerance in present day America is a clear indication that the future is not as secure as the government wants us to believe. Do you think it is a possibility that the country of United States would lose its power in the near future? Do you think the world created by Tom Gariffo is a possibility? Why do you think so? Why not?
I think it predicts the rise of corporate power, which becomes almost equal to the government. I think it is a fair extrapolation from what is happening today. Whether it will come true depends on the citizens to vote out politicians who are corporate stooges.

As an aside, this is not the only place you see this idea. The Sci-Fi TV show, Dark Matter is set in a future where the corporations are the most powerful entity in the galaxy.

:)
Oh, you're so right. I didn't even think about Dark Matter. And it's based in space and on other planets, so it's even further down the line. Good catch!
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Post by FictionLover »

Bianka Walter wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 03:08
FictionLover wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 16:39
Fuzaila wrote: 01 Aug 2018, 00:35 World, Incorporated depicts the country of United States, which is no longer ruling the world. The unrest and intolerance in present day America is a clear indication that the future is not as secure as the government wants us to believe. Do you think it is a possibility that the country of United States would lose its power in the near future? Do you think the world created by Tom Gariffo is a possibility? Why do you think so? Why not?
I think it predicts the rise of corporate power, which becomes almost equal to the government. I think it is a fair extrapolation from what is happening today. Whether it will come true depends on the citizens to vote out politicians who are corporate stooges.

As an aside, this is not the only place you see this idea. The Sci-Fi TV show, Dark Matter is set in a future where the corporations are the most powerful entity in the galaxy.

:)
Oh, you're so right. I didn't even think about Dark Matter. And it's based in space and on other planets, so it's even further down the line. Good catch!

Thanks. I loved Dark Matter.
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Post by FictionLover »

Kajori50 wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 02:41 I believe that the world predicted by Garrifo is a likely depiction of the future, given the way, we are all becoming slaves to consumerism.
I like that: Slaves to consumerism. So true!

:ugeek2:
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Post by Kajori Sheryl Paul »

FictionLover wrote: 11 Aug 2018, 16:39
Fuzaila wrote: 01 Aug 2018, 00:35 World, Incorporated depicts the country of United States, which is no longer ruling the world. The unrest and intolerance in present day America is a clear indication that the future is not as secure as the government wants us to believe. Do you think it is a possibility that the country of United States would lose its power in the near future? Do you think the world created by Tom Gariffo is a possibility? Why do you think so? Why not?
I think it predicts the rise of corporate power, which becomes almost equal to the government. I think it is a fair extrapolation from what is happening today. Whether it will come true depends on the citizens to vote out politicians who are corporate stooges.

As an aside, this is not the only place you see this idea. The Sci-Fi TV show, Dark Matter is set in a future where the corporations are the most powerful entity in the galaxy.

:)
Exactly my point.
Also, the movie 'Matrix' depicts a similar theme.
P.S. - 'Dark Matter' sounds interesting. I guess I will try it out.
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Post by sam_jennifer_may »

The current political climate in the United States is one of unrest and conflict.

The United States and the power it holds is built upon the respect from other countries around the world and the strong belief the American citizens have in the flag and its principles. In 2018, there is increasing civil unrest and conflict. A large portion of America does not feel they are fairly represented by the flag, with hate and race crimes increasing significantly since the Trump inauguration. I believe the world depicted in World, Incorporated could easily be a prediction of the future.

Trump is ridiculed throughout the world, and attacks world leaders on social media. The actions of Trump continue to cause loss of respect for both Trump and America. People within America do not believe in the government, so how is the rest of the world expected to.

Whilst depicting an American world, I think many of the topics and events within World, Incorporated can be seen in countries all over the world. The number of countries with civil unrest and war continues to grow day by day.

This book is a scary prediction of what could happen. And if true, I dread to think the impact this would have world wide. The power and threat the United States holds prevents attacks from various countries on America and their allies.
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Post by Chandler_Greg »

There are continued calls to privatize government functions in a push for small government. The assumption is that corporations, working for a profit will find more efficient ways to address problems that stymie vast bureaucracies.

At the same time, corporations exhibit huge influence within government structures as campaigns are funded in large part by corporate PACs and government positions are increasingly dispensed to major contributors. I think, in many ways, we already have an oligarchy running the country. In Washington's revolving door, corporate CEOs are put in place in the president's cabinet, and former policy-makers are hired in the private sector to take advantage of their political influence.

The current administration, which is essentially robing the country blind, while passing legislation and presidential proclamations that benefit corporate leaders and the very wealthy, is the closest we've yet come to the type of dystopian government the novel portrays. There is, of course, a major difference. While the US Government in World, Inc was maintained in a diminished state and practically ignored as an unimportant relic, our current and future governments recognized the great symbolic power of the nation. The calls to nationalism, as represented today by the fear and hatred of immigrants, is still a powerful motivator.

While it appears that we may never recover from the wholesale corporate take-over of America, I doubt that it will ever result in a renunciation of government. It is no loger religion that is an opiate of the masses, but nationalism and patriotism that makes us turn a blind eye to the horrors around us while trumpeting the glory of our country.

I'm hoping also, that the checks and balances that have so long served us will help to counter all that our country has suffered under this administration and that despite the rape of our national treasury, we can recover some of the hope and kindness that have marked us as a truly great nation.
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Post by xBibliobibulix »

I think the US losing its power is definitely possible. Who will take over when they do is the real question.
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Post by Bianka Walter »

sam_jennifer_may wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 11:29 The current political climate in the United States is one of unrest and conflict.

The United States and the power it holds is built upon the respect from other countries around the world and the strong belief the American citizens have in the flag and its principles. In 2018, there is increasing civil unrest and conflict. A large portion of America does not feel they are fairly represented by the flag, with hate and race crimes increasing significantly since the Trump inauguration. I believe the world depicted in World, Incorporated could easily be a prediction of the future.

Trump is ridiculed throughout the world, and attacks world leaders on social media. The actions of Trump continue to cause loss of respect for both Trump and America. People within America do not believe in the government, so how is the rest of the world expected to.

Whilst depicting an American world, I think many of the topics and events within World, Incorporated can be seen in countries all over the world. The number of countries with civil unrest and war continues to grow day by day.

This book is a scary prediction of what could happen. And if true, I dread to think the impact this would have world wide. The power and threat the United States holds prevents attacks from various countries on America and their allies.
It's a good point. When the person ruling and speaking for the country is one that isn't very good at building relationships, it doesn't bode well for the future.
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Post by Sharon Myles »

I think the book predicts the future in a way, but some things in the book are already happening. So, its not fully about the future but also the present.
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Post by shaz1994 »

I think it was quite creative for the writer to explore this dimension of the future, it brings to attention the possibilities that could arise if ever such a powerful nation could lose it's authority and dominance.
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