The technological revolution once promised a new era of expanded democracy and enhanced opportunity. Instead, we face today a reality that blends the worst aspects of George Orwell’s Big Brother and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World controllers.
The Golden State has long been, as one nineteenth century Gentile observer put it, “the Jews’ earthly paradise.” Today, California offers a less appealing landscape as hostility toward Israel and Jews originates mostly from the progressive Left, rather than the Right, the historic base for antisemitism.
That America’s decline remains a myth at present owes more to natural resources, technological dominance and demographic vitality than to its political leadership.
Three decades ago, author Steve Toulmin published a book in which he argued that the cosmopolis constitutes the true “agenda of modernity.” But across the planet today, the cosmopolitan ideal is under attack from both the nationalist Right and the intersectional Left.
California’s deficit soars to $73 billion, as a tech boom in artificial intelligence enriches big tech, but may not create as many jobs as it destroys.
School choice has become ever more popular as teacher’s unions drive policies that have turned our public schools into brainwashing camps and student performance has declined.
The dysfunction in education is evident from top to bottom: from Ivy League outposts down to the secondary schools. Both are producing a generation that is ill-informed, illiterate and innumerate.
https://joelkotkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/students-hold-miniature-american-flags-during-the-sackets-d0f3de-1024.jpg6831024JK-admin/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jkotkin_logo.pngJK-admin2024-02-27 07:25:532024-02-26 14:49:09Why Are Americans Becoming More Stupid?
Most political coverage in America revolves around personalities, stratagems, and the cultural issues that appeal to the activist class in both parties. Yet the real determinant in 2024 will not be abortion, “systemic racism,” gender fluidity, or climate change, but deepening class divides.
Any effort to restore San Francisco’s appeal will need more than an infusion of vulture capital. The city’s problems are essentially demographic and political, and have transformed San Francisco from an icon to a disaster zone, particularly as workers opt for remote work.
https://joelkotkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/downtown-sanfrancisco-decline.jpg6751200Joel Kotkin/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jkotkin_logo.pngJoel Kotkin2024-02-20 07:25:142024-02-18 14:17:28Downtown San Francisco is Beyond Redemption
Climate change reparations will likely harm middle and working classes who will foot the bill, even though it is the wealthy and privileged who generate most carbon emissions.
Woke Big Tech Launched Crusade Against Free Speech
/in Politics, Urban AffairsThe technological revolution once promised a new era of expanded democracy and enhanced opportunity. Instead, we face today a reality that blends the worst aspects of George Orwell’s Big Brother and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World controllers.
Golden Land
/in CaliforniaThe Golden State has long been, as one nineteenth century Gentile observer put it, “the Jews’ earthly paradise.” Today, California offers a less appealing landscape as hostility toward Israel and Jews originates mostly from the progressive Left, rather than the Right, the historic base for antisemitism.
The Myth of America’s Decline
/in Demographics, Politics, The EconomyThat America’s decline remains a myth at present owes more to natural resources, technological dominance and demographic vitality than to its political leadership.
Cosmopolis or Bust?
/in Urban AffairsThree decades ago, author Steve Toulmin published a book in which he argued that the cosmopolis constitutes the true “agenda of modernity.” But across the planet today, the cosmopolitan ideal is under attack from both the nationalist Right and the intersectional Left.
California Deficit Soars to $73 Billion
/in California, PoliticsCalifornia’s deficit soars to $73 billion, as a tech boom in artificial intelligence enriches big tech, but may not create as many jobs as it destroys.
Teachers Unions Have Turned Our Schools into Woke Brainwashing Camps
/in Urban AffairsSchool choice has become ever more popular as teacher’s unions drive policies that have turned our public schools into brainwashing camps and student performance has declined.
Why Are Americans Becoming More Stupid?
/in Demographics, Urban AffairsThe dysfunction in education is evident from top to bottom: from Ivy League outposts down to the secondary schools. Both are producing a generation that is ill-informed, illiterate and innumerate.
Class of ’24
/in Demographics, Politics, The EconomyMost political coverage in America revolves around personalities, stratagems, and the cultural issues that appeal to the activist class in both parties. Yet the real determinant in 2024 will not be abortion, “systemic racism,” gender fluidity, or climate change, but deepening class divides.
Downtown San Francisco is Beyond Redemption
/in California, Demographics, The Economy, Urban AffairsAny effort to restore San Francisco’s appeal will need more than an infusion of vulture capital. The city’s problems are essentially demographic and political, and have transformed San Francisco from an icon to a disaster zone, particularly as workers opt for remote work.
Biden’s Climate Change Reparations Will Bankrupt Americans
/in PoliticsClimate change reparations will likely harm middle and working classes who will foot the bill, even though it is the wealthy and privileged who generate most carbon emissions.