Replacing governments

Hi there.

I have quite practical views on life. Everything I know and do is the result of endless practice. Probably, that would make me a pragmatist.

I really like to grow and be driven by change. To adapt.

Do others like this? Probably not. How does this work at the government and state level?

Today, I’ve prepared some interesting graphs. Did you know that the most successful companies are now worth more than the GDP of many countries?

It’s quite impressive and scary.

Take Nvidia, for example:

Or Apple:

The iPhone was first released in 2007, and its user base continues to grow yearly. As of 2023, there are an estimated 1.46 billion active iPhone users worldwide.

This represents a market share of 21.67% of the world's total smartphone-using population.

Simply saying, one in every four people on the planet uses an Apple device.

Today, Apple is even bigger, with a $2.594 Trillion Market Cap.

It is the same with Microsoft, which is now worth $3.060 Trillion.

Companies like Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have achieved market capitalizations exceeding $1.5 trillion each through extensive market penetration, smart diversification, and transforming products into services.

Now, what if there are no governments left on the planet?

I want to pivot slowly to a somewhat sci-fi theme.

Using corporations as governing entities, science fiction explores themes of capitalism, consumerism, and identity. These narratives often act as cautionary tales, questioning the sustainability of a society dominated by profit-driven motives and underscoring the potential need for regulation to balance corporate power and public governance.

In essence, the portrayal of corporate-controlled worlds in science fiction mirrors contemporary concerns about power dynamics in our society and speculates on future risks.

No Governments

To set the stage, here is the Song "Altered Carbon (Original Series Soundtrack)

Has everyone watched Dune, Blade Runner, or Altered Carbon? Or played Cyberpunk, Deus Ex, Borderlands, or EVE? I'll add some links for you in the Post-Credit Scene.

A common thread in these stories is the absence of traditional government structures, replaced by corporations.

In the Blade Runner universe, first introduced in Ridley Scott’s 1982 film and later expanded in Denis Villeneuve's 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049, a complex future is depicted where identity, humanity, and corporate power are central themes. Meanwhile, Altered Carbon, based on Richard K. Morgan’s novel and adapted into a TV series by Netflix, presents a provocative future where human consciousness can be digitized and transferred, exploring the immense impact of corporate power on society and identity.

Central Corporate Entities

In the original Blade Runner, the Tyrell Corporation, founded by Eldon Tyrell, is a pivotal player. This mega-corporation, which has mastered advanced bioengineering to create replicants (sophisticated synthetic humans used for labor in hazardous off-world colonies), embodies the blend of technological prowess and corporate oversight. These replicants, superior in many ways to humans, are controlled by predetermined lifespans and obedience conditioning.

By the time of Blade Runner 2049, Niander Wallace’s corporation has taken over Tyrell's operations, pushing replicant technology further. This integration deepens their economic and colonization roles, making them ubiquitous in society’s fabric.

In Altered Carbon, corporations have grown so powerful they eclipse traditional governments. They control the essential technology for consciousness storage and transfer, central to every aspect of life.

Why Corporations Hold Power

In Blade Runner:

• Technological Superiority: Tyrell and Wallace Corporations' technological advancements in replicant technology position them as critical to human survival and economic expansion, particularly in space colonization.
• Economic Dependency: Relying on replicants for labor, especially in perilous environments, centralizes corporate power not just economically but also across social and political realms.
• Regulatory Capture: Both films hint at minimal effective government oversight, depicting a world where corporate powers operate almost unchecked.

In Altered Carbon:

• Advanced Technology and Dependency: Society’s reliance on technology for immortality cements corporate dominance, impacting not just the economy but cultural and spiritual domains.
• Regulatory Capture and Corruption: With vast resources, these corporations can manipulate political landscapes to ensure minimal regulation and maintain their power.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Holding patents to crucial technologies allows these corporations to monopolize markets, reinforcing their economic and political dominance.

Why Corporations Gain So Much Power

• Economic Influence: Multinational corporations amass wealth that can rival entire nations, leveraging this to influence governments through lobbying and other means.
• Technological Advancements: By leading in innovation across fields like bioengineering and AI, corporations have become integral to government operations and everyday life.
• Globalization: Their ability to operate internationally allows them to transcend local legal frameworks, functioning almost as supranational entities.
• Privatization: By taking over services once governed by the state—such as security and healthcare—corporations gain control over essential societal functions.
• Regulatory Capture: Regulatory bodies are often influenced by the people they are supposed to oversee, leading to laws favoring corporate interests.

Effects on Governments and People

• Diminished Sovereignty: As corporations' influence grows, they can undermine national sovereignty, manipulating economies and influencing legislation.
• Policy Influence: Economic and political pressures may compel governments to favor corporate interests, detracting from the public welfare.
• Dependence: Reliance on corporations for technological solutions can skew policies towards enhancing corporate profits, often at environmental and social costs.
• Economic Disparity: Corporate dominance can exacerbate wealth inequality, concentrating riches among executives while the wider population struggles.
• Loss of Privacy: Corporate control over data and surveillance can significantly erode personal privacy.
• Consumer Exploitation: In a corporate-dominated world, lack of competition can limit consumer choices, enabling monopolistic practices.
• Social Stratification: Profit motives may override social equity, resulting in disparities in access to healthcare, education, and fundamental rights based on economic status.

I truly believe that if governments operated with the efficiency of corporations like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, we would face far fewer problems worldwide.

These companies exemplify how streamlined processes and innovative thinking can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

If such principles were applied to governance, the potential for positive change could be immense. This belief underscores the importance of integrating best practices from the business world into our public institutions, encouraging a more proactive and solution-oriented approach to addressing global challenges.

United States

In the United States, corporate power's rise and impact on government and society are complex phenomena shaped by historical, economic, political, and social factors.

Historical and Economic Foundations

• Industrialization and Innovation: The U.S. underwent rapid industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries, which led to the emergence of powerful corporations in sectors such as oil, steel, and railroads. Subsequent innovations, particularly in technology and pharmaceuticals, have further cemented these corporations' economic power.
• Globalization: Throughout the 20th century, American corporations expanded globally, accessing broader markets and cheaper labor. This expansion increased their wealth and influence over global economic policies and practices.
• Deregulation: Since the 1980s, there has been a trend towards deregulation, guided by the belief in "free market" principles. This deregulation has allowed corporations more freedom to operate, reducing costs and boosting profits, often at the expense of broader societal and environmental considerations.

Political Mechanisms

• Lobbying: Corporations invest billions of dollars in lobbying to influence legislation and regulation. Their efforts encompass various issues, from tax policy and trade agreements to environmental regulations and public health policies.
• Campaign Finance: Key court rulings, such as Citizens United v. FEC, have enabled corporations to channel unlimited funds into political campaigns through Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs. This financial clout significantly shapes the political landscape to align with corporate interests.
• Revolving Door: The "revolving door" between corporate roles and government positions means that many individuals in influential governmental roles have industry ties, potentially leading to conflicts of interest and policies that favor corporate agendas.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Media Influence: Many media outlets in the U.S. are owned by large corporations, which can shape public narratives and influence political outcomes to benefit corporate interests.
• Consumer Culture: The U.S. is characterized by a strong consumer culture that equates success with material wealth, a notion corporations exploit to maximize profits. This dynamic has reinforced the centrality of corporations in economic and social life.
• Economic Policy Focus: Economic growth is often viewed as the key indicator of national success, often overshadowing concerns like social equity or environmental sustainability. This focus benefits corporations, which are considered essential economic progress drivers.

Implications

The pervasive influence of corporations in the U.S. carries profound implications:

• Policy Shaping: Corporate interests often overshadow the policymaking process, resulting in laws and regulations that benefit the wealthy and powerful at the cost of the general populace and the environment.
• Economic Inequality: The concentration of wealth and power within corporations contributes to broader economic disparities, manifesting as wage stagnation and diminished economic mobility for the average citizen.
• Political Polarization: The disproportionate influence of corporate money in politics can deepen political divisions, as various economic sectors and their interests align with different political ideologies and parties.

In summary, corporate power's ascendancy in the U.S. is tied to a combination of historical developments, economic strategies, and political systems that favor corporate interests.

These systems significantly shape the country's economy and governance and impact nearly every facet of American life.

Futurism

I'm genuinely excited about the future, and my pragmatic nature has naturally led me to embrace futurism.

As a futurist, I focus on anticipating what may come and understanding the potential trajectories of our current technological, economic, and social trends.

Being a futurist is exhilarating yet daunting. It requires a constant balance between optimism and realism, where one has to be hopeful about the possibilities of tomorrow while critically assessing the challenges that might stop our progress. This has allowed me to explore a vast landscape of ideas, from the potential of AI and robotics to reshape our workplaces to the ethical considerations of biotechnology and human enhancement.

My feelings toward the future are a mix of wonder and concern. On the one hand, the rapid pace of innovation promises a world where the limits of today could become the possibilities of tomorrow. We might see the eradication of diseases, colonization of other planets, and merging human intelligence with artificial capabilities. On the other hand, these advancements come with significant risks—privacy concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the potential for new forms of inequality.

As we navigate this uncertain future, a futurist compels me to think critically about steering our collective destiny toward a more equitable and sustainable path. It involves engaging with thought leaders, policymakers, and the public to foster a deeper understanding of the implications of new technologies and societal shifts. By doing so, we can mitigate the risks while maximizing the benefits.

I extend a call to action to my readers: engage with the future as passive observers and active participants. Let's leverage our knowledge, creativity, and ethical compass to guide humanity toward a future that reflects our highest aspirations and values. Whether through voting, advocacy, or personal choices in our daily lives, we all have a role to play in shaping the world of tomorrow.

A 2001 survey of 108 futurists?found the following shared assumptions:

1. We are in the midst of a historical transformation. Current times are not just part of normal history.
2. Future studies will focus on multiple perspectives, including unconventional thinking, internal critique, and cross-cultural comparison.
3. Consideration of alternatives. Futurists do not see themselves as value-free forecasters but instead are aware of multiple possibilities.
4. Participatory futures. Futurists generally see their role as liberating the future in each person and creating enhanced public ownership of the future. This is true worldwide.
5. Long-term policy transformation. While some are more policy-oriented than others, almost all believe that future studies' work is to shape public policy, so it consciously and explicitly considers the long term.
6. Internal transformation is part of the process of creating alternative futures and influencing public (corporate) or international policy. At international meetings, structural and individual factors are considered equally important.
7. Complexity. Futurists believe that a simple one-dimensional or single-discipline orientation is not satisfactory. Trans-disciplinary approaches that take complexity seriously are necessary. Systems thinking, particularly in its evolutionary dimension, is also crucial.
8. Futurists are motivated by change. They are not content merely to describe or forecast. They desire an active role in world transformation.
9. They are hopeful for a better future as a "strange attractor".
10. Most believe they are pragmatists in this world, even as they imagine and work for another. Futurists have a long-term perspective.
11. Sustainable futures are understood as making decisions that do not reduce future options, including policies on nature, gender, and other accepted paradigms.

This applies to corporate futurists and other non-governmental organizations.

Environmental?sustainability is reconciled with technological, spiritual, and post-structural ideals. Sustainability is not a "back to nature" ideal but rather inclusive of technology and culture.

Sohail Inayatullah, ed., The Views of Futurists. Vol 4, The Knowledge Base of Futures Studies. Brisbane, Foresight International, 2001.

No future without AI

The future is coming, day by day, minute by minute.

Stanford has released the AI Index Report 2024. This yearly report discusses AI trends, not just in research.

1. AI is now outperforming humans in certain areas like image classification and understanding English, but not in all areas yet.
2. Big tech companies are still leading in AI research. They have released 51 significant models, while academic institutions have released only 15.
3. According to the AI Index, the cost of training modern AI models has reached unprecedented levels. For example, training OpenAI's GPT-4 costs about $78 million, and Google's Gemini Ultra costs $191 million.
4. The USA is leading in AI, while China leads in robotics. China publishes many papers, but they have fewer groundbreaking models than the US.
5. There is a pressing issue with alignment. Currently, there are no benchmarks or approved standards for evaluating the responsibility of large language models (LLMs), which complicates the systematic comparison of risks and the regulation of models.
6. Investments in AI have surged almost eightfold from 2022, reaching $25.2 billion, despite a general decline in private investments in the niche last year.
7. AI is improving work productivity and narrowing the gap between novice and experienced employees.
8. Scientific progress is accelerating even more due to AI. In 2023, AI tools were launched in all areas of scientific activity, from AlphaDev enhancing algorithmic sorting efficiency to GNoME, which eases the process of discovering new materials.
9. Governments are increasing their AI regulations. The number of regulatory acts related to AI in the USA has sharply increased over the last year and five years—from just one in 2016 to 25 in 2023.
10. People are gradually realizing that AI is not like NFTs. According to an Ipsos survey, the percentage of people who believe AI will significantly impact their lives in the next three to five years has increased from 60% to 66%, and 52% express concern about AI. People fear what they do not understand.

Post-Credit Scene

I hope you truly enjoyed this edition. I prepared the interesting materials below, including books, TV shows, and movies.

But can you imagine how much a trillion dollars is?

Spoiler: that’s a lot.

It’s a figure that represents vast, almost unimaginable wealth. Such financial power allows corporations to exert influence that can rival, or even surpass, that of national governments.

So, post-credit scene:

Movies:

• "Blade Runner" and "Blade Runner 2049" - In these films, the powerful Tyrell Corporation (and later the Wallace Corporation) exerts significant influence over society through the creation and exploitation of replicants.
• "Elysium" - Though not entirely run by corporations, this movie portrays a society where the wealthy live on a pristine space station, controlled by corporate interests, while the rest of humanity suffers on a ruined Earth.
• "RoboCop" (1987) - The megacorporation Omni Consumer Products (OCP) runs the Detroit Police Department and plans to turn the city into a privatized utopia called Delta City.

TV Shows:

• "Continuum" - This series is set in a future where governments have failed and corporations have taken over, creating a high-surveillance, high-security society.
• "Incorporated" - Set in a future where companies have seemingly unlimited power, the show focuses on a world divided between corporate-controlled zones and devastated, unregulated lands.
• "Altered Carbon" - In this show, large corporations have enormous influence over technological and political affairs, with the power to bring people back from the dead into new bodies.

• "Cyberpunk 2077" - Set in Night City, where mega-corporations have more influence than the government, the game explores themes of corporate exploitation and the struggle for power in a society where technology permeates every aspect of life.
• "Deus Ex" Series - In these games, the world is controlled by powerful corporations operating behind the scenes. They manipulate global politics and economics to suit their interests, often at the expense of the public.
• "Final Fantasy VII" - The Shinra Electric Power Company is a mega-corporation that controls the world's energy supply and by extension, holds enormous sway over world affairs. Its actions and the resistance against them are central to the game's plot.
• "Syndicate" (both the 1993 original and the 2012 reboot) - The world is divided into regions controlled by mega-corporations known as "Syndicates" that wage covert wars for market dominance using bio-engineered agents.
• "Mirror's Edge" - Set in a city where a conglomerate of corporations known as "The Conglomerate" rules, the game follows the story of runners who courier sensitive information while evading corporate security forces.
• "EVE Online" - In this massively multiplayer online game, players can join or form corporations and alliances that control vast regions of space, compete for resources, engage in economic warfare, and govern themselves in a largely player-driven narrative.
• "Borderlands" Series - Throughout the series, various mega-corporations such as Hyperion and Maliwan play significant roles, controlling entire planets and using mercenaries to enforce their rule and engage in corporate warfare.
• "Remember Me" - Set in a future Paris where the Memorize corporation has the technology to control and manipulate people's memories, the game explores themes of personal autonomy versus corporate control.

Books:

• "Neuromancer" by William Gibson - This seminal cyberpunk novel features a world where multinational corporations are more powerful than governments, controlling access to technology and information.
• "Snow Crash" by Neal Stephenson - In this book, the United States government has ceded most of its power to private corporations, and territory is divided into franchised city-states.
• "The Space Merchants" by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth - This novel portrays a world dominated by competing advertising agencies and large corporations, where consumerism and human exploitation reach extreme levels.
• "Jennifer Government" by Max Barry - Set in a future where the government has become severely limited, corporations have the power to form their own laws and execute them as they see fit.

Thanks for reading.

Vlad