Generation-X culture vs Boomer culture

[Marc]

Yeah, I don't see a civil war, but I could see the country torn to pieces, perhaps threats of secession. I'm sure the political game of "Who's the biggest idiot" will continue, probably get worse before this is over.

I'm not a geek in the traditional sense; I'm not real skilled with computers. I just have various obsessions and Generational Dynamics and generational theory is becoming one of them.

Again, regarding your insights, your not seeing a civil war but seeing the country torn to pieces (e.g., threats of secession) makes sense to me. That seems like a quite plausible outcome relating to what we've been hashing out.

Geeks don't need to be computerheads or other traditional stereotypes, of course; for example, I'm not much of a video-game freak. (But, I still think that those classic video games of a few decades ago were still the best! ) But, like you, I do find generational theory quite fun to hash out with others who share an interest in it. Thanks again for sharing.... —Best regards/Cheers, Marc

[Trevor]

What I've had the best luck doing is convincing people that we're going to be at war with China one day. A lot of people I know are worried about them.

btw, I've identified a few other early nomads that ended up being great villains: Saddam, Togo, and Hirohito. Based on the generational timelines, they fit.

[Marc]

That gosh-darn Lost Generation...with Generation-X'ers realizing that they have a tradition and heritage to live up to....

(But, good research!)

—Best regards/Peace, Marc

[Trevor]

Hey, I used to know someone like that. born in 1964, early nomad, advocated extermination of Turkish Cypriots. She's from Greece and believes that if they refuse to leave, they should be wiped out. Pretty scary, actually; that Greece-Turkey fault line is still strong and something we'll likely see again in WWIII. Someone like that could take power after greece defaults. Just remember what happened in Germany.

[Marc]

Hey, I used to know someone like that. born in 1964, early nomad, advocated extermination of Turkish Cypriots. She's from Greece and believes that if they refuse to leave, they should be wiped out. Pretty scary, actually; that Greece-Turkey fault line is still strong and something we'll likely see again in WWIII. Someone like that could take power after greece defaults. Just remember what happened in Germany.

I do kindly remember your story on this. In the case of a fairly-modest-sized island such as Cyprus, split into two ethnic camps who have intense animosity towards each other, I can see the potential for significant genocide, led by a demagogue, in a Crisis era, even in the 21st century. Let's hope that this doesn't happen.... —Best regards, Marc

[Trevor]

It also told me that the comments on Generation X has some merit to it. I hope it doesn't happen as well, but it could, all things considering. we're slowly seeing how the two sides are lining up, if you're paying attention, and we are.

I'm just waiting for China's announcement on the military budget, though I don't know when it will be. I calculated it for 2011, considering what their real budget is, and looking at it in PPP terms. I came to the conclusion that compared to us, it's around 230-250 billion.

[Marc]

Interesting budgetary calculation in regards to China, Trevor. With our on-the-ledger expenditures coupled with what we may well have off-the-ledger, I'd say that the US military budget still outpaces China's by quite a bit. —Best regards, Marc

[Trevor]

Our official baseline budget is around 550 billion, and I would guess the actual baseline is about 25 percent higher than that, so around 700 billion then. That means we outweigh China by around 3-to-1 at the moment. The bad news is that it'll only take 5-7 years to catch up, especially considering that we're planning major cuts to the defense budget.

[Marc]

Appreciate the further insights. What the US decides to spend militarily could change quickly, however; plus, more and more of the United States' military expenditures could be moved off-the-ledger, such as under the auspices of the CIA. This could especially be true for high-tech-weapons research. —Best regards, Marc

[Trevor]

That I also wouldn't doubt, but I'd bet on China doing the same thing. Today, i think we could beat them, although it would cost us a lot even now. A few years from now is an open question, which is why my eyes are watching them carefully.

The average over the past 10 years for China's budget increases has been around 15 percent. Assuming the average occurs in 2012, that would bring their official budget to 105 billion. Of course, we won't know until for another month or two.

Once Hu is gone, it's going to be a whole different ball game, particularly if the one who replaces him was born around 1965 or so.