Moving into irrelevance

When I was 23 years old, I spent five months travelling around the United States, visiting about 48 states. 

As an Aussie, I had been seduced by the allure of the United States, as portrayed in movies and the news. Social media and smartphones were twenty or more years away and far from most people’s imagination.

On my first day, fresh out of University, I visited a shopping mall in Orange County, California.

I had the overwhelming impression that I was witnessing the modern-day equivalent of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Empires always fall. Usually to be replaced by another Empire. 

(I wonder if we might never need an Empire on planet Earth. That would be wonderful.)

The power brokers of the West insist on rattling the cage of fear about the rise of China. And the boys make billions as they arm themselves to the teeth, while people starve. 

Books and movies will be written about the current leadership in the United States, and all the egregious actions taken every day.

On the meta level, the United States insists on keeping the fossil industry alive, rubbishing renewables constantly. Beating their chests in arrogance.

Meanwhile, the great ‘enemy’ China sees technological and energy advancement by becoming the largest investor in renewables on the planet. 

Said simply, the United States invests in energy from the past. China sees energy investment in the future.

If we are to talk Empire, who holds the reins of energy wins the war. 

Energy is more powerful than money. 

Photo June 12th 2025, Article written June 12th 2025