>> it will likely end with ordinary people being really cynical about the motives of big tech, the financial services industry, the media, and the ruling class generally.

That's how things were from the 70s up until the internet boom.

It's going to take another paradim shift before the cynicism errodes.

That's not how it ends, that cuts off the story halfway through. Also, the next populist will likely make Trump look level-headed and restrained.

> That's not how it ends, that cuts off the story halfway through.

I think the end point is one of:

- America comes to its senses, reforms, and becomes democratic

- America becomes a China-like oligarchy and police state, with ubiquitous surveillance, and a big-tech-run social credit system to keep everyone in line

- America bumbles along is the same fashion it has been doing, with things slowly deteriorating