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Re:China is betting that the West is in irreversible decline by rafale on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @12:19PM (#26794640)
That's what I used to believe, that a totalitarian regime can never compete with a free society. The USSR tried and failed. But China is something different. They are extremely competent. And they are past their copy cat phase. I don't believe they have a creativity issue.

I think the free society model is failing given how easy to dissipate false information, especially the kind that get people riled up against each other. It's not a surprise the US feels so divided today despite all the progress made in civil rights. Our enemies/adversaries know that. They know our weak spot. And they made it their strength. China found a way to do it without compromising other aspects of its society too much.

Re:China is betting that the West is in irreversible decline by jszymborski on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @12:30PM (#26794884)
We stopped being a community not because we are a free society, but because we stopped communing.

This pandemic has been a comical caricature of how people have been living lately; siloed in their own homes, only interacting through an internet connection. This has made us incredibly susceptible to realities distorted by interested parties.

Again, a free society is our only way out of this. When I get my vaccine in the coming months, I'll be dedicating as much time I can to building strong communities. I encourage all to do the same, no matter how silly it seems. Join a hackerspace, a rock climbing group, volunteer at food shelters, become a scout leader... anything, so long as you promote community and togetherness in doing so!

Re:China is betting that the West is in irreversible decline by rafale on Tuesday April 13, 2021 @12:46PM (#26795149)
Great advice, thanks. I agree we all have to do our part in safeguarding our way of life, big or small.