I didn't specifically mean the collapse of the USSR. As you rightly pointed out, the Strugatsky brothers predicted a much more global, supranational Community. But, unfortunately, they miscalculated in determining the dominant morality and spiritual idea in the society of the future. Already at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the spirit of progress, solidarity, and the desire to learn new things are overcoming the inertia and contentiousness of humanity. In reality, this will not happen – society cannot quickly abandon its values and acquire new ones. Wild capitalism, with "legalism" instead of conscience, will be the fate of Earth for several more decades. What will happen next? I cannot answer this question. But it certainly won't be a naive, just, and energetic Community of innovators. If we speak the language of the Strugatsky brothers, we should expect a future similar to the one described in the story "The Predatory Things of the Century." This may be related to the high popularity of virtual reality (and the improvement of methods for creating virtual worlds), or it may be related, as in the original, to the discovery of an accessible substance that alters consciousness.
...I may be wrong; after all, I'm not some kind of "prophet," but I hope you understood my main point. A society with moral foundations corresponding to the books of the Strugatsky brothers is unlikely to be created in the twenty-first century.
And by the way, in the books of the Strugatsky brothers, there is a detailed chronology of the future, compiled by the authors. Here is an excerpt:
<...2004 - A communist president is elected in the USA; 2005 - dissolution of the "Atlantic Pact." Law on freedom of movement; 2005 - the first starship; 2006 - Completion of the nationalization and demilitarization of the USA; 2007 - Creation of the World Council of the UN as an advisory body to the UN; 2009 - Coup in the Zone of Padania...>
2WisTrit:
I just said this because I had to read a lot.
And we'll discuss Lukyanenko.
