This is a great essay. I may have mentioned this before but Brink Lindsey has a book coming out in Jan 2026 entitled “The Permanent Problem: The Uncertain Transition from Mass Plenty to Mass Flourishing.” We need to go back in time and renew our appreciation for the complex systems we have built (including federalism) but at the same time trigger a rebirth of skills and energy to build even more complex systems where people can meet their basic needs but also find meaning, purpose and fulfillment. It would be great fun to talk with Madison if he were alive today!
When I teach I often talk about how we’ve gone from smoke signals to emails and how that changes everything about communication. Two hundred years ago if I was angry at my neighbor I might get on my horse and ride over to confront him or her. But in the two or three hours it might take me to get there I’m likely to rethink my reaction. Cooler heads prevail because there is time between thought and action. Today on the internet I can read and react within seconds. And unfortunately the time to consider my response is lost. How many politicians have had to walk back their comments “upon reflection.”
I also wonder if you see a parallel to our experience in the US and the European Union and Brexit. The “distant” government in Brussels was controlling what happened in the UK to the dissatisfaction of many.
You're spot on about the digital age. People are too quick to report something that makes them angry than to find out if it's true.
To your question, I think the incentives are all wrong. Whether it's Washington or Brussels or any other one for that matter, when the incentives become preservation of it versus the freedom of you, the government ceases to function in any meaningful way. We've watched countless empires fall for precisely the same reason every time. History is simply Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.
I'd like to think we can save it, but it's hard to say whether we're already too late.
This is a great essay. I may have mentioned this before but Brink Lindsey has a book coming out in Jan 2026 entitled “The Permanent Problem: The Uncertain Transition from Mass Plenty to Mass Flourishing.” We need to go back in time and renew our appreciation for the complex systems we have built (including federalism) but at the same time trigger a rebirth of skills and energy to build even more complex systems where people can meet their basic needs but also find meaning, purpose and fulfillment. It would be great fun to talk with Madison if he were alive today!
I’m intrigued by the concepts. I will track down the book for pre-order. Thank you for sharing.
Will reach out to you after you get settled at your new position. Congratulations again! Mark
Very interesting piece, thank you.
“ The speed of connection accelerates division.”
When I teach I often talk about how we’ve gone from smoke signals to emails and how that changes everything about communication. Two hundred years ago if I was angry at my neighbor I might get on my horse and ride over to confront him or her. But in the two or three hours it might take me to get there I’m likely to rethink my reaction. Cooler heads prevail because there is time between thought and action. Today on the internet I can read and react within seconds. And unfortunately the time to consider my response is lost. How many politicians have had to walk back their comments “upon reflection.”
I also wonder if you see a parallel to our experience in the US and the European Union and Brexit. The “distant” government in Brussels was controlling what happened in the UK to the dissatisfaction of many.
You're spot on about the digital age. People are too quick to report something that makes them angry than to find out if it's true.
To your question, I think the incentives are all wrong. Whether it's Washington or Brussels or any other one for that matter, when the incentives become preservation of it versus the freedom of you, the government ceases to function in any meaningful way. We've watched countless empires fall for precisely the same reason every time. History is simply Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.
I'd like to think we can save it, but it's hard to say whether we're already too late.