We live in a wonderful time -- and many thanks to China

[sv2007]

China has helped us greatly in keeping inflation near zero by supplying us with affordable stuff directly and indirectly (by giving global manufacturers cheap parts).

Is the happy times nearing an end? Some people thought so a couple years back, but now look at it. Many aren't saying that anymore.

What do you think?

In our slow race to the bottom, things are strange and yet comfortable for now. Most middle class traditional manufacturing jobs are gone, they aren't even in China anymore. I wonder if the next automation revolution will cause us to be more or less comfortable. This phase certainly is the bringer of prosperity.

Who's going to be the next middle class in the US? Will an increasing wealth on the coastal locations mean that middle class are only found near the coast? Leaving the heartland to the retirees?

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

China has helped us greatly in keeping inflation near zero by supplying us with affordable stuff directly and indirectly (by giving global manufacturers cheap parts).

Is the happy times nearing an end? Some people thought so a couple years back, but now look at it. Many aren't saying that anymore.

What do you think?

In our slow race to the bottom, things are strange and yet comfortable for now. Most middle class traditional manufacturing jobs are gone, they aren't even in China anymore. I wonder if the next automation revolution will cause us to be more or less comfortable. This phase certainly is the bringer of prosperity.

Who's going to be the next middle class in the US? Will an increasing wealth on the coastal locations mean that middle class are only found near the coast? Leaving the heartland to the retirees?

We do live in a wonderful time, although many do not believe it. If you live any sort of suburban, middle class existence you simply put have it better, materialistically, than all of humanity throughout history. If you're not starving to death than you're living better than humanity throughout history.

Middle class will focus on growth industries in the US: tech, health care, real estate, energy. Many are concentrated on the coasts but not all. Energy will be a driver for growth in the interior portions of the states.

[Singuy]

We do live in a wonderful time! We have the fewest deaths from wars, plagues, diseases, and infant death than ever in the history of humanity. Technology is also growing exponentially fast! It took us 10 thousand years just to get out of the hunting and gathering phase, and only 100 years from riding horses to landing on the moon!

From a big picture perspective, life is amazing!

China's low cost production is a double edge sword. Yes, we get goods cheaply without causing a rise in inflation..but this is at the cost of destroying the planet. Because things are so cheaply and easily obtained, people are now more wasteful than ever before. From changing out cellphones yearly to buying disposable junk at the dollar store, this way of consuming cannot be sustainable.

[AJ444]

In my world other countries are filling the gap for China like India, Vietnam and Thailand. Plenty of competition for manufacturing cheap parts.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

We do live in a wonderful time! We have the fewest deaths from wars, plagues, diseases, and infant death than ever in the history of humanity. Technology is also growing exponentially fast! It took us 10 thousand years just to get out of the hunting and gathering phase, and only 100 years from riding horses to landing on the moon!

From a big picture perspective, life is amazing!

China's low cost production is a double edge sword. Yes, we get goods cheaply without causing a rise in inflation..but this is at the cost of destroying the planet. Because things are so cheaply and easily obtained, people are now more wasteful than ever before. From changing out cellphones yearly to buying disposable junk at the dollar store, this way of consuming cannot be sustainable.

In the future, landfills will probably be mined for a lot of these resources, as they will rise in value and it will be worth it.