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Network States Image reminds me of Bad Karma |
Network States: A Primer by Mark E. Jeftovic starts with a quote from Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson:
MetaCops Unlimited is the official peacekeeping force of White Columns, and also of The Mews at Windsor Heights, The Heights at Bear Run, Cinnamon Grove, and The Farms of Cloverdelle. They also enforce traffic regulations on all highways and byways operated by Fairlanes, Inc. A few different FOQNEs ( Franchise-Organized Quasi-National Entities) also use them: Caymans Plus and The Alps, for example. But franchise nations prefer to have their own security force. You can bet that Metazania and New South Africa handle their own security; that’s the only reason people become citizens, so they can get drafted. Obviously, Nova Sicilia has its own security, too. Narcolombia doesn’t need security because people are scared just to drive past the franchise at less than a hundred miles an hour (Y.T. always snags a nifty power boost in neighborhoods thick with Narcolombia consulates), and Mr. Lee’s Greater Hong Kong, the grandaddy of all FOQNEs, handles it in a typically Hong Kong way, with robots.
MetaCops’ main competitor, WorldBeat Security, handles all roads belonging to Cruiseways, plus has worldwide contracts with Dixie Traditionals, Pickett’s Plantation, Rainbow Heights (check it out—two apartheid Burbclaves and one for black suits), Meadowvale on the river and Brickyard Station. WorldBeat is smaller than MetaCops, handles more upscale contracts, supposedly has a bigger espionage arm—though if that’s what people want, they just talk to an account rep at the Central Intelligence Corporation. And then there’s The Enforcers—but they cost a lot and don’t take well to supervision. It is rumored that, under their uniforms, they wear T-shirts bearing the unofficial Enforcer coat of arms: a fist holding a nightstick, emblazoned with the words SUE ME. - Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash
He takes off from there and explores Nation States vs Network States vs Crypto-claves. If you are like me and are wondering just what is going to come out of all the apparent chaos surrounding us, his article makes a lot of sense. Oh, what's going to happen? More chaos by the looks of it. More chaos is going to be the 'new normal'. Great. Turn off your TV and social media, lay in a supply of food and water. I'm afraid a bunker mentality might be necessary to keep from going crazy.
He links to several books. He also mentioned at least one name I didn't recognize and had to look up:
Satoshi Nakamoto - is the identity credited with inventing Bitcoin, presumably a pseudonym.
Via ZeroHedge
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