Some people seek power to control and dictate how things run. Its simple, they want to rule, call the shots, and feed their ego and inner chemical reactions. Think about the feeling you get when you rule out everything; at its core, it's ego. They enjoy the art of architecting power, strategy, and planning. This type of art can be devoid of morals and mercy. Such individuals exist everywhere on Earth. Are they the majority? No, but some of them sit at the top of the pyramid.

Throughout history, armies built and artillery manufactured. Long story short, advances in technological weapons have differentiated the most powerful.

After World War II, America showed the world what freedom and democracy could be. It had a vision of what freedom should look like. and how to protect it, stemming from its independence and Civil War. But, this structure of freedom and democracy is now deteriorating. In the last 20 years, it has deviated from its original direction due to external forces of its own making.

Over time, after World War II, power has taken on a different form. There is no longer a need for war, destruction and bloodshed. To expand, influence and strengthen positions.

Power has come to focus on science, R&D, and economics. A strong economy and financial systems are crucial. For example, sanctioning exports and imports can cripple countries. When there is a disagreement at large without raging bloody war.

In modern times, single entity (Government) monopolize power and violence. A centralization and concentration of control. Unlike in the past, anyone with an army or money could rule a region. A dispersed power.

With the industrial revolutions. large companies in various sectors such as oil, pharmaceuticals, and finance. Began to share power with governments. It’s the dynamic of shared interests.

With information technology. A new wave of companies has emerged. Grown large, and gained more influence than the industrial giants. Because they have a broader reach and access to more data. Information technology has a unique type of power.

As we advance in information technology. Operating systems, AI, space tech, and blockchain, power will become more dispersed.

With AI, you can have software-based robots performing routine tasks and various activities. Or AI embedded in hardware robots in the form of planes, cars, animals, and humans. Companies with these technologies have significant power. Imagine an army of robots equipped with weapons.

It's like we see in fiction movies, this is about to become a reality. Any wealthy person could buy a small army of robots to act as their security. Protecting them while they sleep or move around. Or they could even build their own small city. And become a mini sovereign state, created by a group of billionaires.

So, blockchain and space technology are two complementary forces. Both can disperse power into the hands of individuals and companies.

Blockchain is the new infrastructure for the internet. With many blockchains existing, there is no longer a monopoly on infrastructure. Bridging companies help connections between different chains. And technology will base alliances.

In space, a new generation of satellites is being deployed. building the infrastructure for space-based internet and imaging satellites. One type collects data in real time, while the other ease communication.. Anywhere on the face of earth.

Imagine a robot embedded with AI. Connected to the internet via space-based satellites, and operating on a blockchain. With blockchain, you control data, enhanced security and efficiency. Satellites provide real-time imagery. To watch the road, alerting the robot to any risks. The robot charges itself through solar energy. and anyone can control and monitored remotely, like a marionette.

Through space-based internet, you connect hardware and software from anywhere on Earth. With the help of satellite imagery. You can check any risks, and running your data on the blockchain adds a layer of security. How cool is that?

That doesn’t mean power is evil; you can use it for the greater good. Leveraged to serve humanity. I’m not being pessimistic or naive. There will be those who use power for control, greed, and to advance their personal or political agendas.

The concept I’m alluding to is that the changing nature of power will shift away from governments. And increase into the hands of individuals, groups and companies.

Power will become shared and dispersed, leading to various scenarios. This shift will influence societal structures, governance, policy, and nationalism.

Any group of talented and wealthy individuals can build their own power. There is no longer a monopoly on knowledge.

Scenarios from AI + blockchain + space:

• Governments become weaker. and power shifts more toward cities, with the federal government becoming less prominent.

• Nationalism will fade. With people either being bound to and loyal. To specific regions or belonging to medium organizational ecosystems.

• New digital identities issued by powerful digital states. Leading to less attraction toward traditional national citizenships.

• Companies will establish it self as a sovereign and control certain regions

• The disappearance of traditional political parties. With more smart contracts available for public membership to design policy, regulation and rules.

• Technologies are the base of alliances in the form of collaboration between:

  • AI + SaaS

  • AI + Space Internet + Robots + Blockchain

  • AI + Space Internet + Satellites + SaaS + Robots + Blockchain + Green Energy

  • These alliances can take different shapes and forms based on interests and needs.

Tech companies and AI are becoming as powerful as kings were back then. Data with AI is like owning land in the old days.

Gig workers managed by AI is like being a peasant working for a lord. AI & Tech companies are everywhere. They work across countries, like the church did back then. They might even affect how countries talk to each other. Some people will think AI is always right. It's like how people used to believe kings were chosen by God.

Any country can object to this. but with aging leaders across various sectors, rising inequality, corruption, and conflicting visions for purpose and direction. People are growing tired of the status quo. New generations with different perspectives. Are emerging, and will influence changes in the fundamental rules of governance. Throughout history, the form of power and governance has shifted, and it will continue to do so.

People will come together based on shared technologies, common beliefs and principles, and other factors. For example, a city created with zero crime, no cars, no drugs or alcohol, and no religion. The possibilities are varies. What enables this. Is the influence of technology and the desire to align with a specific direction and purpose. Current states can’t provide a unified purpose that resonates with everyone. Such as in areas like gender rules, security, equality, health system, education system, business regulation, foreign affairs, taxation, etc.

Before the rise of nationalism in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Various forms of governance and power structures existed. Across different regions and time periods. Some of the most common forms included:

• Monarchies: Rule by hereditary royalty

• Feudalism: Hierarchical system of nobles and vassals

• Empires: Large multi-ethnic states under central authority

• City-states: Independent, self-governing cities

• Theocracies: Rule by religious authorities

• Tribal systems: Leadership based on kinship and tradition

• Oligarchies: Rule by a small group of powerful individuals

• Republics: Limited systems of elected representatives

These forms of governance based on dynastic, loyalty, religious, or traditional claims to legitimacy. Rather than on the idea of a shared national identity that characterizes modern nation-states.

I expect this shift will occur in North America. It will present a different shape of power compared to the traditional power structure in the East. The EU might regress to a state reminiscent of the Dark Ages, while Africa remains in a grey area. It’s happening in America right now. People are moving out of California because of forced regulations. Moving out of New York. because of high taxes and safety concerns, and are building cities without cars. People are relocating to cities that support cryptocurrency. Individuals are congregating based on their common beliefs, purposes, and directions. A unified purpose for hundreds of millions no longer serves or works.

Thank you for reading. We’ll talk in the next letter.

Ahmed

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