Nero's Warning - An Open Letter to the US Government.
Nero's Warning - An Open Letter to the US Government.
Comrades, we are building not a land of idlers where rivers flow with milk and honey, but the most organized and the most industrious society in human history... -Lenoid Brezhnev, 1972.
Essay Outline:
Prelude
For the past few years, many internet accounts have talked about the fall of Rome, and how the events that preceded its fall back then, mimic the current events in present-day Western society. And despite the topic being a juicy one to milk, these accounts talk about it like the society or government they are referring to does not know they are being mentioned, nor are they in decline. Although remaining vague about the object of your criticism might give you some social immunity, it doesn’t hide the fact that that object is well aware of you and your opinions.
They see you, and they most definitely hear you.
Although they may not react or respond immediately (very few things/people are worth responding to), you can rest assured that given the right circumstances and motives, the attention your reckless opinions crave will eventually be given its due. But until then…
Introduction:
We live in a world where the few build and produce, whilst the many consume and destroy. But while the productive few feel a moral responsibility to make use of their abilities for the benefit of their surroundings, they also feel an innate selfish desire to reward themselves for such effort, whether with material items or in intangibles like praise and recognition, things society refers to as incentives. When either of these is lacking, the inevitable consequence is not that the builders will suddenly lose motivation and stop building, far from it. Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (1999) conducted a meta-analysis showing that extrinsic rewards can sometimes undermine intrinsic motivation, particularly for interesting tasks.
However, the most likely peril is that the benefits of destruction and plundering of resources will start to outweigh efforts that would otherwise have been directed at building and construction. When all the value, praise, and reward that is to be gained from one sector, industry, economy, or society has been extracted, the game changes and those who profited from the building will have much to lose if they continue in their current habits.
Inflation & Cost of Living
From Iman Ghadzi to Alex Hormozi, several dot com entrepreneurs have surfaced on the internet with tips, tricks, and rigmarole on how to make your first few thousand dollars and scale to a few more zeros. Although I do not have the credentials to bring into question the courses they market or the advice they peddle, one thing is certain, which is the fact that the age and time in which they made their first few wads of life-changing dough, is much different from today.
Although official sources claim inflation to be 4% - 7% (2024), the actual market prices tell a different story.
The Consumer Price Index; a metric that measures the average price of a basket of goods for one consumer, suggests a 42.27% increase from 2008 the last Global Financial Crisis; The Great Recession to June 2024. This means that a basket of goods that would have cost $10 in 2008 would now cost approximately $40. This situation most definitely does not validate any excuses for taking action to create wealth for oneself, inflation is not a new phenomenon, but it does create questions as to how it is going to be done in light of the resources that are now available.
A few decades ago, it was easier to buy and rent property. As a result, companies like AirBnB and Gym Launch were able to take advantage of this opportunity to build companies worth hundreds of millions. Although they all give tips on how you can do the same, the likelihood of you getting similar results (as a result of their advice) is all but slim. Unless the real estate market crashes (more on this later), the chances of similar success in the current market conditions remain unknown.
Population Growth
According to a report made by Visual Capitalist (2021), on the power indices of each generation, it is estimated that Baby Boomers; Elon’s and Bezos’ generations control $64.7 trillion: (53%) of U.S. wealth, as of the time of the report. But the most astounding fact of this report is not that the internet age helped boomers accelerate their process of creating wealth, far from it. It is a fact that the silent generation: the oldest and smallest generation featured in this report, possesses more power and influence than Millenials (ages 25-40) and Gen Z (ages 9-24) combined.
As a proud member of the Millen-Z population, I would like to ask; is it safe to assume that I hold some form of power as well? If so, what power do I have? Because, the way things are going, I would love to know I can use such power.
Tongue in cheek, the general decline in the population of the US is one issue that should bother its government. Because of the inevitable collapse of the structures and institutions that currently tie its government and its economy together. From its public and private colleges to health clinics, manufacturing industries, and even political offices, the country is seeing a massive spike in the ages of its workers, calling to question the policies put in place to ensure their smooth operation; from immigration to income taxes and even pension funds.
The size of its population is the single most important factor in determining a number of the policies that shape the US government. Shouldn’t it be taken a little bit more seriously?
Tech Stocks vs Government Bonds
As we continue in our search for the next industry juggernauts, no doubt the question in the minds of profit-hungry individuals (not you and I) will be where, or in whom do we invest our hard-earned 50 cents?
Bitcoin? Maybe.
But a cursory glance at the history of the economy of the United States will reveal several seasons/eras of booms and busts, where distinct skills, ideas, or technologies were used to generate immense value in a short period, whilst the forthcoming years saw relative stagnation in wealth creation using those same skills and technologies. From the dot-com era to the real estate era, the personal-computing era, and even as far back as the great movie era (1920-1962).
In each of these eras, certain relationships are held to the fore to provide stability to the minds and hearts of willing investors to said ideas or ventures. Be it relationships between entrepreneurs and their spouses or families, governments and their resident companies, and even governments and other contracting governments. The strength of these relationships is ultimately what spells success or failure in any of the ventures embarked on by either party.
But recent events surrounding the rumors between industry juggernauts Sergey Brin, Nicole Shanahan (Sergey’s ex-wife), and Elon Musk have led few (not many) to call into question the safety of the tech industry as regards the creation of positive, and mutually beneficial, long-term relationships.
Although the United States has struck chords with several governments, like India (#bidenomics), it has yet to make any official announcements regarding the nature of their relationship and the direction such a relationship will take. And in the light of the coming November elections, it is unlikely that a new government will retain much of what has been agreed to by the present cabinet.
Hence, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to where and with whom one can, or should contract business with, and also what nature these relationships will take.
Insurance & Pension
"They believe my generation—the baby boomers—have focused on their own financial well-being to the detriment of who comes next. And in the case of retirement, they're right.
- Larry Fink.
I honestly have zero clue what Larry meant in his statement above, but if you were to explain to me that he means that many eligible retirees will see a slowdown in funds that would otherwise have been available for their pension, I probably would nod in the affirmative.
See, Larry is a one-of-a-kind Hedge Fund genius, whom I believe his generation is very lucky to have. Although his solution to America’s retirement crisis may seem simple, its execution may not share a similar sentiment, particularly because public-private partnerships will power their execution.
I don’t know much about Insurance or the Insurance industry, but I do know this: the insurance industry is one of the few industries that doesn’t have or require a product to sell to make money; all you need is a license. It is a promise to be fulfilled at a certain date by contracting parties against otherwise unpredictable circumstances.
Any nation that cannot insure its citizens against threats is essentially bankrupt. Once it has to rely on individuals to foot its bills or clear its balance sheet, those individuals will certainly become its rulers. Whether or not these individuals choose to rule fairly, or per the Nation’s constitution is entirely up to them. If a nation wants fair rulers, shouldn’t it keep its balance sheet in order so that it can afford them?
In light of this, I believe tough times are coming for not just the country’s citizens, but also the people that depend on them. Friends, family and distant relatives whether they reside within the states or without. Although Larry has touted the benefits of life extending drugs for the aged like Ozempic, others believe that what the population needs is not another flu shot, but a new set of values that would create another generation of Americans that can lift its population out of its current predicament.
Debt & The US College System
Speaking of predicaments, I was fortunate enough to accumulate quite a cup of debt, after a series of unsuccessful expeditions in the last few years.
Make no mistake, debt is one of the best forms of leverage known to man. But certain kinds of debt can prove fatal and even catastrophic. Because although numbers can account for the amount to be paid, nothing can quite measure the mental toll, and crippling uncertainty that being in debt takes on a person. Apart from losing future returns on work, one also stands the chance of losing his motivation to do inspiring or great work, often only opting to do whatever would pay the bills.
While I am still trying to empty my cup, I do believe there is a huge opportunity for people who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves to do the dirty work required to free themselves, particularly immigrants. Nothing in life is promised, but work. But a thing can be said about a man who does more and better work than that for which he is paid.
"The man who does more than he's paid for will soon get paid for more than he does." - Napoleon Hill.
A New Era of Politics and The Decline of Music
Detonated Duds
We are living in a time where the cost of releasing new music is far less than ever, leading to more and better music from every area of the industry, compared to the ‘70s and ‘80s which represent the peak of high production costs due to the combination of expensive technology, studio rates, and the broader scope of production and promotional activities.
In 2024 alone, we have seen works from artists like Eminem, Kanye West, Dua Lipa, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and many more industry movers and Eilishakers. And just like in 2022, these albums lack nothing in substance, art, and raw genius, but like a dud, they all but failed to achieve the clout that is typical of their record breaking performances. That is, all except for Kendrick Lamar, who although is yet to release an album, has generated the most buzz the industry has seen this year. And while some people want him to release an album, others suggest dropping an extended playlist, but the real question is; does he need to?
The cost of a new record are indeed at an all-time low, but the returns on each new release are decreasing faster than ever. Should artists save? Who shouldn’t? But if the music industry is nearing its peak, I fear for what is to come for artists in the next few years.
A Skinny Kid with an Even Funnier Name
The last time we heard someone call himself “a skinny kid with a funny name”, we ended up seeing bombs being rained down on a host of countries. And whilst the kid responsible for said bombs remains popular amongst NBA players and fans alike, another one is warming up to take his place in the coming years.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a child born to Indian American immigrants, shocked the country when he took the stage to debate fellow Presidential nominees at the GOP debate in 2023. Many called him a bully, some tagged him unhinged, I saw a self-made Indian-American billionaire and co-investor in Rumble, selling himself for a job and another chance at scaling his existing personal fortune. I may be wrong, but at least that’s what I think I saw.
Over the last few years, we have seen the office of the US President be ridiculed and disgraced on both sides of the political divide. From Joseph Biden’s physical failures to Donald Trump’s financial and relationship scandals. The “Leader of the Free World”, America herself, has been publicly dragged, shamed, and humiliated into nothingness in just a span of 12 months. Everyone swears there was a time where Presidents were adored, respected, even feared, but no one can quite pin-point how exactly we got to where we are today.
But if there’s anyone who can turn the sinking ship around, it would be none other than an entrepreneur, a builder, a thinker, and someone who would probably be one of the crazier ones if this publication existed some 20 years ago. Call me crazy, but I believe America is on the verge of a new era of exceptional leaders, visionary thinkers, and influential political voices, and it is all going to start with this skinny kid.
The Olympics vs the Military Industrial Complex
One common trope in the recruitment industry is the use of spreadsheets as databases to index companies that need talent, what those needs are, and how much they hope to pay those who can meet their requirements. This has been done by Vettery (now hired.com), a Brett Adcock co-founded hiring marketplace, and Levels (still levels. fyi), co-founded by Zaheer Musa whose platforms have become a mainstay for professionals in several industries to find and secure their next job. But nobody ever asks what happens to companies that cannot make lists, or make their lists public.
Now, I know the US military has listed, several, and they’re all public, but this is not about the military, it is about the industries that lean on it as a source of talent for the services they provide to the American people; from airlines to cruise liners, high-end restaurants and professional entertainment industries. These industries every once in a while, are faced with the question of: “How do we recruit young talent?”
Very rarely is the answer ever to put up a new website, or design a new form that speeds up the collection of… no. The answer is: who do our prospective hires look up to, and how can we get their attention through them?
Despite the Paris Olympics hosting a plethora of events, all eyes are on Snoop Dogg. Why? No one knows. But the fact that he is getting this much attention should tell you that he is most definitely bringing something to the table, and the people that want to be like him are watching, they are listening and they are very ready to pick up the phone and dial the number that will get them on that table in a few years as well.
While this is sometimes a brilliant strategy, it is not foolproof. The army reportedly lost $11 million after its bet on The Rock, and despite there being no news on the finances behind Snoop, it is apparent the government needs to find more robust means of helping its alternative industries find young talent besides using retirees as props.
Media Wars
Alex Jones, Andrew Tate, Patrick Bet-David, Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Piers Morgan, Candace Owens, and Tucker Carlson; are all names that anyone who has followed the news consistently in the last few years will be familiar with. Apart from being influential voices, they also share one thing in common, which is their use of platform X, formerly Twitter, for their bloody battle against what is now the mainstream media.
But as the battle rages on, streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime (Video and Music) and video platforms like YouTube and Rumble are taking their seats where news channels like Fox, MSNBC, and CNN, and movie sites like Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB once were.
The world is changing in real-time, and although there is very little you and I can do to stop it, what we can do, is make a conscious decision as to what news we listen to or media we consume, and what people we trust to feed us with information. Knowledge drives the world, but the only thing worse than no information is misinformation. But other than its citizens, this change poses a unique challenge to the United States government as well.
As the decline of popular media outlets continues, so does the level of trust in the country, as a state independent of external and internal private influences. The media industry may successfully change hands and the investments of private citizens will be well protected, but if the government does not find a way to re-assure both its citizens and its companies that it still retains some level of independence over the influence of those that threaten its sovereignty, then I fear the worst is yet to come.
Conclusion
As we approach the beginnings of a significant inflection point in each generation’s lifetime (a truly historic moment), several uncertainties lurk in the shadows, but one certainty remains: chaos.
Chaos is a ladder, and although I do not know much about ladders, I am pretty familiar with the opportunity that chaos brings. From new relationships to new clients to expensive items at giveaway prices-name it. But you can only partake in these opportunities if you belong to a group of people who share your interests and experiences (you can’t have one or the other).
The opportunity this chaos poses for the United States is the opportunity to re-create itself in the image of its founding constitution. A unique opportunity to restore its place and its face as the leader of the free world. But this cannot be done with mere words, it has to be done with blood, sweat, and tears; work that will last for generations of Americans yet unborn, work that you and I can partake in.
I will end with this quote:
As long as the bosses pretend they are paying us a decent wage, we will pretend that we are working.
- Common Saying Among Soviet Workers
Quoted in About 1972.
Postlude: A note to The Crazier Ones.
I would like to mention that I do not in any way of fashion claim to be Jesus Christ. I make mistakes (several) and often get things wrong. Do not take any of this as professional, financial, or legal advice.
That said, I believe there’s a lot of fun to be had in life if we take things slowly and enjoy the journey. Bad things happen, but so do good things. I try to calm down sometimes by listening to music; here’s one of my favorites.
I am also aware that certain things, events, and people are far beyond my control, and should be left to a being higher than myself. Should you do the same? Entirely up to you. All in all; life is one crazy ride, and I’m immensely grateful you’re choosing to ride with me.
To The Crazier Ones.
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