Interesting article on Golden Ages -- how they start, and end.

And relevant to the US today:
https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/05/01/how-golden-ages-really-start-and-en...

I read the Economist when I can, but I don't subscribe. Given the first paragraph, however, I am sure I agree…

I think the reality of the global economy precludes the US totally shutting itself off from the world. My worry is some sort of big stupid war that destroys a lot of infrastructure and the humans who operate it, which sets the species back by decades. Or some nightmare biowarfare agent with really long persistence.