The next new comics sensation, I swear.

Re: Watchmen's ending:

I think the problem isn't so much that we're in a post 9/11 environment that makes it unworkable today, but that we're in a post-Cold War environment. The "disaster in NY" could only effect the "unification of the world" when you're dealing with larger political/military entities in opposition. Introducing the "third party" opposition unites the two big boys vs. the new guy.

Now that there's only one superpower, a "third party", whether it's an interdimensional alien invader, or al-Qaeda only provokes the kind of response we see today...everything depends on how the lone superpower reacts to the attack, there's no "predictable dynamic".

If that makes any sense.

You know MM, I get the feeling that our lone superpower status days are in their twilight. China already owns us at the bank. India's coming on strong. And Russia is murdering people with impunity because they've got so much oil.

In short, if the entire world changed to bio-oil starting tomorrow how much would the political picture change?

Well, you may have a point...actually, I'm starting to develop a theory that the "superpower" political paradigm is over entirely...we need to start thinking in terms of technological/informational/economical influences, rather than the technological/military/brute force economical we were used to.

we need to start thinking in terms of technological/informational/economical influences, rather than the technological/military/brute force economical

So more of a Rollerball world?

Reading MM's post, I was just about to counter the sole-superpower claim as well. People are already saying that Russia is back or almost back to superpower status. And as far as the cold war, people tend to forget that nobody ever stood down from the Cold War -- the missles are still there, still pointed at each other, and still functional. The only reason the Cold War was ever over was because the two sides agreed to it. No other actions toward that end were ever really undertaken. And as Hec points out, China and India are doing just fine, and I bet most Americans would be surprised at the reaction if they were to say the US was the only superpower to a Chinese or Indian person.

Right now I would say there are definitely two superpowers: US and China.

China's got us by the balls financially and that's never a good sign.

Of course, Japan and W. Germany had us in an economic headlock back in the 80s and it didn't turn out to be permanent.

But China's just got much, much deeper resources.

India isn't there quite yet, but they could be in a generation. But a lot of things could still go wrong there to derail it. Some parts of India are ahead of the U.S. and some parts are still completely third world. That has to change. There has to be a massive investment in infrastructure and you've got to close some of that economic gap.

Russia is probably closer to returning to superpower status. They can already do as they please with Europe.

Just my take.

India isn't there quite yet, but they could be in a generation. But a lot of things could still go wrong there to derail it. Some parts of India are ahead of the U.S. and some parts are still completely third world. That has to change. There has to be a massive investment in infrastructure and you've got to close some of that economic gap.

Well, we're sending many of our jobs there. Frak. How'd I end up in this thread, again. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I'll go 'way 'til Buffy 8 rolls around.

Diesel Sweeties gets syndicated: [link]

Topic!Cindy I'm always glad to see your words in any thread. Is this topic too nattery? Because I would love to continue it.