Widespread technological unemployment? Invention and innovation occurring at such a dizzying pace they produce a societal Future Shock? Political and legal systems unable to keep up with the changes? The growing unrest of an expanding precariate?

A window of opportunity — for those prepared.

This is the meaning behind the Chinese aphorism, “There is great chaos under heaven; the situation is excellent.”

In this section I’ll present the social disruption caused by the Rise of the Robots as a time of great progressive potential. Historical materialism proposes that before any social order perishes new, higher orders of social relations form in the womb of the old society. Thus, we are able to recognize the new social formations taking shape today.

Instead of pushing a specific agenda, this section will present a variety of viable political and economic models, and offer the subjects up for discussion. The working-out of the new society must be a democratic, open-source endeavor. Rather than pontificate on my vision of the best way forward my purpose in this section is to assist you in clarifying and developing your own, and to provide a space for the cross-pollination of ideas.

A historical materialist analysis offers valuable insights into how social change is best effected. Armed with this understanding we can set better goals and formulate clear strategies for their achievement.