I find it interesting that Sagan wrote that in the early days of NAFTA, at a time when we couldn't fully appreciate the economic ruin that would bring to small towns in the rust belt. People who feel left behind are susceptible to populist rhetoric (consider Germany post WWI). The disappearance of well-paying jobs that don't require a college degree has engendered resentment in these communities and have driven them rightward. That along with the relentless defunding of public education helped create the environment we're in now (among various other factors, of course). Sagan's analysis was prophetic. My two cents, FWIW.
My reply
And it's painfully ironic how driving the lower class in middle-class rightward, has the opposite effect of what they wish to have restored and improved.
Their response
That's where killing public education comes in.
I've also wondered how the rise of reality TV in the late 90s has influenced a whole generation by rewarding betrayal and deception. People observed that contestants that advocated community and kindness were often the first voted off the island. "I'm not here to make friends."
Me
We've been played
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