Maybe it's decline, or maybe it's just slowly taking off the rose colored glasses that younger people tend to wear :)
There is no replacing the US anytime soon and if there is, all the problems you mentioned will persist.
Why wouldn't they?
When you're younger you think there's some villain comic book style, that you have to overcome. You know, a Hitler. Then the world's going to be different.
It's not like that - the country is a reflection of it's citizens - narrow minded citizens, narrow minded governments.
If you want to know where things are headed - just go watch some TV. Is it uplifting/informing or dumbing things down? That's the general direction we as a society are heading in.
As for hiding somewhere and doing your own thing - that's what scientists and intelligent people do - find their niche that is ok according to society (allows them to make a comfortable living), and pursue their intellectual curiosity there.
There is no replacing the US anytime soon and if there is, all the problems you mentioned will persist.
Why wouldn't they?
When you're younger you think there's some villain comic book style, that you have to overcome. You know, a Hitler. Then the world's going to be different.
It's not like that - the country is a reflection of it's citizens - narrow minded citizens, narrow minded governments.
If you want to know where things are headed - just go watch some TV. Is it uplifting/informing or dumbing things down? That's the general direction we as a society are heading in.
As for hiding somewhere and doing your own thing - that's what scientists and intelligent people do - find their niche that is ok according to society (allows them to make a comfortable living), and pursue their intellectual curiosity there.