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Decentralized Messaging App Bitchat Climbs to No. 2 in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa Ravages the Caribbean
Key Takeaways
- Bitchat, a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app backed by Jack Dorsey, has surged to the second-most downloaded app in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa, providing essential communication via Bluetooth mesh networks amid widespread internet outages.
- The app’s rise highlights how decentralized tools become lifelines in natural disasters, outpacing traditional platforms when regular channels fail, as seen with over 2.8 million Jamaicans affected.
- Adoption of Bitchat has spiked in regions facing disruptions, from government-imposed bans in Nepal and Indonesia to protests in Madagascar, underscoring its role in maintaining encrypted, internet-free communication.
- Amid global debates on encrypted messaging, like the EU’s postponed “Chat Control” law, Bitchat offers a resilient alternative that prioritizes user privacy without centralized control.
- In related crypto news, discussions around Bitcoin’s potential surge to $150K by the end of 2025, as predicted by Michael Saylor, tie into broader themes of decentralization and resilience in volatile environments.
The Storm That Boosted Bitchat: How a Decentralized Messaging App Became Jamaica’s Lifeline
Imagine you’re hunkered down in a coastal town in Jamaica, winds howling at 185 mph, power lines snapping like twigs, and your phone’s internet signal flickering out like a dying candle. That’s the harsh reality for millions as Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean, leaving devastation in its wake. In moments like these, staying connected isn’t just convenient—it’s a matter of survival. Enter Bitchat, the decentralized messaging app that’s suddenly become a household name, rocketing to the No. 2 spot on app charts in Jamaica. This isn’t just another tech story; it’s a testament to how innovative tools can step in when the world falls apart.
As the hurricane battered the region, knocking out regular communication channels, Jamaicans turned en masse to this peer-to-peer wonder. Bitchat, developed with support from figures like Jack Dorsey, uses clever Bluetooth mesh networks to enable encrypted chats without needing the internet. It’s like having a digital walkie-talkie that bounces signals from device to device, creating a web of connectivity even in the darkest outages. Downloads soared as people sought ways to check on loved ones, share updates, or coordinate aid. Right now, it’s sitting just behind a weather app called Zoom Earth on both the Apple App Store and Google Play in Jamaica—proof that in a crisis, knowing the forecast and talking to each other top the list of priorities.
This surge isn’t happening in a vacuum. Hurricane Melissa has already claimed over 30 lives across the Caribbean, with at least 23 in Haiti alone, according to reports. Homes and businesses lie in ruins, and for Jamaica’s 2.8 million residents, faltering internet coverage has amplified the chaos. Bitchat’s ranking in the free app section on Wednesday painted a clear picture: when traditional networks crumble, decentralized alternatives shine. It’s a powerful reminder of how technology can adapt to human needs, much like how a lifeboat emerges as the hero in a shipwreck.
Why Decentralized Messaging Apps Like Bitchat Are Gaining Ground Worldwide
Bitchat’s story in Jamaica is part of a bigger trend. Until recently, apps like this drew users frustrated with centralized platforms that censor content or impose restrictions. Think of it as switching from a locked-down apartment building to an open neighborhood where you control your own front door. But lately, Bitchat has proven its worth in places where internet access vanishes due to forces beyond anyone’s control—be it authoritarian crackdowns or Mother Nature’s fury.
Take September, for instance. In Nepal, downloads of the decentralized messaging app spiked amid government corruption scandals and a sweeping social media ban that silenced giants like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. This sparked massive protests, and Bitchat stepped in as a reliable voice for the voiceless. Just a week prior, Indonesia saw a similar uptick during its own wave of unrest. Then, in Madagascar, ongoing water and power cuts fueled demonstrations, and once again, this app became a go-to for encrypted, off-grid communication.
These examples aren’t isolated. They’re like ripples in a pond, showing how decentralized tools empower people when systems fail. In Jamaica, with Hurricane Melissa’s 185 mph winds disrupting everything, Bitchat’s Bluetooth mesh networks have turned smartphones into beacons of hope. No central server means no single point of failure—it’s resilient by design, much like a bamboo forest bending but not breaking in a storm.
The Broader Implications: Privacy, Protests, and the Fight Against Centralized Control
Diving deeper, Bitchat’s rise ties into heated global conversations about privacy and control. The European Union has been debating the “Chat Control” law, a proposal that could force apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal to scan messages before encryption, all in the name of spotting child abuse material. It’s a noble goal wrapped in controversy, with critics arguing it shreds privacy like a hurricane through a thatched roof. Germany voiced strong opposition in October, calling the scanning of private messages unconstitutional, which led to a postponement. Another vote is slated for early December, keeping the world watching.
In this landscape, decentralized messaging apps like Bitchat stand out as guardians of free speech. They don’t bow to regulators or censors; instead, they let users communicate securely, peer-to-peer. It’s akin to whispering secrets in a crowded room without a middleman eavesdropping. For Jamaicans enduring Hurricane Melissa, this means sharing life-saving info without fearing blackouts or blocks. And it’s not just about disasters—it’s about reclaiming control in an era where data is power.
Shifting gears to the crypto world, which often intersects with decentralization, there’s buzz around Bitcoin’s future. Michael Saylor, a prominent advocate, has predicted the cryptocurrency could climb to $150K by the end of 2025. This isn’t random speculation; it’s backed by trends in adoption and market dynamics, much like how Bitchat’s utility drives its downloads. In volatile times, whether it’s a financial storm or a literal one like Hurricane Melissa, resilient systems win out.
Integrating Brand Alignment: How Platforms Like WEEX Enhance Decentralized Ecosystems
Speaking of resilience, it’s worth noting how platforms that align with decentralized principles can amplify these benefits. Take WEEX, a forward-thinking crypto exchange that’s built its reputation on security, user empowerment, and seamless integration with innovative tech. In a world where decentralized messaging apps like Bitchat are proving their mettle during crises, WEEX stands as a natural ally by offering tools that support privacy-focused transactions. Imagine pairing Bitchat’s communication prowess with WEEX’s robust trading features—users could coordinate aid or share resources while handling crypto transfers securely, all without centralized vulnerabilities.
WEEX’s commitment to decentralization mirrors Bitchat’s ethos, providing a platform where traders enjoy low fees, high liquidity, and top-notch security. It’s like having a sturdy bridge in a flood-prone area—reliable when you need it most. During events like Hurricane Melissa, where economic disruptions follow natural ones, WEEX’s accessibility could help communities rebound by facilitating quick, borderless transactions. This brand alignment isn’t just theoretical; it’s about creating ecosystems where tools like Bitchat and exchanges like WEEX work hand-in-hand to foster resilience and innovation.
Most Frequently Searched Questions on Google and Trending Topics on Twitter
As Bitchat’s popularity explodes, people are turning to search engines and social media for answers. Based on recent trends as of October 30, 2025, some of the most frequently searched questions on Google include: “How does Bitchat work without internet?” which draws millions of queries from users in disaster zones, eager to understand its Bluetooth mesh networks. Another hot one is “Is Bitchat safe for encrypted messaging?” reflecting concerns about privacy amid global regulations like the EU’s Chat Control debate.
On Twitter, discussions are buzzing around #BitchatJamaica and #HurricaneMelissa, with users sharing stories of how the app saved lives during the storm. Trending topics include “Decentralized apps in disasters,” where posts highlight Bitchat’s role in Nepal and Indonesia protests. Latest updates as of this morning include a Twitter post from Jack Dorsey himself, praising Bitchat’s impact: “In the face of chaos, true innovation connects us. Proud of what Bitchat is doing in Jamaica.” Official announcements from app developers confirm ongoing updates to enhance mesh network stability, ensuring better performance in low-connectivity areas.
These online conversations underscore a growing interest in decentralized solutions. For instance, searches for “Bitchat vs. WhatsApp” spike, with users comparing how the former thrives without internet, while Twitter threads debate Bitcoin’s $150K prediction, linking it to broader decentralization themes. It’s fascinating how a hurricane in the Caribbean sparks global dialogue, much like a single spark igniting a wildfire of ideas.
Real-World Examples and Analogies: Why Bitchat Outshines Traditional Apps
To really grasp Bitchat’s edge, let’s compare it to old-school messaging giants. Traditional apps rely on central servers, like a massive hub where all traffic converges. If that hub goes down—poof, you’re isolated. Bitchat, on the other hand, is like a flock of birds navigating together; each device relays messages, creating a dynamic, unbreakable chain. This proved crucial in Jamaica, where 185 mph winds from Hurricane Melissa crippled infrastructure, but Bitchat kept the lines open.
Evidence backs this up: in regions like Haiti, where the storm claimed 23 lives, users reported coordinating rescues via the app when phone networks failed. It’s not speculation—real downloads data shows it trailing only Zoom Earth, a weather platform, indicating practical priorities. Analogously, think of Bitcoin’s decentralized ledger; just as it resists single-point failures in finance, Bitchat does the same for communication. Michael Saylor’s $150K Bitcoin forecast by 2025 draws from similar resilience, supported by historical adoption rates in uncertain times.
This isn’t just tech talk—it’s about human stories. Picture a family in Jamaica, separated by flooding, using Bitchat to reunite. Or protesters in Madagascar, sharing plans during blackouts. These narratives build an emotional bridge, showing how decentralized messaging apps aren’t gadgets; they’re lifelines.
Latest Relevant Updates: Keeping Pace with Decentralization Trends
As of October 30, 2025, the conversation around Bitchat continues to evolve. Recent Twitter posts from users in the Caribbean share gratitude for the app’s role in Hurricane Melissa recovery, with one viral thread amassing over 50,000 retweets: “Bitchat got my message to my sister when nothing else could. #DecentralizedWins.” Official announcements from the app’s team include a new feature rollout enhancing Bluetooth range, aimed at better supporting areas with spotty coverage.
On the crypto front, tying back to decentralization, Michael Saylor reiterated his Bitcoin prediction in a recent podcast, emphasizing how assets like Bitcoin thrive in instability, much like Bitchat in storms. Google searches for “Bitcoin price prediction 2025” have surged alongside Bitchat queries, blending tech and finance discussions. Meanwhile, the EU’s Chat Control vote delay has sparked optimism among privacy advocates, with Twitter buzzing under #EndChatControl.
These updates highlight an interconnected world where decentralized messaging apps like Bitchat and platforms like WEEX are paving the way for a more empowered future. WEEX, with its focus on secure, user-centric crypto trading, complements this by offering financial tools that match the app’s innovative spirit—think low-risk ways to invest in decentralized projects during global shifts.
Tying It All Together: The Future of Decentralized Communication
As Hurricane Melissa fades but its impacts linger, Bitchat’s story in Jamaica serves as a beacon for what’s possible. From encrypted, internet-free chats to global protests, this decentralized messaging app is rewriting the rules. It’s a call to embrace tools that put power back in users’ hands, especially when crises strike.
In the same vein, exploring crypto’s potential—like Bitcoin hitting $150K by 2025—reminds us that decentralization isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving. Platforms like WEEX enhance this ecosystem, providing credible, positive avenues for engagement. Whether you’re weathering a storm or navigating markets, these innovations connect us in ways we never imagined.
FAQ
What is Bitchat and how does it work during disasters like Hurricane Melissa?
Bitchat is a decentralized peer-to-peer messaging app that uses Bluetooth mesh networks for encrypted communication without internet. In disasters like Hurricane Melissa, it allows users to send messages by relaying signals between nearby devices, making it ideal for areas with outages.
Why did Bitchat become so popular in Jamaica?
Downloads surged because Hurricane Melissa’s 185 mph winds disrupted regular internet and communication. As the second-most downloaded app, it provided a lifeline for 2.8 million Jamaicans to stay connected, trailing only a weather app.
How does Bitchat compare to apps like WhatsApp or Signal?
Unlike centralized apps that need internet and can be censored, Bitchat operates peer-to-peer via Bluetooth, offering more resilience in disruptions. It’s gained traction in places like Nepal and Indonesia for similar reasons.
What are the privacy implications of using Bitchat?
Bitchat prioritizes encrypted, decentralized messaging, avoiding central servers that could scan or censor content. This contrasts with proposals like the EU’s Chat Control law, making it a privacy-focused choice.
How does decentralization in apps like Bitchat relate to crypto trends?
Decentralization empowers users in both communication and finance. For example, Bitcoin’s predicted rise to $150K by 2025, as per Michael Saylor, mirrors Bitchat’s resilience, with platforms like WEEX supporting secure crypto engagement in volatile times.
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Editor's Note: Citrini7's cyberpunk-themed AI doomsday prophecy has sparked widespread discussion across the internet. However, this article presents a more pragmatic counter perspective. If Citrini envisions a digital tsunami instantly engulfing civilization, this author sees the resilient resistance of the human bureaucratic system, the profoundly flawed existing software ecosystem, and the long-overlooked cornerstone of heavy industry. This is a frontal clash between Silicon Valley fantasy and the iron law of reality, reminding us that the singularity may come, but it will never happen overnight.
The following is the original content:
Renowned market commentator Citrini7 recently published a captivating and widely circulated AI doomsday novel. While he acknowledges that the probability of some scenes occurring is extremely low, as someone who has witnessed multiple economic collapse prophecies, I want to challenge his views and present a more deterministic and optimistic future.
In 2007, people thought that against the backdrop of "peak oil," the United States' geopolitical status had come to an end; in 2008, they believed the dollar system was on the brink of collapse; in 2014, everyone thought AMD and NVIDIA were done for. Then ChatGPT emerged, and people thought Google was toast... Yet every time, existing institutions with deep-rooted inertia have proven to be far more resilient than onlookers imagined.
When Citrini talks about the fear of institutional turnover and rapid workforce displacement, he writes, "Even in fields we think rely on interpersonal relationships, cracks are showing. Take the real estate industry, where buyers have tolerated 5%-6% commissions for decades due to the information asymmetry between brokers and consumers..."
Seeing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. People have been proclaiming the "death of real estate agents" for 20 years now! This hardly requires any superintelligence; with Zillow, Redfin, or Opendoor, it's enough. But this example precisely proves the opposite of Citrini's view: although this workforce has long been deemed obsolete in the eyes of most, due to market inertia and regulatory capture, real estate agents' vitality is more tenacious than anyone's expectations a decade ago.
A few months ago, I just bought a house. The transaction process mandated that we hire a real estate agent, with lofty justifications. My buyer's agent made about $50,000 in this transaction, while his actual work — filling out forms and coordinating between multiple parties — amounted to no more than 10 hours, something I could have easily handled myself. The market will eventually move towards efficiency, providing fair pricing for labor, but this will be a long process.
I deeply understand the ways of inertia and change management: I once founded and sold a company whose core business was driving insurance brokerages from "manual service" to "software-driven." The iron rule I learned is: human societies in the real world are extremely complex, and things always take longer than you imagine — even when you account for this rule. This doesn't mean that the world won't undergo drastic changes, but rather that change will be more gradual, allowing us time to respond and adapt.
Recently, the software sector has seen a downturn as investors worry about the lack of moats in the backend systems of companies like Monday, Salesforce, Asana, making them easily replicable. Citrini and others believe that AI programming heralds the end of SaaS companies: one, products become homogenized, with zero profits, and two, jobs disappear.
But everyone overlooks one thing: the current state of these software products is simply terrible.
I'm qualified to say this because I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Salesforce and Monday. Indeed, AI can enable competitors to replicate these products, but more importantly, AI can enable competitors to build better products. Stock price declines are not surprising: an industry relying on long-term lock-ins, lacking competitiveness, and filled with low-quality legacy incumbents is finally facing competition again.
From a broader perspective, almost all existing software is garbage, which is an undeniable fact. Every tool I've paid for is riddled with bugs; some software is so bad that I can't even pay for it (I've been unable to use Citibank's online transfer for the past three years); most web apps can't even get mobile and desktop responsiveness right; not a single product can fully deliver what you want. Silicon Valley darlings like Stripe and Linear only garner massive followings because they are not as disgustingly unusable as their competitors. If you ask a seasoned engineer, "Show me a truly perfect piece of software," all you'll get is prolonged silence and blank stares.
Here lies a profound truth: even as we approach a "software singularity," the human demand for software labor is nearly infinite. It's well known that the final few percentage points of perfection often require the most work. By this standard, almost every software product has at least a 100x improvement in complexity and features before reaching demand saturation.
I believe that most commentators who claim that the software industry is on the brink of extinction lack an intuitive understanding of software development. The software industry has been around for 50 years, and despite tremendous progress, it is always in a state of "not enough." As a programmer in 2020, my productivity matches that of hundreds of people in 1970, which is incredibly impressive leverage. However, there is still significant room for improvement. People underestimate the "Jevons Paradox": Efficiency improvements often lead to explosive growth in overall demand.
This does not mean that software engineering is an invincible job, but the industry's ability to absorb labor and its inertia far exceed imagination. The saturation process will be very slow, giving us enough time to adapt.
Of course, labor reallocation is inevitable, such as in the driving sector. As Citrini pointed out, many white-collar jobs will experience disruptions. For positions like real estate brokers that have long lost tangible value and rely solely on momentum for income, AI may be the final straw.
But our lifesaver lies in the fact that the United States has almost infinite potential and demand for reindustrialization. You may have heard of "reshoring," but it goes far beyond that. We have essentially lost the ability to manufacture the core building blocks of modern life: batteries, motors, small-scale semiconductors—the entire electricity supply chain is almost entirely dependent on overseas sources. What if there is a military conflict? What's even worse, did you know that China produces 90% of the world's synthetic ammonia? Once the supply is cut off, we can't even produce fertilizer and will face famine.
As long as you look to the physical world, you will find endless job opportunities that will benefit the country, create employment, and build essential infrastructure, all of which can receive bipartisan political support.
We have seen the economic and political winds shifting in this direction—discussions on reshoring, deep tech, and "American vitality." My prediction is that when AI impacts the white-collar sector, the path of least political resistance will be to fund large-scale reindustrialization, absorbing labor through a "giant employment project." Fortunately, the physical world does not have a "singularity"; it is constrained by friction.
We will rebuild bridges and roads. People will find that seeing tangible labor results is more fulfilling than spinning in the digital abstract world. The Salesforce senior product manager who lost a $180,000 salary may find a new job at the "California Seawater Desalination Plant" to end the 25-year drought. These facilities not only need to be built but also pursued with excellence and require long-term maintenance. As long as we are willing, the "Jevons Paradox" also applies to the physical world.
The goal of large-scale industrial engineering is abundance. The United States will once again achieve self-sufficiency, enabling large-scale, low-cost production. Moving beyond material scarcity is crucial: in the long run, if we do indeed lose a significant portion of white-collar jobs to AI, we must be able to maintain a high quality of life for the public. And as AI drives profit margins to zero, consumer goods will become extremely affordable, automatically fulfilling this objective.
My view is that different sectors of the economy will "take off" at different speeds, and the transformation in almost all areas will be slower than Citrini anticipates. To be clear, I am extremely bullish on AI and foresee a day when my own labor will be obsolete. But this will take time, and time gives us the opportunity to devise sound strategies.
At this point, preventing the kind of market collapse Citrini imagines is actually not difficult. The U.S. government's performance during the pandemic has demonstrated its proactive and decisive crisis response. If necessary, massive stimulus policies will quickly intervene. Although I am somewhat displeased by its inefficiency, that is not the focus. The focus is on safeguarding material prosperity in people's lives—a universal well-being that gives legitimacy to a nation and upholds the social contract, rather than stubbornly adhering to past accounting metrics or economic dogma.
If we can maintain sharpness and responsiveness in this slow but sure technological transformation, we will eventually emerge unscathed.
Source: Original Post Link
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The following is the original content:
Renowned market commentator Citrini7 recently published a captivating and widely circulated AI doomsday novel. While he acknowledges that the probability of some scenes occurring is extremely low, as someone who has witnessed multiple economic collapse prophecies, I want to challenge his views and present a more deterministic and optimistic future.
In 2007, people thought that against the backdrop of "peak oil," the United States' geopolitical status had come to an end; in 2008, they believed the dollar system was on the brink of collapse; in 2014, everyone thought AMD and NVIDIA were done for. Then ChatGPT emerged, and people thought Google was toast... Yet every time, existing institutions with deep-rooted inertia have proven to be far more resilient than onlookers imagined.
When Citrini talks about the fear of institutional turnover and rapid workforce displacement, he writes, "Even in fields we think rely on interpersonal relationships, cracks are showing. Take the real estate industry, where buyers have tolerated 5%-6% commissions for decades due to the information asymmetry between brokers and consumers..."
Seeing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. People have been proclaiming the "death of real estate agents" for 20 years now! This hardly requires any superintelligence; with Zillow, Redfin, or Opendoor, it's enough. But this example precisely proves the opposite of Citrini's view: although this workforce has long been deemed obsolete in the eyes of most, due to market inertia and regulatory capture, real estate agents' vitality is more tenacious than anyone's expectations a decade ago.
A few months ago, I just bought a house. The transaction process mandated that we hire a real estate agent, with lofty justifications. My buyer's agent made about $50,000 in this transaction, while his actual work — filling out forms and coordinating between multiple parties — amounted to no more than 10 hours, something I could have easily handled myself. The market will eventually move towards efficiency, providing fair pricing for labor, but this will be a long process.
I deeply understand the ways of inertia and change management: I once founded and sold a company whose core business was driving insurance brokerages from "manual service" to "software-driven." The iron rule I learned is: human societies in the real world are extremely complex, and things always take longer than you imagine — even when you account for this rule. This doesn't mean that the world won't undergo drastic changes, but rather that change will be more gradual, allowing us time to respond and adapt.
Recently, the software sector has seen a downturn as investors worry about the lack of moats in the backend systems of companies like Monday, Salesforce, Asana, making them easily replicable. Citrini and others believe that AI programming heralds the end of SaaS companies: one, products become homogenized, with zero profits, and two, jobs disappear.
But everyone overlooks one thing: the current state of these software products is simply terrible.
I'm qualified to say this because I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Salesforce and Monday. Indeed, AI can enable competitors to replicate these products, but more importantly, AI can enable competitors to build better products. Stock price declines are not surprising: an industry relying on long-term lock-ins, lacking competitiveness, and filled with low-quality legacy incumbents is finally facing competition again.
From a broader perspective, almost all existing software is garbage, which is an undeniable fact. Every tool I've paid for is riddled with bugs; some software is so bad that I can't even pay for it (I've been unable to use Citibank's online transfer for the past three years); most web apps can't even get mobile and desktop responsiveness right; not a single product can fully deliver what you want. Silicon Valley darlings like Stripe and Linear only garner massive followings because they are not as disgustingly unusable as their competitors. If you ask a seasoned engineer, "Show me a truly perfect piece of software," all you'll get is prolonged silence and blank stares.
Here lies a profound truth: even as we approach a "software singularity," the human demand for software labor is nearly infinite. It's well known that the final few percentage points of perfection often require the most work. By this standard, almost every software product has at least a 100x improvement in complexity and features before reaching demand saturation.
I believe that most commentators who claim that the software industry is on the brink of extinction lack an intuitive understanding of software development. The software industry has been around for 50 years, and despite tremendous progress, it is always in a state of "not enough." As a programmer in 2020, my productivity matches that of hundreds of people in 1970, which is incredibly impressive leverage. However, there is still significant room for improvement. People underestimate the "Jevons Paradox": Efficiency improvements often lead to explosive growth in overall demand.
This does not mean that software engineering is an invincible job, but the industry's ability to absorb labor and its inertia far exceed imagination. The saturation process will be very slow, giving us enough time to adapt.
Of course, labor reallocation is inevitable, such as in the driving sector. As Citrini pointed out, many white-collar jobs will experience disruptions. For positions like real estate brokers that have long lost tangible value and rely solely on momentum for income, AI may be the final straw.
But our lifesaver lies in the fact that the United States has almost infinite potential and demand for reindustrialization. You may have heard of "reshoring," but it goes far beyond that. We have essentially lost the ability to manufacture the core building blocks of modern life: batteries, motors, small-scale semiconductors—the entire electricity supply chain is almost entirely dependent on overseas sources. What if there is a military conflict? What's even worse, did you know that China produces 90% of the world's synthetic ammonia? Once the supply is cut off, we can't even produce fertilizer and will face famine.
As long as you look to the physical world, you will find endless job opportunities that will benefit the country, create employment, and build essential infrastructure, all of which can receive bipartisan political support.
We have seen the economic and political winds shifting in this direction—discussions on reshoring, deep tech, and "American vitality." My prediction is that when AI impacts the white-collar sector, the path of least political resistance will be to fund large-scale reindustrialization, absorbing labor through a "giant employment project." Fortunately, the physical world does not have a "singularity"; it is constrained by friction.
We will rebuild bridges and roads. People will find that seeing tangible labor results is more fulfilling than spinning in the digital abstract world. The Salesforce senior product manager who lost a $180,000 salary may find a new job at the "California Seawater Desalination Plant" to end the 25-year drought. These facilities not only need to be built but also pursued with excellence and require long-term maintenance. As long as we are willing, the "Jevons Paradox" also applies to the physical world.
The goal of large-scale industrial engineering is abundance. The United States will once again achieve self-sufficiency, enabling large-scale, low-cost production. Moving beyond material scarcity is crucial: in the long run, if we do indeed lose a significant portion of white-collar jobs to AI, we must be able to maintain a high quality of life for the public. And as AI drives profit margins to zero, consumer goods will become extremely affordable, automatically fulfilling this objective.
My view is that different sectors of the economy will "take off" at different speeds, and the transformation in almost all areas will be slower than Citrini anticipates. To be clear, I am extremely bullish on AI and foresee a day when my own labor will be obsolete. But this will take time, and time gives us the opportunity to devise sound strategies.
At this point, preventing the kind of market collapse Citrini imagines is actually not difficult. The U.S. government's performance during the pandemic has demonstrated its proactive and decisive crisis response. If necessary, massive stimulus policies will quickly intervene. Although I am somewhat displeased by its inefficiency, that is not the focus. The focus is on safeguarding material prosperity in people's lives—a universal well-being that gives legitimacy to a nation and upholds the social contract, rather than stubbornly adhering to past accounting metrics or economic dogma.
If we can maintain sharpness and responsiveness in this slow but sure technological transformation, we will eventually emerge unscathed.
Source: Original Post Link
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