This is one of your best pieces yet. It makes me think seriously about my response to the current threshhold of history. It provides more urgency than I have already been feeling about what sort of an impact I wish to make. What is my contribution? While it does feel like we're living in momentous times for lots of reasons both political and scientific, I think we are always on the "threshhold of history" but we won't know the meaning of it until it is actually is history.
You predicted “chaos and disinformation will rule. The world will grow more dangerous, and there will be more war.” This is a logical conclusion; however, allow me to offer a counter proposal and a more optimistic prediction based on a “naked streets” design pioneered in the Netherlands, and later in parts of Germany, Denmark, and the UK.
The idea originated largely from Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman in the late 1980s–2000s. His counterintuitive insight was that removing familiar road controls — lane markings, stop signs, traffic lights, even curbs — could make roads safer, not more dangerous.
Here’s why it worked in the towns where it was implemented:
Drivers pay more attention – Without signals telling them exactly what to do, drivers must slow down, make eye contact with other road users, and negotiate passage more cautiously.
Speeds drop naturally – In some test towns (e.g., Drachten in Friesland), average vehicle speeds fell significantly, not because of enforcement, but because uncertainty encouraged caution.
Accident rates fell – In Drachten, after replacing several busy intersections with shared space roundabouts and removing most traffic signals, serious crashes dropped by about half.
Better coexistence – Cyclists and pedestrians were integrated into the same physical space as motorists, encouraging mutual awareness instead of separation.
That said, it’s not a universal solution:
Works best in low- to moderate-speed urban centers.
Less effective (and potentially dangerous) on high-speed or high-volume roads.
Can be intimidating for vulnerable users (elderly, disabled) who rely on clear signals for safety.
So while the chaos you fear MAY lead to more war, it actually may lead to a greater, more stable, and organic order — for, by, and of the people.
Any creative with a conscience is wrestling with how best to use their talents and skills in the face of what we know to be wrong. It feels weird to say, "Yes, I know the world is on fire, but I wrote this story I think you should read."
At the same time storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have as humans. That doesn't make the struggle any less daunting or difficult. Keep up the good fight.
This is one of your best pieces yet. It makes me think seriously about my response to the current threshhold of history. It provides more urgency than I have already been feeling about what sort of an impact I wish to make. What is my contribution? While it does feel like we're living in momentous times for lots of reasons both political and scientific, I think we are always on the "threshhold of history" but we won't know the meaning of it until it is actually is history.
Really appreciate this post and the quotes!
You predicted “chaos and disinformation will rule. The world will grow more dangerous, and there will be more war.” This is a logical conclusion; however, allow me to offer a counter proposal and a more optimistic prediction based on a “naked streets” design pioneered in the Netherlands, and later in parts of Germany, Denmark, and the UK.
The idea originated largely from Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman in the late 1980s–2000s. His counterintuitive insight was that removing familiar road controls — lane markings, stop signs, traffic lights, even curbs — could make roads safer, not more dangerous.
Here’s why it worked in the towns where it was implemented:
Drivers pay more attention – Without signals telling them exactly what to do, drivers must slow down, make eye contact with other road users, and negotiate passage more cautiously.
Speeds drop naturally – In some test towns (e.g., Drachten in Friesland), average vehicle speeds fell significantly, not because of enforcement, but because uncertainty encouraged caution.
Accident rates fell – In Drachten, after replacing several busy intersections with shared space roundabouts and removing most traffic signals, serious crashes dropped by about half.
Better coexistence – Cyclists and pedestrians were integrated into the same physical space as motorists, encouraging mutual awareness instead of separation.
That said, it’s not a universal solution:
Works best in low- to moderate-speed urban centers.
Less effective (and potentially dangerous) on high-speed or high-volume roads.
Can be intimidating for vulnerable users (elderly, disabled) who rely on clear signals for safety.
So while the chaos you fear MAY lead to more war, it actually may lead to a greater, more stable, and organic order — for, by, and of the people.
Any creative with a conscience is wrestling with how best to use their talents and skills in the face of what we know to be wrong. It feels weird to say, "Yes, I know the world is on fire, but I wrote this story I think you should read."
At the same time storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have as humans. That doesn't make the struggle any less daunting or difficult. Keep up the good fight.