Abundance delayed - and how to accelerate it again

Techno-optimistic futurists have frequently forecast scenarios of abundance. But as Peter Thiel once dryly observed, "We wanted flying cars. Instead we got 140 characters."

Some items are indeed available in abundance - streaming Internet, vast data repositories, and omnipresent chatbots. But other kinds of abundance have been delayed:

• Nanoscale factories, as envisioned by Eric Drexler
• Green energy "too cheap to meter"
• Low cost high quality accommodation
• Fast public transport
• Reliable cures for cancer, dementia, etc

Is it just that we need to be patient? Is "more of business-as-usual" going to achieve abundance in due course? Or are there systemic issues that need to be addressed first?

The recent book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, Abundance: How we build a better future, takes the latter point of view. The authors argue that there is an essential role for the state (government) in the building of abundance, but that the state is often hamstrung by policies which, although well-intentioned, get profoundly in the way of achieving abundance for all.

It's a book with many "aha!" realisations. It's already making waves in US politics, particularly among supporters of the Democratic party. Matters vary around the world - for example, many other countries have completed high-quality mass transport projects - but some of the same themes apply almost everywhere.

In this London Futurists in the Pub meetup, we'll be discussing some of the examples from this book, and the big ideas arising. What are the implications for accelerating the arrival of equitable abundance?

The meeting will include a context-setting review of the book by David Wood, chair of London Futurists.

If you have read at least some of this book by the time of the meetup, and would like to share your conclusions, you can request one of the available speaking slots at this event (up to 10 minutes per person). Please get in touch with the organisers.

** Everyone who attends will be invited to say a few quick words about themselves during the opening part of the event, and to mention one political policy, from anywhere around the word, that they think either promotes abundance or hinders abundance. Please come prepared! **

== Schedule ==

5:30pm: The room is available, for early get-togethers
6pm: Food is served; informal conversations
6:45pm-8:30pm: Short talks, and discussion on each talk, interspersed with opportunities to visit the bar
8:30pm: Informal networking

== RSVP please ==

Registrations are capped at 40 people.

There's no charge to register or attend, but the pub will expect everyone to order at least one drink, and the majority of attendees to order some food to eat.

Please order your food on your arrival, so that all plates can be set aside by 6:45pm to allow everyone to concentrate on the main discussion!

== More about the venue ==

Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet Street, Holborn, London, EC4Y 1AA

See https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/ye-olde-cock-tavern

We'll be meeting in the room at the top of the stairs, though food and drinks should be ordered from the bar on the ground floor.

** Note that this is an in-person meeting, and there will be no remote access, sorry **