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Shadowbark

“Who came up with this system?” – Bubblehead43

“Which system? Legal slavery? The Government!” – Diktator_J

“There is no such thing. International law is clear, No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” – Shadowbark

“Dude, human trafficking is the largest industry in the world today. Figures vary, but around 620 million people worldwide are officially classed as economic slaves.” Diktator_J

“It is still outlawed by every single government in the international community.” Shadowbark

“In Arctica, debt bondage is legal. A person becomes a slave to work off a debt, in which the length and nature of work is never defined, so it becomes a never-ending cycle with the debt being passed down to the children thereby enslaving offspring. That’s 80% of the world’s population.” – Diktator_J

“That does not define slavery. Free will is at play here.” – Shadowbark

“Contract slavery! A homeless, starving person these days can sell themselves into slavery. You work for some bastard corporation without pay, and in return, you get food and shelter. Where is the choice in that?” – Diktator_J

“Having one human being working for another in order to live is slavery. Shouldn’t basic necessities in life be free?” – Bubblehead43

“We have to work in order to get money in order to buy shelter and food to live. If we don’t work, we don’t get any money to buy food and we die.” Shadowbark

“We have the technology, if we really wanted to.” – Bubblehead43

“Bubblehead, you’re a fucking idiot.” Shadowbark

WAVE://2T33:ENG7:55Y1:O009:11QW:TOST/shadowbark.vox

Shadowbark on Modern Slavery

Economic Slavery

~shadowbark

As we envision the future of our society, it is crucial to recognize and address the potential challenges that lie ahead. One concerning aspect is the emergence and perpetuation of economic slavery. This essay delves into the concept of economic slavery in the future and highlights the profound impact it could have on individuals and society as a whole.

Economic slavery refers to a state in which individuals are trapped in oppressive economic systems that exploit their labor and limit their freedom. While not a traditional form of slavery, it shares similarities, as individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of poverty, dependence, and limited upward mobility.

In a future marked by economic slavery, structural inequalities become deeply entrenched. A small elite class controls and monopolizes resources, capital, and means of production, while the majority struggles to access basic necessities and economic opportunities. Exploitative labor practices, such as long hours, low wages, and limited workers’ rights, become normalized, perpetuating a system of economic subjugation.

As technology continues to advance, automation and artificial intelligence may replace a significant portion of the workforce, leading to widespread job displacement. In this scenario, economic slavery could arise when individuals are forced into exploitative labor arrangements due to limited employment options. They may find themselves trapped in precarious, low-paying jobs, lacking autonomy and the ability to improve their circumstances.

Another manifestation of economic slavery in the future could be through debt bondage and financial manipulation. Individuals burdened with crippling debt are beholden to lenders, perpetually trapped in a cycle of repayment, unable to escape their economic obligations. This form of modern-day indentured servitude restricts personal freedom and perpetuates economic inequality.

The consequences of economic slavery extend beyond the individual. A society plagued by widespread economic subjugation experiences a range of adverse effects. Social mobility stagnates, perpetuating generational poverty and limited opportunities for upward advancement. Economic disparities deepen, leading to social unrest, increased crime rates, and a loss of social cohesion. The overall well-being of society suffers as a result.


A post-cyberpunk novel

A Hostile Takeover

This Universe Wants To Kill You

Why are punters so afraid of nuclear technology? Is it the technology? Is it the word nuclear? This is as puzzling to me as modern politics and economics.

It makes no sense. This fear.

We exist in a universe that is constantly creating and destroying. Life is spawned from all this violence, and threatened by it. Life has to combat disease, superstorms, earthquakes, meteor impacts, supernovas, and gamma-ray bursts and that is just the natural world. The human world is even deadlier.

Continue reading “This Universe Wants To Kill You”

The City State

“The modern trend towards city states during the past fifty years is mostly due to the demand for a simpler and broader trading system. It originated with the formation of an economic model that bypassed the hindrances of a myriad free trade agreements.”

Frank Tucker – CEO of MercurEx

The_City_State ^3xtract0r^TopFeeder^^CORE

Mars! One Way

It’s really hard not to facepalm when confronted by headlines stating that 100,000 have signed up for a one-way trip to Mars. A Dutch, non-profit (yes, that’s right, non-profit) company called Mars One is collecting human specimens, and raising six billion dollars, to send these people some 225 million kilometres, one way, to the planet Mars.

They call it colonization. They market it as a “stepping stone in human galactic expansion.”

Yes, that’s right, Galactic.

Continue reading “Mars! One Way”

Bureaucrats

“Having the government against you is a bad thing. It all boils down to a matter of trust. How can you trust these short-term, career bureaucrats whose only goal is advancing into a position of influence, use this influence to benefit, and then retire handsomely? They promise the world but forget you the minute your usefulness as a political pawn ceases. They don’t really care about the individual. It isn’t their job to care.”

FRANK TUCKER – CEO of MercurEx

>>02.64545.the_corporatist_manifesto^frank_tucker^mercurex^CORE

The Bureaucrat Class

~Frank Tucker, Chapter 12 (The Corporatist Manifesto)

The relationship between individuals and their government is often a complex one, influenced by perceptions of trust, accountability, and the role of bureaucracy. This essay explores the notion that having the government against you is a disadvantage, primarily focusing on the matter of trust. It examines concerns regarding short-term, career bureaucrats whose interests may prioritize personal advancement over the welfare of the individual.

Trust is a vital element in any functioning society. It is the foundation upon which individuals rely when interacting with their government. When trust erodes, it undermines the social contract between citizens and the state, leading to disillusionment and skepticism.

Career bureaucrats, whose professional trajectory involves advancing into influential positions, may raise concerns regarding their intentions and motivations. The pursuit of personal gain and influence can create a perception that their actions prioritize self-interest over the well-being of individuals. This can breed skepticism and mistrust in the government’s ability to genuinely address the needs of its citizens.


Individuals may feel that they are treated as political pawns, used to further the agendas of bureaucrats seeking to secure their positions of influence. Promises made during election campaigns or other political processes might be seen as empty gestures, quickly forgotten once their usefulness in gaining political advantage diminishes. This perception reinforces the notion that career bureaucrats may not genuinely care about the individual, as their primary focus is personal gain rather than serving the public interest.

While it is true that bureaucracy serves a crucial function in governing and implementing policies, concerns can arise when bureaucracy becomes detached from the needs of individuals. Bureaucrats are often tasked with complex responsibilities, but it is important for them to maintain a connection to the concerns and aspirations of the people they serve. Without this connection, bureaucracy can be seen as an impersonal and uncaring system, further eroding trust in government.

The erosion of trust between individuals and their government is a matter of significant concern. When individuals perceive that career bureaucrats prioritize personal advancement over the welfare of the people, trust diminishes, and the social contract weakens. However, it is important to recognize that not all government officials or career bureaucrats fit this negative perception. Many individuals enter public service with genuine intentions to serve and make a positive impact.


A post-cyberpunk novel

A Hostile Takeover