8-24-01

So the weird thing about it is…that I would dream of a nanotech anything the night before reading about it in the paper. I don't believe in fate, only coincidence. But it's still weird.

So, here are my two hair-brained ideas to save the world.

1) Abolish the stock market. By doing so, corporations will instantly become companies instead of corporations. They can still go about their capitalist business (which I have plenty of problems with, of course) but they won't be forced to be immoral by the dictates of the stock market that controls their actions and choices - the need not just for profit but for ever-increasing profit. It will also lead to radical restructuring…huge corporations will have to become many small companies because very few companies will have enough capital to support a sprawling, multi-function company. They won't be able to "expand" by selling more stock to investors. All companies will become owned by those who run them. Profit sharing will probably grow. Etc. etc.

2) Tax-supported candidacy. This one is actually a well-known progressive goal. Clean Elections. Free TV advertisements (equal for all candidates). No more corporate donations whatsoever. Private donations, per individual, limited to $100. For all levels of government including the President. There has already been a precedent set in a few states (I believe Maine?) that have passed laws for state officials to be elected in clean elections. However, they don't require it - you can still run on private money, but a clean candidate can receive tax dollars to run as long as they renounce corporate donations and large private donations. I say, require it. And no personal money can be spent which leads to millionaires getting elected.

Now, my guess is that this will lead to saving the environment before it's too late, but that's just a hunch.

I've been struggling with free-floating anxiety for the past few days. I can't put my finger on what's bothering me. It's like the fluid surrounding my brain is being whipped into a Jacuzzi froth. Cerebral frappé. It's probably connected to my job and my artistic aspirations that are closely connected. "I need a job. I need a good job. I need a job that pays. I need a job. I need a good job. I need a job that satisfies…my creative needs." Name that movie.

It's also probably a societal anxiety. I think anxiety and depression are cultural diseases. THINGS ARE SO FUCKED UP!!! My dream, of course, is to support myself as an artist/writer. I'd even settle for actor. I was an actor for a good 4 years but was burned out by the constant driving demands of theater. I'd also be happy with a really moral, valuable job that pays a reasonable amount of money with health insurance. And it also can't be boring. Sometimes I think being an artist is as self-indulgent as being a corporate CEO especially if you become famous, and your art sells for a lot of money. Only wealthy people will own it. And you really aren't helping save the world - not as much as a political activist. I'm stymied idealist.

In my dream of two nights ago:

Gargoyle Fred flies by reducing the density of his molecules and then increasing it. He essentially bounds across air molecules, lets wind take him, then increases his weight, drops a bit to increase his speed then bounds off a cloud into the air again. He is dark gray with a head like a dragon crossed with a male lion. His body is similar to a lion's but with even wider paws and stout, hooked claws. His eyes are entirely dull gray without an iris. A hole in the center of his eye receives light that is then digitized by nanotechs within and transmitted to his consciousoftware. I know all this just by seeing him.

Fred flies through the 3D animations and spotlights and darkness, and alights on the ledge of an upside-down teardrop shaped office tower. He sniffs the air as if getting his bearings. I am above him looking down. When he sniffs, nanotech devices are actually pulling in electron trails, sound waves, photons…essentially snooping electronically on all activities that leave a trace. He can visualize everyone who came through the area the past few hours, what they said, what information was on their active computers. He is tracking the movement of a scientist from the Gentech Corporation. Trike Annabel could be in any of a thousand slums of Dino halfbreeds. He needs to find out when she was created, and what her history is before he can find her. More to come tomorrow.

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