Summary
Trump’s new tariffs—10% across the board plus duties on 60 countries—threaten U.S. farmers already strained by high inflation, rising loan rates, and falling crop prices.
Unlike 2018, today’s farm economy offers less cushion, with depleted bailout funds and federal budget constraints limiting relief.
While herbicides and fertilizers are exempt, farmers fear retaliatory tariffs and export losses.
Farm groups and lawmakers urge moderation, prompting USDA to launch new trade initiatives. Still, widespread USDA staff cuts and uncertain support leave many farmers anxious, risking political fallout in key red states.
I mean, just look at something like measles, which was far more recent. But, starting with maybe younger boomers and definitely within Gen X, you started getting this “but what have vaccines ever done for us?” kind of bullshit, because a lot of people are too stupid and arrogant to learn shit from history or their elders.
But those that lived through it tend to remember even if they were not necessarily brainiacs…
It’s sad, but as a group, humans just don’t do very well at learning the important things from their elders or from history…the stupid racism and wives’ tales seems to get passed down, however.
Again, if there is one thing I would hope for when it comes to technology breakthroughs, it would be to make humans smarter, wiser and more empathetic. I don’t know how that might be possible, but truly transferring powerful wisdom to the next generations to all and automatically, would be an unbelievable improvement over what we have. Imagine something like The Matrix, but instead of learning kung fu or how to fly a helicopter, you get the wisdom of the ancients and important lessons from history, at your disposal, for your entire life…and everyone gets that…
I think you have to drink sandworm bile for that.
Or maybe the NeuroBlaster 3000 Quantum Fibrillator?
Ever since seeing that scene in the original Dune where the Bene Gesserit hand down all the wisdom of the past sisters, I cannot help but wonder what an ability like that - even if only through some kind of technology augmentation - would do for humanity.