Socialism is no more a failed concept than capitalism is. Both are pretty nebulous concepts that can incorporate (and some would claim are defined by) highly desirable and highly undesirable features.

I propose that the sheer scale and access to today's internet and its products of social media will change the world unlike any previous socio/political or economic movement since the dawn of human civilization. Concept of what defines leadership will radically change... but to what?
Keep in mind that it's still early days for all this relatively new technology and only about half the world's population can currently access this tech today. What changes are in store when most if not all of the world's populations are 'connected'?

Who knows what new ideas about how to arrange and manage humanity across the globe will ascend from this phenomenon?

The biggest threat to all of these interconnections are unauthorised 3rd parties collecting data about content and communications between any given entity across the net. Blame the current TCP/IP protocols largely for this, security was an after thought when the internet was launched globally.

And what of the internet when quantum computing becomes more practical and widespread? will the hackers still find a way to snoop on whoever they choose?

Aidan

Wrong. You are only displaying your confused failure to understand what you're talking about, which is why you flounder in the creationist superstition of the state as a super-economising super-being.

Rojama
Indeed. When we consider the revolutionary effects of the printing press in enabling the little guy to challenge the institutional gate-keepers of knowledge, and the fact that these effects took hundreds of years to play out, we literally cannot imagine how the effects of the internet will play out.

But I predict that it will revolutionise society in a ground-up sort of way, enabling all sorts of person-to-person interactions that ignore, challenge, de-legitimise and overturning the pretended legitimacy of today's institutional gate-keepers, including banks and governments, with the socialists and morons desperately trying to shore up the power of the corrupt and violent vested interest, as usual.

Talk of "leadership" that does not distinguish leadership based on consent, from that based on the corrupt protection racket of the state, is worse than useless

Jardine,
Wrong. You are only displaying your confused failure to understand what you're talking about, which is why you constantly make the most ridiculous allegations.

For the record, I don't flounder in any creationist superstition, and nor do I regard the state as a "super-economising super-being". But I do recognise the powerful position it's in, and I think that power should be harnessed to benefit the people.

Skimming through Bruce Haigh's article and refuting it.

If the Libs are handing out taxpayer dollars to buy votes, then they are emulating the Labor Party who are the past masters of using taxpayer cash to bribe voters.

If you are advocating open borders, then have a look at where that got Europe. Most Australians would consider you insane for wanting to emulate self evident catastrophic failure, just so you can preen yourself as morally superior. Thank you for mentioning it because it destroys your credibility with the majority of Australians, right from the start.

Muslims, aborigines, Iranians, Chinese, and other ethnic and religious groups can have lobbyists and spokespersons looking after their interests. But when white Australians do the same thing and vote for Pauline Hanson, it is racism. You need to explain this clear double standard, Bruce.

Bruce Haigh wants more money for the CSIRO and the artz. Then Bruce, get your head around the fact you can only import into this country people who can contribute to the Commonwealth, and not anybody who turns up on our shore from some hideously overpopulated third world craphole who is asking directions to Centrelink. Auburn, largest number of long term unemployed. Afghan "refugees", 90% unemployment rate. 50% of Muslims unemployed and you want more of them? There must be lead in the water around your farm in Mudgee.

Your negative stereotype of Christians as "narcissists" could be considered "offensive, insulting, humiliating, and intimidating" under 18C, which I am sure you support.

The primary instrument driving climate change is the temperature of the sun, and no amount of taxpayer dollars or wind farms is going to change that.

The biggest "strain" on democracy is multiculturalism, which relies for it's propagation upon restrictions to our sacred tradition of freedom of speech. How about homosexual "marriage"? The forces of darkness want to stop the Australians people from giving their plebiscite views on this because democracy is an impediment to the type of socialist Sodom and Gomorrah Australia that they wish for. Where do you stand on that?