Hugh,
According to Wikipedia, “The normalcy bias, or normality bias, is a belief people hold when facing a disaster. It causes people to underestimate both the likelihood of a disaster and its possible effects, because people believe that things will always function the way things normally have functioned.” It may refer to a disaster, but surely it has a cousin that causes people not to see or consider a “sea change” in technology and its impact on life and politics.
Impact of Computers on Life
Consider how people viewed the impact of computers on life, say 30 years ago. Few people thought computers would have any impact beyond the occasional absurd bill in the mail “some computer generated”.
I think we may be on the verge of another “sea change” in technology. It might be well to consider its impact, if it happens.
Compact Fusion Generator
Recently the Russians have bragged about a cruise missile with nuclear power and “unlimited range.” Absurd? Then consider that Lockheed Martin received patents in February 2018 for a “compact fusion generator” which would provide vast amounts of energy, based in large part on Russian Tokomak technology. Lockheed Martin is a company of proven technological superiority (from the U2 to the SR-71 and its rumored successor), and they are not given to making wild boasts. In 2014 they predicted a demonstration of this technology in five years. Then, last month they again stated a demonstration by late 2019.