In a sense it is done. That sense is being a beacon of progress. All presidents before Trump understood the relationship America had with the world as being a world power. While there always was a conservative voice in America, conservative presidents were always able to mask self interest under the flag of progress, bringing democracy, peace and free markets. Now ultraconservative fascist are no longer masking, Trump and Musk are literally not smart enough to understand. The USA played a very important role in the world order and the current administration is basically giving that up.

Trump and Musk, because they really aren’t smart (i can’t stress this enough, they lack the mental capacity), are not considering the value of that role, the services the US provides. They only think about the value of things and of money. More rockets, tarifs on goods, expenditure… And see these as things along which progress is measured.

While that does, to a small extent, captures progress. It forgets the foundations of progress, peace, education, financial security, social cohesion, to name a few. Sorry, i say forget… But really what i should be saying is dismantling. They are also clueless about the value of services and the service economy. Which is, or has become, another measure of progress.

Anyway the point is, the US can’t maintain their position in the world order. They can’t maintain a government that understands their responsibility in that order. They abandoned their classic role without providing the world with a new/better one.

The US has been degraded to a trade partner.

Knife/multitool. There is a plethora of options. I enjoy the classic swiss army knife. Scissors, pincet, knife, saw, bottle opener, pliers… You can get it all in one small package.

Headphones/earphones can’t be an app.

Cup/bottle/thermos/liquid container. Drink more water, enjoy hot coffee.

A skill. Spend time getting good at some random non virtual things, penspinning, coin tricks, cardistry, calligraphy…