The game is always on.
As long as you’re alive (at least), someone is trying to hoist you from primacy.
Like I think everyone alive, I was born into the era of The American Empire.
However, in this current phase, it feels increasingly difficult to stay on top.
I doubt it actually is, but it certainly feels like that.
If I had to place a bet as to why, I’d guess that desire has increased (far) faster than fulfillment.
Technology has made everyone richer, but everyone feels more poor.
China has a GDP of ~1T less than the US, but the US has 1/3 as many people.
The Americans are the world’s consumers, but most of the stuff consumed is junk.
Americans like to shop, but do they actually like to buy stuff, or do people actually just like to walk around different settings?