I wasn't expecting much when I took 'Quantum of Solace' out this evening, but I felt like something mindless after a day of reading heavier stuff. What I did enjoy was the more and more common line taken of a murky divide between good and evil. Much like the Heroes Series, everything is a little less black and white then what films used to portray.
I am busy reading Barton Biggs' 'Wealth, War and Wisdom' which is an interesting mix between an investment and history book. In it, he looks at how the stock market tracked the events of the second world war. He argues for 'the wisdom of crowds' in a way that Robin Hanson talks of prediction markets.
But that is not what triggered a bell in the same way as the grey enemy lines in the Bond Flick. What I found interesting was the hesitancy of the US to get involved in the second world war which they saw as 'Old Europe' historical squabbling, and they didn't want to fight to defend the British Empire maintaining control of the world. He also mentions that at one stage, Ghandi was considering allowing Japan free passage through India to join forces with Nazi Germany in exchange for India's independence. Countries were tired of one empire as other's were trying to build their own.
I always find it amusing when people talk of the waring tribes of Africa, as if Shaka was any more bloodthirsty and power hungry than leaders in Europe.
Maybe there are cultures with no blood on their hands. Maybe there are cultures with no history of racism. Maybe there are cultures that have nothing to be embarrassed about. But I don't think so.
I think empires are going to be less likely going forward, and am excited by the exchange of ideas and forging of cross cultural relationships that the Internet, cheaper travel and increased commerce allow.
It seems things are moving forward, slowly... but forward nonetheless.
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