I dunno how I missed that one! I thought I had read everything David Brin ever wrote.
Thanks for schooling me yet again =)
Edit: I just read through the provided synopsis, and was struck by how many predictions Brin makes that have either already come true, or are in the process of coming true.
The last bit I found quite enlightening:
"A Withering Away?: Activists have revived an old dream — of an era without nations or major governments. It may happen, but not in a manner that idealists expect."
I had no idea Brin was an advocate of anarchy, but he and I agree on this (and much more). States are simply becoming obsolete, and as they do, while they presently seem to be gobbling every resource in the world, people simply use better means of making decisions and financing improvements.
For example, @drpuffnstuff wanted to fund a library that advertised Steemit. I built it, populated it with books, and installed it.
We don't need no stinkin' badges!