I may have framed this a bit too strongly.... certainly the weaponry exists for an end of days scenario, that's not what I was talking about.

Even in an achievable utopia, there would be no way to rid crime (that wouldn't also rid freedom). That's relatively minor.

What's more dangerous is where criminals form into guilds, then insinuate themselves into government, corrupting things for their benefits; until ultimately their system collapses. That is the story of human civilization.

This is not so much a battle with guns and missiles; more about dismantling the systems of control, that enable and perpetuate the corruption. Which relates to what we are seeing around the world:

• Hollywood sexual exploitation being revealed
• Korea establishing peace
• Renegotiation of trade deals (made to keep rich and poor distinct)
• Saudi prince calling for an end to global jihad (ties to Las Vegas shooting)

(That's before we get into the REALLY nasty stuff that most don't even want to know about)

I don't know what the future will hold, but this past year has been the first time in a long time where I actually felt like the next 5 years look brighter than the past 5 years.