Good article on the advancement of technology

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

And its impact on the reduction of freedom. A teaser:

 

"The leaders of most powerful countries are coming to realise that the most important natural resources are not factories or the size of armies. Economic power is in the size of the population that is well-educated, creative and generally happy enough to be optimistic enough to want to do something creative."

 

Yes, Yes, I know it's the friggin' Guardian, but this is Vernor Vinge, man!!

[/dev/null]

not according to Sid Meir's Civilization. usually the first player to acquire gunpowder and railroad's pwn the other civilizations