I think the dumbest thing that happened in the west was the combination of lack of access to education and mass immigration. Many found themselves competing for jobs with people starting with nothing, often even without knowing the language.
Had we upgraded the training of natives it would have been very exciting to see so many capable hands flood into the country. Everyone could be hiring!
A concrete box with a door and a bed in it. 3 meals per day. A computer and a book. A professor or teacher to sometimes hold your hand. It doesn't have to be expensive. It doesn't have to be every man for himself. It definitely doesn't have to fit an exploitation model.
Now with AI we could even tailor education for exactly the market demand. No need to let little jimmy figure out his own business plan. Could write it to fit market and investor demand. And if he fails he goes back to school for the next project.
The Chinese are killing it in education but there is no reason to think it can't be made even easier, more effective and cheaper.
