California Future

Tensions between the world's superpowers are mounting in Washington, D.C., and Beijing. But between these hubs of high-level politics, an entirely new reality is emerging. Yet the People's Republic of China and the state of California have built deep and interdependent socioeconomic exchanges that reverberate across the globe, and these interactions make California a microcosm of the most important international relationship of the 21st century. In The Transpacific Experiment, journalist Matt Sheehan chronicles the real people who are making these connections.

Once upon a time, any mention of California triggered unpleasant reminders of Ronald Reagan and right-wing tax revolts, ballot propositions targeting undocumented immigrants, and racist policing that sparked two of the nation's most devastating riots. In fact, California confronted many of the challenges the rest of the country faces now - decades before the rest of us. Today, California is leading the way on addressing climate change, low-wage work, immigrant integration, overincarceration, and more.

As science and technology rapidly permeate our lives, we may soon lose control of their tremendous impact on all facets of our society. Instead of making positive or negative projections, this book delves into the specifics of forthcoming changes and how much impact we may have to direct them in our favor. Closely tied together, the evolution of humankind alongside machines is gearing up for the merging of both and the formation of a new entity: a Simorgh whose decisions will be beyond our control.