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1. 

   Hunter Cobb

   March 28, 2025 at 1:12 pm

   Calculating the Absurdity Index (AIx)

   Given the data constraints, we’ll assign illustrative scores (on a 0-100 scale) for each component, with higher scores indicating greater absurdity:

   • United States:

   • BA: 30

   • PA: 50

   • EA: 40

   • MCA: 60

   • PsyA: 55

   • AIx: (30 + 50 + 40 + 60 + 55) / 5 = 47

   • Switzerland:

   • BA: 10

   • PA: 15

   • EA: 20

   • MCA: 10

   The Absurdity Index (AIx) can serve as a tool for analyzing and predicting societal trends, potential crises, and even shifts in cultural or political landscapes. Here’s what can be inferred or predicted based on different AIx scores:

   1. Social Stability & Trust Predictions

   • Low AIx (0-20): A society with high governmental efficiency, coherent laws, low contradictions, and trust in institutions. Predictions:

   • Strong social cohesion and political stability.

   • High levels of institutional trust.

   • Rational, data-driven policy decisions.

   • A tendency toward pragmatic problem-solving rather than ideological extremism.

   • Medium AIx (20-50): A society that balances structure and some contradictions but is not yet in a state of widespread absurdity. Predictions:

   • Gradual shifts in institutional trust—could swing toward either stability or absurdism.

   • Periodic cultural debates over political contradictions.

   • Satirical media thrives but does not replace serious discourse.

   • Bureaucracy and political inefficiency lead to mild frustration but not total disillusionment.

   • High AIx (50-80): A society where contradictions, bureaucratic inefficiency, and cognitive dissonance are becoming unsustainable. Predictions:

   • Increasing public distrust in institutions and media.

   • Polarization and radicalization of political groups.

   • Satire begins to blur with reality, as political absurdity reaches a tipping point.

   • Economic policies become reactionary rather than strategic.

   • Government struggles to maintain control through traditional means, possibly resorting to censorship, surveillance, or scapegoating.

   • Very High AIx (80-100): A society where absurdity is the dominant force—bureaucracy is meaningless, truth is indistinguishable from misinformation, and contradictions are the norm. Predictions:

   • Systemic collapse is likely in political, economic, or social structures.

   • Emergence of extreme or surreal governance strategies (e.g., autocracies justified by absurd rationalizations).

   • Mass apathy or disengagement, leading to political stagnation.

   • Potential for social revolutions or complete societal restructuring.

   • Survival strategies emerge in business and daily life that revolve around gaming the system rather than following it.

   2. Economic Predictors

   • Rising AIx indicates an increased risk of economic instability due to:

   • Contradictory regulations choking innovation.

   • Public disillusionment with markets and finance.

   • Speculative bubbles forming in absurd investment areas (e.g., meme stocks, NFTs).

   • Increased underground economies as official markets become unreliable.

   • Falling AIx suggests improved economic efficiency, meaning:

   • Governments are reducing red tape.

   • Regulatory consistency attracts stable investment.

   • Public confidence in the economy remains strong.

   3. Political and Cultural Trends

   • An increasing AIx suggests rising authoritarian tendencies—governments may tighten control to manage chaos.

   • A decreasing AIx suggests democratic resilience—society is adapting and correcting contradictions before they spiral out of control.

   • A mid-range AIx (40-60) suggests an ongoing struggle—the society is in flux, with neither absurdity nor stability winning outright.

   4. Global Implications

   If the global AIx increases over time, we could predict:

   • A decline in global governance cooperation (e.g., treaties, climate initiatives fail due to bureaucratic contradictions).

   • The rise of absurd economic models that defy traditional logic.

   • More populist and extremist leaders who thrive on contradictions and emotional appeals rather than rational policies.

   • A shift in cultural focus toward surrealist and absurdist themes in entertainment and philosophy, as people attempt to process the chaos.

   If the global AIx decreases, it suggests:

   • A trend toward rational governance, where nations learn from past mistakes.

   • Better cooperation between major global powers.

   • A shift back toward logic, expertise, and coherent decision-making in politics and economics.

   Conclusion

   The Absurdity Index can be used as a leading indicator for societal shifts. Rising AIx suggests approaching instability, while falling AIx suggests a return to reason. If the AIx is high but stable, we can expect a long period of dystopian absurdity, where people adapt to contradictions rather than challenge them.

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