The Golden Age is Scott Adams’ conceptual framework for an era of unprecedented human prosperity driven by technological convergence, energy abundance, and a shift toward rational optimism. Adams argues that despite the constant stream of doom-heavy narratives found in legacy media, humanity is currently positioned at the threshold of its most successful period in history.
This vision stands as a direct counterweight to the Doom Loop and Negative Filter often applied to current events.
The Energy Foundation
Adams identifies energy as the primary driver of the Golden Age. He frequently advocates for a “Manhattan Project type thing” to support the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors.
The core of this vision relies on the efficiency of Generation 4 Nuclear technology. Adams points out that current electrical generation is inefficient: “You only use about 1/3 of the heat from the plant to make electricity.” In a Golden Age framework, the remaining 2/3 of that thermal energy is repurposed for industrial-scale utility:
- Desalination: Using excess heat to create limitless fresh water.
- Carbon Capture: Utilizing non-peak power to “suck the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.”
- Cheap Production: Lowering the floor for the cost of all manufactured goods.
By solving for energy, the constraints on water, food, and climate are effectively neutralized.
Technological Convergence
Beyond energy, the Golden Age is fueled by breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and biotechnology. Adams views AI as a tool that can “directly influence people’s dopamine,” providing personalized entertainment, education, and health management. This shift moves society from a state of scarcity to a state of surplus.
In this environment, robots handle the “dirty, dangerous, and dull” jobs, while AI assists in complex problem-solving. This creates a world where the standard of living rises regardless of traditional economic friction. Adams asserts, “We are absolutely in the best time of history,” specifically because these technologies are maturing simultaneously.
The Media Disconnect
A central pillar of the Golden Age theory is the explanation of why most people do not realize it has already begun. Adams argues that “the business model of the media makes you think things are going wrong when they’re not.” Because fear drives engagement and clicks, the public is fed a distorted reality.
Adams suggests that when you look past the headlines, the reality is that “our news is funny.” The absurdity of modern political theater is, in his view, a luxury of a high-functioning society. When people are not worried about their next meal or a world war, they have the bandwidth to argue over social nuances and “meaningless” controversies.
Political Catalysts
Adams often links the onset of this era to the presidency of Donald Trump, describing him as “the guy who presided over the most golden period the United States has ever experienced.” He credits the Trump administration’s focus on deregulation and economic growth as the spark that proved American potential. He contrasts this with the Biden approach, which he views as a regression from the momentum built during the pre-2020 period.
Summary of the Framework
The Golden Age is not a distant utopia but a current reality that requires a Reframing to see clearly. It is defined by:
- Nuclear Abundance: Transitioning to Gen 4 reactors that “can’t have a problem.”
- Rationality: Ignoring the manufactured panic of the news cycle.
- Abundance Mindset: Recognizing that technology has already solved the most pressing historical problems of humanity.
As Adams summarizes: “you’re living in a good time.”