I used to be a full blown "the status quo is fine, things are getting better all the time, technology will inevitably save us all when the Singularity(tm) happens" tech liberal.

Actually going to "futurology" conferences in my local area changed that. One too many DoD contractor booths and from-their-own-mouths terrifying statements from the ruling class and their minions made me realize the future they wanted was not Star Trek; it was something much closer to Silent Running, or even Rollerball.