ODIN

ODIN: Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize. 

Professor Jared Diamond of UCLA argues that the fundamental reasons for the vastly different trajectories of human societies can be summarized into his brilliant title:  "Guns, Germs and Steel".  The innovation of guns and steel enabled Eurasian societies to conquer and dominate the world.  Germs, or more appropriately, disease immunity, also became an enduring factor in the ability to conquer, and weakening resistance to be conquered.  Whereas, Professor Diamond suggests that geography was a key factor, the book can also be considered a masterpiece of explaining why technology supremacy is arguably the most critical factor in the rise and fall of empires, societies and modern nation states.

While guns, germs and steel may have been the main advantages many centuries ago, the modern technology supremacy will be based on remarkably similar evolutions: autonomous vehicles and robots, biotechnology, and advanced computer chips.  These three technologies will be designed to Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize, autonomously, both for generally regenerative, and destructive purposes. 

Geography, however, as Professor Diamond boldly and uniquely suggested at the time, will also play a key factor of this modern technology supremacy.  Examples include the geographic availability of key resources to compose superior technology, environments and geography for physical security (oceans, mountains, harsh conditions), and the adaptability of diverse geography during an era of increased climate change.

While geography has not changed dramatically over the centuries, society's need to adapt rapidly for economic, military and technological supremacy, has and will continue to do so.  Moreover, while modern mankind would not notice the geography of earth changing, the concepts of nation states and control over the geography have.