Interesting. The ascending / descending analogy seems a bit off here. Yes, relative to China we are descending, or not ascending as fast. But not as compared to NK. It is just that cyber affords a flatter playing field that equalizes everyone. The fact that this is the area of American weakness is a testament to its present strength overall.

I do see a leveling happening in the world (not in NK). But I am not sure I see that as descending in overall GDP. perhaps the USA is descending in social cohesion or such?