Futurist and author Juan Enriquez (I want to be a futurist–how fun would it be to get paid to think about the future?) talks about “a long history of borders, countries and flags that have changed, and warns the United States isn’t immune” in a half-hour video podcast from the Pop!Tech conference.

It’s very interesting to consider why there has been little country breakup in the Americas, and even more interesting to think about how likely it is, especially considering how polarized our society is becoming.

Enriquez’s recent book, The Untied States of America: Polarization, Fracturing, and Our Future looks interesting, though the charge in the Amazon review that he plays a little loose with facts and figures is disconcerting (94%? 51%? Meh. Same difference). (link via kottke.org)