I agree. I may have given the impression of the end of nation states in my OP which was not intended. Instead I was alluding to greater individual autonomy, or more, the age of consent.
The principle of consent is prevalent already in many respects, but it is underpinned by State parameters - I think that those State parameters are under threat.
Going back to the article which focuses on the financial sector, whats interesting is that with all the noise about bitcoin (its value, its worthlessness etc) the author points to other alternative technological innovations and models in the way business transactions may be conducted. This may impact adversely on the parameters in the US Dollar positions itself as the worlds reserve currency.
Closer to home, the repeal the eight campaign, and subsequent recommendation to allow unrestricted abortion up to 12 weeks is also in many respects a consequence of technological innovation.
Listening to one of the committee members explain the decision (im not taking a position here either way btw), she said, abortion XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX were available on the internet - we may as well face the reality of what is occuring here, and occurring when pregnant women take a flight to England.
It crossed my mind, what else is occuring here that perhaps we should face the reality of? Cocaine, heroin?
To finish, as mentioned above, the information age, nano technology, digitalistion, etc...etc...would appear to be upon us. So much can be calculated, determined, resolved, applied, distributed etc that it makes you wonder what need will there be for over-arching assemblies of politicians to determine, at an individual level, what any of us can and cannot do?