"Most countries are static, and they need to do is keep having babies. But America's like this big old clanking smoking machine that just lumbers across the landscape scooping up and eating everything in sight"

This quote by Neal Stephenson is a metaphor for the power and dynamism of the United States. He is comparing the nation to a big, effective machine that is constantly in movement, consuming resources and expanding its impact. This remains in contrast to other nations, which are static and count on population growth to remain stable. The quote indicates that the US is a force to be reckoned with, which its power and influence are significant. It also recommends that the US is a country of great aspiration and drive, constantly trying to find brand-new chances and methods to grow.