As more and more people begin to show an awareness that civilization is in danger of collapse, we are still struggling with what I think is an important conflation of two different mechanisms as if they were the same. Civilization is indeed in danger of collapse. I agree with those who say it's been collapsing for a long time, only it shows more in some places – the poorest places, the ones who have paid the price for the "benefits" others have "enjoyed." The mistake comes when we think this collapse is the result of the failures of civilization, and that in its collapse we undoubtedly face the general explosion of what we've been led to believe are "uncivilized" behaviors, circumstances, and conditions.
The Confusion Between Collapse and Failure
The Confusion Between Collapse and Failure
The Confusion Between Collapse and Failure
As more and more people begin to show an awareness that civilization is in danger of collapse, we are still struggling with what I think is an important conflation of two different mechanisms as if they were the same. Civilization is indeed in danger of collapse. I agree with those who say it's been collapsing for a long time, only it shows more in some places – the poorest places, the ones who have paid the price for the "benefits" others have "enjoyed." The mistake comes when we think this collapse is the result of the failures of civilization, and that in its collapse we undoubtedly face the general explosion of what we've been led to believe are "uncivilized" behaviors, circumstances, and conditions.