"Fragile, impermanent things": Joseph Tainter on what makes civilizations fall
(thebulletin.org)
In the introduction to his seminal 1988 book, The Collapse of Complex Societies, anthropologist and historian Joseph Tainter explained that lost civilizations have a vise-like hold on the human imagination because of the implications their histories hold for our own, modern civilization.
In the introduction to his seminal 1988 book, The Collapse of Complex Societies, anthropologist and historian Joseph Tainter explained that lost civilizations have a vise-like hold on the human imagination because of the implications their histories hold for our own, modern civilization.
Music and the Decline of Civilization
(renovatio.zaytuna.edu)
In almost every description of a declining civilization we find the same tropes: an excess of liberty, a confusion of social norms, and the weakening of authority that soon descends into lawlessness.
In almost every description of a declining civilization we find the same tropes: an excess of liberty, a confusion of social norms, and the weakening of authority that soon descends into lawlessness.
Is software abstraction killing civilization? (2021)
(datagubbe.se)
I recently stumbled upon a talk by game development guru Jonathan Blow, about how software abstraction will lead to the end of civilization.
I recently stumbled upon a talk by game development guru Jonathan Blow, about how software abstraction will lead to the end of civilization.
Why Civilizations Collapse
(palladiummag.com)
Why do civilizations collapse? This question bears not only on safeguarding our society’s future but also makes sense of our present. The answer relies on some of the same technē that humanity needed to build civilization in the first place: we have to evaluate the perceptions that mint facts and theory, not merely peruse the body of theories handed down to us.
Why do civilizations collapse? This question bears not only on safeguarding our society’s future but also makes sense of our present. The answer relies on some of the same technē that humanity needed to build civilization in the first place: we have to evaluate the perceptions that mint facts and theory, not merely peruse the body of theories handed down to us.
Civilization VII review: A major overhaul solves Civ's oldest problems
(arstechnica.com)
Not all changes will be popular, but it's a great launching point for a new age.
Not all changes will be popular, but it's a great launching point for a new age.
Civilization 7 review: establishing your unique legacy
(theverge.com)
Sid Meier developed the first Civilization game in 1991 and has contributed to every iteration since.
Sid Meier developed the first Civilization game in 1991 and has contributed to every iteration since.
Civilization VII only needs 20 GB of free disk space
(corsair.com)
Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise is one of the few videogame series’ that has stood fast against the test of time, evolving throughout the years, yet staying true to its roots.
Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise is one of the few videogame series’ that has stood fast against the test of time, evolving throughout the years, yet staying true to its roots.
Human Civilization at critical junction:authoritarian collapse or superabundance
(eurekalert.org)
A new scientific study published in the journal Foresight concludes that human civilisation is on the brink of the next ‘giant leap’ in evolution. However, progress could be thwarted by centralised far-right political projects such as the incoming Donald Trump administration.
A new scientific study published in the journal Foresight concludes that human civilisation is on the brink of the next ‘giant leap’ in evolution. However, progress could be thwarted by centralised far-right political projects such as the incoming Donald Trump administration.
Her Majesty’s Rat-Catcher (2013)
(laphamsquarterly.org)
Each great civilization is plagued by its own particular infestation—the point at which the balance between man and vermin shifts uncomfortably in the direction of the critters.
Each great civilization is plagued by its own particular infestation—the point at which the balance between man and vermin shifts uncomfortably in the direction of the critters.