Societies have risen and then fell into the obscurity of the past all throughout history. In fact, the collapse and failure of civilizations seems to be naturally consistent with nature. No matter whom we are, we are all descendants from failed civilizations; a people scatter far from our origins in the attempt to thrive as a population. The difference now is that even though the collapse of civilizations was common, their demise was sporadic and localized. One civilization fell as another rose and prospered. The survivors left the ashes of their once beloved lands to immigrate to other areas in hope of a future filled with hope and opportunity. Our issue now is that were a global society and the collapse of civilization with not be localized or sporadic but will encompass the world. There will be no immigration to better lands or hope of new chances. What we are left with will be what we will live with. Collapse would not be sudden, instead constantly spreading as in a ripple effect or like in the cartoons when the snowball turns into a avalanche, destroying everything in its path. Global collapse would have consequences beyond imagining and would break even the best of us. A pretty scary prospective which many experts believe may be a reality in the near future. I personally like to be a little more optimistic but also realistic. I do believe that some sort of collapse is inevitable which historically has always been the case. Evidence cannot be ignored especially when face with such issues as overpopulation, pollution, global warming, lack of resources, and over fishing. No matter how were look at it there is no way to escape unscathed from our uncertain and looming future.
The question is, how bad will it be? I believe that such countries the U.S. will fare much better than, let’s say, a third world country but never the less will experience great change in life style . I believe that the U.S. will resemble more a 3rd World County than anything else, maybe even a little worse. There will be an abyss between classes, the poor will be truly poor, and many people will suffer. The world will be very different but will continue to be strangely familiar. Many people envision the future as humanity returning to the land, becoming simpler, but I believe that people will continue to flock to the cities in search of limited resources. The difference will be instead of living with abundant comforts, we will be instead scavengers and survivors feeding off of the late a great civilization of yesterday.
I do believe that we will eventually find a solution to our problems but not before many people suffer and our present civilization falls to its knees. Corporations and politicians rule the world and their interest are about how to make the most profit here and now. Only when the money stops flowing and there is no longer profitability in the current standard will there be change. How about the general population? We may lack the finances but we have strength in mere numbers for we are the majority of the population. The problem is that were so busy preserving what we have, going with the flow and keeping our heads above the water, that we will fail to see the dangers until they have become a reality. At that point, will it be too late to turn things around. We have a great track record of coming together when we are faced with a common threat but will the massiveness of the problem be too much to overcome when were already over our heads? I would assume that we will fail but to what extent? We’re talking about the end of human civilization as we know it, not the end of the human race. We are versatile and very adaptable, making humans in general, a very resilient species. We will fall, but eventually we will overcome and again rebuild a great civilization. Hopefully we will understand the errors of our ways and apply what were have learned toward building a new and sustainable future civilization.
