Questions About Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

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Answered Questions (3)

A must read for any citizen of the earth.

Nanda Ramesh Not a question really....but, yes I agree. Provokes you into thinking of what were doing right now to our planet!

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Lets assume modern 'developed' countries are not going to collapse in the way he outlines other societies collapsing (which I think is fair). However, it plausible that many countries will come to the point of 'collapse' - so, what would that collapse look like? He doesn't really paint a picture of how the US, Australia etc...would decline. He also doesn't offer solutions for reducing per capita consumption of energy.

Roman There will be no "energy reduction". There cannot be, as this defies logic. It's like trying to ban/cut back the use of wheel, after it was invented; …moreThere will be no "energy reduction". There cannot be, as this defies logic. It's like trying to ban/cut back the use of wheel, after it was invented; unless humanity suffers an abrupt horrific catastrophe. The only way to move forward is efficient energy harvesting practices. (less)

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As someone who read this in conjunction with Elizabeth Kolbert's The Sixth Extinction, I can't help but feel that Diamond's 'cautious optimism' is really nothing more than denial or naivete as regards the ultimate fate of human civilization as we know it on this planet. What are your thoughts? Is there actually any serious hope for the survival of our species and civil society?

Jesse H. Cockerham i don't view him as naive he does state he is cautiuosley optimistic for the future of the world in my view that means in the first world voting for p…morei don't view him as naive he does state he is cautiuosley optimistic for the future of the world in my view that means in the first world voting for political change that will impose stricter envirornmental controls also big companies oil and others are policing themselves more strictly in this case because they thought Al Gore would win the presidency back in 2000 now it's on to the world until yesterday (less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

I have read Joseph Tainter's book 'The Collapse of Complex Societies' and enjoyed it very much. I would like to ask readers who have read both Joseph Tainter's Collapse and Jared Diamond's book the following question: what are the major differences and what book did you liked most and why?

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