To the more frustrated among them modernity already appeared as a tall mountain where a few people occupied the summit, watching others inch up the steep slopes, occasionally throwing down a tattered rope but, more often, giant boulders. They knew that there remained no unknown lands and peoples for them to conquer, control and exploit. They could only cut down their own forests, pollute their own rivers and lakes, and seek to control and thereby oppress their own people, their women and minorities.
