Features disabled! Please read the following:<< I Have the Plugin - Show Flash Content >> | << No Plugin - Hide this Warning >>
How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed“What did the Easter Islander who cut down the last palm tree say while he was doing it? Like modern loggers, did he shout 'Jobs, not trees!'? Or: 'Technology will solve our problems, never fear, we'll find a substitute for wood'? Or: 'We don't have proof that there aren't palm trees somewhere else on Easter, we need more research, your proposed ban on logging is premature and driven by fear-mongering'?” - Jared Diamond, in Collapse
A sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond's Collapse presents a thought-provoking analysis of societal collapse and lessons to be learned from past mistakes. From environmental factors such as deforestation and climate change to the presence of supportive (or hostile) neighbors, Diamond evaluates the various elements that have contributed to societal failure - and then draws parallels to the modern world. Collapse is different from most books recommended in this space; it is rather academic in nature and - for some readers - a bit heavy and intimidating at times. Diamond is a scientist and environmentalist first, and his approach here involves providing ample (i.e., for the non-scientists among us, more than enough) evidence and examples to support his claims. Still, despite its weight (I have been packing around the hardback version in Mexico), the book is one every literate individual should explore. Among the attributes of Collapse I appreciated most was the author's objectivity. Diamond is no "radical environmentalist." His analysis is rooted in rational scientific reasoning; in making his case for environmental activism, he examines the economics involved and refuses to paint all businesses with a single brush. That he commends oil giant Chevron for the stringent environmental standards it follows in Papua New Guinea's Kutubu oil field lends credibility to his analysis and generates hope. There are environmentally conscious businesses out there - and thanks in part to pressure from concerned citizens of the world, many of them are beginning to deem it financially prudent to follow strict environmental standards. The structure of Collapse is comprised of three basic elements: analysis of past societies and factors contributing to their successes and failures; examination of modern-day societies and how they compare to those of the past; and finally, an overview of the implications for individuals and governments today. Diamond provides detailed analysis of societal failure, explores parallels between past and present societies, and implores his readers to take action. Personal responsibility, he says, is our last best hope in preventing future collapses. Personally, I found the latter half of the book more captivating than the first. While interesting, the book's initial chapters are "foundational," describing in detail some half-dozen distinct societal collapses. Diamond uses these examples to identify the common factors involved in societal failure. Still, it is here where readers may find themselves treading water. My recommendation for such readers (if tempted to set the book aside) is to skip ahead. Examine a few historical societies of interest and proceed to chapter 9. My favorite segments of the book include those chapters describing the 1990s genocide in Rwanda, the growing environmental and economic influence of present-day China, and the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. I found the Hispaniola analysis particularly interesting because it contrasts the states of the two countries that share the island: Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Sharing similar (thought not identical) environmental characteristics, the two are nevertheless drastically different today. While Haiti is among the poorest, least stable countries on the planet, the Dominican Republic is a modestly successful developing nation. This demonstrates that while environmental factors do indeed play a critical role, how we choose to handle environmental challenges is of tremendous importance to societal longevity. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the same environment; both were ruled by dictators for much of the 20th century; yet their current conditions and prospects for success are drastically different. In the book's closing chapters, Diamond examines why bad societal decisions are made and presents a road map for success. He calls each of us to action and provides ample reason to hope. Despite the urgency of the problem and the gravity of what's at stake, hope remains. Things are changing, and with greater awareness and involvement from ordinary citizens, the downhill slide may in fact be reversed. There is much to be learned from Collapse. It is a book with tremendous practical merit; if each one of us is able to understand the concepts involved and put the author's suggestions to work, future collapses - or at least the biggest among them - may yet be averted. << Find this Book on Amazon.com >>
| ![[Book Cover Page: Collapse]](images/books/collapse.jpg "Collapse")