On the most brutal, empirical level, we have no example in history…of a complex economic and technological system backtracking to a more simple, primitive level of survival.
Interesting. I think if his point is that no society has chosen to do that I agree. But there are tons of examples of complex economic and technological systems that backtrack to primitive survival levels. Look at Rome. Look at Egypt, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, the Aztecs or Mayan. Look at China through the ages. Each of these civilizations had advanced technologies and economies and backtracked into subsistence living. The difference is of course that the change was normally imposed on them via ecological changes, political pressure (War or Invasion), or some other 'act of God' (pestilence etc).
Great read! Loved this:
I hope we are on the verge of some great change away from office drones and the 40 hour mandated work week (which always ends up being 50 plus hours).
Interesting. I think if his point is that no society has chosen to do that I agree. But there are tons of examples of complex economic and technological systems that backtrack to primitive survival levels. Look at Rome. Look at Egypt, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, the Aztecs or Mayan. Look at China through the ages. Each of these civilizations had advanced technologies and economies and backtracked into subsistence living. The difference is of course that the change was normally imposed on them via ecological changes, political pressure (War or Invasion), or some other 'act of God' (pestilence etc).