Environment & Energy

caraher

(6,362 posts)

11. Oh, I'm not dismissing the theory

Mon Nov 19, 2012, 09:10 PM

Nov 2012

My immediate purpose is to give myself enough information on particular historical collapses that I can paint a convincing picture to someone who can't possibly imagine our present society collapsing. In other words, I'm mainly looking for cautionary tales, for the purpose of telling memorable stories, rather than a proper rigorous theory.

I'll probably give Tainter a look at some point; the reviews I read after your tip suggest it's not quite the place to start (though it does appear to be the place to start if you want to study the academic literature on the subject). Thanks again!

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"Historical Collapses" primer? [View all] caraher Nov 2012 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author dtom67 Nov 2012 #1

Thanks! caraher Nov 2012 #6

We recommend you read "Collapse" by Jared Diamond... HereSince1628 Nov 2012 #2

Thanks! caraher Nov 2012 #3

I hated that book with the burning fire of a thousand suns XemaSab Nov 2012 #9

What was it's main fault in your view? caraher Nov 2012 #10

I thought that the author picked and chose things that supported his theory XemaSab Nov 2012 #12

OK caraher Nov 2012 #13

The Collapse of Complex Societies (Joseph Tainter) NoOneMan Nov 2012 #4

Looks interesting caraher Nov 2012 #5

But that theory of complexity is supported by tangibles examples NoOneMan Nov 2012 #7

Oh, I'm not dismissing the theory caraher Nov 2012 #11

One comment, most past "barbarian invasions" are tied in with cooling trends NOT warming trends happyslug Nov 2012 #8