Is the World Learning the Lessons of a Collapsing America?
Predatory Societies Self-Destruct Into Fascism and Hate — But Is the World Learning America’s Lesson?
There is, by now, a certain trope in science fiction circles called the Dark Forest scenario. Why isn’t there any life out there? Well, there is, says the Dark Forest scenario. Only because there is a predatory galactic mega civilization, everyone’s hiding out, scared in the woods. If they pop their heads out — wham! Hence…a universe without the appearance of life.
That’s nice, and it’s certainly entertaining, but the economist in me can also tell you it’s wrong. There is nothing of the sort happening out there. We know what happens to predatory societies, or civilizations. They don’t endure. They collapse from within, under the weight of their own cruelty, indifference, corruption, stupidity, fanaticism, and fascism. It’s happened over and over again in history. And right about now, in history’s most vivid example yet, it’s happening to America.
I bring all this up, this sci-fi scenario, for a reason. Americans don’t understand the price of being a predatory society. Americans lionise predation, in all its forms. They love guns and hunting and greed and money and power. They are the world’s most predatory people probably since…