How Civilisations Are Born, Grow and Fall
Are we living in an unprecedented era? Is our world as unique as we think? And will we be the first civilisation to grow forever? Or is everything simply different, and we are just another piece in the mosaic of human stories in this world?
The correct answer is probably both yes and no. Our civilisation, the level of technology and knowledge in general, the sophistication of communications and medical care, and the degree of prosperity all speak for themselves. However, we can also observe that, just as in the past, we are facing well-known challenges today, such as the growth of bureaucracy, the functioning or failure of elites, the role of the social contract and leaders, a surplus or, conversely, a lack of energy resources, economic crises, or the (in)ability to adapt to changes in the natural environment.
Completely new challenges are also emerging, such as a world shrouded in global communication, social networks, zettabytes of information, the discrepancy between accumulated findings and actual knowledge, humanity's ability to massively change its natural environment, epidemics, and many others.
The book you are holding in your hands offers an opportunity to look at today's world as part of a long timeline of history, processes, and individual events, the characteristics of which reveal that there are seven universal laws to which all civilisations are subject. Including us.
