Civilization’s self-termination is likely based on 5,000 years of history. People are often egalitarian but elite groups lead them to collapse. Past societal failures sometimes benefited ordinary citizens. Presently, deeply interconnected global civilization is marked by inequality. Threats include climate change, nuclear weapons, and AI. Proposed solutions include fostering democracy and reducing inequality. Kemp critiques the term civilization, suggesting it is a construct of ruling classes, citing early societies known for violence rather than civilized behavior. His insights reflect on potential future trajectories based on historical precedents.
People are fundamentally egalitarian but are led to collapses by enriched, status-obsessed elites; past collapses often improved the lives of ordinary citizens.
Today's global civilisation is deeply interconnected and unequal, potentially leading to the worst societal collapse yet amid climate crisis and technology threats.
Don't be a dick is one of the solutions proposed, along with a move towards genuinely democratic societies and an end to inequality.
The term civilisation is described as propaganda by rulers; early societies displayed war, patriarchy, and human sacrifice, not civilised conduct.
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