Is the World Close to Collapse? Ask the Bronze Age People.

The article explores the question of whether civilizations in the late Bronze Age were aware of their impending collapse, and draws parallels to our own society. The collapse of societies has long fascinated scholars, who have debated the causes of these collapses. One prevailing theory is that increasing complexity in societies eventually leads to diminishing returns and fragility. The article highlights the late Bronze Age collapse as a relevant historical example, characterized by interconnectedness, droughts, disease, mass migrations, and earthquakes. The author suggests that our modern society faces similar challenges, such as complexity, inequality, external shocks, and global supply chain disruptions, which could potentially lead to catastrophic upheavals. However, the article also acknowledges that collapse is not the end, and societies have historically adapted and prospered in new ways. [Extracted from the article]