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Why Complex Societies Collapse | Joseph Tainter

Planet: Critical

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The Dilemma of Complexity: Lessons from the Roman Empire

This chapter examines the reasons behind the collapse of complex societies, particularly the Roman Empire, emphasizing how initial solutions led to diminishing returns and societal strain. It explores the current parallels regarding fossil fuel reliance and the challenges of predicting societal collapse. The discussion also touches on the dual nature of complexity in modern systems, especially related to AI, and underscores the urgency of addressing environmental challenges impacting future living standards.

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