The Myth of Automatic Progress | Samo Burja
"Moment of Zen"
Intro
This chapter explores the factors contributing to the rise and decline of civilizations, highlighting the tension between individual innovation and democratic processes. Through historical patterns of collapse, it seeks to provide insight into the complexities of societal achievements within the context of civilization's evolution.
Today's episode is a conversation I had with Samo Burja in 2019 about why civilizations collapse, how functional institutions are built, and what makes some societies flourish while others decay. We explore his Great Founder Theory, the myth of egalitarianism, and why exceptional outliers drive innovation more than democratic processes.
This podcast originally aired on the Village Global podcast.
Make sure to subscribe to Samo Burja's Bismarck Brief and the Live Players podcast to read analyses and briefs like this one:
- Bismarck Brief: https://brief.bismarckanalysis.com/
- Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers
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RECOMMENDED LINKS:
Functional Institutions are the Exception
https://www.samoburja.com/functional-institutions-are-the-exception/
Intellectual Dark Matter
https://samoburja.com/intellectual-dark-matter/
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X / TWITTER:
@SamoBurja
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DISCUSSION:
- Societies are artificial constructs built on cornerstone institutions and knowledge that require intentional renewal
- Great Founder Theory: exceptional individuals like Steve Jobs create transformative changes that shape institutions
- Singapore as an example of successful governance through visionary leadership and long-term thinking
- Egalitarianism often functions as a control mechanism rather than a practical reality
- Technology inherently drives centralization despite temporary decentralization phases
- Future global order likely to be bipolar between US (innovation advantage) and China (different values)
- Successful institutions require adaptability to changing circumstances
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