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Stages of Civilization
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Stages of Civilization |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
As I sit here, I am struck by an odd thought; would it be better living in the beginning of a civilization, its middle, or its end? A civilization being, The type of culture and society developed by a particular nation or region or in a particular epoch: Mayan civilization; the civilization of ancient Rome. Let's explore that shall we. It is more than fair to say that the beginning of any civilization is founded in turmoil or even bloodshed. Usually it requires the ousting of the current regime in power and the inception of a new way of doing things. It can however simply be a split in beliefs, making the turmoil come from establishing a self-sufficient colony. A civilization's beginning is a time of constant conflict and change. It is also when one individual can have the most profound effect on a society's development. Beginnings are busy and full of fresh excitement and promise. The middle of a society's existence is the longest period and the most peaceful, but that peacefulness turns to complacency and acceptance of the status quo. At that point the individuals of that society begin to disdain change. To use a dam for an analogy, the dam bursts and carries society forwards. The force and flow of water are tremendous, at first. It will slowly trickle down to a respectable river with a respectable flow. When it hits a lull or depression, it pools until it overflows the depression. It may not be following its original course but it still flows. The farther it flows from its source, the slower it becomes if not fed by smaller streams. Eventually it hits an impasse. The end of a society or civilization is characterized by a period of decadence, a dam if you will. Wherein near-stagnation and backward eddies pool and roil the muck until new floods come to burst the dam asunder. Thus begins the cycle anew. Look upon the decadence of the Roman Empire just before its fall, with Nero accused of playing the fiddle while his city burned. Better yet, look at the Greeks and their Coliseum. The pure sadistic brutality was designed to appease the masses and prevent civil war. That in turn births the turmoil from which new civilizations will arise. There is one means by which a society may begin without needing the end of its parent. That is colonization. Allowed or prohibited, to escape tyranny or oppression, or even persecution, colonization begins in turmoil just as does any other society. All that being said, at what point would the United States be now? From our international reputation for decadence and the degree of decadence prevalent in our society, the U.S. is past the midpoint of the middle and at the beginning of its decline. As examples of decadence we can cite the explosive drug trade in this country and production of said drugs. While drugs are a sign of decadence, more so is the prevalent use of them be even the highest in the internal social structure. For example, Marion Barry the mayor of our nation's capital caught dealing on videotape. Another example is the widespread acceptance of promiscuity, not only acceptance but encouragement of it as well. I am not saying yea or nay to promiscuity, just noting that promiscuity, perversion, fetishes, and the like all become more accepted and prevalent toward the end of any civilization. The degree is governed by how strict the morals of the society were at its inception in relation to the morality of its parent society. Sexual awareness at early ages, the early puberty of younger and younger girls (due, theory says, to the prevalence of synthetic estrogens in the products we use), and birth control are all factors that are exacerbating the rising promiscuity of the United States and hastening its decline. At least teen pregnancy shows some downward trend. How then can such decadence and downward spiraling be put off? How then can the civilization rejuvenate itself? New and revolutionary leadership can gain the society some impetus but only if such newness can become a trend amongst the government. Religion has always worked well to unify a civilization except that sets it up to fall as there will always be dissidents that the church cannot allow the freedom to roam free. Other than that, this country is founded on religious freedom. War is by far the biggest savior to civilization, to the great and large anyway. War galvanizes loyalty, is a major boost to the economy, spin-off leads to new discoveries and applications for the civilian and private sectors. More jobs become available even. War is a quick mid-term fix as it immediately rejuvenates the civilization and sets a solid foundation for long term growth, a few decades at least. The last is a bit touchy. Civil war has been shown to be an effective tool in changing over from one civilization to another and even revitalizes the parent if the status quo stays in power, for a time. Perhaps our laws and founding precepts should be gone over and edited for this more advanced and enlightened world we live in. perhaps that should be done periodically just to clear the books of the obsolete laws that exist. All that being said, I would much prefer to live in the end of a society as decadence suits me, but the beginning is preferable to the middle which is boring. My question is which part would you rather live in? ©1999 DreamEvil ------------------ Now and forever, my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© [This message has been edited by DreamEvil (edited 11-16-1999).] |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Great question Dream. I'd first of have to say that begining for me would have to be ruled out. I do not have strength enough of mind or body to survive a period of strife. A middle period seems suitable to my tastes, but I don't think it would hook my interest. The end and decadence that it entails would best suit me. A considerable amount of darkness prevails, but there's still a little light if you look. Thanks for a little thought to get the old gears turning.  ------------------ "All is gone except the will to be." - Metallica - "For Whom the Bell Tolls" |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
I wonder -- have you ever read any of Moorcock's "End of Time" novels? This smacks of his work ... Excellent topic. --Kess |
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Starith Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 176Leesburg, FL USA |
I must agree with you on the veiw of war bringing loyalty, but only if the war makes sense to those who fight in it and those who are left home in the wake of it. Most of the wars in which the USA has fought made sense and were therefore supported on the home front, however there have been wars that were kept too secretive on the home front or not made clear enough and were therefore not well supported by those left home to deal with it. Civil wars are not well excepted by any, however they do occur. Civil wars in my opinion have to be the hardest on a civilazation as a whole. But as you pointed out DE they reinforce the older civilazation or they open up a new one. As ashamed as I am to admitt it, I fear that you are right about the US being on its last leg as a civilaztion goes. But I believe that there are things that can be done to save the US and pull her back to her previous glory. We just have to learn to care about her again and to work together as a whole and not as seperate parts. As for in which part of civilazation I would like to live in...I haven't a clue. The begining is too bloody, the middle too boring and the ending too sad, therefore I would have to chose the here and now. This is where I am meant to be it seems. Thanks for the mental exercise...I needed it. Star ------------------ We are only truly apperciated after we are no more! [This message has been edited by Starith (edited 11-16-1999).] |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
This is a tough question for me. I could probably ponder all day about this and not be able to decide. As promiscuity and decadence have never been my strong points I would tend to stray away from from this time period. As I love technology and computers and find myself very much more adept in cyber society than 'real" society makes me wonder if I could exist in another time frame. Realistically, I probably belong in the DARK Ages somewhere...hehe, just so long as I have da plume and something to write on, I'll be happy. Great piece here, Dream, I couldn't possibly do you the justice it deserves in a reply, let me just leave it at that. Michael |
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Systematic Decay Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301That place with padded walls and funny people in white......... |
I prefer the end, at least here, in America. I can sit here, and watch the decline of a society I never have liked, and watch the materialistic people who depend so much on that society go down with it....and just laugh....as I am doing now. ------------------ Thinking is just what a great many people think they are doing when they are merely rearranging their predjudices. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
On a second thought, since we're talking about a hypothetical choice, I choose all, living a lengthy life in order to participate and envision each form of civilization. To be able to contribute to the beginning, walk through the middle and rest towrard the end...yes, all of it! |
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