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Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)

40. "Civilisation" as such may not collapse, but some societies probably will.

Tue Sep 9, 2014, 02:01 AM

Sep 2014

Extrapolating from certain trends re fossil fuel depletion, global warming, climate change and ongoing and possibly permanent drought conditions in the US Southwest I'd say that the collapse of capitalism as we know it, and of the USA as we know it, are very likely within a century.

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How soon do you anticipate the coming collapse of civilization? [View all] el_bryanto Sep 2014 OP

Since the collapse apparently already "coming", I'll say, next thursday, high noon. tridim Sep 2014 #1

So long term environmental damage and the dwindling oil supply are no big deal? nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #2

Every major issue we confront as a species is a big deal. tridim Sep 2014 #4

Solved is a strong word The2ndWheel Sep 2014 #9

We wouldn't have survived as a species otherwise. tridim Sep 2014 #20

+1. Oh noes, as soon as the Diet Coke and Chulaps run out, we're finished! FSogol Sep 2014 #21

Again, solved in a strong word The2ndWheel Sep 2014 #30

They certainly are. And they'll be a *bigger* deal in a generation or two. n/t nomorenomore08 Sep 2014 #41

Hard to pinpoint, it will be a gradual decline IMO. If people keep accepting less and less, RKP5637 Sep 2014 #3

Define "civilization"? Scootaloo Sep 2014 #5

The older I get the sooner I think the collapse is coming. But then I remember pampango Sep 2014 #6

I have thought about that as well...i think almost every generation sees the end coming... PoutrageFatigue Sep 2014 #14

In some ways, I am just the opposite. appal_jack Sep 2014 #18

How about never as a choice. RGinNJ Sep 2014 #7

January 20, 1981. Scuba Sep 2014 #8

I'm going to say - Reagan inauguration? nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #11

For that matter Gman Sep 2014 #46

It won't Saffron Sep 2014 #10

Welcome to DU! Agschmid Sep 2014 #12

+1 leftstreet Sep 2014 #15

I pretty much agree with you on this. And a warm welcome to DU. AverageJoe90 Sep 2014 #35

Wise comment, Saffron, and I agree with you. Rhiannon12866 Sep 2014 #38

You cogg he's real? Who tripped the Fall, if not Old Georgie? Tommy_Carcetti Sep 2014 #13

Two men enter. postulater Sep 2014 #27

The collapse of geopolitical norms, sure, that's on the way. randome Sep 2014 #16

I'd say in 100 years or above by the way we're going without changing sakabatou Sep 2014 #17

If we continue like this? daleanime Sep 2014 #19

The collapse is here now. Police State, Climate Change, etc. Collapse? You're soaking in it. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #22

Everyone loves to think they live in extraordinary times. Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #23

Every second is precious and new tridim Sep 2014 #32

Not in the forseeable future. Beyond that, who knows... Donald Ian Rankin Sep 2014 #24

People have been predicting the collapse of civilization in the US for 230 years. cbdo2007 Sep 2014 #25

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Sep 2014 #26

Civilization collapsed a long time ago. nt ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #28

What is this "civilization" of which you speak? Jackpine Radical Sep 2014 #29

Well, Olive Garden's Unlimited Pasta deal is good for only 7 weeks pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #31

Before the end of 2015 Hari Seldon Sep 2014 #33

The most accurate answer is.....probably never. AverageJoe90 Sep 2014 #34

It's already here. Initech Sep 2014 #36

It would suck to live in a place with ebola cases rising exponentially. hunter Sep 2014 #37

not so much collapse as to devolve into something unrecognizble compared to what we have now. Tuesday Afternoon Sep 2014 #39

"Civilisation" as such may not collapse, but some societies probably will. Spider Jerusalem Sep 2014 #40

I say 50-100 years. Either via World War III, environmental devastation, or a combo of the two. n/t nomorenomore08 Sep 2014 #42

Define "collapse" fadedrose Sep 2014 #43

Which civilization? Marrah_G Sep 2014 #44

What have the Romans ever done for us? {Monty Python} Electric Monk Sep 2014 #45

It depends on where AngryAmish Sep 2014 #47

I think it's underway magical thyme Sep 2014 #48