Civilisation

(from Pocket Philosophy for End Times – A Lexicon of Dystopia)

The complex social, cultural, economic and political structures that emerge once a species begins to effectively parasitize its environment, and the creation of the myths, religions and toxic, self-serving belief systems that temporarily allow this system to sustain itself, evolve and propagate at the expense of its environment. Civilisations by definition are never meant to last. They are based on surviving and thriving just for today, ignoring survival into tomorrow. All survival mechanisms and innovations have short-term benefits, which often come with long-term punishing consequences. Like a precariously balanced, burned-out log in a fire running out of fuel, the unsustainable civilisation humans have created is destined to eventually collapse in on itself.

George is an author, researcher, podcaster, chemist, molecular biologist and food scientist. You can follow him on Twitter @99blackbaloons , listen to his Spotify podcast George reads George, join his mailing list, or enjoy his books