America is a sick society

[Bob Butler 54]

(08-09-2017, 02:56 PM)David Horn Wrote:

(08-08-2017, 08:08 PM)Bob Butler 54 Wrote: I think S&H developed an interesting language and became aware of an interesting pattern in history.  I don't see it as absolute and firm, especially outside of the Anglo American sequence of history.  Certainly there is much to be said about whether this time and place is really similar to that one.  Even where the pattern doesn't hold firmly the descriptive language might come in handy

I've made a similar argument to Mike Alexander.  History is not locked to an unchanging dynamic, like the weather for example.  That said, there is a rhythm here that can be seen, and the S&H explanation of generations and turnings makes  sense.  That doesn't make it true, but it is a rational explanation.  On the other hand, just as climate changes, so does the underlying social, technical, economic and cultural landscape as progress alters each in significant ways.

My gut feel is that technology was a central driver for the Anglo - American sequence, and that put a fairly steady pressure on us  that let us set our own pace.  On the other hand, in places like Russia and China, they had to keep up with the West to a great degree, which made the pressure too high.  They couldn't keep up with another culture that had a head start.

One theory, anyway.

(08-09-2017, 02:56 PM)David Horn Wrote: Come back in 200 years and reevaluate.

You think 200 years will be enough?