There are so many societies in which the elite made decisions that were good for themselves in the short run and ruined themselves and societies in the long run….
Similarly, in the United States at present, the policies being pursued by too many wealthy people and decision makers are ones that — as in the case of the Mayan kings — preserve their interests in the short run but are disastrous in the long run.
~Jared Diamond, author of “Collapse: How Societies Chose to Fail or Succeed”
quoted in Climate Progress
Claiming Joy & Healing Amidst the Climate Emergency 
2 responses to “Take Time To Renew Your Spirit”
I wonder if Jared gets into the way our banking systems work in North America. Fortunately the Canadian system is nowhere near as bad as the U. S. system, but it’s still far from perfect.
You and I could never lend each other money we don’t have, yet for the banks they can do it every day! Crazy.
Is it any wonder that all those super-wealthy families who put this system into play are getting wealthier by the day, while the rest of us…
Are you familiar with Michael Ruppert’s writing, Keith? He was also featured in a documentary entitled (interestingly, considering Jared Diamond’s book) “Collapse”. He talks much more about the economic system that is on the verge of collapse (and which has caused untold suffering to millions of people who have paid the price for the industrialized world’s wealth). You can watch it online here: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/collapse/.
Also, if you haven’t read John Perkin’s “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” you might be interested in his take on things.