Writing in “The Collapse of Complex Societies” Joseph A. Tainter, a U.S. anthropologist and historian, said
in discussing resource depletion:
 |
| Joseph A. Tainter |
“As it becomes apparent to the
member or administrators of a complex society that a resource base is
deteriorating, it seems most reasonable to assume that some rational steps are
taken to assume that some rational steps would be taken toward a resolution. The
alternative assumption – of idleness in the face of disaster – requires a leap
of faith at which we might rightly hesitate. If the former assumption be
admitted, then few variables whose mere existence indicates that the resource
depletion argument is inadequate.”
Tainter studied anthropology at
the University of California and Northwestern University, where he received his
Ph.D. in 1975.
He is currently a professor in the
Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University. His previous
positions include Project Leader of Cultural Heritage Research, Rocky Mountain
Forest and Range Experiment Station, Albuquerque, New Mexico and professor of
anthropology at the University of New Mexico.
The resource depletion argument is
not, interestingly, in itself inadequate, rather it is society’s inability or
unwillingness to confront socially disturbing facts, which if allowed to reach
their natural conclusion unattended, will uproot existing lifestyles and force
humanity down a whole new, and unchartered, path of existence.
Resource depletion is unquestionably
real and is illustrated by an endless array of anecdotal evidence, but should you
want the hard and brutish facts, then turn to the shelves of any library or bookshop
and there you will find a vast selection of literature from some of the world’s
sharpest minds explaining the world’s resource inadequacies, particularly if
the aim is the provide for seven billion people.
In a world addicted to the idea of
profit and growth, almost exclusively at the expense of humanity’s happiness
and contentment.
No comments:
Post a Comment