Civilisational collapse has a bright past – but a dark future

Is the collapse of a civilisation necessarily calamitous? The failure of the Egyptian Old Kingdom towards the end of the 2nd millennium BCE was accompanied by riots, tomb-raids and even cannibalism. ‘The whole of Upper Egypt died of hunger and each individual had reached such a state of hunger that he ate his own children,’ runs an account from 2120 BCE about the life of Ankhtifi, a southern provincial governor of Ancient Egypt. 

Mayan society experienced a gradual decline over three centuries. 

Many of us are familiar with this historical narrative of how cultures can rapidly – and violently – decline and fall. Recent history appears to bear it out, too. Post-invasion Iraq witnessed 100,000 deaths in the first year and a half, followed by the emergence of ISIS. And the overthrow of the Libyan government in 2011 produced a power vacuum, leading to the re-emergence of the slave trade.

Read the Aeon story by Luke Kemp - “Civilisational collapse has a bright past – but a dark future.”

‘Winter is coming ... eventually' but June forecast to be dry and mild

Melburnians can leave their umbrellas at home this June with a dry and mild start to winter, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Some sunny winter days ahead in Melbourne.

The bureau's forecast is based on current weather patterns, although for the next fortnight Victorians can expect the clear skies and sunny days to be accompanied by crisp mornings.

Senior forecaster Keris Arndt said the days are expected to average 16 to 17 degrees, with cool and light winds.

“Rug up though with cold mornings expected, dropping down to 5 degrees overnight,” Mr Arndt said.

Read the story from The Age by Emily Pearson - “‘Winter is coming ... eventually' but June forecast to be dry and mild.”