Throughout history, there have been numerous examples of civilizations that have failed to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, and as a result, have suffered significant destruction. One well-known example is the fall of the Western Roman Empire, which was marked by political infighting, economic instability, and external invasions by barbarian tribes. The inability of the Roman Empire to adapt and evolve led to its decline and eventual collapse.
Another example is the fall of the Ming Dynasty in China. The Ming Dynasty was marked by economic inequality, political corruption, and social unrest, which ultimately led to its decline and the rise of the Qing Dynasty. The failure of the Ming Dynasty to address these internal problems and adapt to changing circumstances contributed to its downfall.
A more recent example is the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 20th century. The Soviet Union was marked by economic inefficiency, political repression, and social unrest, which contributed to its collapse. The inability of the Soviet Union to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances played a significant role in its downfall.
Overall, these examples from history show the dangers of failing to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. They demonstrate the importance of continually seeking ways to improve and grow, in order to avoid destruction and ensure the stability and longevity of any civilization.
Let’s take a closer look at some specific examples.
Arnold Toynbee, a historian and philosopher, argued that many civilizations throughout history have entered a state of internal division and conflict, and that this can lead to their eventual collapse. When a system becomes divided against itself, it can become increasingly unstable and prone to problems. This is because the internal conflict and division within the system can hinder its ability to function effectively and achieve its goals.
One of the dangers of a system that is divided against itself is that it can become consumed by internal strife, leading to a breakdown in communication and cooperation. This can make it difficult for the system to make decisions, solve problems, and move forward. Additionally, internal division can lead to a lack of trust and cooperation among the different factions within the system, which can further undermine its stability and effectiveness.
Another danger of a system that is divided against itself is that it can become vulnerable to external threats. When a system is focused on internal conflict, it may be less able to defend itself against external challenges. This can lead to a decline in the system's power and influence, and ultimately, to its collapse.
Overall, Toynbee's work highlights the importance of unity and cooperation within a system, and the dangers that can arise when a system becomes divided against itself. By understanding these risks and working to prevent internal division, we can help to ensure the stability and longevity of any system, at any scale.
The decline of the Ottoman Empire: Toynbee also discusses the decline of the Ottoman Empire as an example of a civilization that became divided against itself and ultimately collapsed. Toynbee argues that the Ottoman Empire became increasingly divided along religious, cultural, and political lines, leading to internal conflict and instability. These internal divisions, coupled with external threats such as invasions by European powers, contributed to the decline and eventual collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
The decline of the Ming Dynasty in China: In his analysis of the decline of the Ming Dynasty in China, Toynbee argues that internal divisions within Chinese society, including economic inequality and political corruption, contributed to the decline of the Ming Dynasty. Toynbee's work on the Ming Dynasty highlights the dangers of internal division and the importance of social and cultural unity for the stability of any society.
The decline of the Mughal Empire in India: Toynbee discusses the decline of the Mughal Empire in India as an example of a civilization that became divided against itself and ultimately collapsed. Toynbee argues that the Mughal Empire became increasingly divided along religious, cultural, and political lines, leading to internal conflict and instability. These internal divisions, coupled with external threats such as invasions by European powers, contributed to the decline and eventual collapse of the Mughal Empire.
Another heavy weight in the field of human history is Pitirim Sorokin, a sociologist and philosopher, argued in his book "Social and Cultural Dynamics" that many civilizations throughout history have entered a state of internal division and conflict, and that this can lead to their eventual collapse. Sorokin used extensive data and analysis to show how these divisions can arise within a society and how they can contribute to its decline.
The fall of the Roman Empire: In his book "Social and Cultural Dynamics," Pitirim Sorokin discusses the fall of the Roman Empire as an example of a civilization that became divided against itself and ultimately collapsed. Sorokin argues that the Roman Empire became increasingly divided along class, economic, and political lines, leading to internal conflict and instability. This internal division, coupled with external threats such as invasions by barbarian tribes, contributed to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
The French Revolution: Sorokin also discusses the French Revolution as an example of a society that became divided against itself and experienced significant social and cultural upheaval. Sorokin argues that the French Revolution was fueled by deep-seated conflicts within French society, including economic inequality, political corruption, and social unrest. These internal divisions ultimately led to widespread violence and instability in France, which had far-reaching consequences for the country and the world.
The Russian Revolution: In his analysis of the Russian Revolution, Sorokin argues that the fall of the Tsarist regime in Russia was due in part to internal divisions within Russian society. Sorokin points to conflicts between different classes and groups within Russia, including the aristocracy, the middle class, and the working class, as contributing to the instability and unrest that led to the revolution. Sorokin's work on the Russian Revolution highlights the dangers of internal division and the importance of social and cultural unity for the stability of any society.
In just these few examples, what’s important to take notice of is that rare outliers rose up during these chaotic times to provide a way out of the disintegrating societies. However, they weren’t considered or seen as rare outliers in the moment, only through a detached study of history and hindsight can one calmly analyze the unfolding context of a given time.
The keystone here to focus on is that during these collapsing and chaotic times when multiple frequencies of information are crossing over one another, it’s here within their interference patterns where the energetic evolution of rare Original Outliers emerge in a system. Some well known examples in our immediate history include:
Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhi is perhaps the best known example of an outlier who rose up during a time of chaos and led his society to a better future. Gandhi was instrumental in leading India to independence from British rule through his philosophy of non-violent resistance. Gandhi's unique approach and exceptional leadership skills allowed him to navigate the complex and volatile political landscape of colonial India, and ultimately, to bring about significant social and political change.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Martin Luther King Jr. is another example of an outlier who rose up during a time of chaos and helped to bring about positive change. King was a leader in the civil rights movement in the United States, and his exceptional leadership skills and powerful message of non-violent resistance helped to bring about significant progress in the fight for racial equality.
Albert Einstein: Albert Einstein is an example of an outlier who rose up during a time of scientific and intellectual chaos and revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Einstein's exceptional intelligence and innovative thinking allowed him to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of physics, including the theory of relativity, which completely transformed our understanding of space and time.
Overall, these examples show how rare outliers can rise up during times of chaos and provide a way out of disintegrating societies by bringing about impossible positive change and progress that evolves a civilization into a unified stream of balanced coherence once more.
In the next article, The Emergence Of An Evolved Species, we will dig deeper into the importance of embracing rare Original Outliers that are provided to any civilization and look at just how transformative and neurologically creative Nature can be when providing divergent minds specifically built to handle certain times of a species' evolutionary period.