Name: Why do societies collapse?
Uploaded: 2008-10-27T01:00:00Z
Duration: 18 min 1 s
Description: Why do societies fail? With lessons from the Norse of Iron Age Greenland, deforested Easter Island and present-day Montana, Jared Diamond talks about the signs that collapse is near, and how -- if we see it in time -- we can prevent it.

Jared Diamond: Why do societies collapse?

Why do societies collapse?

Why do societies fail? With lessons from the Norse of Iron Age Greenland, deforested Easter Island and present-day Montana, Jared Diamond talks about the signs that collapse is near, and how -- if we see it in time -- we can prevent it.

Societies can thrive for centuries, then unravel in just decades if they fail to adapt to environmental and social stresses. From the Norse in Greenland, who vanished after depleting resources and refusing to learn from neighbors, to modern Montana facing soil loss and climate threats, the roots of collapse often lie in ignored warning signs and rigid values. The fate of nations, past and present, hinges on their willingness to recognize problems and change course before it is too late.