This review examines Joseph Tainter's theory of societal collapse due to diminishing returns on complexity, critiquing aspects of the model and attempting to apply it to modern contexts. Longer summary

This review of Joseph Tainter's 'The Collapse of Complex Societies' outlines Tainter's theory that societal collapse occurs due to declining marginal returns on investment in complexity. The reviewer summarizes Tainter's key arguments about diminishing returns in areas like food/fuel extraction, science, education, sociopolitical complexity, and economic productivity. The review examines Tainter's case studies of the Roman, Mayan, and Chacoan civilizations, and discusses Tainter's views on collapse in modern times. The reviewer critiques some aspects of Tainter's model, particularly questioning why societies can't simply stop growing at an optimal point. The review concludes by attempting to apply Tainter's model to modern contexts like US colleges and current US strategies. Shorter summary

The review examines Peter Brown's book on the transformation of Western Europe and North Africa from pagan to Christian society (350-550 AD), focusing on wealth in churches and societal changes. Longer summary

This book review examines Peter Brown's 'Through the Eye of a Needle', which explores the transformation of Western Europe and North Africa from classical pagan society to medieval Christian society between 350-550 AD. The review highlights Brown's focus on the entry of wealth into Christian churches and the economic, social, and political changes during this period. It discusses the late Roman economy, the role of cities, social structures, and the collapse of the Roman state. The reviewer also offers personal insights on the competitive nature of monotheism and the inefficient equilibria in Roman society. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander summarizes and responds to comments on his Dark Ages post, addressing debates about the timeline, historical continuity, and implications of the concept. Longer summary

This post summarizes and responds to comments on a previous article about the Dark Ages. It covers debates about the timeline of the Dark Ages, challenges to the author's original claims, discussions on the continuity between classical and medieval worlds, and reflections on the philosophical and political implications of the concept of Dark Ages. The post includes various expert opinions and historical perspectives, addressing topics such as population decline, economic changes, and cultural shifts during this period. Scott Alexander acknowledges some potential errors in his original post and provides additional context and nuance to the discussion of the Dark Ages. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander argues that the Dark Ages in Western Europe (500-1000 AD) did occur, presenting evidence of economic, demographic, and intellectual decline during this period. Longer summary

Scott Alexander argues against the claim that the Dark Ages never happened, presenting evidence for a significant decline in Western Europe from 500-1000 AD. He addresses common counterarguments, showing how they often rely on isolated demands for rigor or misunderstandings of the term. Scott provides data on economic decline, population decrease, and reduced intellectual output during this period. He acknowledges that the topic is complex and can be politicized, but ultimately concludes that the evidence supports the existence of a 'Dark Age' in Western Europe. Shorter summary