One of the characteristics of our culture right now is the distinction between the contributors and the hoarders. Under pressure, the contributors create, experiment, try and fail as they look for ways forward, whilst the hoarders gather together as much as they can and wait for winter to pass. Adam Grant describes the case well in "Give and Take", and others have looked at the situation over centuries and noted the same. However, stand back enough, and we can see the typical pattern as fractal cycles - broadly, create, grow, hoard, decay - and regular, a circular pattern where decay prepares the ground for creativity.
We are alive today in a period where the longer cycle of civilisations - around two hundred and fifty years - is in its final stage of decay. Right now we appear to be in something of a "double bubble" - a downturn in the short term perspective of our economy, contained within the longer-term downturn of our capitalist civilisation. And, no, it's not your fault any more …
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