Anthropologist Jared Diamond’s book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed detailed how half a dozen historical cultures met their ends. And clearly they must have seen it coming, yet did nothing (or too little) to prevent it. But those were isolated groups — on islands, in valleys, in remote states — and the rest of the planet survived. The same cannot be said about climate change.
Wikipedia also mentions the common factor in most of those collapses: “The root problem in all but one of Diamond’s factors leading to collapse is overpopulation relative to the practicable (as opposed to the ideal theoretical) carrying capacity of the environment. One environmental problem not related to overpopulation is the harmful effect of accidental or intentional introduction of non-native species to a region.”
Musical theatre anthropologists can’t get together on anything. Bernstein and Sondheim said “ma-REE-a”, said loud resulted in music playing, and soft it was almost like praying. While Lerner and Lowe insisted that people call the wind “ma-RYE-a”.
And R&H stood back and waited for a definitive resolution to the debate, so they would know how you solve a problem like that.
I’ve been to a few performances of musical theatre that I’d have preferred not to have intended. Didn’t know I was precipitating the imminent doom of civilization, though …
Spent my high school and college years participating in school and community musical productions. Enjoyed every moment of it. A little blues, a little soft shoe, some pretty girls, a bit of comedy, and live audiences. What’s not to like? Also enjoyed the musical films of those years [1940-1970]. Some beautiful memories. R&H were just two of those who kept us entertained during the war years and after, but they were two of the best. So, whatever their motivation, I am thankful for it.
When I’ve seen modern musicals, the singing, dancing, and production is off-the-scale terrific. But there’s no PLAY. No real conflict, no real story. She leaves, he sings a sad song, and then she comes back for god-knows-what reason, and they sing together.
But I recently saw a revivial of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel,” and was thinking that it would be a fantastic play if it had NO songs. And it has those songs, too.
Rodgers and Hammerstein took on Nazis in Sound of Music, racism in South Pacific, domestic abuse in Carousel. AND had great songs. They were way ahead of their time.
Actually the breakdown of the ancient MInoan civilization has been attributed to the custom of stopping unexpectedly in the street to sing about the weather and dance about the traffic. (That and the volcanic eruption.)
Societies collapse, when they can no longer support their population. Maybe a change in the eco system causes problems, which bring fires, droughts or floods. The food chain folds, and goodbye Babylonia.
Actually, the original Greek tragedies of 2500 years ago were the original musicals. The choruses in it were sung and danced. Problem is, no description of how they performed it has survived. (The queen hung herself and Oedipus blinded himself – Let’s sing and dance!)
Well, praise be, please allow us to be uncivilized then. That breaking out in song once you start getting into the story is pure-tee evil; the exception being might be The Sound of Music, at least for me.
Population growth will be decreasing in the next fifty years because only third world countries have a sustainable birth rate for replacing their current population. First world countries at the cusp or already in population decline. It will be blatantly obvious to everyone as the Boomers die off.
eastern.woods.metal almost 3 years ago
When one group thinks they have moral superiority and should control everyone else’s morals but their own
oldpine52 almost 3 years ago
Actually, the collapse starts with musical theater.
Cornelius Noodleman almost 3 years ago
In the school play they told me to stand in the back and just move my mouth.
in.amongst almost 3 years ago
It is in the script, i guess – no way around it.
mikeyman almost 3 years ago
“Chariot with the fringe on top” and “Climb every pyramid”
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Anthropologist Jared Diamond’s book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed detailed how half a dozen historical cultures met their ends. And clearly they must have seen it coming, yet did nothing (or too little) to prevent it. But those were isolated groups — on islands, in valleys, in remote states — and the rest of the planet survived. The same cannot be said about climate change.
Wikipedia also mentions the common factor in most of those collapses: “The root problem in all but one of Diamond’s factors leading to collapse is overpopulation relative to the practicable (as opposed to the ideal theoretical) carrying capacity of the environment. One environmental problem not related to overpopulation is the harmful effect of accidental or intentional introduction of non-native species to a region.”
GiantShetlandPony almost 3 years ago
Civilizations collapse when people use religion to make excuses for bad behavior.
jvo almost 3 years ago
Civilizations collapse when people make excuses for bad behavior into a religion.
dadoctah almost 3 years ago
Musical theatre anthropologists can’t get together on anything. Bernstein and Sondheim said “ma-REE-a”, said loud resulted in music playing, and soft it was almost like praying. While Lerner and Lowe insisted that people call the wind “ma-RYE-a”.
And R&H stood back and waited for a definitive resolution to the debate, so they would know how you solve a problem like that.
keenanthelibrarian almost 3 years ago
I’ve been to a few performances of musical theatre that I’d have preferred not to have intended. Didn’t know I was precipitating the imminent doom of civilization, though …
gopher gofer almost 3 years ago
let it die…
sandpiper almost 3 years ago
Spent my high school and college years participating in school and community musical productions. Enjoyed every moment of it. A little blues, a little soft shoe, some pretty girls, a bit of comedy, and live audiences. What’s not to like? Also enjoyed the musical films of those years [1940-1970]. Some beautiful memories. R&H were just two of those who kept us entertained during the war years and after, but they were two of the best. So, whatever their motivation, I am thankful for it.
Ignatz Premium Member almost 3 years ago
When I’ve seen modern musicals, the singing, dancing, and production is off-the-scale terrific. But there’s no PLAY. No real conflict, no real story. She leaves, he sings a sad song, and then she comes back for god-knows-what reason, and they sing together.
But I recently saw a revivial of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel,” and was thinking that it would be a fantastic play if it had NO songs. And it has those songs, too.
Rodgers and Hammerstein took on Nazis in Sound of Music, racism in South Pacific, domestic abuse in Carousel. AND had great songs. They were way ahead of their time.
mindjob almost 3 years ago
For me its enough that boy meets girl, boy loses girl, there is a battle and everyone dies after the fat lady sings. Oh wait, that’s opera
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Now that I think of it, I don’t remember hearing of Shakespeare creating a musical.
kathleenhicks62 almost 3 years ago
So, who or what is killing the musical theater? R&R, Rap or what?
Lenavid almost 3 years ago
Nothing about too much success causing morality and respect to morph into greed and suspicion?
mistercatworks almost 3 years ago
Actually the breakdown of the ancient MInoan civilization has been attributed to the custom of stopping unexpectedly in the street to sing about the weather and dance about the traffic. (That and the volcanic eruption.)
Tonto & Redd Panda almost 3 years ago
Societies collapse, when they can no longer support their population. Maybe a change in the eco system causes problems, which bring fires, droughts or floods. The food chain folds, and goodbye Babylonia.
Why does this seem so familiar? Hmmm.
SunflowerGirl100 almost 3 years ago
Actually, the original Greek tragedies of 2500 years ago were the original musicals. The choruses in it were sung and danced. Problem is, no description of how they performed it has survived. (The queen hung herself and Oedipus blinded himself – Let’s sing and dance!)
SunflowerGirl100 almost 3 years ago
Opera, followed by musical comedy, was invented by the rediscovery of ancient tragedy.
jessie d. Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Well, praise be, please allow us to be uncivilized then. That breaking out in song once you start getting into the story is pure-tee evil; the exception being might be The Sound of Music, at least for me.
Teto85 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
What about Professor Hart?
mwksix almost 3 years ago
Perhaps that’s the problem… not Climate Change, but Musical Change!
Cozmik Cowboy almost 3 years ago
“Musical theater” – the death of music & theater.
VickiP123 almost 3 years ago
overpopulation by humans = bad for everyone including humans
The Brooklyn Accent almost 3 years ago
“Pore Civilization is daid.”
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Civilizations collapse. No exceptions.
bakana almost 3 years ago
I like the depiction of the Theater Critic as a Vulture.
Victor the Crab almost 3 years ago
Sure it’s not Professors Hanna and Barbera?
christelisbetty almost 3 years ago
“Hamilton” just ticked of a few Republicans.
hagridogre 5 months ago
Population growth will be decreasing in the next fifty years because only third world countries have a sustainable birth rate for replacing their current population. First world countries at the cusp or already in population decline. It will be blatantly obvious to everyone as the Boomers die off.