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mc776Myth
A civilization becomes decadent as its people become soft and unmanly. The Good Men violently resist but the temptations of degeneration become irresistible and the civilization eventually crumbles.
Reality
A civilization becomes decadent as its increased resources allow their most brutish, stupid and violent men to indulge in their delusions en masse. Eventually a population of such men gains critical mass and bully and murder their way to power; once on top, they set off a spiral of violent suppression, aggressive mismanagement and diplomatic catastrophe. They double down on their methods and philosophies each time something bad happens, trusting in their continued ability to reclaim the state monopoly on violence as proof that they are doing things right.
The civilization is eventually conquered by people who all but accidentally walk all over them, wondering at what had happened to this fabled mighty warrior-race of old.
A civilization becomes decadent as its people become soft and unmanly. The Good Men violently resist but the temptations of degeneration become irresistible and the civilization eventually crumbles.
Reality
A civilization becomes decadent as its increased resources allow their most brutish, stupid and violent men to indulge in their delusions en masse. Eventually a population of such men gains critical mass and bully and murder their way to power; once on top, they set off a spiral of violent suppression, aggressive mismanagement and diplomatic catastrophe. They double down on their methods and philosophies each time something bad happens, trusting in their continued ability to reclaim the state monopoly on violence as proof that they are doing things right.
The civilization is eventually conquered by people who all but accidentally walk all over them, wondering at what had happened to this fabled mighty warrior-race of old.