I have heard that western culture, especially America, is paralleling the ancient Roman Empire in many ways, and is on the way to destruction. Do you have any comment on this?
Yes, I do. The west, usually referring to European and North American culture (and also to that of places like Australia and the Republic of South Africa), may not be falling politically or militarily (yet), but certainly it has begun to fall morally. According to Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), author of The Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire, there were five signs which characterized Rome as she was deteriorating from within. (Note, the Western Roman Empire officially "fell" in 476 AD.)
They were:
* Mounting love of show and luxury (affluence).
* Widening gap between the very rich and the very poor.
* Obsession with sex.
* Freakishness in the arts, masquerading as originality.
* Increased desire to live off the state.
How uncanny! Not surprisingly, many social critics have drawn the parallel between ancient Rome and modern western culture. Since America leads the world in resources and affluence, she is an apt choice for the comparison. (Because she is so much guiltier than all other parties. Brits need not applaud!)
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