AI Weighs in on Collapse

I’m still recovering from COVID, and too tired to actually write anything, so I did what I hear all the kids are doing these days; I asked AI to write an article for me.

(Actually, I was just curious as to what an AI would have to say about collapse.)

So, I asked Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, the following question:

If climate change were to lead to societal collapse, what would the post-collapse world most likely look like?

This was it’s response…

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The post-collapse world resulting from climate change would be a vastly different and challenging environment, characterized by a range of interconnected and complex issues. While the precise details are difficult to predict, some general features of the post-collapse world can be anticipated:

Physical environment

1. Climate chaos: The climate would be unstable and unpredictable, with extreme weather events becoming more common. Sea levels would rise, inundating coastal cities and displacing millions of people.
2. Degraded ecosystems: Ecosystems would be severely degraded, with many species facing extinction. Forests would be lost to wildfires and deforestation, while coral reefs would bleach and die.
3. Resource scarcity: Essential resources like water, food, and energy would become scarce, leading to conflict and hardship.

Human society

1. Population decline: Climate change-induced disruptions, including resource scarcity, extreme weather events, and conflicts, would likely lead to a significant decline in the global population. This depopulation would have a profound impact on human societies, affecting labor availability, economic productivity, and social structures
2. Loss of infrastructure: Infrastructure would be severely damaged or destroyed, making it difficult to transport goods and people, and to provide basic services like electricity and sanitation.
3. Breakdown of social order: Social order would break down as people compete for scarce resources and as governments struggle to maintain control.
4. Increased conflict: Conflict would become more common, both within and between countries. This could range from small-scale skirmishes to large-scale wars.
5. Emergence of new forms of social organization: New forms of social organization would emerge, adapted to the challenges of the post-collapse world. These could be small, self-sufficient communities or larger, more centralized groups.

Technology

1. Reliance on simple technologies: People would rely on simpler technologies, as complex systems would be difficult to maintain in the absence of electricity and other resources.
2. Loss of knowledge: Much of our accumulated knowledge would be lost, as libraries, archives, and other repositories of information are destroyed or become inaccessible.
3. New innovations: New innovations would emerge, as people adapt to the challenges of the post-collapse world. These could include new forms of agriculture, energy production, and communication.

The post-collapse world would be a challenging and uncertain place. However, it is also a time of opportunity for innovation and adaptation. Those who can find ways to thrive in this new world will be the ones who shape the future of humanity.

It is important to note that this is just one possible scenario for the post-collapse world. The actual outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of climate change, the resilience of human societies, and the choices we make today. However, by understanding the potential risks of climate change, we can take steps to prepare for the challenges of the future and build a more resilient and sustainable world.

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Sounds like a fun time.

Given the rather glossed over summary that this presents, it’s not actually a half bad answer, if a rather grim one. But we all already knew that.

Nothing really new here, but still food for thought.

Next, getting into the spirit of things, I asked:

What are the connections, if any, between worsening climate change and the rise of authoritarian politics?

It had a happy answer for that as well…

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There is growing evidence that worsening climate change can contribute to the rise of authoritarian politics. Climate change can exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities, leading to increased social unrest and political instability. In these conditions, authoritarian leaders may be able to gain power by promising stability and order.

Here are some of the specific connections between worsening climate change and the rise of authoritarian politics:

1. Resource scarcity and competition: Climate change can lead to scarcity of essential resources such as water, food, and energy. This scarcity can increase competition for these resources, leading to conflict and social unrest. Authoritarian leaders may exploit these conditions by blaming scarcity on scapegoats and promising to restore order.
2. Displacement and migration: Climate change can cause displacement and migration, as people flee from areas affected by extreme weather events, sea level rise, or other climate-related disasters. This displacement can create social tensions and strain government resources. Authoritarian leaders may exploit these tensions by promising to control borders and protect citizens from perceived threats.
3. Economic hardship and inequality: Climate change can have a significant impact on livelihoods, particularly in agriculture-dependent economies. This can lead to economic hardship and inequality, which can make people more susceptible to authoritarian propaganda. Authoritarian leaders may promise to restore economic prosperity by scapegoating minorities or opposing groups.
4. Erosion of trust in democratic institutions: Climate change can erode public trust in democratic institutions, particularly if governments are seen as failing to adequately respond to the crisis. This erosion of trust can create an opportunity for authoritarian leaders to seize power.
5. Repression of dissent: Authoritarian leaders often use climate change as a pretext to crack down on dissent. They may claim that climate change is a threat to national security and use emergency measures to suppress opposition.

It is important to note that the relationship between climate change and authoritarianism is complex and not always straightforward. There are cases where democratic governments have responded effectively to climate change, and there are also cases where authoritarian governments have exacerbated the problem. However, the evidence suggests that there is a clear link between the two phenomena, and that climate change is likely to contribute to the rise of authoritarianism in the future (my emphasis).

Here are some examples of how worsening climate change has contributed to the rise of authoritarian politics in recent years:

1. Syria: The Syrian Civil War was partly triggered by a severe drought that caused widespread crop failures and displacement. This created social unrest and instability that was exploited by authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad.
2. Venezuela: Venezuela’s economic crisis has been exacerbated by climate change, as the country’s dependence on oil exports has been hit by falling oil prices due to the transition to renewable energy. This has led to social unrest and the rise of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.
3. Philippines: The Philippines has been one of the countries most affected by climate change, with frequent typhoons and other extreme weather events. This has led to displacement, economic hardship, and social unrest. Authoritarian leader Rodrigo Duterte has exploited these conditions by promising to restore order and security.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other cases where climate change has contributed to the rise of authoritarianism. As climate change worsens, we can expect to see this trend continue.

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More fun times ahead! It’s answer made me realize that we are going to have a very, very difficult time preventing authoritarian governments from taking over whatever is left after collapse. Cheerful thought.

Sigh.

OK, kids, that’s your Daily Dose of Doom™ for today! Time to go play on the freeway!

Next time I promise to ask it something a bit lighter in nature, like “Which are cuter, puppies or kittens, and why is it kittens?”