I enjoyed listening to this. When the conversation turned to the game of musical chairs and 'elites' I was hooked.
* This thread is named Peter Turchin and Friends because Peter will be sharing this thread with Nate Hagens and others.
The problem I have with study of collapse as an academic science is that the study depends on a steady supply of oil.
When I first encountered Peter History as Science Empires rise and fall, populations and economies boom and bust, world religions spread or wither... (see the website) I was turned off.
I imagined Peter was a snoot with a broomstick up his ass. I confess I was wrong.
Peter is a good guy.