Decline and Fall

Chris Hedges bemoans a state of mind "where fantasy is more real than reality".  In the end, all empires are unsustainable.  But this time collapse threatens all of civilization.

It is more pleasant, I admit, to stand mesmerized in front of our electronic hallucinations.  It is easier to check out intellectually.  It is more gratifying to imbibe the hedonism and sickness of the worship of the self and money.  It is more comforting to chatter about celebrity gossip and ignore or dismiss what is reality.

Update (December 14):  In an overview of recent events, Patrick Smith notes that the role of the United States is changing.   Diplomacy is not just for small nations anymore.