« "In mid-2012, Google announced that Google Maps had over a billion monthly active users. That’s 1 out of every 7 people on Earth. Three years later, that number is even larger." | Main | This quote from Theodore Dalrymple is popping up more frequently, as it deserves: »
June 7, 2016
After the reassuring presence of imperial might has vanished, the next stage does not include calls for defense or balancing or stronger walls.
No. It is the stage of disbelief and self-delusion.As Roman power waned, the locals comforted themselves with the delusion that the threats did not exist or, if they did, that the menace was not great. Perhaps the enemies would seek other targets. Perhaps the walls would suffice. Perhaps the barbarians liked peace and commerce as much as they did. Perhaps they would just go away. Perhaps they would peacefully blend in. The list of possible justifications for this delusion is as long as it is wrong. The Stages of Grief at the Frontier - The American Interest
Posted by gerardvanderleun at June 7, 2016 7:16 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.