- 3-The-Decline-of-Modern-Civilization-intro.mp3
- 3-The-Decline-of-Modern-Civilization.mp3
- 3-The-Decline-of-Modern-Civilization.mp4
[Intro]
If one break a man’s bone
(They shall break his bone)
Casting stones on one’s home
(What thy so, we wreak)
[Verse 1]
Habitation
(Environmental degradation)
No solution
(Know pollution)
Getting hard to see
(Biodiversity)
The crime (of all time)
Primate (climate change)
How ’bout that habitat
(Rearrange)
[Chorus]
The Decline of Modern Civilization
(Realization)
We’ll come to see
(Accountability)
We’ve come to see
(Reality)
[Bridge]
Justice is…
(What we do Déjà vu)
What once was…
(Of our “because”)
[Verse 2]
Resource
(Overexploitation)
No recourse
(Overexploitation)
Deforestation
(Overexploitation)
Soil degradation
(Overexploitation)
Water waste
(What a disgrace)
[Chorus]
The Decline of Modern Civilization
(Realization)
We’ll come to see
(Accountability)
We’ve come to see
(Reality)
[Bridge]
Justice is…
(What we do Déjà vu)
What once was…
(Of our “because”)
Boo! (Déjà vu)
Coming true
What you do
(Comes back to bite you)
[Verse]
Economic practices
(Or lack thereof)
Practice needs practice
(Forgot the love)
Unsustainable
(Consumption)
Unsustainable
(Excavation)
Unsustainable
(Evacuation)
Destabilization
(Divided nations)
Devolution
(No solution)
[Bridge]
Justice is…
(What we do Déjà vu)
What once was…
(Of our “because”)
Boo! (Déjà vu)
Coming true
What you do
(Comes back to bite you)
[Chorus]
The Decline of Modern Civilization
(Realization)
We’ll come to see
(Accountability)
We’ve come to see
(Reality)
[Verse]
Misinformation
(Polarization)
We come untied
(We divide)
We decide
(What we do)
What we’ve done
(Who won?)
No one won
(No one as one)
Justice is…
(Is)
[Bridge]
Justice is…
(What we do Déjà vu)
What once was…
(Of our “because”)
Boo! (Déjà vu)
Coming true
What you do
(Comes back to bite you)
[Chorus]
The Decline of Modern Civilization
(Realization)
We’ll come to see
(Accountability)
We’ve come to see
(Reality)
[Outro]
Justice is…
Is
ABOUT THE SONG
The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest and most comprehensive written legal codes in history, created around 1754 BCE during the reign of Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty. The code was inscribed on a large stone stele and several clay tablets and is renowned for its detailed provisions and structured approach to justice.
One of the most famous laws states:
“If a man destroy the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye. If one break a man’s bone, they shall break his bone.”
While reflecting the harshness of ancient justice, the code also aimed to ensure fairness and accountability.
Human activities have contributed significantly to challenges that threaten the sustainability of modern civilization. These activities span environmental, economic, social, and political dimensions, each exacerbating vulnerabilities in global systems. Below are the major ways human activities are linked to the decline of modern civilization:
1. Environmental Degradation
- Climate Change: The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release greenhouse gases, leading to rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and sea level rise. These changes strain agriculture, displace populations, and disrupt ecosystems.
- Loss of Biodiversity: Overhunting, habitat destruction, and pollution have led to the extinction of species and the collapse of ecosystems critical to human survival.
- Pollution: Plastics, chemicals, and industrial waste contaminate air, water, and soil, affecting human health and reducing the quality of life globally.
2. Resource Overexploitation
- Deforestation: Excessive logging and clearing of forests for agriculture or urban expansion reduce carbon sequestration and disrupt water cycles.
- Water Scarcity: Overuse of freshwater resources for agriculture, industry, and personal consumption has led to water shortages and conflicts in regions like the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Soil Degradation: Unsustainable farming practices have led to soil erosion, reduced fertility, and desertification, threatening food security.
3. Economic Practices
- Unsustainable Consumption: The culture of mass production and consumption depletes natural resources at rates faster than they can regenerate.
- Economic Inequality: Concentration of wealth among the few leads to social unrest and undermines economic stability.
- Short-Term Focus: Economic systems prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability, leading to decisions that exacerbate environmental and social problems.
4. Social and Political Issues
- Population Growth: Rapid population increase intensifies demand for resources, leading to overexploitation and heightened competition.
- Geopolitical Conflicts: Wars and political instability often stem from competition over scarce resources and ideological differences, disrupting societies and economies.
- Misinformation and Polarization: The spread of misinformation and rising political polarization erode trust in institutions and hinder collaborative problem-solving.
5. Technological Misuse
- Automation and Job Displacement: Rapid advances in technology can disrupt economies, increasing unemployment and social inequality.
- Weapons Development: Nuclear proliferation and advanced weaponry threaten global security.
- Digital Overconsumption: Excessive reliance on digital technologies contributes to social isolation and mental health issues.
6. Health Crises
- Pandemics: Globalization and human encroachment into wildlife habitats increase the risk of zoonotic diseases (e.g., COVID-19), overwhelming healthcare systems and economies.
- Lifestyle Diseases: Sedentary lifestyles and poor diets contribute to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Examples of Impact
- The 2019 drought in Taiwan disrupted the semiconductor industry, exacerbating global inflation.
- Climate-induced food and water shortages have fueled conflicts in regions like the Sahel.
- Rising sea levels and hurricanes, such as Hurricane Ida (2021), have displaced millions and cost billions in damages.
Conclusion
While modern civilization has made remarkable progress, the unsustainable practices that underpin much of its development pose significant risks to its longevity. A shift toward sustainable practices, equitable resource distribution, and international cooperation is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure a stable future.