In Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, the Empire’s collapse is related to the decline of high-level education. Hari Seldon is one of the last experimental scientists. The generations after that had some basic training, but not sufficient to follow Hari Seldon’s math. They have nuclear power, but they only know how to operate the power-stations, and how to maintain them. They have no idea how to repair them. No chances of improving their technology. In fact, once entropy destroys their energy towers, they will fall in another round of Dark ages.
At least in the Foundation, they don’t have to worry
much about other kingdoms overtaking them. They might lack scientific
knowledge, compared to their predecessors. However, their low-level apprenticeships
knowledge, and their basic maintenance skills are sufficient to compete their contemporary
potential enemies.
I am watching the UK news about the coming elections, and my
limited Psychohistory knowledge light up a red alert button when I hear that
they are promoting apprenticeships and make universities less accessible, in a
country where smart kids already must endure being bullied for understanding the
curriculum! Put all that in today’s international reality. I think you can do
your own math my dear reader, to realise what a bad idea that is. As for you my
dear future historian, I wander what you’d have to .
Stay safe and take care.
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