Civilization and its Geologic Consents

“Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice” according to Ladies’ Home Journal.

Author, historian and philosopher Will Durant penned those memorable words, immortalized on a UNC Geology Club t-shirt and pictured in the January 1946 issue of the above-mentioned periodical. In between advertisements for Brillo Pads, Hex mothproofing liquid, and Excello kitchen towels, he laid out the many ways that civilization can be whacked upside the head by geologic events, including earthquakes, ice ages, warming climate, drought, or excessive rain.

Another memorable quote: “Civilization is a doll’s house built on a living volcano.”

Durant was the accomplished author of The Story of Philosophy (1926) and, with his wife Ariel Durant, the 11-volume The Story of Civilization (1935-1975). This was a serious (but white-male-oriented) essay, written in the aftermath of World War II, and the LHJ included a page of commentary by six (white and male) authors and historians. They included Thomas Mann (Death in Venice, The Magic Mountain), James Hilton (The Lost Horizon, Goodbye, Mr. Chips) and historian Jacques Barzun.

Meanwhile, such magazines and most newspapers have all but disappeared, and the cover of the New York Times Magazine this week is about butt-oplasty. I wonder what Durant and his commentators would have made of that?

For a closer look at how geologic events can ruin your plans, check out my current favorite science book, “The Ends of the World” by Peter Brannen.

20 May 2022