National Geographic Explorer Season 2 Episode 10 Explorer: Collapse

"Explorer: Collapse" is an episode of the second season of National Geographic Explorer. This episode explores how civilizations collapse and the common reasons for their demise. The episode features experts in various fields including archaeologists, historians and social scientists who provide insight into how societies have collapsed in the past and the warning signs that exist in our current world.

The episode delves into four case studies of past civilizations that suffered catastrophic collapses. The first case study focuses on the Mayan civilization which flourished in Central America in the 3rd century BC and experienced a sudden and catastrophic collapse in the 9th century AD. This collapse was caused by a combination of factors including environmental degradation, overpopulation and socio-political unrest.

The second case study examines the fall of the Roman Empire. It highlights how unsustainable economic policies, military overexpansion, and political instability led to the loss of power and decline of the once-great empire.

The third case study explores the collapse of the Tang dynasty in China and its subsequent impact on the country's social, economic and political structures. The experts in this segment explain how conflicts over succession and the rapid expansion of the Chinese empire led to widespread corruption and ultimately, the collapse of the Tang dynasty.

The final case study looks at the collapse of the Easter Island civilization. It shows how the overexploitation of natural resources, ecological destruction, and inter-tribal conflict led to the eventual collapse of the island's complex society.

In addition to the case studies, the episode presents commentary on the topic of societal collapse from modern-day experts. These experts provide insights into the current risks that face modern civilizations, including environmental degradation, economic instability, and social inequality.

Throughout the episode, the experts discuss possible solutions to mitigate these risks and prevent future collapse. While there is no clear solution to the complex interrelated causes of collapse, the experts suggest that societies must prioritize sustainability and work to address underlying structural issues. The episode concludes with a message of hope and the importance of recognizing past mistakes to prevent their repetition in the future.

Overall, "Explorer: Collapse" is a thought-provoking and informative episode that sheds light on the complex factors that contribute to the downfall of civilizations. It offers a cautionary tale to modern societies and provides insight into the possible consequences of not taking proactive steps to address the critical challenges that face us today.