Cultural Cycles

Book excerpt: Time may be linear, but history is circular. We see patterns throughout history-periods of prosperity and growth followed inevitably by disastrous upheaval that changes everything. Through an intriguing mixture of historical acumen and big-data analytics, these events can be studied and predicted. In Cultural Cycles, business forecaster J. Eric Wilson applies his knowledge of predictive analytics to the history of human cultures, to help illuminate the past, explain the present, and provide a bold picture of tomorrow. Wilson demonstrates a predictable cycle of historic extremes from periods of abundance and growth to cultural crises, or "resets," marked by disastrous social and political upheaval. At its worst, a reset can destroy a culture-and any nations strong enough to survive such events are forever changed. Closely examining the historical cycles of the United States from the seventeenth century to the present, Wilson argues that the nation is poised for its next cataclysmic reset. The nation's future lies in the balance-and Wilson's recommendations can help us prepare. A fascinating, easily understood exploration of history and analytics, Cultural Cycles uses practical reasoning and intuitive insight to reveal what many sense-the next great turn of the wheel of history.