> The line between a normal, functioning society and catastrophic decivilization can be crossed with a single act of mayhem. First, society is hardly normal an

> The line between a normal, functioning society and catastrophic decivilization can be crossed with a single act of mayhem. First, society is hardly normal and functioning any more for a lot of people. Millions are basically cogs in a machine with not much hope on the horizon except consumerism, which is frankly, getting tiring. Second, catastrophic decivilization is highly unlikely at this point. It is unlikely because our addiction to technology and technological advancement means that too many people are too deep into it to let de"civilization" happen. The system has too many defense mechanisms. Thirdly, decivilization can only happen once technology itself destabilizes. Indeed, a few targeted killings, or even dozens, will only result in a tightening of security with more technology to prevent them. More cameras will be installed, more facial recognition, etc. Individuals cannot destabilize civilization while they are still mostly benefitting in the short term from it unless the mechanisms that bring those benefits (technology) is itsel destroyed. > The process of decivilization may begin with profound distrust in institutions and government leaders, but that distrust gets far worse in a society where people brutalize one another. I sincerely doubt people will start brutalizing each other in general. It is much more likely that the brutalization will be restricted to those who hold the power and collect the most resources. Times are different now, and we are going to see a new breed of individualistic violence where the true monsters are targeted, and the mass media and governments want everyone thinking that such acts as Magione's will lead to mass violence because they are deathly afraid of the much more likely eventuality that it is just the power structure that will be targeted.