Reading through that section, I was reminded of the old idea that upheaval sucks for anyone alive at the time, but it sure benefits the next generations born to

Reading through that section, I was reminded of the old idea that upheaval sucks for anyone alive at the time, but it sure benefits the next generations born to the survivors/winners. If only those beneficiaries could, on the whole, absorb the lost knowledge and avoid the mistakes that led to the upheaval.