Historically, societies fall. Civilizations collapse. But is that what’s happening now in the United States? With the help of historians, a former CIA-funded researcher on political instability, and one grumbling dad, Ben Bradford looks at the warning signs that can precede collapse — from polarization and political division to outside shocks and cascading crises. How much of that is visible in America right now? What would collapse actually look like in modern life? And if the alarms are blinking, is there still time to turn back?

Guests:

Ian Morris, historian, archaeologist, Stanford University professor, author: Why the West Rules—For Now.

Monty Marshall, former senior consultant for the U.S. Political Instability Task Force.

Annalee Newitz, science journalist, author: Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age.

Ben's Dad.

Ben's Mom.

Support Are We Doomed?, get bonus episodes, and more: https://doompod.com/support/

Watch earlier episodes on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@arewedoomedpod

Check out Ben’s previous series, Landslide.

To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Are We Going the Way of the Roman Empire?

Are We Doomed?

Are We Going the Way of the Roman Empire?