“And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,
As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,
The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return! “
-Kipling
Kipling was observant and right. Historically devolution is followed by renewal. Hence the concept of the phoenix, resurrection, the faithful remnant and hero survivors of the apocalypse in history, literature, pop culture and religion. Yet it must be remembered that each time mankind’s propensity to indulge epicurean hedonism becomes dominant, there is ultimately much suffering, destruction and that which once was never returns.