Ponder the modern world as an “age” in history’s timeline. Let’s call it the “Fossil Fuel ” age – hundreds, thousands of years from now – marked with linear bookends in high school textbooks. Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Ice Age, Fossil Fuel Age – simply another unit of study. Industrialization, steam engines, coal, striking oil, combustion engines, plastics – environmental waste, greenhouse gasses, carbon emissions, fouled water….. Another “age” with a beginning and end.

Historically speaking, each great “age” heralds monumental change – radical departures from “business as usual”. Changing “age” rarely happened without considerable turmoil. Bronze Age copper mines in present day Jordan for instance, obviously not pleased when smelted iron obliterated centuries old bastions of wealth and power. Control was reassigned, fortunes dried up or shifted, fresh opportunities presented themselves – ultimately civilization advanced. Ages of man don’t politely roll over, respectfully making way for new…