Age of extremes

I had a long discussion on the bus today with a person called Omar, sparked by his holding a copy of The Age of Capital: 1848-1875, by Eric Hobsbawm. Capital is the second in a series of four books by Hobsbawm, spanning from 1789 to 1991 (see below).

Looking at Omar's book, I wondered: if the age of capital ended in 1875, what came next?

So I asked.

Omar explained the series of books and the approximate dates associated with each. The title made sense in this context, so I asked another question.

What ended the age of extremes, and what age are we in now?

Omar said he believed that Extremes ended around 1975 (presumably this was an older edition, or Omar mis-remembered), but that his understanding was that Eric would say we are still in the age of extremes. Omar and I agreed quickly, quietly, and with a knowing chuckle that Eric was right, and then both added that we thought a change of age was in store before long.

Omar said he thought we were about to have world war three.

Really?

Yes, there is just too much tension, too much hatred, too much energy. It has to be dissipated somehow.

A diversion. Do you know the basic laws of thermodynamics? I ask.

Ummm.

The idea that, in a physical sense, no energy can be created or destroyed - only moved around.

Omar understood this, having earned a degree in civil engineering. Does this other kind of energy follow the same rules?

Omar believes it does, and that this energy is so great because of the great number of people, and the many conflicts between groups of people.

I piped in one of my current favorite ideas: that the underlying cause of much mental/psychological illness is the complete disconnect between modern societies and the societies we are evolutionarily adapted to live in.

We drifted back to the immense social energy built up in the world, and hoped it will somehow be redirected, rather than blown off the old-fashioned way...

Omar asked if I was a student at the U. He is too. A junior now, in economics. His degree from his home nation is not recognized here, so he had to start over as a freshman with zero credits. Omar shared my enthusiasm for engineering. He seemed content with the change, but frustrated that job prospects would force him to earn an advanced degree. No jobs in social science.

I explained my situation, and how I ended up back in school. I mentioned planned happenstance.

He offered his condolences, which I accepted, noting the sincerity in this stranger's voice.

I've moved on, I said. It was difficult, but I am starting to make sense of it, and look forward to the new paths that are open to me.

Omar was ready to move on, too. I pointed him toward the student union, and went back to playing on my cell phone.