possibly spurious views on history, cycles, and the future

What we’re seeing in the Middle East can indeed be likened to birth pangs. Not leading to democracy necessarilly, but to a more general ascendency of politcal, economic, and cultural power. A similar stream of violence and instability coursed through the Far East in the last century leading us to that region’s current rise as demonstrated most acutely by China and India. A century before that we were the region beset by civil strife and war which lead to current reign (fading if these thoughts are not just spurious Sunday afternoon musings). Before us, Europe.

Of course this dawning century won’t be the first period when the Far East is dominant. Nor would the period after be the Middle East’s first time as standard bearer. Cycles. After them, perhaps Africa? Will we live long enough to see our return to prominence? Or by that time will we have finally slipped the bonds of Earth and spread to other worlds, thereby expanding the cycle?

Ok, back offline for me.