Note: I do not work for or in anyway represent The Long Now Foundation. I am not advocating for them.

This group is interested in really long term thinking (10,000 years). This somewhat relates to the discussion here as some of their speakers talk about large scale emergencies (natural and man-made) as well as the historical rise and fall of civilizations.

Their most recent speaker, Dmitry Orlov, just gave a really great lecture on what he believes is the coming collapse of the American economy and society. He relates this to the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990’s and talks about indicators he sees happening now. More importantly he talks about preparing for it.

The lecture is a free download, though they ask for donations;
http://www.longnow.org/projects/seminars/ (he’s the latest one, just scroll down)
There is also a link to a summery as well as his slide show;
http://blog.longnow.org/2009/02/16/dmitry-orlov-social-collapse-best-practices/
A transcript is here:
http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2009/02/social-collapse-best-practices.html

Most of the voices here on ETS don’t believe there is very much risk of something monumental happening anytime soon. Call me paranoid, but it sure feels like it to me. If you believe a collapse is here or coming, or if you just want to read about another would-be Chicken Little this lecture is worth a look.

Besides, just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean that they aren’t out to get you.