Dr. Joseph Tainter

Dr. Joseph Tainter is a researcher known for his work on the complexity of societies and why they decline. He suggests that societies develop complicated solutions to problems, which require increasing resources and effort. Over time, these efforts reach diminishing returns, meaning additional complexity no longer produces enough benefits. Eventually, the costs become unsustainable, leading to societal collapse or transformation. Tainter’s ideas help explain why civilizations rise and fall, emphasizing that complexity is both a source of strength and vulnerability. His work encourages understanding how societies manage resources and adapt to challenges over time.