In the 1,000 years since then, Humanity on the main continent has not expanded. Small nations have shrunk to simple territories on maps or city states (like Falme, Caralain, Haddon, or Far Madding). Large nations have reduced their borders, and don't even enforce their claim on lands near the edges. The membership of the White Tower is shrinking as well.
Why, in this last 1,000 year cycle, did humanity stop expanding and begin shrinking?
Did humanity stop expanding, or is my central point off base? I'd love to see your thoughts on the question.
One potential answer reason for this could be the DO. It could be that even though the seals are only breaking now, they have been steadily weakening enough that the DO has been able to subtly weaken humanity over the last millennia.
I say this because I believe something similar happened during the AoL. There was a period of time known as "The Collapse" after the bore was opened which preceded the fullblown war where the DO messed people up and caused all kinds of social problems that weakened humanity in preparation for the final war. It is possible that the same kind of thing is responsible for this.
In the AoL it took having an open Bore for him to have that kind of affect on the people. If the seals were weakening over that whole period, why did they suddenly start weakening much most quickly during the series?
I don't know... it's an interesting idea, but I don't see any evidence for it, other than the lack of expansion.
I was Phelix on wotmania, I will always be Phelix in the "real" world, and now I am Phelix on RAFO.
You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.- Churchill
*MySmiley*
You will make all kinds of mistakes; but as long as you are generous and true and also fierce you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her.- Churchill
*MySmiley*
Why is humanity receding?
- 02/09/2010 07:10:11 PM
1617 Views
Re: Why is humanity receding?
- 03/09/2010 12:10:30 AM
982 Views
I'm not sure.
- 03/09/2010 12:23:00 AM
833 Views
Life conditions have been deteriorating gradually
- 03/09/2010 02:06:03 AM
1152 Views
As a peasant, I am offended, but as fan of WoT, I like your analysis =P
- 03/09/2010 05:34:55 PM
838 Views
very nice analysis! I think you summed it up almost perfectly
- 05/09/2010 04:56:11 PM
871 Views
Re: very nice analysis! I think you summed it up almost perfectly
- 08/09/2010 03:59:07 AM
858 Views
Re: Why is humanity receding?
- 03/09/2010 08:56:42 AM
963 Views
Damn. Yeah, I had a much longer theory which basically said the same thing.
- 04/09/2010 12:40:58 AM
920 Views
BWB says Talidar was the culimination of a campaign with 7 major battles
- 23/09/2010 06:16:19 AM
977 Views
Aside from reflexively blaming the Aes Sedai, I think it is the female supremacy situation.
- 04/09/2010 01:49:08 AM
1016 Views