Mountain View News June 27, 2026 
99BEST FRIENDS & MORE Mountain View News June 27, 2026 
99BEST FRIENDS & MORE 
CHRISTOPHER NYERGES 

[Nyerges is the author of “Urban Survival Guide,” “ExtremeSimplicity,” and other books. Information about his books and 
classes is available at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

REVIEW OF “TWILIGHT OF AMERICAN CULTURE” 

by Morris Berman 

Written in 2000, Morris Berman’s book is an insightful look at American culture, and perhaps wherewe are going as a culture. 

His title word, “twilight,” suggests we’re on the decline. Berman takes great pains to define everythingalong the way so the reader knows precisely what he’s thinking. He says that this is not some sort ofacademic exercise, rather, this is an effort to get at the most critical questions about who we are asAmericans today, and where we are going as a culture. 

Do you think we’re in decline? 

He quotes Neil Postman, author of “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” in his introduction:
“When a population becomes distracted by trivia, when cultural life is redefined as a perpetual roundof entertainments, when serious public conversation becomes a form of baby-talk, when, in short, apeople become an audience and their public business a vaudeville act, then a nation finds itself at risk;
culture-death is a clear possibility.” 

Does that sound like us? 

Berman covers a lot of territory in his book, and often makes references to the fall of the RomanEmpire. He quotes many other authors who look at what’s happening in the U.S., just so that we canall agree on the facts and not kid ourselves that things are really OK. Some examples of this declineare the crumbling school system and widespread functional illiteracy, violent crime, gross economicinequity, apathy, cynicism, and what he terms “spiritual death.” 

Either coincidentally or by design, Berman observes that the U.S. is evolving into a corporateoligarchy that merely wears the trappings of a democracy. (I wonder what Berman has to say abouta president who brags about wanting to move the Presidency closer to a dictator, with his followersgreatly approving?) 

So Berman explains a little about the Roman Empire, and every state that has ever existed. He tells 
us that decline is inevitable and comes to each and every civilization, and it is only our arrogance tothink that we can avoid this decline. Berman quotes Joseph Tainter, from his book “The Collapse ofComplex Societies,” pointing out that the combination of hierarchy, specialization, and bureaucracytakes more and more resources, and the trend is always towards the more complex, along withincreasing class differences, greater costs, and more technology. Collapse is inevitable, according to 
Berman and the many authors he cites. 

As societies weaken and decline, according to Berman, “The strong savage the weak, and there is nolonger any higher goal than survival. Literacy may be lost entirely, or decline so dramatically that adark age is inevitable.” 

He points out that when resources got scarce in past smaller societies, they simply moved on. But 
today everyone wants to stay where they are. He explains that the solution – short term at least, is to“go vertical, that is generate another level of hierarchal control to solver your problems – a process 
that never ends. The whole thing is cumulative. Taxes rarely go down; information processing getsdenser. Standing armies get larger, not smaller, and bureaucracies grow rather than shrink. Eliteswant – and get – more and more of the pie…” 

Berman spends much of his time detailing the four factors that seem to always be present when acivilization collapses:

1. Accelerating social and economic inequality. 
2. Declining marginal returns with regard to investing in organizational solutions 
to social-economic problems; 
3. Rapidly dropping levels of literacy, critical understanding, and general intellectual 
awareness;
4. Spiritual death – that is, Spengler’s classicism: the emptying out of cultural contentand the freezing (or repackaging) of it in formulas – kitsch, in short. 
Berman devotes many pages to backing up these factors with specific details, such as the great gap ofincome between CEOs and ordinary workers, how the upper top 1% income earners own more andmore, problems with Social Security staying solvent, and many more examples. 

He spends considerable time demonstrating these four aspects of cultural decline, so that his thesis isnot simply a matter of opinion. 

There are many parallels to the Roman Empire, as well, so the entire book makes a lively discussionabout where we are today as a country. Berman is somewhat of an optimist, and you realize thata culture in decline doesn’t necessary speed downhill, but that there can be many twists and turnsalong the way, what Berman calls transformations. 

In the end, he tells us that cultural decline has happened to all cultures throughout history and thatthere is nothing we can do to stop that decline. But he does provide positive ideas for things that each 
of us can do, daily, in our own lives.
Berman suggests that in our daily choices we eschew such TV shows that are silly entertainment,
and rather choose to view quality education instead. He suggests that we get more involved in thingsthat truly make a difference, such as small town radio, the arts, local periodicals. In truth, Berman isshort on the details, but does provide many examples of those people who he feels are doing the rightthing as the culture declines. 

His main thesis is that people who persisted with quality actions in bad times set the stage for a futurerenaissance, even if that renaissance is hundreds of years in the future. He cites the Irish monasteriesthat persevered literacy after the fall of the Roman Empire, and set the stage for the renaissance ina few hundred years. He calls such people New Monastic Individuals, the root of the solution to a 
country in decline. 

Berman is not optimistic that the decline can be reversed, but he is very sure that we do not knowexactly how it will play out. Still, there are many options along the way that individuals can andshould do. I strongly recommend this book, and encourage you to use it as a study guide. In futurecolumns, I will share what a few other authors have to say about this subject, and what we can all doabout it. 

MEET ALLEY! 

Alley, age 2.5, is a precious 
sweetheart! She's a resilient, 
playful, and quietly affectionate 
young cat with a heart of gold. 

Over the last year, she has transformed from a starving stray,
into a healthy, spirited girl who’s ready for a loving forever 
home. 
If you’re looking for a gentle, playful cat with a touching 
rescue story and a soft, tender personality, Alley would love 
to meet you — especially if you have another young cat ready 
to be her friend. 

Please take a look at our page telling you all about this 
wonderful girl: https://www.lifelineforpets.org/alley.html, or 
use the qr code. 

Pet of the Week

 Jordan is an 8-year-old sweetheart at PasadenaHumane who proves that a rough start doesn't 
define your future. Found as a stray in poorcondition, you'd never guess he's faced anyhardship because of the way he greets everyonewith a wagging tail, a gentle spirit, and an 
endless love for people.

 This easygoing boy is happiest by yourside, whether he's strolling through the 
neighborhood, relaxing in the park, or soakingup all the attention he can get. He's great withstrangers, wonderful on walks, knows histricks, is potty trained, and loves treats. Jordan 
has the perfect balance of playful and calm,
always ready for an adventure but just as happyto curl up next to you for a nap. If you're lookingfor a loyal, loving companion, Jordan is yourguy!The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines. 

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of adoptablepets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA AnimalHospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phonecalls or email. 


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