At one of my recent book club gatherings, we were discussing why certain civilizations rose to prominence, reigned over the existing world, and then became chapters in history books. Ancient Greeks. Romans. Egyptians. Chinese. Incas. Aztecs. Mayans. Etcetera. They invented, created, devised methods and products that continue to be part of our lives today and yet…poof! Despite all their successes and advances, suddenly they were gone. Yes. There were wars. And famines. And invasions. And natural catastrophes. But essentially, they weren’t able to survive.