*Photo from NYTimes book review “Are We Headed for Apocalypse? This Book Says It’s a 1-in-3 Chance.”

UWC Current Affairs Group 2026: Is Society at Risk of Breakdown?

Climate change, widening inequality, rapidly advancing AI, and political dysfunction are reshaping the world. Are these pressures signs of a coming societal collapse — or challenges that can be managed?

This year, our Current Affairs group will explore these questions through a series of discussions inspired by Luke Kemp’s recent book Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse. Reading the book is not required — all are welcome. For alternatives to reading the book see here.

Our first meeting focuses on political dysfunction:

•⁠ ⁠The current state of democracy

•⁠ ⁠Emerging threats — what is different today?

•⁠ ⁠Looking ahead — what solutions are being proposed?

Please listen to this Podcast (transcript is available): Bloomberg’s Zero Podcast “Lessons to Avoid Societal Collapse From 5,000 Years of History.” Luke Kemp, author of Goliath’s Curse, joins the Zero Podcast to discuss whether climate change and AI make our society vulnerable or, perhaps, more resilient. Also available on major Podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, YouTube.

Optional reading:

PsyPost “Narcissism may be fueling political polarization, according to new psychology research”

The Economist Magazine “Citizens’ assemblies are increasingly popular”.

Bloomberg “Aristo-Populists’ May Prove to Be MAGA’s Undoing”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos

May’s Current Affairs Discussion Group session will be in the form of an in-person gathering to enjoy tea, cakes, and snacks with a discussion of this topic. More information will be available soon!