I say, let’s learn more and then speculate. - Vernor Vinge

Interesting problem, pain. So helpful, so obnoxious.

Civilizations rise and fall, but all technical civilizations know the greatest secrets now. They know which social mechanisms normally work, and which ones quickly fail. They know the means to postpone disaster and evade the most foolish catastrophes. They know that even so, each civilization must inevitably fall.

Well, what do you know," Pham said. "Butterflies in jackboots.