The Turning Point 

The Renaissance dates from the 14th century; the Enlightenment from the 18th; Socialism from the 19th.

I think, in retrospect, the 20th century will be remembered for the initiation of a cultural phenomenon that might be termed The Turning Point.

The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and Socialism all promoted development. The essence of The Turning Point is a sensibility that things have gone too far. In the air, now, is an image of “return.”

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“In his book new book, The World Without Us, Alan Weisman offers an original approach to questions of humanity’s impact on the planet: he asks us to envision our Earth, without us ... From places already devoid of humans (a last fragment of primeval European forest; the Korean Demilitarized Zone; Chernobyl), Weisman reveals Earth’s tremendous capacity for self-healing.” (from the publisher’s blurb - St. Martin’s Press)
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Such a theme has a unique appeal in this overdeveloped age, tapping into a sentiment to un-do, reverse, heal, reclaim, recover. Socialism was the last modernist-optimistic movement for “realizing the potential” of development. Among its goals were “development for the people” and “development with justice.” Its failure to achieve such goals led to a questioning of development itself - and that has opened the way for a deep analysis/critique of the trajectory of modern civilization.

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