> What, then, is the core engine of our own civilization, and in what way might it decay? While we lack an incontrovertible answer, the Industrial Revolution appears to be a leading candidate.

I find this historically shallow (or short-term). IMO, at the core of civilization is the concept of "domain" (from the old latin meaning, which is like "realm" or possibly "kingdom")

I like to recall that all the "old and obsolete industrial practices" are more fundamental than the novel and up-to-date "computer networking, artificial intelligence, and other “emerging technologies.”"

and when I say more fundamental, I mean that's it's not possible to have the later without the former.