As discussed earlier, society is like a bunch of long, stretched iron chains, and the most basic unit is the ring (individual). Whenever there is a violation of a major natural phenomenon by an individual (ring), shock waves are produced (violent vibration of the ring) that travel all the way through the surroundings, and the integrity of the system is challenged. More and more vibrators suggest a more destabilized society. With no proper engagement, the society undergoes disintegration, and eventually the system collapses with time, depending on the intensity of the disturbance. This point of no return refers to the Elastic limit for the intra-societal case. Just think of its warning signs: rising crime, the formation of rival dominating groups, a collapse of trust, and more and more people unable to meet their NEPs; its measure is the Participation to Burden ratio of the society, which falls towards zero as this point nears (see THE UNJUSTIFIED BURDEN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS). (In practice, these signs, along with the Participation to Burden ratio, can be combined into one warning index calculated every year; a sharp rise in this index warns that the elastic limit is near.)
From The Destined Future (HSPs).
