Thriving civilizations first become masters of imitation, openly absorbing ideas and technologies from other cultures through trade and migration. This diverse pool of borrowed 'ingredients' becomes the foundation for true innovation, which is the novel combination of existing concepts.
Contrary to the instinct to hoard proprietary information, sharing ideas openly acts as a strategic tool. As seen with Pixar and institutional funds, it attracts engaged talent and creates a public dialogue. This provides invaluable feedback that refines and improves the original concept.
Civilizations don't fall directly from war or plague. They fall when these shocks trigger a psychological shift from an open, exploratory mindset to a fearful, protectionist one. This 'Spartan mentality' stifles the innovation required to overcome the original challenges, leading to decline.
The moment a society punishes its most challenging thinkers for asking uncomfortable questions—like Athens sentencing Socrates—it has lost its intellectual openness. This shift toward intellectual orthodoxy and scapegoating is a clear leading indicator that a prosperous and innovative era is ending.
Openness is a tool for dominance, not just a moral virtue. The Romans became powerful by being strategically tolerant, quickly abandoning their own methods when they found better ones elsewhere. This allowed them to constantly upgrade their military, technology, and knowledge from conquered peoples.
The anxiety driving protectionism in the West stems from seeing other nations catch up, not from an absolute decline in living standards. This psychological fear of losing the top spot undermines national confidence and can trigger a dangerous, self-defeating shift toward isolationism.