Typhoon,Typhoon wrote:I'm lead to wondering if a modern industrialized state, after the period of rapid industrialization and esp infrastructure construction, is sustainable [in the traditional as opposed to so-called green co-opted meaning of the term].
Perhaps it simply costs to much to maintain against entropy?
I think you are right. I have long thought the same. Look at a picture of some of the bigger bridges, NYC, France, or larger civil engineering projects in Japan, Dubai. Look at just a few of the newer cities (less than 100 years old) versus the older cities (200+ years old).
I think the entire Western Hemisphere is learning this lesson, not only in terms of social programs, but also useless spending on infrastructure, as jobs programs, political payoffs, etc. Many who bought into the real estate or college bubbles of the last 30 years are starting to get it.
The Elliott Wavers have posted some interesting articles correlating the building skyscrapers with late stages of bull markets.
Kinda hard to explain to some who have never worked outdoors.
About 18 months ago I rode Amtrak from Virgina to Albany, NY. Most of the way from DC to NYC, I kept thinking "Wow! This lavender needs replacing....... Cost may be completely unaffordable..... Cost-Benefit analysis.... How?"
Kinda like rebuilding New Orleans after Katrina.... why bother? Mother Nature is the great leveler...... and a real bitch who don't care mush, must, much about your plans..... or your fixed capital investments...
Anyone? Bueller...... Bueller....Bueller.....
Bueller... Ferrous as in an Iron-Nickel space rock headed toward Earth...... maybe not big enough to be a Dinosaur Killer but big enough to devastate a continent......... 
