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Host: Alex Garnett
Thursday, April10th, we will traverse the northern end of the Saugatuck Trail in Weston, Connecticut, which borders the Saugatuck Reservoir. Our route is a bit rocky and a little steep in parts; so good foot gear is a must. Though our round-trip trek is only 2.4 miles, you will likely feel this one in your gluteus maximus! So, fortifying nutrition will come in handy.
Parking on Glen Road (Route 53) at the north end of the reservoir is minimal, so car-pooling for this one is highly advisable. Per usual, we will meet at the DCA at 9:30am and sort ourselves. When parking in this lot, we have been asked by the DCA to use the rear section to minimize potential conflict with their other proceedings.
Travel time is about thirty-five minutes. Post hike, we will retire to our familiar haunt, Orem’s Diner, in Wilton for a communal repast.
Meeting in the Lillian Gade Room or on Zoom.
The background material, provided in advance, focuses on “the science of history,” relying on the work of the mathematical historian Peter Turchin.
Throughout recorded history, great nations have experienced repeated cycles of harmony, which coincided with a rise to greatness, and disharmony, which coincided with decline—and ultimately their demise.
Turchin’s thesis is that two primary factors drive these cycles:
1. the degree of income disparity between the upper and lower classes of each society and
2. the production—or overproduction—of “elites,” i.e., those seeking wealth and social power.
The United States is in its third period of extreme disharmony—the first was the decade before the Civil War, the second was in 1920, and the third is today.
The discussion will attempt to avoid a political debate and instead focus on the underlying factors behind our nation’s contentious and divided state.
The 1850s preceded the Civil War, and the 1920s preceded the Great Depression, so what is next for America?
Articles of interest:
Darien Discussion Group Letter
The deep historical forces that explain Trump’s win
PeterTurchin–Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/30/the-deep-historical-forces-that-explain-trumps-win
Peter went to Andover, then Rutgers. He started his career in banking: Chase Bank’s Global Credit and was an officer in Midtown. Chase’s largest branch, where he worked, is now a giant hole in the ground. Peter then worked (for the stars) in Beverly Hills as a mortgage banker, then came back east and started in the Investment Advisory business. He’s worked with many significant people over the years including Wm. F. Buckley locally. He would chuckle as Henry Kissinger might have to wait for him to finish with Bill. One time, after a meeting, Secret Service people started arriving as Ronald and Nancy Reagan were coming for dinner……. He has been married to Phyllis for many years and they have two grown sons. Our first grandchild (daughter) is due in May!For our March hike on Thursday, the 13th, the hale and hearty hoofers will traverse a clockwise loop of about three miles in the Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Weston. The elevations are modest, but the trail gets rocky in parts, so sturdy footgear is recommended. Given the likely calorie burn, a hearty breakfast is also advised. Following the hike, we will retire to share a meal at Orem’s Diner in South Wilton.
For those who wish to carpool, we will meet at the DCA parking lot at 9:30am. If you park your car in the lot during our hike, we have been asked by the DCA to use the rear section to minimize conflict with any of their various proceedings.
It is never too late to get on our distribution list; just signal your interest to Lee Morrison, whose contact information is below.