Tipping points

You described how large human systems—like armies, societies, and companies—often collapse not when their objective strength is gone, but when collective belief in them falters. There’s a tipping point where morale or confidence drops below a critical threshold, triggering rapid breakdown. This collapse is often driven more by perception than by reality, and belief can shape outcomes through self-fulfilling prophecies. Whether in war, economics, or governance, maintaining collective trust is essential, because human systems are upheld as much by shared stories as by material strength.