ATDTDA (2): 'World-System' (33.24)

[Otto]

 "To put up money for research into a system of free power would be to
throw it away, and violate—hell, betray—the essence of everything
modern history is supposed to be."
(ATD 33.31–33)

 "If such a thing is ever produced (…) it will mean the end of the
world, not just 'as we know it' but as anyone knows it. It is a
weapon, Professor, surely you see that—the most terrible weapon the
world has seen, designed to destroy not armies or matériel, but the
very nature of exchange, our Economy's long struggle to evolve out of
the fish–market anarchy of all battling all to the rational systems of
control whose blessings we enjoy at present."
(ATD 33.40–34.6)

"Hereby it is manifest, that during the time men live without a common
Power to keep them all in awe, they are in that Condition which is
called Warre; and such warre, as is of every man, against every man.
[...] In such a condition there is no place for Industry; because the
fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no Culture of the Earth;
no Navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by Sea;
no commodious Building; no Instruments of moving, and removing as
require much force; no Knowledge of the face of the Earth; no account
of Time; no Arts; no Letters; no Society, and which is worst of all,
continuall feare, and danger of violent death; And the life of Man,
solitary, poore, nasty, brutish, and short."
Thomas Hobbes, "Leviathan", (1651), Teil 1, Kap. 13, S.62
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellum_omnium_contra_omnes