although a change in paradigm is also a great possibility, meaning that the units we use to measure success and developed change ... even the meaning of success changes. In that case you would have a collapse in structure too, cultural change and maybe the disappearanc eof most of the concepts that entail  case 1.

So while 2, 3 and 4 are quite clear to measure and quite independent from any cultural notion (just count how many people, or how many animal for 3 and 44 and jjsut record the  life style for 2).. I am not sure 1 is the only possibility which excludes 2,3 and 4.

Good diary.

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude