Civilization did not rise and flourish as men hammered out hunting scenes on bronze gates and whispered philosophy under the stars, with garbage as a noisome offshoot, swept away and forgotten. No, garbage rose first, inciting people to build a civilization in response, in self-defense. We had to find ways to discard our waste, to use what we couldn't discard, to reprocess what we couldn't use. Garbage pushed back.
The idea presented in Don DeLillo's "Underworld" challenges the traditional narrative of civilization's development, suggesting that the emergence of waste, rather than cultural achievements, played a crucial role in shaping society. Instead of focusing solely on the noble aspects of civilization, such as art and philosophy, the author emphasizes the impact of garbage as a catalyst for progress. This perspective posits that the need to manage waste was a driving force behind advancements in human organization and infrastructure.
In essence, the existence of garbage compelled people to create solutions for disposal and recycling, shaping the course of human development. This underscores the notion that civilization is not merely about cultural achievements but also about addressing the practical challenges of daily life. The interplay between waste and society reveals a deeper relationship, where the emergence of complex social structures was, in part, a response to the challenges posed by the very refuse generated by those societies.
