According to Wallace Stegner in "Angle of Repose," civilizations advance through collective agreements and gradual changes rather than through rebellion and strife. He suggests that revolutionaries serve a purpose by preventing stagnation, but ultimately, they are transient and do not significantly alter the course of history. Rather, they are absorbed into the larger stream of societal progress, which evolves slowly over time.

Stegner emphasizes that the inherent state of human existence is often one of quiet desperation. He expresses a belief that revolutionaries lack the wisdom to fundamentally reshape society quickly. Instead, he advocates for a more patient and realistic approach to change, recognizing that civilizations naturally grow, adapt, and decline over time, rather than being completely remade overnight.