It is common knowledge that the iconic Uplift series was named after it's sequel; "Elevation." Perhaps not as well known is that one of the original ending's title was: "The Time of Man." This was later simplified to, "The Time of You." The implication of which is clear; all of man's actions, social and biological, pushed mankind to this point. And what a journey it has been. From colonial enterprise, to blatant annihilation of some alien species. From a largely cooperative existence among the few nations and their relationships, to the formation of vast political alliances. To the great manufacturing boom that lifted many nations from sparsely developed, isolated colonies to advanced and prosperous states. The affluence of the time undeniable it's popularity. But just as accurately, the time was defined by great upheaval of the social order. A time of uncertainty and upheaval, spawned by the Cataclysm. And it would be exactly that upheaval, that would play a key role in the end of the time.
The remaining cities of major nations acted as a desperate, last-ditch effort to preserve some part of the previous order. To maintain some semblance of control, under newly formed alliances and federations. But even as they formed, they knew, as did the colonies, that uprisings were likely. Situations beyond hope, were foreseen, were expected. But, the information gathered in the aftermath of the cleansing was deemed far too valuable to ignore.
Of that message, of that foretelling, there was no longer any doubt. The message, it seemed, had been received. It is unknown how much it was factored into their plans. As much as they tried, they could never dismiss the possibility, or entirely disavow the effects it might have. Given the nature of the message, the allure was there.
In the end it was never the colonies who would revolutionize the world, it was the survivors. It was man's new resistance to the Cataclysm. Abbreviated "The Tough," the Tough were those people who were able to survive the Cataclysm.
The colonies continue, even to this day. Many even living in the ruins of their ancestors broken cities. But without the means to escape them, to protect them, man's hold on their colonies is tenuous at best.
As the colonies toil away in their pursuit of progress, the Tough have begun to form their own technology. Technology that, in part, is a product of the early alien technology. Technology that they have become experts at adapting to themselves. Technology that is slowly giving them dominance over their own.
Their dominance of man is a reality now, as the colonies struggle to hang onto their independence. But such is not to last. And The Tough know the colonies will not survive the new order, will not survive the status quo. The Tough, having survived the Cataclysm, understand human nature better than anyone. They know all about the Zeitgeist, the spirit of their times. They are aware of the human condition and will not allow it to threaten their species. They are, as a species, in a very good position. They - everyone now - only have themselves to answer to. They will not risk the fragile peace, by allowing even the slightest threat to arise.
Mankind has sparked the beginning of the end. Now it is the Tough who will finish it. And they will.
Taken in context, it is not hard to see how well this story fits with the end of an era. It has been an era that has seen it all. From planetary caldera to abundance of resources, from war to peace. In this story it is the alien's who have caused the cataclysm. But really it doesn't matter the reason for the cataclysm, the important fact is that once it has taken place, the status quo has been disrupted. A new order can then be created, by the survivors. Who are then free to make their own decisions. It could mean many things, but for my mind it really is the end of an era, defined by the development of the internet in particular. An inflection point in history, that perhaps has seen a great deal of our modern era, as it is today. And if this true, it is a time that will have been a pivotal point in all of our lives.
Artist, Peter Brown Lupton, said "Indeed, this force (of the internet) has opened up the entire world to a new or different perspective. There seems to be no question there are new perspectives in the cyber-world."