Lessons from Sun Tzu’s Art of War for a Collapsing World

It’s taken me over a year to write about this topic. The reason is that so many unethical people exploit Sun Tzu’s The Art of War for nefarious purposes, like manipulating others or running exploitative businesses. Yes, the strategies within The Art of War can be misused for harm, but their original intent was quite the opposite: survival.

Before I go further, let me state a crucial caveat. I’m not a scholar of Asian history and culture, just a keen observer. My partner is Chinese, and through our marriage, I’ve had the privilege of traveling to the mainland and exploring rural villages. These experiences have given me a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture. While I know more than the average “Westerner,” I am by no means an expert.

My interest in strategy began during my MBA studies, where I was introduced to “managerial” applications of The Art of War and the strategic board game Weiqi (known as Go in the West). These insights helped me grasp some concepts, but I still found myself puzzled. Was The Art of War meant solely for business or relationships? What was its true purpose?

My confusion cleared when I discovered Ralph D. Sawyer’s translation of The Art of War. It’s the most insightful version I’ve encountered, providing a rich historical context for each of the 13 chapters. I highly recommend this book and its audiobook to anyone seeking a thorough understanding. I make it a point to revisit the audiobook at least once a year.

Why do I do this? To stay realistic and grounded. Despite my wishful thinking about human nature, people often act selfishly and short-sightedly. They can harm or exploit you if given a chance.

Staying Alive

In Weiqi, the terms “alive” or “the group is alive” are common. The game’s goal is to expand and defend your territory, and the winner is the player who secures more points than their opponent. High-level games are slow, as each player employs intricate strategies to outmaneuver the other. The essence of these strategies is survival.

Games like Weiqi serve as safe arenas to test new ideas without risking real-world consequences. We play them to learn and hone our skills for life, work, and community. The ultimate goal is to stay alive — metaphorically and, in some cases, literally.

Mastering the right strategy and executing it at the right time can significantly improve your chances of survival. This becomes increasingly vital as our civilization faces mounting challenges.

Sticking Together as a Community

I’ve previously written about the need to find a metaphorical tribe and stick together. Recently, I watched a TikTok video of a woman discussing a revolution she believes is already underway. She urged viewers to organize, support each other, and prepare for food crises and societal upheaval.

While I don’t fully align with the revolutionary aspect, I agree that a global food crisis is likely as climate change disrupts weather patterns. As our world teeters on collapse, survival, not ideology, will be paramount.

Do we need a revolution? Absolutely. Addressing economic and social inequalities is crucial. But none of that will matter if we’re rioting over food and struggling to survive.

What Can We Learn from The Art of War?

There’s too much to cover in a single post, but the most critical lesson is the importance of estimation. Evaluate your current skills, resources, and community connections. Do you have tools and friends you can rely on? Seeds to plant? Access to fresh water? Are you near or capable of creating a food forest?

Urban dwellers should identify safe congregation spots and prepare for emergencies. Where will gangs form? Do you have a bug-out bag, emergency gear, or a family meeting plan in case of separation?

Sun Tzu emphasizes estimation right from the first chapter. Understanding the factors for success — or victory — requires a serious evaluation of your current state and the work needed to close any gaps. Arrogance and complacency often lead to downfall. Don’t let overconfidence, even if earned from past successes, blind you in life-or-death situations.

The strength of a community lies in numbers. One or two people are far weaker than a well-organized group of 20 or 30. Hollywood romanticizes the rugged individualist, but real survival depends on collective effort.

Prepare now. Estimate your situation. Organize your resources and people. Stay alive.