Apocalypto Now

A misguided trust in models to predict likelihood of default lies at the heart of this instability, reckons Nigel Sillis

As the opening credits roll on Mel Gibson's 2007 Oscar-nominated epic Apocalypto, the viewer sees a quote from William Durant (that's William Durant the philosopher, not his namesake, the founder of GM). The quote reads: "A great civilisation is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within." Gibson uses the reference to make a political point. The film's theme, the decline of the great Mayan civilisation, is intended to serve as an allegorical reminder of the instability

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Register

Want to know what’s included in our free membership? Click here

This address will be used to create your account

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here