There’s an old sci fi story, I probably read it in the 70s, in which archaeologists figure out that a lost civilization on another planet died out because of a financial crisis. Wish I could remember the title or author, but all I remember is the archaeologist saying, “They went bankrupt!”
A bit of searching suggests this might be Total Eclipse by John Brunner.
The concept sounds interesting, I might give it a read.BINGPOT!!!
I definitely used to have that book in my collection, and I just found a synopsis that mentions a giant telescope mirror the aliens built in a moon crater - I definitely remember that part from the story. Great catch!
Good one, but the shoe event horizon is a satirical idea created by Douglas Adams. The story I’m thinking of was serious sci-fi.
Economic collapse as lateral damage.
