After researching into Timbuktu's history, I have come to think that the modern-day 'us' may not be that different from people who lived many centuries ago. There are parallels that can be drawn.
At present, we have institutions: lawyers, doctors, businessmen who practise within an established system in an orderly manner
Many centuries ago, people in Timbuktu had such systems too.
At present, we have trading centres, and all the rage about 'hubs' in Singapore. The country's leaders have been advocating the development of Singapore as a financial, educational and other types of hubs. It seemed something new to me when the idea was brought to forth.
Not anymore. Even impoverished Timbuktu once used to be some sort of a hub.
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Besides the above observation, I think we can draw some lessons from Timbuktu's history. Timbuktu gained some level of economic prosperity because of its strategic location in the middle of a major trade route - the Transsaharan trade route. However, its importance as a trading post did not last forever. Eventually, it was bypassed for another trade route.
I think Singapore cannot take its location as an aviation hub for granted. In future, new technology may allow extremely long haul flights to be made in a shorter time. When this happens, fewer pessengers will transit at Singapore's Changi Airport.
Singapore may be bypassed, like Timbuktu centuries ago.
