What Were You Doing When You Were 14?

I'm guessing armed carjacking wasn't one of the activities. Too young to drive, old enough to carjack: Two 14-year-olds charged with violent Edgewater hijacking - CWB Chicago

In a case that underscores the growing concerns around youth violence in Chicago, two boys — just 14 years old — have been charged with a brutal armed carjacking that left a 39-year-old man critically injured last month in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Edgewater is one of the 77 neighborhoods (excuse me, "community areas") in Chicago. It is about 6 miles north of The Loop, and right on the lakefront. It is about 6 miles south of Evanston, Illinois and Northwestern University.

Two of these juveniles remain on the streets.

According to a police report, the boys, along with two unidentified accomplices, pulled up in a white sedan and struck the victim with the vehicle. Authorities said the group, which had at least one firearm, stole the man’s belongings and fled in his blue Toyota Highlander, leaving him with injuries so severe he was taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition

If this isn't a sign of the breakdown of civilization, that 14 year olds are committing violent crimes with no remorse, I don't know what is.

Here is the obligatory reference to Hobbes' Leviathan, and his reference to the State of War that exists when criminals no longer fear that the government will impose Law and Order.

You could also read "The Second Coming," by William Butler Yeats. He also touches on issues around the decay of civilization.