 Assume the growth of a society is determined by its ability to exploit the natural resources that it possesses.  Assume that it will exploit them to its full potential.  As the society grows, its ability to exploit its environment increases, which in turn causes it to develop further.  Growth is not constant but accelerating.  The society grows exactly up to the point at which its resources are depleted.  At that moment, the rate of development and the level of development are at a maximum.  Immediately afterwards, with the material foundation of society gone, a dramatic collapse occurs.  Not only does past growth not mean future growth, the trajectory is virtually discontinuous at the moment of collapse. 