Another good chapter. One problem with the Bern works: I don't see how someone writing in the early 19th century would have predicted Muggle societal collapse.
But otherwise, and interesting story. I've read that you intend this to have two epilogs, but I'd be interested in a longer, deeper story about the creation of the BSM.
Thanks for writing.
Tom A.
Author's response
Well, the real Malthus had predicted a population collapse in 'An Essay on the Principle of Population' (1798). Marx predicted the collapse of capitalism (but not the industrial system) 1848. Catastrophism was especially common in many early 19th century religious groups, although I grant you only a very minor sub-theme in scientific and popular culture.
And remember, I never say Bern was right.
"T"