It is only a matter of time. In thirteenth century Poland, royal decree placed the aurochs, the last European giant bisons, under protection. In the text, written in a touching solemn tone, the aurochs were spoken of almost as human beings. Still, in the following centuries, other, more indifferent kings came, and the aurochs completely disappeared. So much for the power of decrees.
Whole buildings burn as people just gather around trying to get all the warmth they can.
The author draws a good picture of what humans are. The situation he portrays was irreversible but even in situations where there is a choice, people are mainly interested in immediate gains. You cannot control all the minds. There are too many heads. Even if only a minority breaks the general rule, this minority will still be numerous enough to be uncontrollable and to cause, sooner or later, irreparable damage.