Alternatively, you have the uncle Ted explanation:

We have subjugated ourselves and destroyed our autonomy and capability for individual action and fulfillment with institutions and technology. People cope for awhile until eventually it all destabilizes and goes to shit. It's also been about ~50yr since he penned the prediction that it would come to a head in 40-100yr.

And these are far from the only two theories with some very compelling arguments and lines of reasoning backing them up.