A critique of the general concept: A culture may remain "in a state of collapse" for a long, long time. It's a little like saying "as soon as you're born, you start dying" — it's a statement more about the speaker's attitude toward life or society than about the life or society being described.
(Moreover, homeostasis only works until invaded. That's why there ain't no more moa in old Aotearoa.)
In terms of instrumental goals ('keep society functioning'), I think these are secondary concerns. A person might believe that we are all in a perpetual state of decay; a doctor finds it necessary to understand the kidneys of a high-functioning adult so that later problems may be diagnosed and fixed. Even if decay itself might take a long time- and even if decay is ultimately inevitable- there are reasons to want to understand and replicate the rules that provide access to 'doing okay, for now'.
Departing from my steelman for a moment, I think a more pres...
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