What did the citizens of a collapsing civilization think about and talk about when it was going down? What might they have done to save themselves from disaster and why didn't they do it? "The Institution" is a fictional exploration of the global catastrophes that are currently mounting and the ramifications surrounding them. It is an observation of where we are in the life of a civilization and the reasons we aren't addressing what should be obvious to all of us. If we are to envision another way, the fundamental beliefs on which western civilization is based must be questioned. Fulfilling our human potential means discovering those aspects of civilization that make us higher quality beings. All of the knowledge to aid us in a successful transition currently exists. What are the individual responsibilities of intelligent human beings to seek this knowledge? What part will you play?