Although you have described the quickest way to ruin, the same goes (albeit at a slower pace) for catabolic collapse as well. Rome, as you mentioned is a prime example: it took several centuries to collapse completely, and yet almost nothing remained. People even forgot how to make pottery for several centuries after the fall. I believe, at this late stage in our civilization, collapse is now inevitable, as all natural processes from climate change to resource depletion work against us. One slight glimmer of hope - to answer your where is their (Rome's) vault question - is monasteries. A few people sacrificing their lives to keep and maintain knowledge...