Dear Readers,
A quick note to let you know that my book on sapience (ideas first explored in this blog), "A Theory of Sapience: Using Systems Science to Understand the Nature of Wisdom and the Human Mind", has been published through the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere (MAHB). You can access a free download at their library website: https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/theory-sapience-using-systems-science-understand-nature-wisdom-human-mind/ . I recommend this group to all of you who are looking for "answers". While they promote the possibility of salvaging some kind of civilization, they are open to look at major obstacles, and, certainly, lack of adequate sapience (and hence wisdom) is one such hurdle.
George

Comments

[Steve Kurtz]

George,
have a look at:
https://www.ecologycenter.us/ecosystem-theory/the-maximum-power-principle.html

Humans are complex social mammals, and are not exempt. There are rare exceptions such as suicides and voluntary simplicity, but they make the rule.

Your optimism is on shaky ground IMHO.

Cheers on the Downslope,

Steve

Steven B Kurtz
Amherst MA

[Frederick B Perry]

The only direction is transhumanism?

[Fred Magyar]

Tks George, while I am past the point of looking for answers, I will check out the MAHB web site and your book!

[Varun]

Is there an ebook version?

[George Mobus]

All,

I have attempted to show that humans have transcended mere animalness vis-a-vis the properties of sapience in the book. So, for example, the maximum power principle may be (to some degree) overridden by governance. Not too dissimilar to the way in which power dissipation (through oxidation) is controlled in metabolism. Power is still dissipated but over a longer time frame.

Recommend you read the book and consider the arguments before dismissing the thoughts I've expressed in this blog.

George