5 minute summaries
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from each episode
__________
14 Jun 2021
4hr 21mins
FEATURING
Owltail Summaries
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from each episode
_________
#191 – Daniel Schmachtenberger: Steering Civilization Away from Self-Destruction
14 Jun 2021
4hr 21mins
Quote
"You should be optimistic in the process of finding potential solutions, not in your assessment of the situation. Your assessment should be extra clear on the challenges"
Ideas
1
Our technology has exponentially advanced, but how we make decisions is still relatively similar to how we did in the stone ages, based on game theory and rivalry.
And rivalrous game dynamics multiplied by exponential tech end up self-terminating; as more and more people get access to more and more dangerous technology.
And as the exponential growth of technology is impossible to stop, we need to rapidly figure out anti-rivalry games and or build social technologies that can bind and guide the physical technologies so that we can safely handle the exponential power we have.
And as the exponential growth of technology is impossible to stop, we need to rapidly figure out anti-rivalry games and or build social technologies that can bind and guide the physical technologies so that we can safely handle the exponential power we have.
1
Our technology has exponentially advanced, but how we make decisions is still relatively similar to how we did in the stone ages, based on game theory and rivalry.
And rivalrous game dynamics multiplied by exponential tech end up self-terminating; as more and more people get access to more and more dangerous technology.
And as the exponential growth of technology is impossible to stop, we need to rapidly figure out anti-rivalry games and or build social technologies that can bind and guide the physical technologies so that we can safely handle the exponential power we have.
And as the exponential growth of technology is impossible to stop, we need to rapidly figure out anti-rivalry games and or build social technologies that can bind and guide the physical technologies so that we can safely handle the exponential power we have.
2
The primary thing that's unique about humans is our capacity to make tools, physical tools as well as social tools like language and democracy.
As a species, we change our environments more than any other animal.
Which means that we need to learn the environment we're in and be able to adapt to all sorts of different environments.
So our genetics selected for radical neuroplasticity and the capacity to be able to accomodate and learn what is needed at the given time.
A horse hundreds of years ago does relatively similar things as a wild horse today, whilst a human that long ago does completely different things.
The physical biology or hardware of humans which is driven by biology hasn't changed significantly, but the software which comes through nurture has completely shifted, which is part of the reason why we have such long periods where we completely are helpless as babies.
Which means that we need to learn the environment we're in and be able to adapt to all sorts of different environments.
So our genetics selected for radical neuroplasticity and the capacity to be able to accomodate and learn what is needed at the given time.
A horse hundreds of years ago does relatively similar things as a wild horse today, whilst a human that long ago does completely different things.
The physical biology or hardware of humans which is driven by biology hasn't changed significantly, but the software which comes through nurture has completely shifted, which is part of the reason why we have such long periods where we completely are helpless as babies.
2
The primary thing that's unique about humans is our capacity to make tools, physical tools as well as social tools like language and democracy.
As a species, we change our environments more than any other animal.
Which means that we need to learn the environment we're in and be able to adapt to all sorts of different environments.
So our genetics selected for radical neuroplasticity and the capacity to be able to accomodate and learn what is needed at the given time.
A horse hundreds of years ago does relatively similar things as a wild horse today, whilst a human that long ago does completely different things.
The physical biology or hardware of humans which is driven by biology hasn't changed significantly, but the software which comes through nurture has completely shifted, which is part of the reason why we have such long periods where we completely are helpless as babies.
Which means that we need to learn the environment we're in and be able to adapt to all sorts of different environments.
So our genetics selected for radical neuroplasticity and the capacity to be able to accomodate and learn what is needed at the given time.
A horse hundreds of years ago does relatively similar things as a wild horse today, whilst a human that long ago does completely different things.
The physical biology or hardware of humans which is driven by biology hasn't changed significantly, but the software which comes through nurture has completely shifted, which is part of the reason why we have such long periods where we completely are helpless as babies.
3
Technology isn't valued agnostic.
Technology codes patterns of behaviour that code rationalizing those patterns of behaviour.
People's use of technology will change their behaviour, and the change of behaviour will change the values and how people interact in society.
Social media brings out certain characteristics of people, which ultimately changes the landscape of society.
Whenever there's a significant leap in technology, it ends up predisposing a whole bunch of human behavioural patterns that had not emerged from the previous social system.
Often breaking existing social systems and requiring us to create new ones to solve the issues.
People's use of technology will change their behaviour, and the change of behaviour will change the values and how people interact in society.
Social media brings out certain characteristics of people, which ultimately changes the landscape of society.
Whenever there's a significant leap in technology, it ends up predisposing a whole bunch of human behavioural patterns that had not emerged from the previous social system.
Often breaking existing social systems and requiring us to create new ones to solve the issues.
3
Technology isn't valued agnostic.
Technology codes patterns of behaviour that code rationalizing those patterns of behaviour.
People's use of technology will change their behaviour, and the change of behaviour will change the values and how people interact in society.
Social media brings out certain characteristics of people, which ultimately changes the landscape of society.
Whenever there's a significant leap in technology, it ends up predisposing a whole bunch of human behavioural patterns that had not emerged from the previous social system.
Often breaking existing social systems and requiring us to create new ones to solve the issues.
People's use of technology will change their behaviour, and the change of behaviour will change the values and how people interact in society.
Social media brings out certain characteristics of people, which ultimately changes the landscape of society.
Whenever there's a significant leap in technology, it ends up predisposing a whole bunch of human behavioural patterns that had not emerged from the previous social system.
Often breaking existing social systems and requiring us to create new ones to solve the issues.
Questions
1
Can you think of a technology that has changed our behaviour which has changed society's values?
1
Can you think of a technology that has changed our behaviour which has changed society's values?
What else is in the episode
1
How humans are the biggest apex predators the world has ever seen
1
How humans are the biggest apex predators the world has ever seen
2
How corporates have become more powerful that countries and manipulate supply to create fake demand
2
How corporates have become more powerful that countries and manipulate supply to create fake demand
3
Why we don't have group sense making and the role of government in society
3
Why we don't have group sense making and the role of government in society
Who is Daniel Schmachtenberger?
1
A philosopher interested in understanding the rise and fall of societies and individuals. He's a founding member of The Consilience Project, aimed at improving public sensemaking and dialogue and also co-founded the Neurohacker Collective.
1
A philosopher interested in understanding the rise and fall of societies and individuals. He's a founding member of The Consilience Project, aimed at improving public sensemaking and dialogue and also co-founded the Neurohacker Collective.
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