As we begin a new year, consider a physicist's view of what our economic superorganism is doing to our quality of life. The ecologist, Nate Hagens, interviews Thomas Murphy. I especially enjoyed his unique method of putting human history into perspective, which is covered in the first 6 minutes. Don't miss it; at least watch that. [You can spare 6 minutes:]
You may have to adjust it back to the beginning.
In terms of the geological time frame on Earth, we "modern" humans (Homo sapiens) haven't been in existence for very long - about 200,000 years or so. Our ancestors started about 2.5 million years ago. In a recent essay - The Simple Story of Civilization - Prof. Murphy compressed our full time (ancestors + "modern") on this planet into a 75-year span. Using that time frame for our total existence, he calculated the following:
a) a mere five years ago, Homo sapiens appeared;
b) only fifteen weeks ago, agriculture (and "civilization") began - that's about 10,000+/- years ago in the geologic time frame;
c) barely four days ago, the Age of Science began - about 400 years ago in geologic time;
d) only a day and a half ago, the Age of Fossil Energy started - around 150 years ago in normal geologic time;
e) finally, just twelve hours ago, global and rapid eco-devastation began - that's about 50 years ago in normal time.
The petrochemical industry is largely responsible for e) above.
According to Dr. Murphy, several important points arise from the scenario just described.
1) Prior to the advent of agriculture and settlements/towns/cities (civilization), we lived more or less in harmony with Nature.
2) For thousands of years after the emergence of civilization, we still had some degree of harmony with our habitat.
3) Nevertheless, the arrival of civilization started a path of accumulation of possessions, development of hierarchies in the extreme, and efforts to control Nature.
4) Then, only 150 years ago, we harnessed a Master resource - relatively cheap, abundant, and easily transportable fossil energy -and we basically went berserk on overconsumption and increased attempts to control Nature.
5) Little thought was given to unintended consequences.
6) Our current civilization was not designed to be sustainable. For one thing, the economic system the Powers-That-Be worship is constantly and infinitely craving more energy, and more production, and more consumption. More, more, and more into infinity. It's not sustainable ecologically, thermodynamically, financially, or socially.
7) Plus, we've "doubled-down" on efforts to control Nature, something which never will be fully attained. Meanwhile, we're damaging/destroying the basis of our biophysical existence. Such a system is destined to fail, and we're getting close to that point.
8) Because the system (a Superorganism) is so large, and essentially uncontrolled, the failure will be monumental.
Prof. Murphy's BOTTOM LINE is this:
Our current path clearly is not sustainable. The spurt of growth and expansion we've seen in the last 150 years is not the norm in human history, is temporary, and is unsustainable to the max. Future choices must ALL be predicated on (paraphrased) sustainability principles which conserve and protect the ecosphere. In short, he's saying something I've echoed a number of times: everything must change if we are to survive and thrive. Only then will we be able to bequeath a healthy habitat and society to our descendants.
How to bring about necessary changes is an open question. A good start would be to ignore Corporatocracy propaganda, shun dogma, open our minds, be more cooperative with others, live with intention, and increase our thinking out-of-the-box. Many people and nonprofit groups are doing such, and even a few parts of some governments are doing so. Best choices for moving forward are emerging, and should be supported. Make time for that.
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Not only my opinion. Take Care, Be Aware, and Find Peace of Mind
