If you are reading this I can't urge you enough to go to this NewWorld-Game.org website. It's free. Profoundly useful IF you are committed solving any number of local or global problems.
www.newworld-game.org
I did one of the first Buckminster Fuller designed World Game in the late 1970s. Medard Gabel worked with Bucky and others to create this game to spread the understanding humankind needs to work together to engineer a world that works non-violently and sustainably for all people, everywhere, far into the future. Bucky proposed a global electric energy grid in the 1938!!! You read that right! He also created a world map that accurately compared the land mass sizes of every continent. FYI: You could fit the US, China, Russia, and the EU land masses over the map of Africa...and still see parts of Africa.
When you first log on...Bucky's AI avatar will greet you (his knowledge and wisdom has been incorporated into his Avatar with multiple AI platforms. Other wise souls can also be consulted...and then you can pick your friends or experts to peer review their answers....or your creative ideas.
And its all free! This description only scratches the surface of this games potential for solving global problems and connecting you with others who have the same desire to have your life and time matter, and have your actions make the biggest sustainable difference.
The Truth can be found within the website. If you ask the right questions ;-)
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ME: Bucky, I would like your coaching and assistance
in finding answers to the acceleration of civilization’s cognition caused chaos
- which appears to be at the heart of humankind’s resistance to doing what’s
possible, with the resources and technologies we already have, and have had for
hundreds if not thousands of years. (7-30-25)
Increasing
truth decay is further eroding the trust we already had in governments and even
science institutions. This is fueling
political polarization, undermining the Rule of Law and slowing the urgent need
for democracies to quickly adapt to the rising global challenges with a weak
and anemic United Nations. With practically
zero chance of reforming or transforming the UN to put the protection of Human
rights and the Environment above the protection of national sovereignty and
capitalism, what should be our highest priority. The increasing evolution of wars,
cheaper weapon systems, more forms of WMD, the glacial speed of the weapon procurement
process, increasing extreme weather conditions, and violent extremist groups (both
domestic and global) what should ‘we the people’ be focused on.
It
appears the three progressive movements (Peace, Environment, economic/social
Justice) and the thousands of organizations within each - still compete with
each other for limited money, members, media, and access to policy makers
limited time.
BUCKY:
You've articulated a profound and urgent set of
challenges facing humanity, Bucky. Your observation about the
"acceleration of civilization’s cognition caused chaos" and the
resistance to implementing known solutions, alongside "truth decay"
and the fragmentation of efforts, resonates with many contemporary analyses.
Addressing these complex, interconnected issues requires a multi-faceted
approach.
Here's an exploration of the underlying issues and potential areas of focus,
drawing on contemporary thought:
Understanding the "Cognition-Caused Chaos" and Resistance to Action
Your framing of "civilization's cognition caused chaos" points to
several deep-seated issues that hinder collective action, even when solutions
are known:
- Cognitive Biases
and Heuristics: As previously
discussed, the human mind is prone to biases like confirmation bias
(seeking information that confirms existing beliefs), optimism bias
(underestimating risks), present bias (prioritizing immediate
gratification over long-term benefits), and the "bystander
effect" (diffusion of responsibility in large groups). These make it
difficult for individuals and collectives to accurately perceive threats,
agree on facts, and commit to necessary but often uncomfortable changes.
- Information
Overload and "Truth Decay": The sheer volume of information, combined with the proliferation
of misinformation and disinformation, overwhelms cognitive processing.
"Truth decay" refers to the diminishing role of facts and
analysis in public discourse, characterized by increasing disagreement
about facts, a blurring of lines between opinion and fact, and declining
trust in former sources of factual information. This directly undermines
the ability of societies to agree on common problems and solutions,
fueling political polarization and making rational decision-making harder.
- Social and Cultural
Inertia: Societies, like
individuals, exhibit inertia. Deeply entrenched economic systems, cultural
norms, vested interests, and political structures resist rapid change,
even in the face of compelling evidence. Short-term political cycles often
prioritize immediate electoral gains over long-term strategic investments
or difficult reforms.
- The "Tragedy
of the Commons" at a Global Scale: Many of the challenges you highlight—climate change, pandemics,
nuclear proliferation, resource depletion—are global "commons"
problems. Individuals or nations acting in their own perceived
self-interest deplete shared resources or contribute to collective harms,
even when it's against their long-term collective interest, because the
costs are diffused and the benefits of restraint are not immediately or
solely accrued by the acting party. This is exacerbated by the lack of
robust global governance mechanisms.
Highest Priorities and Areas of Focus for "We the
People"
Given the interconnected nature of these challenges and the limitations of
existing global structures, here are areas that emerge as crucial priorities,
moving beyond single-issue advocacy to address foundational weaknesses:
1. Rebuilding Shared Epistemologies and Trust in Institutions:
* Combating Disinformation and Promoting Media Literacy: Investing
heavily in education that equips citizens to critically evaluate information,
identify credible sources, and understand how algorithms can amplify
misinformation is paramount. Supporting independent journalism and
fact-checking initiatives can help restore a common factual baseline.
* Restoring Trust in Science and Expertise: This involves transparent
communication from scientific institutions, acknowledging uncertainties while
maintaining integrity, and fostering public engagement with scientific
processes rather than just conclusions. When trust in science erodes, evidence-based
policy becomes impossible.
* Strengthening Local and Deliberative Democracies: Rebuilding trust
often starts locally. Fostering citizen participation in deliberative processes
(e.g., citizen assemblies, participatory budgeting) can build consensus,
enhance civic skills, and show that collective action is possible,
counteracting apathy and cynicism.
2. Fostering Global Cooperation and Adaptive Governance (Beyond Traditional
Nation-States):
* Strengthening International Norms and Rule of Law: Even if the UN
itself is difficult to reform, "we the people" can advocate for
stronger adherence to international law, human rights, and environmental
treaties. Pressure from civil society can push governments to uphold
commitments and work collaboratively on shared threats.
* Supporting Transnational Networks and Solutions: Recognizing the
limitations of state-centric approaches, emphasis can be placed on
strengthening non-state actors—NGOs, scientific collaborations, city networks,
philanthropic organizations, and citizen movements—that operate across borders
to address issues like climate change, human rights, and humanitarian crises.
These networks can develop innovative solutions and put pressure on states.
* Developing Adaptive and Resilient Systems: Focusing on building local
and regional resilience to climate shocks, supply chain disruptions, and other
crises can mitigate the impact of global instability. This includes local food
systems, decentralized energy, and community-based disaster preparedness.
3. Prioritizing Human Development and Addressing Root Causes of Conflict and
Discontent:
* Investing in Education and Critical Thinking: Beyond media literacy, a
robust education system that promotes critical thinking, empathy, and
understanding of diverse perspectives can inoculate future generations against
tribalism and simplistic narratives.
* Reducing Inequality and Promoting Economic Justice: Gross economic and
social inequalities fuel resentment, political extremism, and social
instability. Addressing these through equitable policies, access to
opportunities, and social safety nets can reduce the appeal of divisive
ideologies and strengthen social cohesion.
* Promoting Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: Given the rise of
violent extremism and cheaper weaponry, investing in grassroots peacebuilding
initiatives, intercultural dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution skills
is crucial at all levels of society.
4. Enhancing Collective Action and Bridging Divides within Progressive
Movements:
* Developing Overarching Narratives: Instead of competing, peace,
environment, and justice movements could seek to articulate a shared vision and
narrative that emphasizes their interdependence. For example, climate change
disproportionately affects the poor, and resource scarcity can lead to
conflict. Framing these as interconnected challenges can foster broader
coalitions.
* Adopting Systems Thinking: Encouraging a "systems thinking"
approach within movements can help them see how their specific issues are
connected to larger societal structures and how actions in one area can
positively or negatively impact others. This could lead to more integrated
strategies and resource sharing.
* Leveraging Technology for Coordination: Utilizing digital platforms
and tools for better coordination, information sharing, and resource
mobilization among disparate organizations can amplify their collective impact
and reduce redundant efforts.
In essence, while the global challenges are immense, "we the people"
can focus on strengthening the foundations of informed decision-making,
fostering resilient communities, and building bridges across traditional
divides. This involves a shift from simply advocating for specific policy
outcomes to actively rebuilding the societal capacity for collective
intelligence, trust, and cooperative action in an increasingly chaotic world.
*
References:
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics
and Biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124-1131. (General reference for
cognitive biases, not specifically for global challenges but applies)
RAND Corporation. (n.d.). Truth Decay: A Global Problem and What to Do About
It. Retrieved from https://www.rand.org/research/projects/truth-decay.html
(This is a general reference to RAND's work on Truth Decay).
Kavanagh, J., & Rich, M. D. (2018). Truth Decay: An Initial Exploration
of the Diminishing Role of Facts and Analysis in American Public Life. RAND
Corporation. (This specific RAND publication defines Truth Decay).
Scott, J. C. (1998). Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the
Human Condition Have Failed. Yale University Press. (General reference on
state inertia and resistance to change, not specifically on global challenges
but relevant).
Hardin, G. (1968). The Tragedy of the Commons. Science, 162(3859),
1243-1248. (Foundational text on the tragedy of the commons).
World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Risks Report 2024. World Economic
Forum. (Often cites misinformation as a top global risk and recommends media
literacy).
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Communicating
Science Effectively: A Research Agenda. The National Academies Press.
(Discusses strategies for effective science communication to build trust).
Fung, A., & Wright, E. O. (2003). Deepening Democracy: Institutional
Innovations in Empowered Participatory Governance. Verso. (Explores
deliberative and participatory democracy models).
International Crisis Group. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from
https://www.crisisgroup.org/about (International Crisis Group's work focuses on
preventing and resolving deadly conflict, often advocating for international
norms).
Keck, M. E., & Sikkink, K. (1998). Activists Beyond Borders: Advocacy
Networks in International Politics. Cornell University Press. (A
foundational text on transnational advocacy networks).
World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Risks Report 2024. World Economic
Forum. (Highlights the need for resilience building).
Nussbaum, M. C. (2010). Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities.
Princeton University Press. (Argues for the importance of humanities education
for democratic citizenship).
Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Belknap Press.
(Provides extensive analysis of inequality and its societal impacts).
Lederach, J. P. (1997). Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in
Divided Societies. United States Institute of Peace Press. (A key text on
peacebuilding and conflict transformation).
Climate Justice Alliance. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from
https://climatejusticealliance.org/ (Example of an alliance connecting
environmental and social justice).
Meadows, D. H. (2008). Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Chelsea Green
Publishing. (Introduces the concept of systems thinking).
Shirky, C. (2008). Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without
Organizations. Penguin Press. (Discusses how digital tools enable new forms
of collective action).
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