Love this! Just finished Michael Pollan's book, "How to Change Your Mind," and couldn't agree more with your point about evolving human consciousness. A key takeaway from that book is the necessity of experiencing awe, to tame the ego and remind of our interconnectedness and being part of something much larger than us. Sure, that's available with psychedelics, but it's also available by paying attention in natural places. Awe is right there, just beyond the phones and the noise. Always.
Yes. This is so worth remembering. I live by the sea and find that a good way of connecting to the wondrous power of nature, both ever-the-same and ever-changing. When I truly connect, it can bring me to tears.
I agree! Punctuated Equilibrium is also one of the most important and misunderstood ideas about evolution, via which I've realized most people mostly don't really understand/have been miseducated about, and how, as Alexander Pope wrote, "a little learning is a dangerous thing."
One of the main progenitors of the theory of PE, Stephen Jay Gould, was a damn fine scientist, writer and humanist himself, and everyone should read some of his books and essays. I think he would have a few things to say about humans 2.0 etc. though he would probably critique many aspects of the characterization :)
Yes, I remember reading Stephen Jay Gould during my final year. I hadn’t remembered that Punctuated Evolution came from him. No doubt you’re right that he would have a thing or two to say (/critique) about Humans 2.0 and my take on it… and JMS too, who insisted human evolution was over. But I remain hopeful that as a uniquely brilliant and creative species, we will respond to this time of challenge with a positive shift.
Me too; but with what modern epigenetic research is telling us, combined with unprecedented climate shifts and broad psychological manipulation AI etc., it's hard to say which direction things will go in.
I actually think epigenetic research is one of the great reasons to be hopeful. We need no longer consider ourselves powerless victims of our gene expression. Our very *thoughts* are part of the environment that affects gene expression (placebo/nocebo effects and beyond). And we can actively choose/change our thoughts to beneficial ones. As for AI … I probably need to cover some of these things in a new post rather than attempt to tackle complex arguments in the comments! But I really appreciate your input. I shall put some thoughts into writing.
I know it was only a small point in this post, but the idea of creating (especially creating "things of substance") just as much, if not more than we consume is definitely a win-win. It helps us feel better about ourselves, and hopefully helps others too.
Yes, you're right. It feels important to me too. On an individual level, so long as I spend more time in a day creating than consuming, I feel satisfied.
Lovely piece Ros. Thank you. I don't know if you were pre, post or mid breakdown when you taught me at CCW at Sussex in 2000, but for what it's worth, you still made a massive difference to my creative road at the time. The bean counters might have caught up with you but certainly not redundant!
This is an excellent, insightful piece of writing! I put myself on a news diet, making sure I know enough about what's going on in the world, but not getting mired in all the negativity. How do I cope with all the world's negativity? I create art. Being an artist and showcasing art on my blog may seem simple to some, but I find it leads to positivity and personal growth.
Beth, thank you for your kind words. All those years of writing practice are finally useful for something beyond creating poems and stories, it seems :-) I am totally with you about the ways you are coping with this: news diet, perfect, and creation: it's just the route to all the good stuff, both individually and as a species. Funny how bad governments like to devalue the arts and humanities when it's absolutely central to living a good life. (And sorry for the delay in responding. A lot in my in tray at the moment!)
I love this manifesto Ros, I completely agree. I think that Gaia is forcing the issue, we step up and evolve or face the consequences. I used to think I needed to save the planet. I now think she is saving us. Xo
Two, but not two. And many, but one. I think about us like the opposite of corals, which are actually lots of individual organisms but appear to be one. Thanks for reading and commenting. And sorry for my belated response!
Hey Ros, I fall into this pattern all too easily so it is good to be reminded. Just like when people say they don’t vote because what matters one vote but clearly a million votes do matter. I try every day to pick up some rubbish. It’s something I can do and I’m sure it helps. The less rubbish there is the less tempting it is to drop it. Just a small minor example.
It's an easy pattern to fall into, especially at the moment, and we see everyone around us doing it to, so it feels perfectly 'normal'. But 'normal' isn't necessarily healthy!
Brilliant. This resonates with so much of what I believe about the world and humanity too. I’m always talking about how we are all one race and need to work together to solve all the issues of the day - but how governments and corporations drive us apart. I feel like we are living in a shift now. It’s maybe why there’s so much angst because people really don’t like change. And it’s happening almost imperceptibly but our souls know. Something is changing and who knows what lies ahead. I hope we make it to humanity 2.0.
I think we will, Bronwen. I think our capacities as a species are extraordinary, and these challenging times are helping more and more of us to come into that understanding and access our powers of transformation. We are definitely living in a shift.
Human 2.0 is understatedly ancillary in reference to the two pre-requisite absolutes the current evolution of human must perform to have any chance that evolving to the second.
End fossil fuel extraction and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Both of those things are very important, but most individuals are not in a position to do more than protest, sign petitions, put their dollars where their mouth is, vote for the 'right' people and move themselves individually to renewables. So beyond that, what? Feel powerless and despair? This is a yes, AND situation. One does not preclude the other.
You can take individual steps to reduce your carbon footprint and try to persuade the powers-that-be to focus on those two priorities (end fossil fuels, sequester atmospheric carbon) AND you can grow as a human being.
Love this! Just finished Michael Pollan's book, "How to Change Your Mind," and couldn't agree more with your point about evolving human consciousness. A key takeaway from that book is the necessity of experiencing awe, to tame the ego and remind of our interconnectedness and being part of something much larger than us. Sure, that's available with psychedelics, but it's also available by paying attention in natural places. Awe is right there, just beyond the phones and the noise. Always.
Yes. This is so worth remembering. I live by the sea and find that a good way of connecting to the wondrous power of nature, both ever-the-same and ever-changing. When I truly connect, it can bring me to tears.
Yes!
I agree! Punctuated Equilibrium is also one of the most important and misunderstood ideas about evolution, via which I've realized most people mostly don't really understand/have been miseducated about, and how, as Alexander Pope wrote, "a little learning is a dangerous thing."
One of the main progenitors of the theory of PE, Stephen Jay Gould, was a damn fine scientist, writer and humanist himself, and everyone should read some of his books and essays. I think he would have a few things to say about humans 2.0 etc. though he would probably critique many aspects of the characterization :)
Yes, I remember reading Stephen Jay Gould during my final year. I hadn’t remembered that Punctuated Evolution came from him. No doubt you’re right that he would have a thing or two to say (/critique) about Humans 2.0 and my take on it… and JMS too, who insisted human evolution was over. But I remain hopeful that as a uniquely brilliant and creative species, we will respond to this time of challenge with a positive shift.
Me too; but with what modern epigenetic research is telling us, combined with unprecedented climate shifts and broad psychological manipulation AI etc., it's hard to say which direction things will go in.
I actually think epigenetic research is one of the great reasons to be hopeful. We need no longer consider ourselves powerless victims of our gene expression. Our very *thoughts* are part of the environment that affects gene expression (placebo/nocebo effects and beyond). And we can actively choose/change our thoughts to beneficial ones. As for AI … I probably need to cover some of these things in a new post rather than attempt to tackle complex arguments in the comments! But I really appreciate your input. I shall put some thoughts into writing.
I know it was only a small point in this post, but the idea of creating (especially creating "things of substance") just as much, if not more than we consume is definitely a win-win. It helps us feel better about ourselves, and hopefully helps others too.
https://rosbarbernews.substack.com/p/humans-20
Yes, you're right. It feels important to me too. On an individual level, so long as I spend more time in a day creating than consuming, I feel satisfied.
Beautiful message, beautifully said. ❤️
Thank you, Joy.
Lovely piece Ros. Thank you. I don't know if you were pre, post or mid breakdown when you taught me at CCW at Sussex in 2000, but for what it's worth, you still made a massive difference to my creative road at the time. The bean counters might have caught up with you but certainly not redundant!
Early 2000 - very much still mid-breakdown. Suicidal in January. By May 2000, gently post. I’m glad to have made a positive difference.
This is an excellent, insightful piece of writing! I put myself on a news diet, making sure I know enough about what's going on in the world, but not getting mired in all the negativity. How do I cope with all the world's negativity? I create art. Being an artist and showcasing art on my blog may seem simple to some, but I find it leads to positivity and personal growth.
Beth, thank you for your kind words. All those years of writing practice are finally useful for something beyond creating poems and stories, it seems :-) I am totally with you about the ways you are coping with this: news diet, perfect, and creation: it's just the route to all the good stuff, both individually and as a species. Funny how bad governments like to devalue the arts and humanities when it's absolutely central to living a good life. (And sorry for the delay in responding. A lot in my in tray at the moment!)
No worries. Thank you for your response. I am also a writer and it does take years of practice!
I love this manifesto Ros, I completely agree. I think that Gaia is forcing the issue, we step up and evolve or face the consequences. I used to think I needed to save the planet. I now think she is saving us. Xo
Thank you. Beautifully put.
Your so succinct and well thought out. I've observed these things myself. Keep it coming.
Thanks, Nate.
starting by curing our own unhappiness - I like that.
Thank you, Lexie! And sorry for the delay in responding. I'm a newbie here and had the wrong setting on my comments notification!
“what we do to others, we are actually doing to ourselves”. Indeed. Two, but not two.
Two, but not two. And many, but one. I think about us like the opposite of corals, which are actually lots of individual organisms but appear to be one. Thanks for reading and commenting. And sorry for my belated response!
Hey Ros, I fall into this pattern all too easily so it is good to be reminded. Just like when people say they don’t vote because what matters one vote but clearly a million votes do matter. I try every day to pick up some rubbish. It’s something I can do and I’m sure it helps. The less rubbish there is the less tempting it is to drop it. Just a small minor example.
It's an easy pattern to fall into, especially at the moment, and we see everyone around us doing it to, so it feels perfectly 'normal'. But 'normal' isn't necessarily healthy!
Brilliant. This resonates with so much of what I believe about the world and humanity too. I’m always talking about how we are all one race and need to work together to solve all the issues of the day - but how governments and corporations drive us apart. I feel like we are living in a shift now. It’s maybe why there’s so much angst because people really don’t like change. And it’s happening almost imperceptibly but our souls know. Something is changing and who knows what lies ahead. I hope we make it to humanity 2.0.
I think we will, Bronwen. I think our capacities as a species are extraordinary, and these challenging times are helping more and more of us to come into that understanding and access our powers of transformation. We are definitely living in a shift.
Human 2.0 is understatedly ancillary in reference to the two pre-requisite absolutes the current evolution of human must perform to have any chance that evolving to the second.
End fossil fuel extraction and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Priorities.
Both of those things are very important, but most individuals are not in a position to do more than protest, sign petitions, put their dollars where their mouth is, vote for the 'right' people and move themselves individually to renewables. So beyond that, what? Feel powerless and despair? This is a yes, AND situation. One does not preclude the other.
You can take individual steps to reduce your carbon footprint and try to persuade the powers-that-be to focus on those two priorities (end fossil fuels, sequester atmospheric carbon) AND you can grow as a human being.