We imagine so many wonderful things about where we will go or the type of people we will be but no matter what people have dreamed up about advanced societies, we seem stuck fighting the same battles that hold progress back. We barrel toward the future like a comet with a narrow tip with all those on the leading edge and a broad, trailing tail for the rest of us who are far behind.
I think no matter where we travel or how advanced things get, humans will still pine for the soil and breeze. We will still choose simplicity and community over towering geometric dwellings. We will take experience over efficiency.
Thank you for this thought experiment! I think Octavia Butler had the right idea about what it takes to build community in the Parable Series...despite the regressive forces fighting harmony and equality at every turn, my hope is that progressive forces will outlast them. The arch of justice, etc...
Glad to spur the conversation. I have Parable of the Sower and will dig in once I’m done with “Ithaka”. I think ultimately small groups banding together for protection and to advance harmony can outlast what comes against them.
Such a big question because, of course, there is the way we apply it to society (that daunting 'big picture') and the control we try and take of our own future. We have taken steps to draw ourselves down to a simpler, smaller way of being. Still connected - these conversations are brilliantly enabled by the good side of technology - but simplified and more connected to the seasons and our 'local'. We bought a tiny farm in France; no debt, small amount of land to steward and improve, capturing water, nurturing the soil and organising the garden and the orchard to provide. Still reaching outwards to encourage others, but discovering and supporting the local economy. We think about the big picture but act small, controlling what we can control. Great question and interesting answers. Barrie
That image sounds lovely. It’s really what I hope for, that local and small part of one’s world that branches out to serve others. We get to give and take freely with a community of abundance. I think the big picture comes from those small building block and as it grows, we adjust.
It’s been really good imagining a new world which is deconstructed from what we know. I am building off “Ithaka” into those mundane things but also a wider world.
I think what have now become traditional social media (FB and IG specifically) will implode, and fully give way to longer-tailed forms of communication that are much more tailored to one's interests. (Substack, Discord, etc.).
Also: Still waiting on those flying cars we were promised!
Omg, me too! I remember the Rip Van Winkle Caper on Twilight Zone and (spoiler alert) not only did people approach in a hovering car, but gold was useless. We are nowhere near either of those things.
I think some short form video platform will ultimately be successful. Vine was a huge market for creators and so is Tik Tok. IG is lagging behind and FB is for family reunion pages. The truly high speed, heavily utilized platforms will reign. I can’t see IG and FB going away, then again, we never think that with popular platforms.
I think we’re in this weird purgatory of identity, trying to balance our reliance on tech/innovation with our desperation for traditional values (family, nature, spirituality, etc.). I tend to think those traditional sources of meaning will come out on top as we all continue snapping under the mental exhaustion of living behind screens
Yes! It’s undeniable that technology is a good thing. It connects us and makes discovery of our world more accessible, but I don’t think we have achieved that balance. I see some peeking out with influencers who break that fourth wall, tell us being shamed for scrolling doesn’t make our need to dissociate invalid, tell us to save our energy... that’a the new wave I’m cultivating in my online experience.
i really think there will be a crash of what is unsustainable and a rebirth of what human beings are really all about / we are tribal/community oriented creatures who have deep needs for love and companionship / look at a child if you ever wonder what a human being is all about / playful innocent joyful / we all were and remain on some fundamental level that child
the 'economy' this mad rush to rape loot and plunder the resources of the planet to create wealth for a few is what is unsustainable / it has to change one way or the other / i hope and pray for a beautiful unfolding not a violent trauma / we can all lean into that possibility https://rohn.substack.com/p/this-little-light-of-mine#details good question chevanne
Very thoughtful answer. I agree. At the core, we want the love and support of community and opportunities to build together. I thought: what if we didn’t have to earn a living, what would we do? I can imagine people giving gifts of their own accord and sharing with others. We often give without consideration and only learn that it’s not advantageous.
I don’t think we’ll learn until far too late, when the droughts are hitting NY or islands disappear, that we will know we’re doomed. Unfortunately still, I do believe we will have violent trauma before settling. We still don’t realize we can’t eat money.
Thank you for this thought experiment! I think Octavia Butler had the right idea about what it takes to build community in the Parable Series...despite the regressive forces fighting harmony and equality at every turn, my hope is that progressive forces will outlast them. The arch of justice, etc...
Glad to spur the conversation. I have Parable of the Sower and will dig in once I’m done with “Ithaka”. I think ultimately small groups banding together for protection and to advance harmony can outlast what comes against them.
It's a hopeful thought and one that sustains me.
Such a big question because, of course, there is the way we apply it to society (that daunting 'big picture') and the control we try and take of our own future. We have taken steps to draw ourselves down to a simpler, smaller way of being. Still connected - these conversations are brilliantly enabled by the good side of technology - but simplified and more connected to the seasons and our 'local'. We bought a tiny farm in France; no debt, small amount of land to steward and improve, capturing water, nurturing the soil and organising the garden and the orchard to provide. Still reaching outwards to encourage others, but discovering and supporting the local economy. We think about the big picture but act small, controlling what we can control. Great question and interesting answers. Barrie
That image sounds lovely. It’s really what I hope for, that local and small part of one’s world that branches out to serve others. We get to give and take freely with a community of abundance. I think the big picture comes from those small building block and as it grows, we adjust.
It’s been really good imagining a new world which is deconstructed from what we know. I am building off “Ithaka” into those mundane things but also a wider world.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
I think what have now become traditional social media (FB and IG specifically) will implode, and fully give way to longer-tailed forms of communication that are much more tailored to one's interests. (Substack, Discord, etc.).
Also: Still waiting on those flying cars we were promised!
Omg, me too! I remember the Rip Van Winkle Caper on Twilight Zone and (spoiler alert) not only did people approach in a hovering car, but gold was useless. We are nowhere near either of those things.
I think some short form video platform will ultimately be successful. Vine was a huge market for creators and so is Tik Tok. IG is lagging behind and FB is for family reunion pages. The truly high speed, heavily utilized platforms will reign. I can’t see IG and FB going away, then again, we never think that with popular platforms.
I think we’re in this weird purgatory of identity, trying to balance our reliance on tech/innovation with our desperation for traditional values (family, nature, spirituality, etc.). I tend to think those traditional sources of meaning will come out on top as we all continue snapping under the mental exhaustion of living behind screens
Yes! It’s undeniable that technology is a good thing. It connects us and makes discovery of our world more accessible, but I don’t think we have achieved that balance. I see some peeking out with influencers who break that fourth wall, tell us being shamed for scrolling doesn’t make our need to dissociate invalid, tell us to save our energy... that’a the new wave I’m cultivating in my online experience.
i really think there will be a crash of what is unsustainable and a rebirth of what human beings are really all about / we are tribal/community oriented creatures who have deep needs for love and companionship / look at a child if you ever wonder what a human being is all about / playful innocent joyful / we all were and remain on some fundamental level that child
the 'economy' this mad rush to rape loot and plunder the resources of the planet to create wealth for a few is what is unsustainable / it has to change one way or the other / i hope and pray for a beautiful unfolding not a violent trauma / we can all lean into that possibility https://rohn.substack.com/p/this-little-light-of-mine#details good question chevanne
Very thoughtful answer. I agree. At the core, we want the love and support of community and opportunities to build together. I thought: what if we didn’t have to earn a living, what would we do? I can imagine people giving gifts of their own accord and sharing with others. We often give without consideration and only learn that it’s not advantageous.
I don’t think we’ll learn until far too late, when the droughts are hitting NY or islands disappear, that we will know we’re doomed. Unfortunately still, I do believe we will have violent trauma before settling. We still don’t realize we can’t eat money.