Culmination in the Second Trump Administration: A Clausewitzian Reading Carl von Clausewitz observed that every offensive reaches a culminating point, the moment when accumulated resistance, logistical strain, and sheer chance sap momentum faster than fresh power can be applied. Beyond that threshold, pressing ahead only multiplies risk. Modern doctrine shortens the term to culmination and […]
Trump Train Heading For A Stall? Read More »
Theories of Consciousness Smackdown: IIT vs GNWT Related Jim Rutt Show podcasts: — Team IIT: EP105 Christof Koch on Consciousness — Father of GWT: EP108 Bernard Baars on Consciousness Consciousness science has long been rich in hypotheses but poor in experimental results, apart from accumulating numerous “correlates of consciousness” data, which have done little to distinguish among competing theories. A
Theories of Consciousness smack down: IIT vs GNWT Read More »
I’ve been asking myself for a while now: Why are so many people today drawn to oligarchs and demagogues? I recently posted this question on Facebook, and the thread that followed was lively and wide-ranging. Here’s my attempt, with some help from ChatGPT, to synthesize those comments — pulling it all together from my own perspective — while acknowledging
Strongmen Rising: Decoding the Popularity of Oligarchs and Demagogues Read More »
Over the past few weeks I’ve had a number of people coming to me to see if I could help them make sense of what was going on in the world. As a result, I decided to write some things down and share them — and thereby save time as well as perhaps help a few more people.
Sensemaking in 2025: Trump Tariffs Edition Read More »
In an era of planetary crisis and a time when universities are increasingly under attack, an underlying question that has gradually moved to the center of attention is this: what is the role of universities in society, and what should their role be going forward? Historically, universities have been central to fostering social mobility. More recently,
Universities as Innovation Ecologies for Human & Planetary Flourishing Read More »
Yesterday we embarked on a new journey of discovery to help strengthen and grow a planetary network of bioregions — with people from all over the world who want to help regenerate the Earth. This will be a six-month exploration that includes bi-weekly webinars and a strong focus on local organizing in real-world communities. We are sharing the
Kick-off of the Learning Journey for “How to Organize Your Bioregion” Read More »
I often use the phrase “intersubjective verification of the interobjective” to describe a key method of knowledge making and sense-making. Some people politely call it “mighty dense,” while others more bluntly ask, “What the hell does that mean?” So after putting it off for awhile, I’ve attempted to unpack and explain the concept. A Google search
On: “The Intersubjective Verification Of The Interobjective” Read More »
Chasing the Whisper of Telos in a Cosmic Improv The Discourse, it seems, is a never-ending tango between meaning and meaninglessness — between those who suspect the Universe has a grand, ineffable plan and those who figure it’s just riding a cosmic breeze of chance. Look back on the world’s labyrinthine timeline, and you hit the big question:
Between Fate and Freedom Read More »
In these times of turbulent change, we cannot depend upon the stability of human systems. The boundaries through which most of them were created are fickle and unfit for the complex challenges we must face today. For example, there are political lines drawn across bodies of water that divide nation states. The Great Lakes don’t care
Land Is Already Organized by Life Read More »
As we enter 2025, I want to share some reflections and intentions. One realization of last year has been this: Our number one challenge isn’t biodiversity loss, climate change, polarization, countries falling apart, or AI. It is our widespread illusion of insignificance — the belief that there’s nothing we can do about it. Surveys show that more
Entering 2025: Meeting the Future In the Moment. What is Ours to Do? Read More »
