By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 10 Nov 20
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. The Role of Mental Maps This is a map of North America. It was made by a Dutch map maker by the name of Herman Moll, working in London in 01701. I bought it on Portobello Road for about 60 pounds back in 01981. Which is to say, it’s not a particularly valuable map. But there is something unusual about it: California is depicted as an island. What’s interesting to me as a scenario planner is how the map came to be, how it was used, and how it was
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. The Role of Mental Maps This is a map of North America. It was made by a Dutch map maker by the name of Herman Moll, working in London in 01701. I bought it on Portobello Road for about 60 pounds back in 01981. Which is to say, it’s not
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 21 Oct 20
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. I want to lead you through some of the research that I’ve been doing on a meta-level around long-lived institutions, as well as some observations of the ways various systems have lasted for hundreds of thousands of years. Long Now as a Long-lived Institution This is one of the early projects I worked with Stewart Brand on at Long Now. We were trying to define our problem space and explore the ways we think on different timescales. Generally, companies are working in the “nowadays,” although that’s been shortening to some
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. I want to lead you through some of the research that I’ve been doing on a meta-level around long-lived institutions, as well as some observations of the ways various systems have lasted for hundreds of thousands of years. Long Now as a Long-lived Institution This is one of the early
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 5 Jul 20
Note: I wrote this piece for Cocoon in November 2019. (http://www.cocoonprojects.com/labs/author/stelio/)Continue reading on Medium »
Note: I wrote this piece for Cocoon in November 2019. (http://www.cocoonprojects.com/labs/author/stelio/)Continue reading on Medium »
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 5 Jul 20
Note: I wrote this piece for Cocoon in November 2019. (http://www.cocoonprojects.com/labs/author/stelio/)Continue reading on Medium »
Note: I wrote this piece for Cocoon in November 2019. (http://www.cocoonprojects.com/labs/author/stelio/)Continue reading on Medium »
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 3 Dec 19
I would like to share a reflection on this very thoughtful article by my friend Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed summarizing the science of collapse as it relates to the current globalized civilization.For starters, let me say that I find resonance with nearly all that he says and that I encourage others to read it carefully and reflect upon how deeply you might radically change your lifestyle in service to Earth regeneration.Where I find issue with his assessment is the thing I’d like to share — as I hope it will shed new light on this discourse and contribute in a small way to
I would like to share a reflection on this very thoughtful article by my friend Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed summarizing the science of collapse as it relates to the current globalized civilization.For starters, let me say that I find resonance with nearly all that he says and that I encourage others to read it carefully and reflect upon how deeply you
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 3 Nov 19
Seeds are dispersed and activated in many waysThe Earth has an innate capacity to support life. The seeds of regeneration for this special planet lay dormant in its pathway of cosmological development that included being at just the right distance from the Sun, having a companion Moon to mix the oceans, and other key factors that gave rise to complex life.Among its many life systems has been the emergence of a peculiar mammal with distinctive cultural abilities — including the innate capacities to redirect evolutionary energies away from other species to feed itself. This is what has enabled humans to degrade landscapes all over
Seeds are dispersed and activated in many waysThe Earth has an innate capacity to support life. The seeds of regeneration for this special planet lay dormant in its pathway of cosmological development that included being at just the right distance from the Sun, having a companion Moon to mix the oceans, and other key factors that gave rise to complex life.Among its
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 20 Feb 19
Photo by Paweł CzerwińskiLet’s begin with beer.Every day I drive past a billboard for Coors Light with the slogan, “Coors rocks Harrisburg.” Now, does anybody actually believe that Coors does in fact “rock Harrisburg”? No. Does the Coors corporation itself believe it? No. Does anyone believe that Coors believes it? No. It is a lie, everyone knows it is a lie, and no one cares. Everyone automatically writes it off as an ad slogan, an image campaign.The next sign advertises Miller Beer with the phrase, “Fresh beer tastes better.” Does anyone actually think Miller is any fresher than Budweiser, Coors, or
Photo by Paweł CzerwińskiLet’s begin with beer.Every day I drive past a billboard for Coors Light with the slogan, “Coors rocks Harrisburg.” Now, does anybody actually believe that Coors does in fact “rock Harrisburg”? No. Does the Coors corporation itself believe it? No. Does anyone believe that Coors believes it? No. It is a lie, everyone knows it is a lie,
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 19 Feb 19
I had a conversation with my brother yesterday about Thom Hartmann’s Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight. John is a farmer with sophisticated literary tastes and a refreshingly unconventional, earthy perspective on the issues of our time. Since he doesn’t use the Internet or read newspapers or magazines, the echo chamber of public discourse cannot distort his powers of discernment. He is one of my main allies reminding me that I am not, in fact, crazy.I’d read parts of Last Hours maybe ten years ago, and since then one or two of Hartmann’s essays, and I’m familiar with his reputation as one
I had a conversation with my brother yesterday about Thom Hartmann’s Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight. John is a farmer with sophisticated literary tastes and a refreshingly unconventional, earthy perspective on the issues of our time. Since he doesn’t use the Internet or read newspapers or magazines, the echo chamber of public discourse cannot distort his powers of discernment. He
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 23 Feb 18
It might very well be the case that 2018 will be known as the “Year of Jordan Peterson”.If you happen to have read anything that I’ve written, you will have noticed that I come from a very different place than Dr. Peterson. I spend most of my time in high abstraction, thinking about global systems and long term dynamics. Not about how important it is to clean your room. Accordingly, if you are thinking, you might be puzzled. Just what could I mean by proposing that Peterson is not merely popular nor controversial. But that he is important and precisely
It might very well be the case that 2018 will be known as the “Year of Jordan Peterson”.If you happen to have read anything that I’ve written, you will have noticed that I come from a very different place than Dr. Peterson. I spend most of my time in high abstraction, thinking about global systems and long term dynamics. Not
By: The Posts Author | Posted on: 6 Dec 17
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.” — Julian BarnesChristmas is the season of shallow critique. We lament the commercialisation around us as if it were a seasonal problem, but lurking inside the wrapped presents, juicy puddings and roasted birds there are deeper questions about ethical drift and the social logic of our entire economic model.Not merely now in December, but in January, February, March, April and all the way back to next October when people will predictably say ‘No, it’s too early!’, consumerism remains our modus operandi. Consumerism is heightened — we are confronted with it most directly — during whatever quarter now passes for
“I don’t believe in God, but I miss him.” — Julian BarnesChristmas is the season of shallow critique. We lament the commercialisation around us as if it were a seasonal problem, but lurking inside the wrapped presents, juicy puddings and roasted birds there are deeper questions about ethical drift and the social logic of our entire economic model.Not merely now in December, but in