How Culture Evolves (and Why Civilizations Collapse) – Dr. Liane Gabora, DemystifySci +426

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Michael Button just did a piece on his channel talking about the fact that the coming of automation and AI might be the end of a problem that has been with mankind since the dawn of civilization: that of labour being what limits a culture's growth. He suggested that this might produce a crisis and pointed out that civilizations in the past developed to solve a particular problem and often ended because the problem changed but the civilization didn't. An example might be the Bronze Age collapse being due to deforestation brought about due to the production of bronze. This idea that something evolves to solve a problem and then declines because the problem changes can be extended to any species. In humans, it illustrates why conservatism exists, but also points out why it will eventually be fatal.

Enjoyed the talk. My sense is generally that Ms Gabora’s metaphor of light as being informative as to how we think/create might a bit strained. Other senses have been used to substitute for knowledge attainment or its lack: “His idea stinks”, “That idea rings true”, “ That just doesn’t feel correct”, “His theory sucks”(not quite a taste metaphor….but I wouldn’t know. :-)) Light has been more prolifically used by us in this way because of our human emphasis on the sight sense. Dogs would turn up their nose at this, saying it “smells fishy”. The idea of good creativity vs bad creativity was a fun romp. Very Hegelian: thesis countered by antithesis resulting in a synthesis, and possible cultural/scientific advancement as a result. But creativity vs non-creativity? Seems to me that this attribute is held by we humanoids to varying degrees. A continuum. No on/off switch. Creativity winds up being in the eye of the beholder, imho. The evolution of thought. Human thought was initiated in the not too distant past with the advancement of writing followed shortly by the internalization of speech, introspection, as conciousness came to our species (Jaynes). The ability for cultures to advance, or fail, came as a result. Lamarkian evolution, acquired characteristic inheritance, was the driver that led to the overall tremendous advance of human existence……once the hardwiring of genetically selected for attributes evolved. Anyway just my opinion. Thank you guys. Most enjoyable.

Congrats on the book.

whoa, nice brim, dude!

I have a new framework of physics, but I need to wait until it's safer, some things need to be opened 1st.

Great convo. In some sense, we're the possibility space discovering what is possible.

As an evolutionary philosopher I see myself in a long line of thinkers and writers, mystics and profets throughout all civilizational risings, collapses and rebirthings. Standing on the shoulders of giants in further UPWARD EVOLUTION!!!

Thanks!

Cool!