Plan now for the next evolution

Is our society on the precipice of the next evolution? With Covid and everything else, it does feel like it to me. But is that just a knee jerk feeling that will be forgotten as soon as we develop a vaccine, or something a bit more lasting. 

Based on a not very scientific analysis, the big societal change that sticks in my mind is the Industrial Revolution. It changed where and how people lived. It had a bigger impact in my opinion than the subsequent Information Revolution, as during the Information Age people’s behaviour did not see as drastic a change, as caused by the Industrial Age.

Both the industrial and information revolutions changed economic constants. It’s like changing gravity, causing life sustaining atmospheres to disappear on some planets, and appear on others. And the constants shifted society towards centralisation. 

Centralisation brought about amazing new tools e.g. hydroponics, 3D printing, internet, genetic engineering, blockchain :) etc. These tools, along with changing priorities influenced by, at the very least perceived, challenges like climate change, in my opinion, are once again pressuring economic constants. And this time towards decentralisation. 

These tools carry over most of the efficiency enjoyed by centralised economies of scale, but can be utilised locally in a decentralised fashion. They help to drive resiliency, whilst avoiding concentration related issues such as pollution, congestion, pandemics. 

Institutions often brag about having the best minds all under one roof. Great, but what happens to all that knowledge when the roof collapses. Perhaps having all those experts spread around the world, connected by internet, is a little more resilient and sustainable.

I believe we now have the tools to make the next evolutionary jump. And that jump will not be made due to some ideological believes, but due to pragmatism. For better lives, whatever the weather. But having the tools is not enough, you’ve got to make a behavioural change, and start using them in earnest.

What does this mean in practice? Not sure yet, but I am exploring the concept of minimum viable communities. There are a great many different articles, often conflicting, on this topics on the internet. For me, it distills down to figuring out the size of a community that is capable of economically sustainable prosperity at a desired level of resiliency without avoidable congestion, given the new tools and context. 

What can be manufactured locally versus imported? How can we price in cost of pollution and resiliency? Can people avoid unnecessary commuting? How will such communities trade? How will they govern inside and across? What will nations look like?

All this may seem a little abstract in the face of pandemics, increasing inequality etc. But is the answer to simply double down on rehashing the old arguments like capitalism vs communism? Practice shows neither are viable in the real world in their pure forms. One does not account for humanity’s compassion, and the other for its ambition. 

We have learned so much since those ideas first emerged. It’s time for our leaders to move on from tired and unimaginative arguments that are not fit for purpose, take the learnings and the new tools, really take time to understand the art of the possible, and help us unite to build something wonderful.