Is this a tipping point?
According to the Wikipedia definition: “In sociology, a tipping point is a point in time when a group—or many group members—rapidly and dramatically changes its behavior by widely adopting a previously rare practice.”
If we are, then we have two choices: Either we make the necessary changes to behave rationally, to assure our survival, or we go down with our inability to adapt, and become extinct as a species.
So, are we near one in world history?
It seems like that, at least to this alarmist of human behavior.
Let’s look at the possible tipping points.
In climate change we are rapidly approaching the point of no return, after which the runaway climate conditions make it impossible for humans to mitigate or to adapt.
In the pandemic: Since human beings can’t change their behavior patterns sufficiently to prevent exponential acceleration of the disease, we are facing a massive, world-wide death toll.
In word politics, where the USA, Russia and China are on a collision course to start the next arms race of the planet, with the potential of a major nuclear war erupting, either by accident or by design.
In racial relations in which the dominant white population is in a historical confrontation with the people of colour who are fed up with the exploitation and the brutality of the dominating economic and political forces.
In economics, where the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots reached a historical level, people are fed up with being squeezed to the point of desperation.
In religion, where the fanaticism of fundamentalist religions is strangling and brutalizing the skeptical masses.
In science where the brainwashed masses increasingly doubt and reject solid scientific theories, trying to save their lives, but rushing to see the nearest doctor at the first sign of trouble.
In technology where the complexity of our systems in electronics, computer software, AI, finance, medicine, agriculture, biology and communication has reached the level where no human being can control it any more (see plane crashes due to 'software glitch').
Have I missed anything? If I have, please let me know.
If we are, then we have two choices: Either we make the necessary changes to behave rationally, to assure our survival, or we go down with our inability to adapt, and become extinct as a species.
So, are we near one in world history?
It seems like that, at least to this alarmist of human behavior.
Let’s look at the possible tipping points.
In climate change we are rapidly approaching the point of no return, after which the runaway climate conditions make it impossible for humans to mitigate or to adapt.
In the pandemic: Since human beings can’t change their behavior patterns sufficiently to prevent exponential acceleration of the disease, we are facing a massive, world-wide death toll.
In word politics, where the USA, Russia and China are on a collision course to start the next arms race of the planet, with the potential of a major nuclear war erupting, either by accident or by design.
In racial relations in which the dominant white population is in a historical confrontation with the people of colour who are fed up with the exploitation and the brutality of the dominating economic and political forces.
In economics, where the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots reached a historical level, people are fed up with being squeezed to the point of desperation.
In religion, where the fanaticism of fundamentalist religions is strangling and brutalizing the skeptical masses.
In science where the brainwashed masses increasingly doubt and reject solid scientific theories, trying to save their lives, but rushing to see the nearest doctor at the first sign of trouble.
In technology where the complexity of our systems in electronics, computer software, AI, finance, medicine, agriculture, biology and communication has reached the level where no human being can control it any more (see plane crashes due to 'software glitch').
Have I missed anything? If I have, please let me know.
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For what it's worth, I don't think we're in any historically unprecedented situation, in terms of tipping points. I bet people during the Cold War, WW2, WW1, the Inquisition, the Fall of Constantinople, the Crusades, you name it, thought they lived in unique times. History has proved that you can't quantify (or perhaps even qualify) progress or degeneration. History has also proved, again and again, that the vast majority of people are inane, stupid, and — more crucially — willing to devour anyone marginally weaker than themselves to secure their own meager position.
From an external perspective, one difference between now (or rather the past 70 years) and earlier times is that the human species can now bring about its own complete annihilation. But from an internal perspective — that of any member of this species — it makes little difference whether they die as a result of a nuclear blast, hunger resulting from climate change, hunger resulting from a king hoarding resources, a virus, or someone cracking their skull.
Species come, species go. This one, too, will disappear one day. The method is, frankly, something that isn't too significant.
"Here's Tom with the weather!"