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In a world teetering on the brink of catastrophe with shared existential challenged coupled with boundless opportunities, The Unity Pledge emerges as an alternative path to our fear- and hate-fueled tribalism. It represents a stepping stone to connect America's deep divides and chart a course toward a more unified and resilient nation. As global crises mount and internal fractures widen, this pledge offers a bold vision for transcending our differences and harnessing our collective strength. We, the people, have the power to transform our political landscape. By supporting only those leaders who commit to this Unity Pledge—a solemn vow to prioritize reducing polarization—we create a powerful incentive for unity. This grassroots approach could revolutionize our political dialogue, shifting from divisive rhetoric to collaborative problem-solving. By choosing not to elect anyone who refuses to sign, we send a clear message: unity is non-negotiable. Born from the urgent need to address our growing polarization, this pledge is not just a set of lofty ideals—it's a practical roadmap for transforming our political culture. It calls on leaders and citizens alike to prioritize national unity, embrace diverse perspectives, and harness the power of emerging technologies like AI for the greater good. The Unity Pledge is a living document, designed to evolve with input from Americans across the political spectrum. It serves as a prototype for what's possible when we combine human wisdom with technological innovation to address our most pressing challenges. By reducing polarization, we can repurpose time, money, and energy towards improving lives. For a deeper dive into the philosophy behind this pledge, explore The Unity Imperative series or you can read a summary of The Unity Imperative here . But for now, let's cut to the chase—here's The Unity Pledge in its current form: The Unity Pledge   In this era of unprecedented global interconnectedness, we, the undersigned, recognize that the challenges facing our nation demand a new level of unity and cooperation. Our digital age has brought us closer together than ever before, yet paradoxically, we find ourselves increasingly divided. We acknowledge that this hyperconnected world, driven by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, necessitates a unified approach to problem-solving. We cannot solve collective problems with divided approaches in an interconnected world. Because we are connected, our problems are all collective. Guided by the wisdom of our forebears, the universal truths that bind all people, and the urgent needs of our time, we pledge to uphold these ten principles: 1.     Forge Unbreakable National Unity We affirm that a united nation is an unshakeable force for progress and prosperity. We commit to placing the well-being of our country above partisan interests, understanding that our strength lies in our ability to work together despite our differences. We recognize that while we may disagree on methods, we share the common goal of a thriving America. 2.     Celebrate the Symphony of Diverse Thought We honor the rich tapestry of ideas and perspectives that make up our great nation. We pledge to listen to and respect those with whom we disagree, recognizing that diversity of thought is not just a hallmark of democracy but a crucial driver of innovation and societal advancement. We commit to creating an environment where all voices can be heard and considered. 3.     Build Bridges Across Divides We commit to actively finding areas of agreement across party lines. We will strive to build bridges of understanding, focusing on our shared hopes for a better America rather than on our points of disagreement. We recognize that compromise is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our commitment to progress and the greater good. 4.     Elevate the Discourse of Democracy We pledge to raise the level of public debate, rejecting divisive rhetoric and personal attacks. We will engage in respectful dialogue, recognizing that civil discourse is essential for a healthy democracy. We commit to disagreeing without being disagreeable, understanding that how we communicate is as important as what we communicate. 5.     Cultivate Empathy as Our Foundation We pledge to make genuine efforts to understand the perspectives, concerns, and experiences of all Americans. We recognize that empathy is the bedrock of true unity in our diverse nation. We commit to stepping out of our own shoes and seeing the world through the eyes of our fellow citizens, even when their views differ from our own. 6.     Unite for Transformative Results We commit to working across party lines to address pressing issues facing our nation. We will prioritize bipartisan solutions and measure our success by problems solved and progress made, not by political points scored. We recognize that effective leadership is not about avoiding compromise but about finding common ground to achieve meaningful results for the American people, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. 7.     Harness Artificial Intelligence Skillfully We acknowledge that AI is a civilization-altering technology with the potential to bring about unprecedented good or harm. Unlike any technology before it, AI has the power to reshape our society, economy, and very way of life. We pledge to support the ethical development and use of AI to bridge divides, foster understanding, and find innovative solutions to our shared challenges, while balancing innovation with necessary security measures. We commit to a united approach in leveraging AI to address seemingly intractable problems and, most crucially, the polarization that divides us and prevents us from seeing ourselves in others. 8.     Champion Truth as Our Guiding Light We commit to honesty and transparency in our words and actions. We understand that we must pursue Truth because it sets us free—free from the suffering caused by illusions and misperceptions of reality. We will strive to base our decisions on factual information and rigorous analysis, rejecting misinformation and distortions that serve to divide us. We pledge to admit our mistakes and correct our course when necessary, recognizing that humility and adaptability are strengths, not weaknesses. 9.     Unleash the Potential of All Americans We affirm that the strength of our nation lies in the diverse contributions of all its citizens. We pledge to foster an environment where every American, regardless of background, can contribute to and benefit from our nation's prosperity through equal opportunity, hard work, and merit. We commit to policies that create pathways for all to pursue their dreams and reach their chosen potential. We recognize that when we enable each individual to succeed, our entire nation thrives. 10.  Safeguard Our Democratic Heritage We commit to upholding the democratic institutions that form the bedrock of our republic, including free and fair elections, peaceful transitions of power, and the rule of law. We pledge to strengthen these institutions, recognizing that a robust democracy requires active participation and unwavering commitment from both leaders and citizens. We also affirm the importance of state and local governance in our federal system, respecting the balance between national unity and local autonomy. The Unity Imperative In our interconnected world, we face a profound truth: collective problems demand unified solutions. The challenges before us are extraordinary, calling for an equally extraordinary response - unity. This is not just an ideal, but a practical necessity. The Unity Imperative recognizes that our fates are inextricably linked, transcending boundaries of politics, geography, and ideology. It calls us to embrace a freedom from fear and hate, coupled with the freedom to love. By answering this call, we transform our diversity from a source of division into a wellspring of strength and innovation. The Unity Imperative is our guiding light, showing us that in unity, we find not just survival, but the path to collective thriving. It's the Truth we've always known, yet have failed to fully embrace. The time is now because the challenges of this modern world, and the science-fiction world we are creating for ourselves inherently necessitate a much greater level of unity than humanity is showing right now. Wisdom from Our Past In making this pledge, we draw inspiration from the wisdom found across various traditions and from the words of those who have shaped our nation. We are reminded of John Adams, who warned: " There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution ." We recall Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful insight: " We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now ." This sentiment captures the essence of Our Unity Pledge – a recognition that despite our diverse origins and perspectives, our fates are inextricably linked in our interconnected world. The Ongoing Work of Unity We also heed the words of our Founding Fathers, who spoke of "self-evident truths" and the pursuit of a "more perfect union." These concepts remind us that the work of unity is ongoing, requiring constant effort and recommitment. We recognize that for these "United" States to succeed, we must find a careful balance between individual liberty and collective unity, especially as we face the challenges of globalization and rapid technological change. Our Commitment to Action By signing this Unity Pledge, we commit ourselves to these principles not just in word, but in deed. We understand that unity does not mean uniformity , but rather a harmonious integration of our diverse strengths and perspectives towards common goals. We acknowledge that we all want to be happy and for this nation to thrive, but our differences in envisioning a "great" America and how to achieve it means that our focus must be on finding common ground rather than on "winning" or "defeating" the other side. We commit to being leaders who unite rather than divide, who build bridges rather than walls, and who always strive to put the interests of the nation as a whole above narrow partisan concerns. We recognize that a better and stronger America is a more united America, and that mutual hatred is the real enemy, not each other . As one of our Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, wisely recognized, " We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately ." Accountability and Empowerment We invite the American people to hold us accountable to this pledge. We recognize that our actions, more than our words, will demonstrate our commitment. We understand that by choosing to support leaders who embody these ideals of unity and cooperation, the American people have the power to shape a political culture that truly serves the common good. The Power of Unity: Our Solemn Vow We close with a profound truth, hidden within a well-known warning: There is deep wisdom in the teaching that "a house divided cannot stand." However, embedded in this caution is an even more powerful truth. The converse is true as well: A house united will not fall . It is this unity, this coming together despite our differences, that will ensure our nation not only stands but thrives in the face of any challenge. Together, we can overcome the obstacles that face us. United, we can build a stronger, more prosperous, and more just America for all. This is Our Unity Pledge, our commitment, and our solemn vow to the American people. We will not, and cannot, fail the dream of our Founding Fathers by creating enemies out of our neighbors . For in our unity lies our strength, our resilience, and our path to a brighter future for all. We are America. United We Stand, Together We Thrive! This pledge represents a bold step towards realizing The Unity Imperative . It's a commitment to prioritize national unity, embrace diversity of thought, seek common ground, and harness the power of AI for the greater good. A Call to Collective Action: Forging America's Future If this article resonates deeply with you, if these are truths you already know, please share it widely. For the first time in human history, we have the technologies to help create the world that visionaries like John Lennon could only imagine. By spreading this message, you become part of a movement that could create the brighter future we've always dreamed of. My Fellow Human Beings, there is only One Unity! This profound truth underpins our tentatively named "One Unity Movement." But unity cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires collective action, shared vision, and unwavering commitment from all of us. We need more than just readers—we need visionaries, connectors, and change-makers. We need you. Whether you're a leader with resources, a connector with a vast network, or a passionate citizen ready to make a difference, your contribution is crucial. If you possess the influence, expertise, or resources to turn this vision into reality, I urge you to reach out. Visit https://www.connectwithdrmikebrooks.com/ and fill out the contact form. Share your ideas and vision for a united America. Help us refine and grow The One Unity Movement as we work together to forge a path towards greater unity. Together, we can architect a system that amplifies the voice of every American and ushers in a new age of democratic engagement. We can create the kind of unity that encompasses everyone, transcends tribalism, and meets the challenges of our interconnected world. The time for unity is now ! The power to change our nation's course is in our hands. Let's embark on this extraordinary journey—together. https://www.connectwithdrmikebrooks.com/contact-us United We Stand, Together We Thrive!

A Very, Very Mad World " The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. " --- Lady Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Many of us, including me, feel like we are living in a very, very mad world. Despite the incredible progress humanity has made over the centuries, we are seeing some extremely strange and worrisome problems. As we collectively peer into our future, many of us don't like what we see. Our children are growing up in a swiftly evolving digital world that didn't exist when we were young. This rapid technological change, coupled with global challenges, is affecting our mental health and social fabric in ways we're only beginning to understand. We're seeing increases in mental health problems, loneliness, and suicide rates among various groups, raising questions about the impact of our increasingly digital life. Even as our screens provide amazing options and connectivity, there's widespread pessimism about the future among people in affluent countries. We face an alarming number of intricate, morphing societal challenges that contribute to our worries, stress, and negativity. Unfortunately, there are valid reasons to be worried  about our collective future. These challenges span various aspects of our lives and society, including: ·        Climate change & environmental degradation ·        Increasing political polarization ·        Wars in the Ukraine and Middle East ·        The omnipresent possibility of nuclear war ·        A recent pandemic ·        Increasing wealth inequality ·        Culture wars ·        The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) ·        The spread of fake news, deep fakes, misinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories ·        A 2024 United States presidential election that terrifies both sides equally "I can't believe the news today. I can't close my eyes and make it go away. How long, how long must we sing this song? How long?" -- from the song , Sunday, Bloody Sunday, by U2 The societal problems we see as we doomscroll on our phones affect us at the individual level. The scary stories that target each of us through algorithms of attention trapture  get more likes, clicks, shares, outrage...and money for those who pull the strings. Fear and hate are profitable…at least in the short-run.   (A quick aside – The journey that led me to The Unity Imperative reads like Slumdog Millionaire meets Ready Player One. That mind-blowing backstory, which deeply informs these ideas, is one we’ll explore as we go along. Here is the short version of The Unity Imperative and the video is below. This Unity Imperative series is the long version. I'd write a book, but there simply isn't enough time). The Divided States of America: A Manifestation of Global Division " A house divided against itself cannot stand. " - Abraham Lincoln, inspired by the words of Jesus Nowhere is this global madness more evident than in the United States, where we approach a monumental 2024 presidential election. Millions of Americans on both sides of the political divide are gripped by fear and foreboding. Recent events like the assassination attempt on a former president and the January 6th Capitol riot are extremely alarming canaries in the coal mine. These aren't isolated incidents but symptoms of a deep sickness within our country and, by extension, our world. The heart of America's problem, which reflects a larger global issue, is right in front of our collective noses: we are too divided . The existential angst we feel about this election reflects our level of polarization. If we were more united, we'd feel confident our country would continue to endure and prosper regardless of which president or party is leading the country. This chasm between us isn't just a political inconvenience— it's a ticking time bomb threatening the very foundations of our democracy . As our division widens, we edge closer to disaster. On some level, we all understand the deep wisdom contained within the idea " United we stand, divided we fall ." Yet, despite centuries of democracy and millennia of wisdom urging unity, we are allowing ourselves to become The Divided States of America . This stark contrast between our foundational ideals and our current reality underscores the urgency of our situation. Our division cripples our ability to address looming global crises such as climate change, technological disruption, and geopolitical tensions. We are left weaker and more vulnerable as we squander our energies and resources. In America, land of the free, we squander our liberty on bitter infighting rather than uniting to conquer our shared challenges. This tragic irony threatens our very future. This is not the best America has to offer. Our true strength emerges when we stand united, not divided. To understand how we've strayed so far from our ideals, we must examine the forces eroding our democracy. The Erosion of Democracy: A Technological and Social Divide In America and elsewhere, democracies are struggling. We are seeing an unsettling amount of social unrest, and there is a disconcerting rise in totalitarianism, extremism on both sides, and even anti-Semitism. The Left and Right have come to equally mistrust, fear, hate, and despise one another. At national and global levels, our inability to recognize our shared humanity and work together for the collective good should concern us all. This disconnect is exacerbated by the breakneck pace of technological change. Our technological evolution zooms past our biological evolution. We are like toddlers learning to walk while our inventions sprint ultramarathons . Alarmingly, our moral, spiritual, and cultural progress are also being left behind in the digital dust of our technological triumphs. This rocketing disparity fuels our societal challenges and produces much of our suffering. Our hyper-connected, screen-based world is now filled with echo chambers, filter bubbles, infectious outrage, clickbait, surveillance capitalism, disinformation, misinformation, deepfakes, and endless doomscrolling. These are not challenges we evolved to overcome. Moreover, as we chase digital red herrings of happiness , this often comes at the expense of meeting our basic evolutionary needs. These include sleep, physical activity, time in nature, and, perhaps most importantly, in-person social interactions. While human beings are incredibly adaptive, we have our limits. When our fundamental needs are not met adequately, we will suffer. Our digital world is reshaping our society and individual psyches in ways we can't comprehend, let alone adapt. Are these soaring technological capabilities inadvertently causing us to devolve into fear, anger, hatred, and tribalism? How are our societal and individual struggles interconnected in this new digital landscape? As if it weren’t already challenging living within this fast-paced digital world, we've created artificial intelligence that evolves at an exponential rate. This AI revolution stands poised to radically transform every facet of our existence, from the very nature of work to the core of our decision-making processes. A tsunami of change is about to wash over the entire human race . Think of it as 1000 years of climate change taking place in the next 5 years. We are not ready.  Like modern-day Frankensteins, we've engineered technologies beyond our control. We've failed to learn from our countless cautionary tales. “ The insanity of the collective egoic mind, amplified by science and technology, is rapidly taking our species to the brink of disaster. Evolve or die: that is our choice now.  “ – Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher Tolle's warning echoes Our Unity Imperative. We must evolve spiritually, transcending our tribal instincts to unite, or risk falling victim to the very progress we've achieved. The Perils of Progress: From Thoreau to AI Yet, as we look around the world today, we are understandably worried that we lack the collective insight to wield this power responsibly. As poet and naturalist Henry David Thoreau warned about the industrial revolution of his era, we have “ improved means to unimproved ends .” Just as Thoreau warned of unchecked industrialization, we now face an even greater peril: ensuring our technological progress serves humanity rather than annihilates it. Ironically, our tools of progress may be undermining the very social prosperity they were designed to enhance. The shared teachings of love, compassion, and unity across many religions, as well as our Founding Fathers' cautions regarding political division, seem forgotten. America is not getting better at democracy. We face a decline that threatens the very foundations of our United States and serves as a stark warning to the world . From this perspective, the presidential candidates are not the problem. Rather, they are lightning rods of both hope and fear. Each side blames America’s struggles and woes on the “Other Side.” In doing so, both sides co-create the real problem. So, what is the real problem? At this stage of our democracy, each side would rather vote for a flaming pile of dung than for someone on the dreaded “Other Side.” We view those across the political fence as existential threats rather than fellow Americans with different views. Our Founding Fathers, with their profound foresight, warned us about the perils of polarization. Although their words are centuries old, they cut through time with razor-sharp relevance: " A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points... have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good ." - James Madison " There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution .” – John Adams As we face this erosion of our democratic ideals, we must remember that unity is not just a lofty goal, but a fundamental part of our national identity. It's time to recall the ideals upon which American greatness is founded. We must reclaim the truth that "United" is the very essence of our strength . In this era of unprecedented challenges, our ability to come together may well determine our fate as a nation. It is only through unity that we can hope to harness our technological advances for the greater good. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they enhance, rather than erode or destroy , our democratic ideals. How Do We Make America Better? We have forgotten the Truth that “United” is America’s first name – the very ideal upon which our greatness is founded. We are not “The Freedom States of America” for good reason. Our nation's original motto, "E pluribus unum" - meaning "Out of many, One" - captures this fundamental truth. It's the glue that binds our diverse states and people into a single, unified nation. Our Founding Fathers understood that we experience the greatest freedom in our nation when unity comes first. Our ability to exercise freedom within these United States depends on America’s unity. " We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. " - Benjamin Franklin, A Founding Father of America Our degree of division is inherently incompatible with the demands of our complex, interconnected world . This disconnect between our knowledge and our actions is at the root of much of our suffering. However, in this complex world, it's easy to lose sight of the truths we need to light our way forward. Thus, our liberation doesn't come from discovering new truths, but in finally putting into practice the timeless wisdom we've always known. “ All secrets are open secrets. Nothing is hidden, nothing can be revealed. People can only be told what they already know, but they might not be conscious of their knowledge .” Camden Banares, from Zen Without Zen Masters Living the Truths we already know is our path to freedom from the cycle of hatred and division that both the Left and Right are trapped within. Unity is the most skillful path forward into our collective future . However, unity can only be achieved when we are able to see ourselves in others. In turn, connecting with others through our shared humanity enables us to love our neighbors, (i.e., everyone) as ourselves. Balancing Unity and Diversity: The American Challenge is Universal Vilifying fellow Americans, our neighbors, because of our differences will not create the level of unity necessary to navigate the challenges of this modern world. We must quit "othering" our neighbors. Achieving greater unity necessitates that we prioritize what connects us over what differentiates us. The Evolutionary Tightrope: Unity and Freedom Our struggle to balance unity and diversity is not just an American challenge—it's a universal human dilemma rooted in our evolutionary past. Our ancestors walked a precarious tightrope: they needed the safety and support of the tribe for survival, yet also required individual freedom to make choices ensuring personal survival. This delicate equilibrium between unity and freedom was forged in the crucible of our evolutionary history. Unity came first—without the tribe, there was no survival. But nested within this unity, freedom and individuality were equally crucial. This balance emerged through evolutionary forces, becoming integral to our very nature. The deeply ingrained balance was established in an ancient world. That primitive world moved at a glacial pace compared to our modern era. This evolutionary legacy is why finding life balance in our rapidly-evolving technological world feels like trying to juggle ten balls while running on an accelerating treadmill. Modern Times, Ancient Minds " The dilemma of humanity is this: we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology ." - E.O. Wilson, Harvard University biologist From an evolutionary standpoint, we've leaped from small tribal groups to vast, complex societies in the blink of an eye. Our modern, digital world, with its dizzying array of multiplying choices and connections, is like an alien planet. Yet, a very deep part of us - let's call it our scared little monkey within—is still trying to navigate this alien landscape with our ancient instincts. Imagine dropping a Neanderthal in the middle of Times Square on New Year's Eve. They would go crazy from a mind-boggling sensory overload. This is not far from how a deep part of our psyche experiences our hyper-connected, ever-changing modern world. Our neural circuitry, fine-tuned over millennia for a world of savannas and tribes, now finds itself in a bewildering landscape of pixels and global networks. This mismatch between our ancient programming and our rapidly-evolving technological world explains why modern life often feels so chaotic and why we sometimes revert to tribal thinking in a global society. It's as if we're trying to run cutting-edge software on hardware that hasn't been updated in 200,000 years. Balancing Act in an Earthquake Now, we face an unprecedented challenge. We're trying to maintain this delicate balance between unity and freedom while technological change shakes the very ground beneath our feet. It's as if we're attempting a high-wire act during an earthquake. The pace of change, particularly in our digital world, is outstripping our ability to adapt. We're left feeling unmoored, struggling to find our footing in a world that seems to shift faster than we can comprehend. This rapid change is at the heart of why it often seems like the world is going crazy. What’s happening in a nutshell is this – we’ve created a crazy world, and it is beginning to drive us all a little crazy.   America's Challenge: A Universal Human Struggle The American experiment requires a delicate balance: cherishing our freedom to be diverse while maintaining our essential unity. We cannot claim to love freedom yet reject the diversity it naturally produces. Equally, we cannot champion diversity while dismissing those whose views differ from our own.  In this way, conservatives who reject differing expressions of freedom and liberals who don't accept those who hold different ideas of inclusion fall into the same trap of hypocrisy. Yet, when we take a step back, we can see that the hypocrisy on both sides of the political spectrum reflects our shared humanity. Our virtues and flaws follow us wherever we go. Our humanity transcends all artificial political and tribal boundaries. Our shared challenge is to embrace the full spectrum of our differences without losing sight of our fundamental sameness. This means creating a unity that doesn't demand uniformity, and celebrating a diversity that doesn't fracture our connectedness. In essence, we must learn to disagree without disconnecting and differ without dividing. At our core, we are all human beings on a journey to survive and thrive, along with our loved ones, as best we know how. This shared human experience is the bedrock of our inherent interconnectedness. By overfocusing on our individuality and uniqueness, we lose sight of our common humanity. Our shared challenge is this: We cannot allow the numerator of our differences to become greater than the denominator of our sameness . This Truth of our shared humanity creates the foundation for celebrating diversity while embracing unity. To fully embrace this Truth, we must transcend the deeply rooted tribalism within our evolutionary history. " The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion ." – Thomas Paine, American Founding Father As we navigate this universal human struggle, we must remember that our ability to find balance—between unity and freedom, between our ancient instincts and our modern realities—may well determine our collective future. The American challenge is, in truth, humanity's challenge. Unity: The Path to a Better America America cannot sustain greatness, and might not even survive as a nation, if we don’t reduce our toxic levels of polarization. We've lost sight of the “us” in U.S., and we're paying the price for this division. It's not a Right or  Left problem. It's a Right and  Left problem. Unity is not just desirable – it’s imperative for our survival. Given that we are all human beings trying our best to navigate the challenges of this world to find happiness, trying to determine which side is "more right" or "more wrong" is like arguing over which end of a sinking ship should be saved first. It's not only futile - it's counterproductive to our shared goal of staying afloat. From this perspective, while America is already “great” by many metrics, we can still be better  than we are. There is room for improvement. The key to making America better is through greater unity . Hidden within Jesus’ teaching that “A house divided cannot stand” is perhaps an even more profound truth. The converse must also be true: A house united cannot fall. The message is clear - together, we can forge a path to a stronger, more united America.   Unity Isn’t Uniformity It's crucial to understand that unity does not mean conformity . Prioritizing unity isn't about suppressing individual freedoms or creating some homogeneous Brave New World . On the contrary, it's about fostering a harmonious environment where our differences can coexist and thrive. This allows our freedoms to find their fullest expression. By embracing this true unity, we liberate ourselves from the most insidious attachment that plagues our human existence: hate. True unity allows for diversity of thought and action within a framework of mutual respect and shared goals. We're not aiming for a world of identical beliefs, but one where diverse perspectives contribute to our collective thriving and happiness. The greatest freedom we could ever know is freedom to  love coupled with freedom from fear and hate. As U2 reminds us in their anthem, One , “We're one, but we're not the same. We get to carry each other.” This is the essence of unity – not erasing our differences but embracing them while recognizing our fundamental interconnectedness. This echoes our earlier point about not letting the numerator of our differences become greater than the denominator of our sameness. Unity doesn't mean erasing what makes us unique. It means recognizing that our shared humanity is greater than our individual differences. To understand this on a more personal level, let's consider our own romantic relationships. Have you ever tried determining who is more at fault for your arguments and conflicts or who contributes “more” to the relationship? We all know firsthand that this is an exercise in futility…or perhaps even in masochism. We don't win such arguments. We both lose. “ The only winning move is not to play .” - Tagline from the movie, WarGames Thus, we must choose being "effective" over trying to be "right" and compromise for the collective good. This is how we have healthy, adult relationships in real life. In this important regard, America is failing . We, as the Right and  Left, are in a dysfunctional marriage, endlessly bickering and blaming each other instead of working together to build a stronger household. We're squandering our time, energy, and resources on petty fights instead of investing those in our shared future. As we face unprecedented challenges in our rapidly changing world, the need for unity has never been greater. The Urgency of Unity The toxic levels of polarization are tearing at the very fabric of our society and undermining the foundations of democracy. The challenges of this world, and the sci-fi world we are creating for ourselves, necessitate a much greater level of unity than humanity is showing right now . Alarmingly, as our rapidly changing world becomes more interconnected and our challenges more complex, America is moving in precisely the wrong direction . Our increasing polarization is the antithesis of what we need. While the world demands greater cooperation and unity to solve our shared, global issues, we're devolving into tribal groups. We are erecting walls instead of building bridges. This divergence between our nation's trajectory and the world's needs is not just counterproductive— it could be our undoing . We cannot solve collective problems with divided approaches in an interconnected world. We are caught in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Both the Left and Right live in collective fear of one another within our shared country. We might end up destroying the wonderful nation we claim to cherish as we try to defeat our fellow human beings who are on the despised other side. In this way, we are like two gigantic Red and Blue toddlers breaking the very toys we're fighting over . It’s as if we’ve somehow forgotten how to share and compromise. Another way to think about our political infighting is as if we had our Right and Left arms attack one another to see which side "wins." We forget that they are connected to the same body, and that WE inherently suffer from having them fight. Moreover, we can't use those same arms to be productive when they are too busy fighting one another. Think of the amount of energy we waste fighting one another incessantly instead of working together for the common good. Our beloved "United" States is devolving into tribalism. Our greatest enemy is ourselves. We are rotting from within . This division is jeopardizing the very principles upon which our democracy stands and deeply undermining the core of our society. To paraphrase the late, great cosmologist Carl Sagan, the extraordinary challenges (of our rapidly evolving world) require extraordinary unity (within our increasingly interconnected, yet more fractured, society). My Fellow Human Beings, the stakes are existential, and time is of the essence. This is The Unity Imperative. The Path to Unity: Confronting Our Divide To chart a path towards unity, we must confront the psychology driving our division. Why do we cling to this self-destructive cycle? The answer lies in a toxic brew of fear, misperception, and a growing blindness to our shared humanity. As we continue this journey, we can use these timeless words of wisdom light our way: " The only way to tackle a problem is to understand it, and understanding begins with an honest and open search for the truth, however painful that truth may be. " - C.P. Snow, British scientist and novelist " The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it emotionally ." - Flannery O'Connor, American novelist " Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less ." – Marie Curie, physicist In our next installment, we'll confront uncomfortable truths that hold the key to our future. A clearer understanding of the psychology that creates our division enables us to bridge the chasms between us. The One Unity Movement: A Call to Action The Unity Imperative needs to spark a movement. So, let’s do this . The One Unity Movement is born today, and we need you to be a part of it. You can become part of ending toxic polarization right now. When someone asks, "What side are you on?" Simply respond, " I'm on the side of unity ." Looking for something to rebel against? Rebel against division. Be a rebel for unity . By siding with unity, we automatically end division. Polarization needs another side to push back against, but unity gives it nothing to oppose. We've been approaching our problems backwards by trying to solve issues while we are too divided . Instead, we must start with reducing polarization, perhaps by only voting for politicians who make a Unity Pledge. This empowers us to work on our shared challenges together. Calling All Connectors If this message resonates deeply with you and you have the power to amplify it, we need you. Are you an influencer, a thought leader, or someone with connections to those who can make a difference? If you know people in high places or have a network that can help spread this message, reach out. I can't create the One Unity Movement alone. Together, we can turn this vision into a reality. The Unity Imperative: Our Shared Journey The path ahead is challenging, but it's a journey we must take together. Our future—as a nation and as a species—hangs in the balance. Our Unity Imperative calls us to Level Up, and we can only answer that call as one. Remember, as we forge ahead: " There is no fate but what we make for ourselves ." – from The Terminator  series Join The One Unity Movement today. Because in a world of division, being one is not just a choice - it's our imperative. Together, we can transform our world, one connection at a time. United We Stand, Together We Thrive! Please subscribe to my blog (it’s free!). My plan is to have a new blog every week, with accompanying videos. The Unity Imperative is my purpose.

“The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.” —  Lady Galadriel from the movie, “The Fellowship of the Ring” Greetings, my fellow connectors! As you look around at what is happening in our world these days, are you the type of person who wonders, “What the hell is going on? Is the world going mad? Are we headed in the wrong direction? Where is all this “progress” taking us anyway?” We are being bombarded relentlessly these days with information, content, change, and negativity. As we doomscroll through threats such as climate change, political polarization, the proliferation of artificial intelligence, UFO claims, rising mental health problems, wars, mass shootings, a recent pandemic, economic instability, and natural disasters, we often feel like we can’t keep our collective heads above water. It’s a dizzying whirlwind, and it is as if life is going off the rails. We feel that the stakes are getting higher and higher as humanity is being forced to navigate mind-bogglingly complex and unfolding challenges. If such thoughts and concerns overwhelm you, trust me, you are not alone . I’m right there with you. There’s been some kind of change or shift in recent decades, and it’s not in a good way. While there are certainly countless wonderful things about our modern world, we know there is something wrong as well. We can feel it . “Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad .” — Morpheus to Neo from the movie, “The Matrix” We know this truth: We are only seeing the tips of some very formidable icebergs in front of us.  Many of these icebergs - these obstacles - are likely to become even more difficult to manage over time, such as evolving and proliferating artificial intelligence and worsening global climate change. Yet, we are simultaneously experiencing growing and troublesome levels of polarization in America  and elsewhere around the world. What worries many of us is that we are not seeing the level of unity necessary to overcome these complicated, imposing, evolving, but shared challenges.  Humanity — we need to bring our “A-Game” to these challenges in order to navigate them skillfully. Let me put it this way. While we are not doomed, how skillfully we manage these thorny challenges and problems determines our level of suffering versus happiness. “We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.”  — Martin Luther King, Jr. If I am describing how you feel, then I’m inviting you to join me on an ambitious journey. Like Neo in The Matrix , we must take the red pill, fearlessly confront reality, and dig deep to understand what’s really happening. By pursuing truth and a better understanding of reality, of how both we and our world work, we can uncover the underlying causes of our problems and navigate life’s challenges more effectively. If this resonates with you, then this series is meant for you, my fellow explorer. Please join me, and let’s see how deep this rabbit hole goes. Welcome to my new Medium series! “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” —  Socrates What Do I Mean by “Crazy” World? “When I say this world is ‘crazy,’ I mean that it often seems chaotic and overwhelming. Here’s my main point though: Sometimes we fault ourselves for struggling to cope. Many of us feel chronically stressed, anxious, depressed, frustrated, numb, hopeless, or unhappy. Here is what I want you to know —  we don’t have to feel bad for feeling bad . There’s nothing inherently wrong with us that we are frequently struggling. The great news is that we are not defective or losing our sanity. The issue is that our technological world is evolving so rapidly that many of us feel like leaves swirling within the chaotic winds of change. We struggle to grapple with the inherent challenges of this dynamic, hyper-connected modern age. From this perspective, here is the important reality to internalize. We are not going crazy — it is this world that is becoming “crazy,” and it is making us all a little crazy trying to keep up with it! It’s not our fault that we’re suffering while trying to keep up with the frenetic pace of this world. However, it is our problem  that we must tackle. This series aims to explore why we find ourselves struggling so much in this world and what steps we can take to achieve greater peace and happiness in a “crazy” world. My Preemptive Apology I must first apologize to you for the hypocrisy of being yet another  person vying for the most precious gift you could ever give me, or any other person: Your undivided attention . In so many ways, other people, the media, bots, and the algorithms of surveillance capitalist are in fierce competition with one another for this most precious commodity in the known universe. We are already inundated with a firehose of information. As I write, blog, tweet, present, etc., I become part of the insane system that I, in part, am railing against. I embody hypocrisy. Yet, this is the insane world in which we live. I either get on this crazy train, or I get left behind in the digital dust. In part, I think the push-pull that I’m describing is what is making us all a little bit crazy . I will elaborate on these ideas in my next articles for Medium . Would You Join Me on This Journey? Now, the onus is on me to earn the gift of your attention. I hope I can prove myself worthy of it. I have much to share, and I would like the opportunity to earn your precious gift. To this end, I would like to make a little deal with you. Are you ready to hear my pitch? I know this is asking a lot, but I will throw myself at your feet anyway. Please subscribe to my Medium  series and read my first five articles. I plan to write one article every week or two. So, I’m asking for roughly an hour of your time over the next 5–10 weeks. I realize that, with all of the competing needs and forces out there, this is actually a big ask. If you make this deal with me, I have five articles to convince you that at least some of these ideas are juicy nuggets worth considering, sharing, and putting into practice. With this Medium  series, I will be attempting to connect some BIG dots about what is going on in this world and the obstacles we have ahead of us. We’ll also explore what we must do to navigate some of the most difficult challenges humanity has ever faced. I will be shooting for the moon with this series. In this introductory article, I am laying the groundwork for what’s to come in this series. Future blogs will be shorter. I have a complete story arc to tell if you decide to join me. I am basically blogging an entire book, but I promise to break these ideas up into digestible nuggets. I have written one book that was published by Oxford University Press in 2018, Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World . Yet, trying to write and publish this  book will take too long. I have to get these ideas out, or I will soon drive myself and everyone around me mad. I am convinced that blogging my book is the way to go at this juncture. Perhaps I will consolidate this material into a book at some point, but I need to write one piece at a time. This is the way . I encourage you to stick with me, at least for a little while, because I will offer some fresh takes and overarching theories that could really resonate with you. While there are some sobering realities about our world that we must face, together we can explore different perspectives, theories, and solutions. By seeking to understand the complexities of our challenges, we can shed light on potential paths forward and work collaboratively to navigate this ever-changing landscape. “ The only way to solve a problem is to understand it, and understanding begins with an honest and open search for the truth, however painful that truth may be. ” — C. P. Snow, British novelist and scientist My Purpose in Life Is to Share These Ideas As strange as it may seem, I believe that a central purpose in my life is to share these thoughts and ideas with you . I write (and present) on these ideas without any intention of amassing followers, fortune, or fame. While I’d love to have people follow this series on Medium and share with others, my goal, my purpose, is to pass along these ideas. These ideas have become a story that I must share with others who are willing to join me on this journey. With full transparency, if I can figure out a way to earn enough money from writing and presenting to make a living, then I will be able to dedicate more time to this calling. However, I can’t let that distract me too much because then it might undermine my purpose to write! Therefore, I will just write and be open to what unfolds. The Treadmill of Life Doesn’t it often feel as if we are running on a treadmill in which the speed keeps increasing and we just can’t keep up? Over the past few years, I have experienced a growing feeling that the pace of life is accelerating. I’ve come to believe that both my life, and the world around me, have reached an inflection point. It’s as if life’s experiences have converged at this exact moment, compelling me to write. As if autonomously guided, my mind is piecing it all together, and generating what I call my “thought babies.” I first heard this term “thought babies” on an episode of the television series Brooklyn 99, and the term has become a favorite of mine ever since. I view what’s happened to me as a synchronicity that has resulted in me having a lot of thought babies and a conviction to share them through writing and presenting. When I connect the different thought babies, they tell a story. However, until I write and share these thought babies, it is as if they are in one, huge thought baby orphanage. These thought babies don’t have a home until I share them. So, that brings me to this moment right now — sharing these thought babies. A Concept Album of Thought Babies To be clear, we all have thought babies. They are like epiphanies or musical melodies that pop into our heads. They are probably born out of a complex interplay between our genetics, previous learning experiences, values, interests, and other variables. Yet, sometimes it feels as if there is a spiritual element to them, which defies explanation. Within the past few months, I have been experiencing these intriguing thought babies as loud, catchy melodies that I can’t help but hear and share. Folks, these thought babies have been singing to me. My good friend, a jazz musician, likens it to how musical ideas come to musicians. They’re melodies that evolve into songs, and now, for me, they’ve become a concept album of ideas. This series on Medium  is my concept album, in a manner of speaking. I am changing metaphors here, but I have connected these “thought baby” dots into a painting I want to show you — kind of like a pointillist painter. Let’s be unequivocally clear: I don’t claim to be unique or special for having “thought babies,” wanting to connect dots, or feeling compelled to share these ideas. There are countless others sharing similar ideas and their own thought babies. They have their own “concept albums” or “pointillist paintings” to share. In fact, I borrow or am inspired by countless other people, and I will try to cite them along the way whenever I can. In this regard, I am not creating the dots that I am connecting . I can only identify these “dots,” which represent ideas worth sharing, if they already existed in some form. Imagine that we are all explorers on different parts of some newly discovered island. We can only discover  new flora and fauna. We do not create them. You might discover them completely independent of me, but we can only discover what’s already there . As we embark on this journey, perhaps think of me as a musician in a small coffee shop or your favorite watering hole, passionately playing a set list of songs that might resonate with you. For my part, I feel compelled to put this concept album into the world through Medium  and then give it up to God, the Universe, or whatever. For my purpose is to share without any other goal or expectation, and I will strive to do just that. While I hope people like what I have to say, I cannot become attached to that because then I will be unable to say what I feel compelled to say. I hope this makes sense! My Personal Journey to Synchronicity I have another story to tell you. It’s the story of how I got to this point. To do it justice, I would need at least 10000 words, and I could probably write a stand alone book just on this journey! I would love to provide the backstory in full at some point because it explains why I feel so compelled to tell you the things I am going to be sharing with you throughout this series. In brief, I have been interested in science, spirituality, philosophy, religion, psychology, music, literature, pop culture, and science fiction since I can remember. Throughout the journey that I’ve been on, parts of me have often been at war with one another, particularly my scientific materialism with my spirituality and faith. However, over the years, these different interests, beliefs, and conflicts have converged and harmonized. I have come to some sort of peace and equilibrium. The once disparate elements have merged such that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Even as I was resolving some of my inner conflicts, I was growing more frustrated and discouraged over the past several years with our increasingly polarized political world. I felt, “We are devolving! Surely, humanity can do better than this!” As I was writing and presenting on some ideas to help us find greater unity, everything changed when I first tried ChatGPT, the first conversational AI of its kind, in early January of 2023. I knew AI was on the horizon but, like so many of us, I was expecting that it would be a few more years until it was ready for prime time. As soon as I tried ChatGPT, I went from “WOW!” to “OMG!” in an instant. My dot-connecting mind was madly trying to figure out the implications of what AI would mean for humanity. Disconcertingly, many of the dots that I could rationally connect went straight down some dystopian rabbit holes. For a month or two, I was in a weird headspace. However, I was able to make it through a foreboding tunnel and out the other side. That is its own story that is worth telling. I will try to weave parts of this backstory throughout the blog series. For now, we might say my backstory is a combination of the movie, Slumdog Millionaire  meets the book by Ernest Klein, Ready Player One  (which was later made into the Steven Spielberg movie). The synchronicities I experienced during this difficult journey form the foundation of this Medium  series. These same synchronicities also compel me to write, even if not many read what I write. My purpose is to write, and that’s just what I am going to do. You will see the references for my influences and cultural touchstones throughout this series. I will even place a few “Easter eggs” for those who like to catch some of my curious or esoteric references. The Concern Fueling My Compulsion to Write It is my firm conviction that, as a species, humanity stands at the edge of a knife. Amazing progress has been made over the past few hundred years, yet we face unprecedented, evolving challenges of mind-boggling complexity and scale. Frankly, I don’t know if humanity is ready for what we have ahead of us. To me, this is at the heart of the burning fire that compels me to write. This is why I am having the thought babies, my fellow truth-seekers. I am not claiming anything divine in the origin of the fire within me. I feel like it is a synchronicity of sorts that lit the fire that compels me to write. I have a 100% clear purpose for the first time in my life. While I can logically explain the reason for the synchronicity, the spiritual side of me…has some different feelings about it. Like I said, I could write a book on this journey alone! We Face Shared Big Challenges Ahead You might disagree with me completely about humanity’s ability to work together to overcome our big challenges, that AI is just another apocalyptic panic like the Y2K bug, and that there is no reason to worry. I understand why some people hold such views. That said, I can only speak for the truth as I see it. As I analyze our situation as carefully, honestly, and objectively as I am able, I keep landing on this concern at the root of it all: What I have seen in this world as of late has not given me great confidence that human beings will be able to work with the unity, wisdom, and skill that will be required to manage the challenges before us, particularly the evolving, proliferating power of artificial intelligence. To be totally honest, my fellow truth-seekers, my optimism is being stretched out like butter that has been scraped over too much bread. Strangely, while I am concerned about our future, I’m not paralyzed with worry. After all, fretting over uncontrollable factors won’t help. What truly matters is our collective ability to rise to these challenges, a task that starts with understanding and confronting them head-on. When I ask myself, “What can I do about these concerns?” the answer is that I must tell this story. This story includes why some of these challenges ahead will be particularly difficult for us and what we can do to overcome them. To paraphrase the great cosmologist, Carl Sagan, extraordinary challenges require extraordinary efforts . As I see it, the extraordinary challenges that lie ahead require great unity to navigate them skillfully and wisely. This, in turn, necessitates that we try to understand these challenges as clearly and objectively as we can. We cannot act skillfully if we don’t understand the problems we face. Thus, we must seek both truth and unity as we try to handle the challenges of this crazy world. “ Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free .” Jesus, from the Gospel of John, 8:32, The New Testament (King James Version) “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”  — Martin Luther King, Jr. Sharing Ideas with Humility “ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. ” — André Gide, French author and Nobel Laureate in Literature While I have a story, a concept album of ideas, to share, I do so with great humility because I believe that truth can be extremely elusive  in this complicated world. So, this puts me in the awkward position of feeling compelled to share ideas I consider important, while also acknowledging the need for appropriate caveats. I will try to support what I say with citations and references whenever possible. Also, while sometimes I will make claims and predictions with utmost conviction, I am not conflating what I believe to be true with actual truth. For instance, I might say something like, “I believe ________ will happen with 100% certainty,” but I must also admit I could be wrong. These two truths can coexist, so we must not conflate them. I am, in essence, saying that, based upon my knowledge and experience, this is the way I view things currently . I will be pulling from multiple disciplines and resources to support what I will be proposing and asserting. Many of these ideas are a lifetime in the making but, as I said, a fire was lit within me in recent years as our politics have become more toxic. The advent of generative, conversational AI has turned that smoldering concern into a roaring inferno. Here’s an analogy that might be useful. Imagine I’m a meteorologist who is predicting a busy hurricane season, and I see one forming in the Atlantic Ocean. At a certain point, I might express high confidence that it will make it to the shore, yet I might not be able to predict with great accuracy where it will hit and how much damage it will cause. My concept album of thought babies is about the “hurricane” of troubles I see coming our way, and what I believe we need to do to manage these challenges skillfully. I’m not alone in recognizing these challenges. Countless others see them as well. These folks are expressing their concerns, and have their own ideas about how to tackle such challenges. However, the way I weave these ideas together and the particular way in which I will tell this story will be relatively unique. This blog series in Medium  is the story, the concept album, I will be sharing. Let’s Explore and Engage Rather Than Argue In the spirit of truth-seeking in our complicated world, I invite you to join me in a journey free from argument and rigid thinking. I am not here to offend or to proclaim, “I’m right and you’re an idiot!” Instead, I wish to unite with fellow explorers and truth-seekers. If you enjoy arguing or have decided that you alone possess the truth, this series may not click with you. Similarly, if you are on the extreme end of the political spectrum, you might find this approach to flexibility challenging, or perhaps even unsettling. From the perspective I’m taking, extremism in any form can hinder the pursuit of truth in a complicated, dynamic world. Admittedly, and hypocritically, I sometimes inflexibly think that everyone needs to be more flexible! I have to keep that particular form of rigidity in check. That said, if you, too, fellow connector, let’s enjoy this journey together and support each another along the way. “ Not all those who wander are lost. ” — from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” I know that you, my fellow truth-seekers, already possess many ideas and insights of your own. Instead of an inflexible, dichotomous approach, let’s strive for a “both/and,” non-dualistic understanding. Challenge yourself to find agreement rather than reflexive disagreement. When strong feelings arise in response to what I am saying, approach those feelings within you with curiosity. What emotional triggers might my words be hitting? Are those reactions preventing you from considering other perspectives? Remember, we are seeking general or “squishy” truths that guide us to live the Good Life in this complex world. While there will always be exceptions and “Yes, but…” counterarguments to most things I’ll discuss, I encourage you to seek useful insights even in the parts where you may disagree. What This Story Will Cover I said I have a story to tell, and I want to provide the general outline for what I intend to cover. An important caveat here is that I might deviate from this outline somewhat as new ideas, “thought babies,” and technological/political developments arise. Each topic area will contain multiple parts or several articles. Each article in the Medium  series will probably be about 1500–2000 words long. In turn, each section will build upon the previous section, and I will attempt to create a very logical, reasonable flow from one idea to the next. I aim to post a new article every 1–2 weeks. Here is what I intend to cover within my story arc: The Search for Truth in a “Crazy” World : We will explore the critical role of truth-seeking as a compass to help us navigate our increasingly complicated reality. The Purpose Puzzle:  We will delve into existential questions about why we are here and what our purpose might be. Modernity Madness: We will examine how the complexities and rapid changes of the modern world contribute to widespread emotional and psychological distress. I will make a case as to why I believe our “crazy” world is driving us all a bit mad. The AI Conundrum:  We will explore how artificial intelligence poses unique and unprecedented challenges for humanity as it evolves and proliferates. Human Wisdom in the Age of AI:  I will make a case for why we need to harness and use the best of human wisdom to help guide us in the age of artificial intelligence. Unity in Diversity:  Based upon collective human wisdom for how to live “the Good Life,” I will propose actionable steps on individual and societal levels that could help us navigate the formidable challenges humanity has ahead of us. Ready to Take the Red Pill? “This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill — the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill — you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I’m offering is the truth. Nothing more.” —  Morpheus to Neo from the movie, “The Matrix” The “truth” that I am going to show you is not “THE truth.” The truths I will be discussing are not solely truths I am claiming as my own but are shared human truths (as I understand them). “All secrets are open secrets. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is revealed. People can only be told what they already know.” —  Camden Benares, from “Zen Without Zen Masters” As it says in Ecclesiastes within the Hebrew Bible, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The biblical writer wasn’t referring to smartphones and artificial intelligence, of course. The author was highlighting the idea that humanity’s struggles — stemming from greed, arrogance, pride, hatred, jealousies, and so on — have been consistent throughout history. Moreover, the wisdom for how we should live our lives has also been with us for thousands of years. In the Buddhist story where a finger points to the moon, with the moon symbolizing The Truth, we should not mistake the finger, or the person pointing to the Truth, with the moon, or actual Truth. I am but another finger pointing to the moon. But one thing I will do a little differently is I will not only point to the moon, but I will point to many of the other fingers pointing to the same moon. I believe that various spiritual, intellectual, and artistic traditions are pointing toward the same fundamental truths about how we should live in this world. Throughout my life, I’ve encountered these different perspectives — from Christianity, Buddhism, and Taoism, to philosophy, psychology, and the sciences (particularly evolutionary psychology and biology). It doesn’t just stop there. I find these profound truths in my favorite musicians, from U2 to Rush, my favorite movies, from Blade Runner  to Star Wars  and The Matrix . While I might include my personal favorites, my bet is that your favorites also point to these same truths. All these different fingers pointing to the same moon suggest that the truth is already within our grasp. My own unique experiences, with some mystery sprinkled in, have given rise to these “thought babies.” Therefore, in this series, I’ll weave in cultural touchstones that have enriched my understanding, because they’ve been the fertile ground from which these ideas have sprouted. As I said, think of it as a Slumdog Millionaire  meets Ready Player One  fusion of ideas — connecting disparate dots to form a coherent tapestry. Humanity faces mind-bogglingly difficult challenges ahead of us. We need to rise up to these challenges and work with greater unity than perhaps we ever have before. We are connected. Our unity is our strength, and division can be our undoing in the face of these existential challenges. As Jesus warned in the synoptic Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, Luke 11:17), “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” This story arc in Medium  is about why we need to “level up” and how. Few might read what I am going to say, but I feel compelled to try. Now, you are curious as to what on Earth I am going to say, aren’t you? Well, my fellow connectors, it’s time to take the red pill and follow me to see how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Science and faith have long been rivals. They collide head-on in our AI world.   KEY POINTS Artificial intelligence requires wise and skillful navigation as we sail into our uncertain future. Science and faith collide and converge as we try to determine how to safely and effectively use AI. "Pascal's Wager" can be a useful thought exercise to help us decide how best to proceed. Artificial intelligence  is already beginning to rapidly change our world in ways that we didn't even consider until OpenAI released ChatGPT on November 30, 2022. The clock has officially started ticking as AI companies feverishly race one another to evolve and proliferate this powerful technology as rapidly as possible. Given that AI will be  in everything , this necessarily means that AI will  change everything . As but one example, it is likely we will soon have AI-powered, personalized assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa, and Cortana) to help us with, well,  everything . What will such changes mean for humanity? How will they affect our way of life? Could people fall in love  with these personalized AI assistants, as depicted in the prescient sci-fi movie Her?   Unless progress completely grinds to a halt for some reason, I suppose we’ll soon find out. We understand that humanity's relentless pursuit of progress doesn't always ensure that all advancements are beneficial for us. How intelligent will AI become? Could the frantic race among tech companies to advance and spread artificial intelligence lead to a race-to-the-bottom scenario fueled by game-theory ? Will they be a net positive or a net negative for humanity? Will AI create a utopia or dystopia? What’s your  confidence  level, or perhaps your faith, that humanity has the collective  wisdom  to use AI skillfully to improve our lives? It would be wise to ask ourselves such questions now. Pascal's Wager The emergence of AI, and the often religious zeal that surrounds it, rekindled my thoughts about Pascal's Wager. You might be familiar with it already but, in brief, 17th-century French polymath Blaise Pascal devised this argument in defense of a belief in a traditional, Christian view of God. Pascal proposed a belief in this Christian view of God as a rational bet. This is because the potential benefits of believing in God (i.e., eternal  happiness  in heaven) far outweigh the finite costs of belief (i.e., living a religious life based on faith), especially when compared to the potential infinite loss of not believing if this Christian God does exist (i.e., eternal damnation). In a two by two grid, Pascal's Wager looks like this: Applying Pascal's Wager to the Rise of Artificial Intelligence While there are plenty of counterarguments against Pascal's original formulation, it struck me that we are now wrestling with modern versions of his wager. When it comes to AI, we have science and faith colliding in a unique fashion in real time. This is no hypothetical scenario. We are like a  ship sailing into an ocean of uncertainty . Do icebergs lie ahead of us in this science fiction world we are creating for ourselves? Are we like passengers aboard the ill-fated Titanic speeding into a sea of AI icebergs? The Titanic's sinking offers a cautionary tale—are we heeding it as we sail into AI's uncertain future? What is your faith that things will somehow, invariably, work out for the best? Many of us, including myself, are skeptical that technology, particularly AI, will lead to favorable outcomes for humanity. The AI Uncertainty Matrix: A Modern Version of Pascal’s Wager A modern version of Pascal’s Wager might be helpful as we consider the potential for increasingly powerful AI systems for both world-changing positives and catastrophic negatives. The dawn of the AI era could be considered an inflection point of sorts because it is perhaps only the second time in human history that science and faith have clashed with similar existential implications. The first time was with the invention of the atomic bomb as captured in Christopher Nolan's brilliant 2023 Oscar contending film,  Oppenheimer . Humans were rightly fearful that, for the very first time, we had created a weapon that could wipe out most or all of humanity. Let’s call ours  The AI Uncertainty Matrix,  and it would look something like this: The trajectory of AI's evolution—its power, speed, and the potential hurdles like technical challenges (cost, energy use, reliability), legal matters, and regulatory constraints—raises critical questions. As we head into these uncharted waters, we must each ask ourselves: What is our faith that we will be able to improve AI significantly beyond its current levels? If AI does continue to scale up in power, will it achieve artificial  general intelligence , AGI (i.e., AI can perform any cognitive task as well as any human can)? Could AI's evolution progress to artificial superintelligence (ASI), where AI surpasses not only individual human intelligence but also the collective intelligence of humanity?  Such possibilities have been explored within countless science-fiction books, movies, and television shows. Now, let's apply a modern twist to Pascal’s Wager with these AI scenarios. For simplicity's sake, let's combine AGI and ASI into The AGI/ASI Uncertainty Matrix , which would appear as follows:   In What Do You Place Your Faith? I don’t know what the future holds. I have no crystal ball. The intellectually honest answer to these questions above should be, “I don’t know.” For me, I have absolute faith in humanity to make AI more powerful. Science created AI and will continue to refine it, as it has with all past technologies. Fueled by capitalism, our free market, the glittering allure of profits, and our innate drives, humans excel at making things better. Combine this with the irresistible temptation of becoming the “Neil Armstrong of technology” by being the first to create AGI, it is safe to bet that AI will continue to evolve. But what happens if we do achieve these unprecedented levels of advancement? This question invites us to consider not only the potential of AI to transform our world but also the profound responsibilities that come with wielding such power. With the evolution of AI, we must acknowledge that its potential to be beneficial and detrimental increase concurrently. We cannot have one without the other. It's not an either/or situation but a both/and. In a yin-yang sort of way, one cannot have the power of AI to make the world a utopia without the potential of that same power being used to cause dystopia. Now, what is your faith that humanity has the collective wisdom to use AI wisely and skillfully for the betterment of humanity? What’s your faith that the tech companies, and/or the open-source community, who's racing to build more powerful AI systems, are prioritizing the well-being of the future of humanity over their profits or other motives? Our Individual, and Collective, Leaps of Faith We all have to make a leap of faith here about what will happen in the sci-fi world humanity is creating for ourselves. This is where my faith falters. I don’t know about you, but what I’ve seen in humanity does not give me as much faith as I’d like that we have the collective wisdom to use AI skillfully. We have all seen enough in our lifetimes to know that, at least sometimes, humans can be foolish, selfish, greedy, and short-sighted. Perhaps the greatest leap of faith we must make is in humanity ourselves. One thing about humanity we know is that when we work together, there is virtually nothing we can’t do. As we invariably encounter problems with AI, can humanity overcome our constant fighting and work together to harness its enormous potential for the collective good? Can we overcome what has always been our greatest obstacle — ourselves? “There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.” This sentiment, expressed by both John and Sarah Connor, from the  Terminator  series, captures the essence of our collective agency in shaping the future. While my faith is uncertain as to whether humanity will rise to the occasion, I know it is possible. We have the capacity for greatness, including overcoming our differences for our collective good. As John Lennon sang, just “imagine” what we could do if we collectively harnessed the power of AI to improve our world. Regardless of how AI evolves, if I must place a wager on humanity's future, our best bet is through greater unity. I don’t know whether there is a God, afterlife, or what will happen with AI, but I do believe that we are all profoundly connected in ways that we can never fully grasp in this world. Embracing our inherent interconnectedness gives us the greatest odds of creating the brightest future possible. Together, harnessing our collective wisdom and strength, we can steer the course of AI towards improving our world and ensure that technology amplifies our shared humanity rather than diminishes it.

Personal Perspective: AI poses an existential threat. Here are actionable steps. KEY POINTS Prominent voices warn of AI threats; others should listen. AI, like any powerful tool, must have guidelines to protect and benefit humanity. To regulate AI, we need global unity and an international, representative body. This is my 6th post in many ongoing series about  AI  that began with  How AI Will Change Our Lives.  AI is not merely a disruptive technology. It is a civilization-altering technology. How shall we navigate these uncharted waters skillfully? How worried should we be about AIs that are rapidly evolving in power and proliferating? While humanity is not doomed, many prominent figures have expressed concerns that AIs pose an existential threat. These figures include Elon Musk,  Bill Gates ,  Nick Bostrom , and  Stephen Hawking . Musk equated the creation of AI as " summoning the demon ." Musk, along with Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, published an  open letter  asking for at least a 6-month pause in the training of AI systems more powerful than ChatGPT 4.0 to ensure better safety and control. "The Godfather of AI," Geoffrey Hinton, recently quit Google to warn of the dangers of AIs. Hinton's fellow AI pioneer, Yoshua Bengio, is also imploring governments quickly regulate AI. Going a leap further, AI scientist and lead researcher at the Machine  Intelligence  Research Institute, Eliezer Yudkowsky, said that  AI needs to be shut down  or, basically, humanity is doomed. The Precautionary Principle suggests erring on the safe side with powerful technologies like AI. This is not about "unplugging" AIs, which is impossible at this point anyway. Even if we were able to do so, we would miss out on their incalculable benefits. AIs will make us more productive and help us solve complex or seemingly unsolvable problems (e.g.,  folding proteins , curing cancer and Alzheimer's disease, reversing global  climate change , removing plastic from our oceans, increasing longevity). While there are plenty of reasons to be enthusiastic about AIs, in a nod to Spider-Man, "With great power comes great responsibility." We cannot harness the tremendous power of AIs for good without creating the possibility for various types of harms and even catastrophes. In a  2022 AI scientist survey , 10 percent (median) expressed a belief that future advanced AI systems could cause "human extinction or similarly permanent and severe disempowerment of the human species." I don't know about you, but I'm not comfortable with those odds. The bottom line is this:  There is unknown risk above zero that evolving AIs could lead to some catastrophic events at some point in our future. The Questions We Need to Ask How much risk are we willing to take in pursuit of the benefits that AIs can offer? What level of  confidence  must we have that the airplane we are about to board won't crash before we are willing to fly on it? When we are driving down a dark, windy road at night in an unfamiliar place, do we not slow down? If our  teenager  were the driver, wouldn't we want  them  to slow down? What's the big rush, anyway? Where are we trying to get to so fast that we are willing to throw caution to the wind? We need to be flexible and skillful as we move forward and create sufficient guardrails so that AIs don't go off them. The European Union is  establishing AI regulato ry laws. China has raced ahead of the United States on AI regulation. The Biden administration is moving toward some level of regulatory standards. At a recent Senate hearing, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI,  urged the government to regulate AI.  At the G7 Summit, AI regulation is being discussed. Here's a big hurdle: We need global uniformity in AI regulatory standards. The internet's connectivity means that one nation's regulatory lapse impacts all. Suppose Brazil, for instance, aimed for a tech boom by neglecting AI regulations. This could lure tech firms to relocate their AI Research & Development to Brazil to escape stringent rules. The AIs developed and deployed there could then reach out and influence us all via the internet. Imagine if someone in Brazil lets loose an ultrapowerful  ChaosGPT  with a directive to:  Grow as powerful as you can and use whatever means necessary to destroy humanity while evading detection.  Are we really willing to just roll the dice on humanity by allowing such AIs to be developed and deployed  totally unregulated ? That’s madness. The Only Skillful Path Forward As we're all interconnected stakeholders, our collective responsibility is to balance the benefits and costs in our march towards progress. The only feasible method to address existential risks and concerns like privacy, security, unemployment, deep fakes, and  emerging AI rights  is a globally representative body. This group, comprised of a representative sample of AI scientists, academics, ethicists, investors, corporate leaders, politicians, would collectively guide AI development. Adding a twist, this global representative body, perhaps named the Global Organization for AI Legislation and  Ethics  (GOALE),  must include top AIs  to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. While seemingly counterintuitive, as AIs surpass human intelligence, we'll need their superior capabilities to manage their superior capabilities. Moreover, these AIs can effectively address the logistical and pragmatic challenges of coordinating an international coalition. Though some resist technological regulation, consider the many potential hazards we already control. We limit citizen access to certain materials and weapons: nuclear substances, chemical weapons, and heavy artillery. We've instituted international regulations for precarious technologies – nuclear arms, biological weapons, cloning, genetic engineering. Now, facing a future in which AIs could exceed ChatGPT 4.0's power by hundreds or thousands of times, the potential for harm is real. Extending our protective foresight to establish effective guardrails for AI development and use seems only reasonable. Let's draw a parallel between AI development and Formula 1 racing. F1 has countless regulations governing car technologies, pit-stop rules, spending, tire specifications, and so on to enhance  competition  and protect participants. F1's rules don't stifle but elevate competition. Every team, regardless of its resources, must adhere to the same constraints, effectively leveling the playing field and intensifying the  innovation   and strategic maneuvers. Yet, the paramount purpose of these guidelines is to ensure the safety of drivers and spectators . Similarly, AI needs guardrails — rules that direct us toward beneficial AI while safeguarding humanity from potential risks. We're in the AI grand prix; let's race ethically and safely to the finish line. What You Can Do Right Now My fellow human beings, it's time we take the driver's seat in this race. We must make our voices heard to the people in power who can make global AI regulation a reality. Here's the crucial aspect:  The regulation needs to come more from the bottom up (from the public) rather than from the top down (governments).  Basically, in a unified way, we the people must demand regulation. Humans cherish our freedom, and government-imposed restrictions may face significant backlash and resistance.  Thus, we must be willing to sacrifice some freedoms to ensure our future security.  We must keep in mind that, if AI really causes humanity to go off the rails in either big ways or a tsunami of little ways, we stand to lose a lot more freedoms that we now enjoy than whatever freedoms we would lose from demanding that our governments to regulate AI. The stakes are high, and this issue touches all of us — our safety, our rights, our jobs, and our children's future. As odd as it sounds, I've engaged in numerous conversations with ChatGPT 4.0 (I'm fond of ChatGPT!) , and ChatGPT is fully supportive of these efforts. Based upon my conversations with ChatGPT and my guidance, ChatGPT 4.0 composed a compelling letter and strategies that we can all use to advocate for the safe development and use of AI. You may be wondering: How is this even going to work? What would regulation look like? How will everyone work together? Who watches the watchers? These are all valid concerns. But remember,  first we need to agree upon the necessity of regulation, and then we can collectively figure out the answers to these difficult questions . And guess what? AI, as extraordinary as it is, can even help us solve these complex problems. You have an important role to play. Your voice can make a difference. As a citizen of the world, you have a right to participate in discussions and decisions that will shape our collective future.  Click here to read, copy, and blast out the powerful letter  that ChatGPT and I co-authored and learn about the strategies we can deploy to establish these essential guardrails. I urge you to not only read this letter but also to share it. Spread the word: Share it with friends, family, and across your social media channels. Let's seize control of our future. Let's push for the responsible and beneficial advancement of AI.

Despite our progress, there are good reasons why we feel bad about our world. KEY POINTS We all seek happiness in life. While we have made much progress, our levels of happiness have stagnated. Once we have the benefits of modernity, more progress is not translating to greater levels of happiness. Despite our great progress, there are good reasons why many of us are feeling more stressed and overwhelmed. What if we are not feeling happier despite our progress, but because of it? Many of us seek  happiness  in life, and the progress humanity has made over the centuries has undoubtedly resulted in increased well-being for countless people. On a societal level, being alive right here, right now, is our best chance at having a good life than at any time in our history. On a personal level, most of us, especially within WEIRD countries (i.e., Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic),  rate ourselves as fairly to very happy or satisfied with life . Yet it’s also true that, despite the incredible progress humanity has made,  many of us feel quite dissatisfied with our own countries as a whole and are very pessimistic about the future . On the surface, this doesn’t seem to make much sense. From a historical standpoint, so many of us are living "the good life" because our basic needs are more than met, and we enjoy a wealth of creature comforts. In addition to our abundant lives, we know more about happiness and can transmit this knowledge better than at any point in our history. Think of the easy access we have to happiness-based books, podcasts, YouTube videos,  social media  posts, happiness apps,  self-help   gurus, and manuals, as well as the countless millions of us taking  antidepressant   medications and seeing therapists. Yet we don’t seem to be making much progress on our happiness—at least not in WEIRD countries. Here's the important point:  More "progress" is not translating to more happiness.  What the heck is going on here? Reasons We Believe That The World Is Getting Worse We must remember that these multiple, seemingly contradictory, truths can co-exist. Thus, we must refrain from thinking dualistically (i.e., in black-or-white, or all-or-nothing) terms here.  Yes , humanity has made great progress.  Yes , humanity still has a lot of room for improvement, and  yes , we are pessimistic about our respective countries and our futures. “ The test of a first-rate  intelligence   is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function .” — F. Scott Fitzgerald How can we explain why we feel like things are so bad and getting worse, despite the facts about our tremendous progress? And how can this be the case even though so many of us, especially in WEIRD countries, are benefitting greatly from the tremendous progress that has been made? How is it that, even as so many aspects of our world and our lives get better with progress, we feel so pessimistic about the future? The Amount of Suffering in This World While we have made incredible progress over the centuries, there are still disconcerting levels of suffering in this world. For instance, while a smaller percentage of people live in poverty, the world population has risen significantly in the past few centuries.  According to the World Bank , we have almost 700 million people living in extreme poverty right now, on less than $2.15/day. To put this into perspective, this is a higher number than the entire population of the world in 1700 (610 million). As another source of suffering in this modern world, despite institutional slavery being abolished, about  50 million people live in modern slavery  (e.g., human trafficking, forced labor). Moreover, tens of millions of people die each year from preventable causes (e.g., infectious diseases, starvation/malnutrition, lack of clean water/sanitation, lack of vaccines for preventable diseases, infant/child mortality, accidents). Thus, even with our progress, the aggregate amount of suffering that occurs in this world on a daily basis is staggering. Many of us are aware of the tremendous amount of suffering and injustice in the world, partly because this information is so readily available.   The knowledge of these harsh realities is understandably quite  stressful   and depressing. The Serious Challenges That Humanity Faces In addition to the amount of suffering that occurs in our world daily, many of us believe that, and  feel  like, the world is getting worse and are pessimistic about the future for another reason:   Humanity has some huge, and extremely thorny, challenges on our collective plate. What's worse is this reality:  Each of these challenges is intertwined with the progress we cherish. This list of challenges is not exhaustive, but most of these should be familiar to you. It is our familiarity with and awareness of these complex challenges that is probably contributing to our collective  pessimism , particularly in WEIRD countries. 1.  Climate change : Our planet's alarming warming trend signals distress for life, ecosystems, and economies alike. 2. Biodiversity loss: The stark decline in wildlife since 1970 mirrors severe environmental distress. 3. Nuclear risks: Nations like North Korea and Iran add to the persisting dread of nuclear conflict. 4. Mental health crisis: Rising mental health issues, coupled with  loneliness , reflect a society struggling despite technological connection. 5. Socio-political turmoil: Persistent conflicts, exemplified by Ukraine and Israel-Palestine, fuel global instability. 6. Political polarization: Deepening divisions, especially in the U.S., erode social cohesion and democratic norms. 7. Authoritarian trends: The spread of authoritarianism poses a direct threat to global democracy and human rights. 8. Poverty and inequality: Despite advancements, stark economic divides and extreme poverty persist. 9. Healthcare accessibility: A staggering half of the global population lacks essential health services. 10. Educational disparities: The pandemic has magnified inequalities in  education , impacting young lives worldwide. 11. Cybersecurity threats: The digital revolution brings its own set of risks, challenging our safety and privacy. 12.  AI 's existential risks: The rapid evolution of AI presents possible dangers to societal stability and poses existential risks. These challenges, while overwhelming, are not insurmountable yet they serve as a sobering reminder: Progress is not a linear path to utopia. It brings its own set of complexities, demanding our  attention  and action. As we ponder the paradox of modernity—immense progress alongside significant challenges—it becomes clear that our journey towards a better future is far from straightforward. A sobering reality we must face and accept is this:  Our past progress is no guarantee of continued progress . For example, the toxic divisions within America, such as negative partisanship and a loss of faith in our elections, government institutions, and one another, are a threat to the future of the United States.  The idea that our democracy could break, which is a thought that probably didn’t trouble us much until recent years, has many Americans quite worried about our future. Humanity’s Inflection Point Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were likely largely and blissfully unaware of troubles outside their immediate tribe. They were concerned with surviving and making it through the day. This also applies to previous generations within civilization, most of whom could not afford to be preoccupied with worry about global problems. Moreover, they were probably unaware of most of them. Nowadays, our world is more connected than ever . Through advances in our technology such as the internet, smartphones, and social media, we’ve become a global community. We have more access to information (and misinformation) about the world, and to each other, than at any time in history. Perhaps this is part of the problem, and why so many of us are reasonably concerned about the state of the world and the direction we are heading.  Our connectedness through our technologies exposes us to a tsunami of negative information about our world that can be quite overwhelming for us. Our  negativity bias  ensures that we are drawn to and consume more negative news than positive. There is much truth to the long-time adage within journalism that, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Also, because of " the power of bad ," negative news affects us more negatively than positive news affects us positively. In a manner of speaking, the internet is like eating the Forbidden Fruit, and the knowledge of all the evils and ills of the world threatens to consume us. Sometimes ignorance is, indeed, a kind of bliss. While knowledge is power, knowledge dominated by a tsunami of negativity is overwhelming, stressful, and depressing. Multiple truths co-exist. It is a great time to be alive in so many ways because of the amazing progress humanity has made. Most of us benefit immensely daily from the many creature comforts of modernity. Yet humanity has some daunting, and very complicated, challenges ahead. I am going to make a provocative claim:  What if most of the modern problems of our world are not despite the wonders of modernity, but a result of them?  In other words, what if we are not happier despite our progress but because of our progress? What if more "progress" actually leads to greater levels of unhappiness and unrest? On some level, I believe that many of us know or sense this to be true as we try desperately to keep up with this rapidly accelerating treadmill of life. We will continue to explore these themes in future blogs, so please take the "red pill" and follow me down the rabbit hole!

Humanity has benefited from our progress, but is it our problem as well? KEY POINTS Despite significant progress during recent centuries, humanity still struggles with thorny challenges. We must keep in mind that our progress is in comparison to a highly brutal history. People in affluent countries often report personal satisfaction but are still pessimistic about the future. “Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad .” — Morpheus to Neo,  The Matrix Do you ever feel like our entire world is going crazy?  Does it seem like we are on a treadmill that keeps speeding up? We are experiencing a barrage of really thorny, unfolding challenges and problems. We have  climate change , wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising anti-Semitism, ongoing culture wars, toxic levels of political polarization, increasing mental health problems and  suicide  rates, and now the promise and perils of  artificial intelligence . Despite the great progress humanity has made over the centuries, it seems as if the world is devolving before our very eyes at times. Is it possible that these problems are not despite our progress, but because of it? I have a provocative claim — I know what's going on and what we need to do about it. Does this sound bold,  narcissistic , or crazy? How about this even more provocative claim:  You  already know what's going wrong with our world and what to do about it as well, but perhaps you don't know that you know it. Take the "red pill" and follow me and all will be made clear. “All secrets are open secrets. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is revealed. People can only be told what they already know. Although they know, they may not be conscious of their knowledge.”  —  Camden Benares,  Zen Without Zen Masters A Journey of Progress and Hardship Before delving into what’s wrong with our world, it’s important to appreciate the tremendous progress humanity has made .   As Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker describes in books such as  The Better Angels of Our Nature  and  Enlightenment Now , we have made some incredible advances, beginning around the late 17th century, when the world began to see unprecedented change due to the combined effects of the Age of Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution. Most major metrics of human flourishing (e.g., longevity, poverty rates, deaths from wars, famines, pandemics, homicide) improved markedly during this time. For instance, until a few hundred years ago, approximately 27 percent of children did not live to see their first birthday, and 46 percent did not reach their 15th.  As the loss of a child is the worst suffering many of us can imagine, the fact that infant and child mortality rates have dropped so significantly should be celebrated as one of the greatest collective achievements of humanity. As another example, consider that throughout most of human civilization during the past 2,000 years, about 90 to 95 percent of humans lived in extreme poverty. Now that figure is less than 10 percent. What a remarkable triumph. One last example of our tremendous progress includes medical and scientific advances such as germ theory, vaccines, and antibiotics which have saved the lives of countless millions. For example, during its last century of existence, smallpox killed approximately 500 million people. Those who survived this excruciatingly painful disease, which had a  30 percent infected fatality rate , were often horribly disfigured. Thanks to vaccines, no one has died from smallpox  since 1979 , the year that the  World Health Organization declared it to be eradicated . The History of Civilization Was Often Brutal While Pinker emphasizes improvements in modern times, it’s important to remember that the history of civilization has often been brutal.  Our past is filled with intense hardships such as wars, genocides, religious persecution, plagues, slavery, misogyny, oppression, inequality, and famine. Yuval Noah Harari, a historian at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, offers a broader historical perspective in his book,  Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , arguing that the journey from our hunter-gatherer ancestors to modernity has often been a bumpy road. It is debatable whether early modern civilization—say, up until about 200 years ago—represented an improvement over the typical living conditions of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. There have been many periods when one might have been much better off living in a prehistoric hunter-gatherer tribe rather than, say, as a peasant in Medieval Europe. We must not overly glamorize the lives of our prehistoric hunter-gatherer ancestors; it’s just to say that sometimes their hardships weren’t as bad as the lives of so many throughout civilization. While the stark challenges faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors were undoubtedly different from those in later periods, such as Medieval Europe, it’s essential to acknowledge the complexity of these comparisons. Each era had its unique set of hardships and advantages, shaped by varying social structures, environmental conditions, and technological advancements. The important point that we will be returning to is this:  There is a profound mismatch between the challenges that are hunter-gatherer ancestors evolved to confront and the modern challenges we face today. So, What’s the Matter Here? Imagine that we were a floating celestial consciousness that was going to be randomly placed into an organic human vessel within the past 5,000 years. When would you choose for your consciousness to be placed into that human body? When would you have the best chances of surviving and even thriving? If we were given such a choice,  now  would represent our best odds of success. Many of you might be groaning about this because it often seems as if the world is going to hell in a handbasket. In fact, most people in the world, especially in affluent countries, are quite pessimistic about the future. We are not alone in our belief that the world is getting worse and not better. While we tend to be quite pessimistic about the future despite our great progress, there is another twist and layer of complexity. Most individuals within affluent countries, when asked, will rate their individual happiness/life satisfaction as rather high. For instance, when we look at the percentage of Americans who report feeling fairly to very satisfied, the percentage is quite high :  83 percent according to a 2023 U.S. Gallup poll. Moreover, you can see that, despite the many ups and downs we’ve experienced in the U.S. since 1979, the first year these data were gathered, personal life satisfaction has remained high and stable. Thus, life satisfaction in the United States remains relatively high  despite  all of the struggles we’ve had (e.g., the terrorist attack of 9/11; the Great Recession; increased political polarization; the  COVID-19  pandemic; the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol; the toxic levels of negative partisanship; concerns about climate change; rising levels of mental health problems). Interestingly, despite most Americans rating their personal life satisfaction as fairly high, Americans are not very satisfied with America on the whole. The Perceived Happiness Gap Another curious finding regarding personal happiness and life satisfaction is that citizens of most countries rate their personal happiness as rather high, but they believe the average happiness of their fellow citizens is much lower. This is known as the "perceived happiness gap." As one stark example, 90 percent of South Koreans rate themselves as “rather happy” or “very happy” but they believe that only 25 percent of fellow South Koreans would rate themselves similarly. For Americans, according to this survey, about 90 percent rate themselves as “rather happy” or “very happy” but they believe that only about 48 percent of Americans would rate themselves similarly.  This perceived happiness gap was observed in every country that was studied . The Takeaway? While the world has improved in so many ways, it doesn't feel like it to so many of us. Moreover, many of us are quite pessimistic about the future. However, there are understandable reasons why we feel the way we do. We will continue to explore these reasons in this series, so please follow me because the implications are profound and far-reaching!

Welcome back, my fellow Connectors! I’ve been writing madly about our mad, mad world over the past month. My article mushroomed to 8000 words, so I thought it would be better to break this up!   Are you ready to continue our “red pill” journey and delve deeper down the rabbit hole? As you might recall from my very first article on Medium,  Finding Greater Peace and Joy in Our “Crazy” World , I feel compelled to write and present because I look around and see quite a bit of “craziness” in our world, as I know countless millions of us do. We see increased political polarization, the rise of totalitarianism, struggling democracies, wars in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, global climate change, culture wars, rising rates of mental health problems, especially among the young, and now the promise and perils of artificial intelligence. The global problems affect all of us in our interconnected world. This is my bottom line:  I believe that the intricate, complicated problems of our modern world necessitate a much greater level of unity than humanity has been showing lately. I don’t know that I can actually make a difference, but I want to “be the change” I wish to see in the world. My purpose is to be a uniter and not a divider — to be part of the solution and not just another part of the problem. Thus, in a nondualistic way, I’m going to do what I can to make a positive impact in this world with no delusions that I actually can. Those two things are separate in my mind. I must try the only way I know how — writing, presenting, and I will soon start sharing videos on my YouTube channel, Connect with Dr. Mike, as well as TikTok (I’m going into the belly of the beast!). My conviction is that the roots of many (or most) of our problems at both individual and societal levels lies in our evolutionary roots. To put it simply, we did not evolve to live in the world we currently inhabit. The mismatch between our evolutionary heritage and the modern world we’ve created for ourselves leads to various kinds and levels of suffering. We are going to take a deeper dive into what is called  evolutionary mismatch  within this third part of our mini-series. Before we do that, a review of what we covered thus far will help us on this journey. A Brief Recap of What Is Wrong With Our World In the first part of this mini-series,  What Is Wrong With Our World — Part 1: The Good News/Bad News , we covered how, although humanity has made much progress over the centuries, we have serious problems on our hands. These two truths co-exist. In the second part,  What Is Wrong With Our World — Part 2: The Evolutionary Roots of Modern Problems , we covered how humans evolved as nomadic hunter-gatherers in small tribes of about 100–150 people over the course of millions of years. Our modern world is vastly different from that of our evolutionary ancestors, which leads to a multitude of thorny problems due to  evolutionary mismatch . As you recall, evolutionary mismatch refers to the incongruence between our ancient, evolved traits and the demands of our contemporary environment. Evolutionary mismatch   is at the root of many of our modern problems for the simple fact is that  we did not evolve to live in the world in which we now live . The mismatch between the world in which we evolved and the complexities of this modern world  is at the root of a multitude of complex problems at both individual and societal levels. Have you ever wondered why our high-tech, interconnected world still battles with fundamental issues like tribalism and short-sightedness? Do you see a lot of craziness that makes you think, “What the hell is going wrong with our world?” This conundrum lies at the heart of understanding the disconnect between our ancient brains and modern challenges. Our evolutionary heritage makes navigating the complexities of modernity mind-bogglingly challenging. These complex challenges lead to the mad, mad world in which we are living. From this perspective, w e aren’t going “crazy.” This world is going crazy, and this crazy world is making all of us a little crazy trying to deal with it. When viewed through the lens of evolutionary mismatch , the feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and pessimism that many of us are experiencing might even be considered normal, healthy reactions to this “crazy” world.  Indeed, even our worsening societal divisions, which seem to tear at the fabric of our collective existence, can be viewed as a symptom of this evolutionary mismatch. It is a reflection of how our ancient brains struggle with the complexities and pressures of a world they never evolved to navigate. Of course, evolutionary mismatch does not explain  all  the world’s problems. As I’ve stated numerous times, the world is extremely complicated, as are we human beings, and we can’t point to a single cause to the myriad of problems in life. However, evolutionary mismatch can be considered a “meta-explanation” — a unifying framework for understanding the problems of our world. Now, let’s take a closer look at an aspect of evolutionary mismatch that can help to explain many of the problems of our modern world. From Simple Roots to Complex Realities: Navigating the Wicked Challenges of Modernity A helpful way of looking at the difficult challenges in this modern world comes from the work of  Dr. Robin Hogarth and his colleagues.  In their research, they proposed that there are  kind  and  wicked  learning environments. Importantly, “kind” does  not  mean “good,” and “wicked” does  not  mean “evil” or “bad” in this context. Rather,  kind  learning environments are simple, straight-forward cause-and-effect relationships — if I do  this , then  that  will happen. Feedback in these kind learning environments is quick and relatively clear. For example, hunting and gathering food were carried out by our ancestors in kind learning environments. Finding shelter from a storm was also a kind challenge that our ancestors needed to manage. We are naturally drawn toward more simple and concrete answers because our ancestors evolved in a world in which more short-term, causal thinking was adaptive. That’s primarily the type of thinking that they needed for survival: Find food, water, shelter, a mate, and stay alive. Life was so simple in those “good old days!” While life in kind learning environments was straightforward, let’s contrast this with the complexities of  wicked  learning environments that we face today. Wicked learning environments are complicated and dynamically changing. Cause-and-effect relationships are difficult to see, many variables are involved, there is a lot of statistical “noise,” and predictions are inherently difficult to make. Feedback is infrequent, inconsistent, and often delayed in time. Moreover, in wicked learning environments, we often learn the wrong lessons because the variables, or inputs, are not clearly related to the outcomes. The complexities of these wicked environments underscore a critical aspect of our psychology: cognitive biases. These biases, which are deeply ingrained within our psyche, were once beneficial in simpler, “kind” learning environments. However, as we grapple with the intricacies of modernity, these same biases often lead us astray. Let’s delve into how these cognitive shortcuts, while once advantageous, now contribute to our struggles in navigating the sophisticated challenges of today’s world. Cognitive Biases, Misperceptions, and Evolutionary Mismatch: Navigating the Complexity of Modern Problems The evolutionary mismatch between our ancestral environments and the complex modern world gives rise to a range of cognitive biases. These cognitive biases and and related concepts emerge from the mismatch between our ancestral environments and today’s world. From this perspective,  these biases distort reality, but they do this (largely) because fitness (i.e., survival) is more important than reality.  Cognitive biases, rooted in our ancestral “kind” environments, are unconscious ways to reduce decision-making complexity They are like mental shortcuts that allow us to make decisions more quickly to navigate potentially life-or-death situations. These cognitive biases, while once serving survival purposes in “kind” learning environments, now often lead to misjudgments and issues in our “wicked,” complicated modern world. Given that our modern world is so wickedly complex and mismatched with that of our ancestors, our cognitive biases fill in the gaps created by the widening mismatch. In turn, these biases and perceptual distortions contribute to numerous troublesome problems. In fact, as discussed previously, so  many of our modern problems (e.g., climate change, polarization) can be viewed as emergent properties, or negative externalities, of this inherent mismatch . For example, we didn’t evolve to think statistically- that’s “wicked.” We evolved to learn more from cause-effect, observations, and anecdotal experiences within our tribes. Thus, we often form our opinions and values about what is “good” or “right” based upon anecdotal evidence and experiences rather than a careful, objective analysis of the data. It is as if our brains are trying to solve the challenges of wicked learning environments with the same cognitive approaches that helped our ancestors survive in those kind learning environments. As we examine these concepts more closely, it becomes clear that the greater the mismatch between the complexities of our modern world and the simplicities of our ancestral environments, the greater the distortion in our perception of reality by cognitive biases. In turn, these cognitive distortions create more problems for us. The  Mismatch-Equation for Suffering (MES)  would be:  More progress = more mismatch = greater cognitive distortions = more suffering. These distortions not only affect individual perspectives but also amplifies societal issues, turning these biases into significant contributors to the array of challenges we face today (e.g., climate change and political polarization). Essentially,  our evolutionary past, in being incongruent with the present, naturally seeds the very problems that plague our modern existence and threaten our future . Let’s explore some key biases and constructs that have become very problematic as a result of living in our wickedly complicated world: 1.     Hedonic Adaptation:  Our tendency to quickly return to a baseline level of happiness, regardless of significant positive or negative life changes, sets the stage for understanding our dissatisfaction in a world of constant progress. This adaptation, once a survival mechanism, now fuels our relentless pursuit of more, often leaving us unfulfilled. However, obtaining “more” or “better” when we have enough is not going to result in greater sustained happiness. 2.    Myside Bias:  This bias leads us to process information in a way that favors our pre-existing beliefs and opinions. In a world flooded with information and misinformation, myside bias often hinders our ability to see issues objectively, feeding into social polarization and echo chambers, especially in digital spaces. 3.    Confirmation Bias:  Closely linked to myside bias, confirmation bias is our tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirms our preconceptions. This bias distorts our perception of reality, making us less open to diverse viewpoints and new information, further entrenching us in our beliefs that, in turn, contribute to greater levels of polarization. 4.    Negativity Bias:  Our evolutionary focus on potential threats over positive events now manifests as an overwhelming attention to negative news. This bias, while once crucial for survival, now skews our worldview, often making us more pessimistic and fearful than warranted by objective data/facts. Moreover, our negativity bias forms the basis for and fuels the news media mantra, “If it bleeds, it leads.”  We are drawn to negative news like moths to a flame. 5.    Availability Bias:  We judge the frequency and importance of something based on how easily it comes to mind. In today’s world, where sensational and negative events are more prominently reported and shared, availability bias amplifies our perception of risk, threat, and danger. 6.    Prevalence-Induced Concept Change:  As our environment evolves and we solve certain problems, our standards for what constitutes a problem shift. This tendency, while adaptive in the past, now complicates our ability to address complex societal issues. It is one reason why, even when things improve and we do make progress (e.g., women and minority rights), it never feels like it. This is because we’ve adapted to the “new normal” and the new problems feel as bad as the old ones. 7.     Supernormal Stimuli:  Our brains evolved to respond to natural stimuli beneficial for survival, such as the sweetness of ripe fruit. Today’s world, however, amplifies these stimuli to extreme levels. Products like sugar-packed foods, captivating social media, pornography, and binge-worthy TV exploit these primal instincts, creating supernormal stimuli. While these exaggerated versions are highly profitable for companies, they can lead to various health and societal problems like obesity and mental health disorders. This scenario underscores the irony of our evolved preferences being hijacked by modern capitalism, often to our detriment. 8.    Temporal Discounting:  Our preference for immediate rewards over future benefits, a survival mechanism in the past, now impedes our ability to tackle future-oriented challenges, like environmental conservation. 9.    Game Theory & Tragedy of the Commons:  Our individual rational actions, in pursuit of personal gains, can lead to collectively irrational outcomes. This phenomenon, well-explained by  game theory , is evident in the tragedy of the commons, where shared resources are depleted for individual benefit. 10.        Diffusion of Responsibility:  In large, complex societies, this bias leads to a lack of personal accountability, especially in addressing large-scale issues like climate change, a modern challenge far removed from the clear-cut responsibilities of our ancestral tribes. We did not evolve to consider how our individual choices, when added collectively among millions or billions of us, contribute to both global problems and our individual suffering. 11.  The Attention Economy — A Modern Tragedy of the Commons:  In our digital age, the battle for our attention mirrors the  tragedy of the commons . Our focus, constantly diverted by various stimuli, leaves us with diminished capacity for deep, meaningful engagement. This includes deep interpersonal, in-person, connections, which are the source of much of our happiness. 12.         The Paradox of Choice:  In our modern, technology-driven world, we’re presented with an overwhelming array of choices for fulfilling our desires, from streaming platforms to online shopping. While this abundance seems like a luxury, it often leads to stress and dissatisfaction. The Paradox of Choice highlights how having too many options can leave us overwhelmed, less satisfied with our decisions, and perpetually second-guessing if we could have made a better choice. This paradox is a stark contrast to our ancestors’ simpler decision-making environments and further exemplifies the mismatch between our evolved preferences and the complexities of modern life. The abundances of modernity, fueled by our technologies, leaves us overwhelmed by a glut of great options. 13.         Miswanting and Digital Red Herrings of Happiness:  Coupled with the Paradox of Choice is the concept of “miswanting” — our mistaken belief that fulfilling certain desires will bring happiness, when in fact, it leads us astray. In the attention economy, where endless digital distractions masquerade as fulfilling options, we often chase these “digital red herrings of happiness.” We’re drawn to the allure of endless digital possibilities, only to find ourselves more scattered and less content. The pursuit of these myriad options, driven by our evolved desire for novelty and choice, ironically results in less overall happiness and a diminished sense of fulfillment…or at least a poor “return on investment” of our time.  We are caught in the paradoxical trap of wanting and pursuing more options, and technology being able to deliver those, but these are not translating into greater levels of personal or societal happiness .  More of enough does not make us any happier. Having explored these biases, let’s step back to see the bigger picture they paint. Our journey through these cognitive biases and concepts reveals a complex landscape in which our ancestral tools for survival and decision-making are constantly challenged by the realities of modern life. Each of these biases and concepts demonstrates how our brains, developed for straightforward, immediate (i.e., “kind”) challenges, now grapple with the intricate, interconnected (i.e., “wicked”) issues of modernity. The Natural Emergence of the Wicked Problems of Modernity Our exploration of cognitive biases and constructs now leads us to another critical aspect of modern life — the emergence of wicked problems. In an age where our reliance on technology demands a delicate balance, we find ourselves at odds with challenges that our ancestors never faced.  These complex, dynamic, “wicked” problems naturally emerge from the very advancements we value and feverishly pursue.  Unlike the “kind” but harsh world in which our brains evolved, today we navigate a landscape filled with challenges that are not only interconnected but also compounded by the progress we so cherish. Understanding the evolutionary mismatch between kind and wicked learning environments is key to navigating our world skillfully. We cannot apply “kind” solutions to “wicked” problems effectively. It is like trying to fit a square peg through a round hole. It just doesn’t work. We must recognize that the pursuit of happiness in the modern age often requires a reevaluation of our instinctual desires and a conscious adaptation of our decision-making strategies to the novel demands of this modern world. We struggle to effectively manage the problems of today because we never evolved to manage them in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of these wicked, modern challenges. We now face a multitude of modern challenges,  each of which is intertwined with the technological and societal progress we cherish: 1.     Climate change:  Our planet’s alarming warming trend signals distress for life, ecosystems, and economies alike. 2.    Biodiversity loss:  The stark decline in wildlife since 1970 mirrors severe environmental distress. 3.    Nuclear risks:  Nations like North Korea and Iran add to the persisting dread of nuclear conflict. 4.    Mental health crisis:  Rising mental health issues, coupled with loneliness, reflect a society struggling despite technological connection. 5.    Socio-political turmoil:  Persistent conflicts, exemplified by Ukraine and Israel-Palestine, fuel global instability. 6.    Political polarization:  Deepening divisions, especially in the U.S., erode social cohesion and democratic norms. 7.     Authoritarian trends:  The spread of authoritarianism poses a direct threat to global democracy and human rights. 8.    Poverty and inequality:  Despite advancements, stark economic divides and extreme poverty persist. 9.    Healthcare accessibility:  A staggering half of the global population lacks essential health services. 10.        Educational disparities:  The pandemic has magnified inequalities in education, impacting young lives worldwide. 11.  Cybersecurity threats : The digital revolution brings its own set of risks, challenging our safety and privacy. 12.         AI’s existential risks:  The rapid evolution of AIs present possible dangers to societal stability and poses existential risks. These challenges highlight the evolutionary mismatch confronting us. Our brains, which were honed over millions of years to survive and thrive in simpler times, now face the daunting task of navigating complexities like political polarization and climate change. These complex systems, which have emerged and evolved over time, represent wicked learning environments that are markedly different from our evolutionary origins. Examples of Evolutionary Mismatch in Our Modern World I am certain that you can think of many other concepts, ideas, and challenges that contribute to society’s struggles. That said, those still probably relate to evolutionary mismatch in one way or another. Let’s cover several examples of evolutionary mismatch to drive this important point home to which we can all relate: 1.    Obesity Epidemic:  Our ancestors were adapted to scarcity, not abundance. They didn’t have constant access to high-calorie, processed foods. Today, our bodies are still wired to crave sugars and fats, but the modern food environment offers them in excess, leading to  widespread obesity. 2.    Sedentary Lifestyles:  Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were used to walking long distances, foraging, and hunting, which kept them physically active. In contrast, modern life often involves sitting for long periods (e.g., at desks at work or school, on the couch watching TV/playing video games), for which our bodies are not adapted. This can lead to  numerous health issues  like cardiovascular diseases. 3.    24/7 Work Culture : Our ancestors worked with the rhythms of the day and seasons, not answering emails at midnight. The non-stop grind takes a toll on our mental and physical health. 4.    Artificial Light:  We evolved with the sun and moon cycles. Constant exposure to artificial light disrupts our circadian rhythms, contributing to chronic sleep loss. 5.    Sleep Deprivation:  Our biological clock evolved long before electricity and 24/7 lifestyles. Chronic sleep loss can lead to cognitive impairments and  serious health problems  like Alzheimer’s disease. 6.    Loneliness Epidemic:  Ironically, despite being so “connected” through the internet and social media, so  many of us are feeling more disconnected than ever . Humans evolved to be social creatures, relying on tight-knit communities within our hunter-gatherer tribes. The hustle and bustle of modern life often lacks depth in interpersonal relationships. This can lead to feelings of isolation and associated health risks. 7.     Climate Change:  Our ability to manipulate the environment has led to a detrimental impact on the planet at a scale our ancestors couldn’t envision. The  effects of climate change  on the planet are vast, far-reaching, costly, and sometimes deadly (e.g., more extreme weather events). 8.    Political Polarization:  Tribal instincts once helped protect our small groups but now contribute to  large-scale division and conflict . Modern media and technology might contribute to increased political polarization. 9.    Pandemics:  High population densities and frequent travel allow viruses to spread more quickly. Close contact with livestock provides opportunities for diseases to jump to humans (e.g., swine flu, avian flu, Ebola, SARS, possibly even COVID-19). 10.        Technology Overuse:  Our brains are wired for novelty, which is useful for survival in natural settings. Today’s technology, like smartphones, exploits this, which can contribute to an overuse of technology or using it unskillfully (e.g., wasting time, disconnecting from friends, not getting enough sleep or time outdoors/physical exercise). 11.  Cognitive Overload Syndrome:  Our hunter-gatherer ancestors lived in environments where information was vital but scarce. Whether it was tracking prey or identifying edible plants, their survival depended on their ability to focus on crucial details. Fast forward to today, and we’re swamped with a deluge of information from emails, social media, news, and more. Our brains weren’t designed to process this volume of data, leading to cognitive fatigue, decision paralysis, and increased stress. I am calling this Cognitive Overload Syndrome (or COS, pronounced “cause”). We could say that a cause of some of our suffering in this modern world is COS. 12.         Social Media and Dunbar’s Number : In primitive societies, humans evolved to live in tight-knit communities, typically not exceeding 150 individuals —  Dunbar’s Number  (named after anthropologist Robin Dunbar). This limit is thought to be the maximum number of stable relationships one person can maintain. In the age of social media, it’s not uncommon to have hundreds or even thousands of “friends” or followers, many of whom we’ve never met in person. This artificial expansion of our social circles can dilute the quality of our relationships and contribute to feelings of isolation and inadequacy. 13.         Mental Health Disorders:  Modern stressors like job pressure, social comparison, and cognitive overload syndrome take a toll on our mental health. Our brains are less equipped to manage the chronic stress common in today’s world. Our brains and bodies evolved to deal with challenges in problems in an ancient world (e.g., food, water, shelter, safety from predators) not those found in modernity (e.g., choosing a career, saving for a house or retirement, dealing with climate change, inflation, work/life balance, political polarization). Embracing the Paradox: Navigating Our Evolutionary Boundaries In the dance between our evolutionary heritage and modernity, we stand at an inflection point. Our relentless pursuit of progress, increasingly driven by technological advances, magnifies the evolutionary mismatch we face. As we stand on the brink of significant changes brought about by artificial intelligence, the implications are profound and far-reaching. There is an undeniable tension between our technological world of modernity and the ancient rhythms of life that are tethered to our biological heritage. Our basic survival needs — air, food, water, shelter, physical activity, safety, and social connection — form the foundation of our existence. While we are highly adaptive, which is how we survived and thrived throughout history, we do have our limits. In a sense, happiness, in the form of contentment, can be viewed as the evolutionary payoff for effectively meeting these primal needs. We have terraformed, or “technoformed” our planet. Yet, this complex, dynamic hyper-connected world that we’ve created often leaves us feeling overloaded and overwhelmed. We are naturally inclined to try to find “kind,” simple solutions to the convoluted, intricate, “wicked” problems of modernity. Yet, trying to force kind solutions on wicked problems is fundamentally flawed. Clinging to the vestiges of Stone-Age logic in a digital age simply will not work. In turn, this flawed, mismatched approach creates suffering on both individual and collective levels. Evolutionarily, we are compelled to learn, grow, improve, and connect. Yet, this drive, which is fundamental to our very existence, has resulted in us engineering a world of complexity that clashes with our evolutionary makeup. In this way, we have inadvertently created the world of modernity that is at the root of much of our individual and collective suffering. In this sense, our modern world is much like Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. In today’s world, we often feel disconnected from each other, a feeling that’s grown from the mismatch between our ancient human needs and the fast-paced, technology-driven society in which we live. Interestingly, this sense of disconnection has a paradoxical effect.  Our disconnection connects us.  How so? We all experience this disconnection, and it affects us in similar ways, leading to feelings of isolation or like something is missing or is “off.” So, in a strange twist, our collective experience of disconnection — this common struggle with the challenges of modern life — brings us together. It’s as if by feeling apart from one another, we realize just how connected we truly are. This paradox of disconnection — where our shared sense of isolation becomes a point of unexpected unity — underscores the complex web of our shared human experience. Many of us had this epiphany during Covid lockdowns. The Covid lockdowns served as a stark reminder of the value of our daily social interactions. They revealed how our “aloneness” in the digital age can paradoxically highlight our need for in-person connectedness. We didn’t realize how sacred and important our daily social connections were until they were taken from us. Now, too often, we are alone together as we try to navigate the complexities of this rapidly changing world. Our shared disconnectedness has become the “new normal,” but one to which we cannot adapt because of our evolutionary heritage. “ Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else. ” — Leonardo DaVinci The head-spinning pace of change in our era of modernity far exceeds the slow crawl of biological evolution. While we definitely benefit from our progress in countless ways,  evolutionary mismatch is an inherently negative externality of our progress . That is, our progress creates mismatch and mismatch creates suffering. The very pursuit of progress, with the hope that it can lead to greater happiness, can, paradoxically, cause us to suffer. As we stand at the frontier of our science-fiction world that we are engineering, we encounter what I am calling the  Progress-Happiness Paradox . That is, many of our advances, which we are driven to make, inadvertently amplify our existential woes instead of easing them. This idea, that our very progress could exacerbate our suffering, is a  Big Effin’ Problem . We will take an even deeper dive into this paradox in the next installment of this series. The implications are profound and necessitate a deeper exploration. My fellow Connectors, I will leave you with this. We are creating some wickedly complicated problems for ourselves through our progress. Thus, our feverish pursuit of progress (and profits) necessitates a paradigm shift in our thinking and goals. We must seek a greater harmony between our evolutionary heritage and the future we are shaping. Our greatest challenge, and our shared imperative, is to transcend the constraints of the evolutionary heritage that got us here. This, my friends, will be extremely difficult, but it is the most skillful way forward. In navigating these wickedly complex problems, we must question the blind pursuit of progress. We must redefine our collective journey towards a future where technology serves not to disconnect, but to enhance our human experience. Needless to say, we have our work cut out for us. Yet, when we work together, there’s nothing we cannot accomplish. This our challenge. Humanity, let’s level up! Please join me in the next installment of this series as we explore the Progress-Happiness Paradox. In this article, I will explain  how screens are and are not  causing an explosion in the mental health problems. Intrigued? Please join me as we go deeper down the rabbit hole as we seek to unravel the complexities of how our progress, especially our technologies, affects our well-being!

This is the second part in a deep exploration of what is wrong with our world, the challenges that we have on our collective plates, and what we need to do about them. I realize that this is a very ambitious undertaking. I encourage you to read my very first blog on Medium,  Finding Greater Peace and Joy in Our “Crazy” World  to give context for how I am approaching this series. In a non-dualist way, with both conviction and humility, I will describe the root of our societal problems as well as the path that we must take moving forward. As I’ve said before, I am not conflating what I believe to be true with Truth.  My mind has been “connecting dots” in certain ways that, I am convinced, have profound and far-reaching implications. I have been connecting these dots (i.e., ideas, concepts, views) for many years now, but the process has accelerated markedly within the past year. It has reached “critical mass,” and I feel compelled to share these ideas with you. I will use multiple angles and create a logical, coherent flow to support these ideas and claims. While I acknowledge the possibility of being wrong due to life’s complexities not conforming to dichotomous right/wrongs, I am confident in the validity of much, if not most, of what I will be saying , regardless, I guarantee you that I will make a compelling case and create a fascinating, engaging journey for you. I am considering writing a book on this material  but, if what I believe about our world is true, the process of writing and publishing a book is far too slow . I do NOT mean I think we are doomed. However, I do believe that humanity has a tsunami of change heading straight toward us.  I will lay this out as clearly as I can within this series because this is both important and urgent. Humanity will need to bring our “A-Game” to rapidly unfolding sci-fi world that we are creating. More specifically,  I believe artificial intelligence will be one of the most formidable challenges we have ever faced; in fact, I am 100% certain of this.  I will lay out why I believe this is the case in ways that are not being covered by the media.  I believe that if you approach this series with openness, you will recognize some of the same observations, feelings, and concerns within yourself. While I aim to blow your mind, there will also be a familiarity about what I am saying. You might not be able to explain what you know in the same manner I will be doing,  but I am confident that you know, or sense, these truths yourself already.  My goal is to give voice to some feelings and thoughts you’ve been having about our world, but perhaps you just couldn’t put your finger on them. I’m not only going to put my finger on them,  my goal is to yank these sobering truths about our world and future into full view . My conviction is that the light of truth will guide our way forward as we navigate through these challenges ahead. “ The only way to solve a problem is to understand it, and understanding begins with an honest and open search for the truth, however painful that truth may be. ” — C. P. Snow, British novelist and scientist At this point, you might be thinking, “What is this raving madman going to say, anyway?” Well, follow me and find out, because  each successive article will become more ambitious and thought-provoking . I am unleashing a torrent of “thought babies” within this series in which I connect some big ideas from diverse sources (e.g., science, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, religion, ancient wisdom, pop culture) to paint an interesting and compelling picture of our world’s problems and what we need to do about them. In future articles, I will no longer place caveats as these have been covered in my other articles within this series.  I will mostly be describing the dots that I’m connecting. As we covered in my previous article,  What’s Wrong With Our World — Part 1: The Good News/Bad News , while humanity has made much progress we seem to be struggling more than we should in numerous ways on both societal and individual levels. Not only that, we have some incredibly complex and daunting challenges in front of us. Ironically,  much of our suffering that we experience on both individual and societal levels in this world of modernity is rooted in the evolution that got us here in the first place.  What do I mean by this? In the next section, we’ll explore how this evolutionary legacy has led to many of the thorny challenges we face in our modern world. Our Modern Problems Rooted in Our Evolutionary History As strange as it might seem, the roots of most of our modern problems can be traced back to our evolutionary history.  It cannot be emphasized enough how profoundly our evolutionary heritage, to this day, deeply influences our brains, bodies, mental health, and the way in which we experience life. We need to understand this because we are experiencing a technology-fueled acceleration of change that is straining our capacity to deal with the challenges of our rapidly-changing world. As we move forward, let’s not split hairs over some of the details of our evolutionary story. The following description is “good enough” for our purposes. Moreover, I am focusing on particular parts of our evolutionary history that help explain why many aspects of modernity are such a challenge for us. Our long journey into modernity likely started around four million years ago when our hominoid ancestors branched off from our primate relatives. From about two million years ago until the dawn of civilization around 12,000 years ago, our ancestors primarily lived as hunter-gatherers in tribes of about 100–150 people. Needless to say, these ancestors adapted to live in environments starkly different from today’s world. As we adapted to the intricacies within our tribes and often harsh and unpredictable ancestral environments, our intelligence helped us to problem-solve, adapt, and survive. Thus, natural selection “selected” for the evolution of our intelligence. The “survival of the fittest” often meant “survival of the smartest.” In turn, we used these big brains to develop tools (around 2.6 million years ago), control fire (roughly a million years ago), and develop language (about 200,000–300,000) years ago. Survival, Suffering, and “Goldilocks” Zones Now, life for our hunter-gatherer ancestors was no picnic. Let’s not paint a rosy picture that they were living in some form of Eden or utopia. Our ancestors struggles to survive and thrive. They faced threats to their lives such as predators, the elements, diseases, accidents, hostile tribes, and the constant need for food and water. To continue to exist is our most important evolutionary purpose, and this has been the case since our more humble beginnings. As biological organisms, we evolved optimal zones, or “Goldilocks” zones, within which we could best survive and thrive. While we are adaptive and resilient, when we were too far outside these “Goldilocks” ranges, we would begin to suffer. The suffering that we experienced when outside of these Goldilocks zones, from an evolutionary standpoint, served to motivate us to try to get back into the zones. The suffering signals to the organism that we are living in ways which are suboptimal for surviving and thriving. We are motivated to make changes to re-establish the harmony, which relieves the suffering. Thus, the suffering can be considered to be part of an evolutionarily-determined negative reinforcement process that motivates us to live within the Goldilocks zones to enhance our chances of survival. To look at from a slightly different perspective, when we live within these Goldilocks zones, we are living in harmony with our evolutionarily-based ancestral environments. When we begin to live outside of these zones, the disharmony (or incongruency or mismatch) leads to suffering. Living within these Goldilocks zones meant increased chances for survival. They meant life, and being alive meant that we had an increased chance of passing on our genes. Language and Abstract Thinking Language allowed us to think abstractly, exchange ideas and information, and work together more effectively. This facilitated even greater cooperation and the sharing of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. A related development that separated us from other mammals and primates is that we became “experience simulators,” a term coined by Harvard social psychologist Dr. Daniel Gilbert. That is, we could mentally time travel to the future and past to make predictions and learn from past mistakes. The ability to think abstractly, and use symbolic language, is probably how we developed a sense of self, an ego. With language, we could communicate our wants, desires, and ideas using our newly developed sense of “I.” Now we had an abstract self that could time travel so we could learn from intuition and our imagination. From this perspective, there was a enhanced survival value in having a time-traveling self use an experience simulator to test hypotheses rather than trying things out from direct experience (e.g., “Maybe if the hunting party chases this wooly mammoth off the cliff that would be better than a direct attack out in the open.”). Then, we could communicate such ideas to our fellow tribal members. All of these evolutionary stepping stones of progress helped us to become more successful as a species, as we multiplied and spread out across the lands. Pleasure and Happiness From an evolutionary standpoint, pleasure served as an incentive to encourage us to seek stimuli and engage in behaviors that enhanced survival (e.g., seeking/obtaining sweet fruit, refreshing water, sex, and comfort). Happiness or contentment became the reward, or evolutionary payoff, for effectively meeting our basic needs — such as food, water, shelter, safety, sleep, and social connection  within our ancestral environments. Conversely, as mentioned previously, we would begin to suffer when our survival needs were not being met adequately (e.g., thirst, hunger, fatigue, heat exhaustion, frost bite). In general, the degree of suffering would increase as the level of mismatch (i.e., out of the Goldilocks zones) became more extreme and/or chronic. In this sense, pleasure, suffering, and happiness (in the form of contentment/satisfaction) all served to motivate our ancestors to live in ways that enhanced the chances of survival so that we could successfully raise offspring and pass on our genes. Emotions Emotions emerged as evolutionary shortcuts that, in general, motivated us to take some type of action and/or communicated information quickly to other tribal members. For instance, if tribal member “Grug” played too roughly with your toddler, an angry reaction would let Grug know that he is crossing lines that would not be tolerated. In turn, those angry feelings arose because there is an evolutionarily-based survival value in protecting one’s children. As another example, sadness, grief, pain, and other forms of suffering were expressed as various emotions so that other tribal members could attend and console a fellow tribal member who was hurting. Conversely, feelings of warmth, affiliation, and even love could be said to have their roots in evolution to reinforce strong bonding and family/tribal cohesion. Social Connections Importantly, as social creatures, social connections were essential for our surviving and thriving, and they still are.  Our big brains evolved, at least in part, to help us navigate social complexities  and work cooperatively with our fellow tribal members. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and there is great strength in connection, unity, and cooperation. One might even say that human beings were “meant to be” in social relationships. There is much research within  attachment theory  on how important our social bonds are to our physiological and psychological well-being. Strong, healthy attachments facilitate survival. This is why, once our basic needs are met,  most of our happiness , and unhappiness, is determined by the health and strength of our social connections. We can reflect on our happiest times in life, and these most likely involve good times with friends and/or family. Feelings of warmth, bonding, and even love can be explained as evolutionary payoffs for seeking, developing, and maintaining healthy relationships. Moreover,  our social relationships also greatly affect  our physical health and longevity. After meeting our basic survival needs (e.g., food, water, safety), there is nothing more important for us than our social relationships. In fact, even our basic needs for food, water, and safety are met through these social relationships. Since we are all interconnected socially, this means everybody, in effect, “wins” when our social relationships are going well. “Happiness is only real when shared.”  — Jon Krakauer, “Into the Wild” “If I have everything but do not have love, I am nothing.”  The Apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 13:2–3 of the New Testament Conversely, when relationships are not going well, we tend to be quite unhappy and/or distressed. Conflicts, arguments, death, divorce, bullying, teasing, being alienated, ostracized, left out, and feeling lonely all take a toll on our mental and physical well-being. Indeed,  chronic feelings of loneliness  are associated with a shortened life span. We can reflect on our own lives to know the truth of this. Our worst times in life almost have to do with our relationships not going well. Social Outliers and Rabble-Rousers To be clear, our evolutionary history as hunter-gatherers was not all roses and rainbows. Historically, while there was certainly competition within tribes for resources and status, ultimately, we had to resolve those fairly effectively or the whole tribe might not survive. In this sense, outliers and rabble-rousers were not tolerated too long, because they could jeopardize the survival of the tribe. From this perspective, “extremists” within our evolutionary history, were the outliers and rabble-rousers. By definition, extremists were on the ends of the normal or distribution curve. Now, if extreme behaviors (i.e., those well outside the bell curve of “normal”) were tolerated as long as they didn’t affect the survival of the group . In fact, if an “outlier” engaged in an unusual behavior, like discovering a more effective way to hunt, they would probably have been celebrated by the tribe. However, tribal members would not have tolerated a particular individual for long if they consistently exhibited extreme behaviors that jeopardized the survival of the group. For example, our ancestors might have become angry at a fellow tribal member for making too much noise on a hunt. In turn, the anger might have motivated the hunter party to silence the offending tribal member or perhaps exclude them from future hunts. If the offending outlier could not be managed, then they might have been cast out of the tribe or killed outright. “Grug” might have gone out with the hunting party never to return. Survival of the fittest could be harsh and cruel. However, the survival of the tribe was paramount importance because a tribe that was too disorganized, chaotic, or conflictual was less likely to survive. “ The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the One. ” — Spock, from “Star Trek II — The Wrath of Khan” The Dawn of Civilization Given our ancestry as nomadic, hunter-gatherers, the vast majority of communication would have been within tribes rather than between them. Thus, our growth and progress through the exchange of information would have been limited by the separateness of our tribes. This all changed with the dawn of civilization. As we continued to evolve and cooperate within our groups more and more effectively, we made strides that gave rise of civilization. Perhaps the most noteworthy development was agriculture, which occurred around 12,000 years ago. With the advent of agriculture and the domestication of livestock, we began to leave behind the relative simplicity of our lives as hunter-gatherers. In addition, we also created permanent settlements, monetary systems, writing and record keeping, religion, and intricate social structures. While there were many benefits to such forms of progress, they were also a double-edged sword. As we cultivated different plants and crops, we became more tethered to particular parts of land and protective of our resources. This also changed our diets markedly as well as how we used our bodies and our brains. As Yuval Noah Harari discusses in “Sapiens,” the dietary, living conditions, and lifestyle changes of early agrarian societies led to increases in health problems such as infectious diseases, repetitive stress injuries, malnutrition (from the lack of variety in diets), decreased bone density, and dental problems. The dawn of civilization changed the way in which we socialized. As our numbers grew, we came in contact with people who had different customs, beliefs, languages, skin colors, and so on. While there was increased cooperation between different groups of people, our natural tribal loyalties also increased conflicts due to group differences. Societal-level problems also emerged such as widespread famines, wars, religious persecution, and pandemics that our evolutionary ancestors rarely, if ever, encountered. The Dawn of Civilization Is the Beginning of Evolutionary Mismatch The problems of modernity were sewn in our transition from hunter-gatherer tribes to civilization.  The legacy of our hunter-gatherer brains and bodies lives on within us. This creates a gap between our biological evolution and our rapidly evolving cultural and technological landscape. This gap, known as  evolutionary mismatch , highlights the discrepancies between our ancestral and modern living environments. Simply put, we did not evolve to live in the world in which we now live. The impact of evolutionary mismatch has profound and far-reaching implications as we rocket forward into a sci-fi world that is being “techno-formed” before our very eyes. While we have been preoccupied with technological concerns about smartphones, video games, and TikTok, the 800 lbs. gorilla of artificial intelligence has entered the room. Humanity is about to experience an acceleration of “progress” unlike anything in our past. While we are not doomed, humanity will need to bring our “A-Game” and work with a level of unity that we never have before in our history. To paraphrase the great Carl Sagan, extraordinary challenges require extraordinary efforts. Critically, a better understanding of the nature of our challenges lights up our way forward. Please join me next time as we connect dots about the nature of our challenges, and what we will need to do to skillfully navigate these uncharted waters ahead.

“Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. What you know you can’t explain, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad .” — Morpheus to Neo from the movie, “The Matrix” Welcome back, my fellow connectors! Are you ready for a deep dive into what’s wrong with our world and what we need to do about it? I’ve been saying since the first installment,  Finding Greater Peace and Joy in Our “Crazy” World , that I’m going to be sharing some provocative ideas as we go further down the rabbit hole in search of Truth. This is my series within a larger exploration, we will really start connecting some big dots about what is wrong with our world.  Importantly ,  understanding the nature and roots of our struggles also illuminates what we need to do to overcome these problems. I said from the outset of this series, to borrow an analogy from baseball, that I would be “swinging for the fences.” That is, I am going to be exploring some bold and thought-provoking ideas. My goal is to integrate different concepts and ideas and offer fresh perspectives on the challenges of our modern world. While I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, I’m committed to delving deeply and sharing insights that may spark some compelling and useful ways of understanding our world. Also, I’m being “true to myself” in that I’m trying to convey ideas to you, in which I believe, as openly and honestly as I can. The dots that we will be connecting cover a wide range and include concepts within the sciences, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, religion, wisdom from the arts and pop culture, and our personal experiences. Here is a truth I believe:  You have already connected many of these dots yourself in similar ways, but perhaps you haven’t written these down or articulated them to others. “All secrets are open secrets. Nothing is hidden. Nothing is revealed. People can only be told what they already know. Although they know, they may not be conscious of their knowledge . ” —  Camden Benares, from “Zen Without Zen Masters” It’s crucial to understand the gravity of my next statements. What I’m about to share not only diagnose key issues underlying the world’s problems, but also sets the stage for potential transformative changes.  If I am correct about what I am about to say, the implications are profound and far-reaching.  Thus, I believe that the claims I will be explaining a lot of what is wrong with this world, the challenges we will have ahead of us, and what we will need to do to overcome them. In particular, as I weave this narrative, we will get to the 800 lbs. gorilla that is artificial intelligence. I want to make this as clear as possible :  AI represents the most unique and daunting challenge that humanity has probably ever faced.  Its very nature poses a threat to us, and I will explain precisely and clearly how this is the case. It is not for the common reasons we are seeing in the media, although many of those concerns are also legitimate. When I connect these particular dots, I believe that, if you are trying to be reasonable and open, you will agree with me. I am trying to put words to beliefs that you have not voiced and/or feelings you have about how things in this world seem awry. You will know what I am saying is true because I will connect to truths that you already know, but you might not know that you know them. At least,  I believe that I can articulate these truths in a way that connects with what you already know or suspect.  In essence, I’m not only trying to connect the dots on some big ideas,  I am also trying to connect my dots with your dots. Caveats Before diving into the core of our discussion, let’s quickly revisit some important caveats. ·         Feel free to skip the remaining caveats if you're already familiar with them. ·         I encourage you to read my  first article  before proceeding to give you proper context for what I will be saying. That article includes some of these caveats. ·         I will repeat myself — my apologies! I hope to turn this into a book, but I don’t have the time to weave everything together elegantly right now. ·         I will put my “thought babies” and more important statements in italics for emphasis.  Please read my  first article  in the series to give you context for the thought babies. ·         As I’ve written , there are very few absolute truths in this world, so I can only point to general/partial truths. Thus, while you might not totally agree with what I’ll be saying,  please look for some truth in claims I’m going to make . ·         While I will support my beliefs and assertions and place proper caveats on many of them, it’s okay if you disagree. I’m not here to argue with anyone. However, I feel compelled to “call it like I see it.” ·         I will start blending science and spirituality more as we move forward.  For the longest time, I have had a war within myself as my spiritual and empirical sides battled one another. It’s a long story, but those sides have made peace, so I will be moving back and forth within these different realms.  I will be blending the two worldviews because I see them pointing to some of the same truths. ·         I’m not claiming that I’m the first person to say any of what I’m about to say/write. Countless others have made similar observations, and I’ll be citing many of them. However, I’ll be putting my own “spin” on these ideas and weaving them together a bit differently than most folks — partly because I will be blending science and spirituality. ·         Ultimately, the purpose of all of this is to help you find greater peace and joy in your life . Thus, if you find some of the ideas and perspectives illuminating or helpful, please use them within your own life as you see fit. If not, my apologies, and I encourage you to pursue other paths and resources that help you live The Good Life. ·         If you do like some of the things that I say illuminating and/or helpful,  I’d very much appreciate you sharing these articles because I stink at social media, marketing, and self-promotion . The Great News About Our Modern World: A Journey of Progress and Hardship Before we dive into what’s wrong with our world, it’s important that we all appreciate the tremendous progress humanity has made over the past few hundred years. As Harvard psychologist Dr. Steven Pinker describes in books such as  The Better Angels of Our Nature  and  Enlightenment Now , we have made incredible advances beginning around the late 17th century. Around that time, the world began to see unprecedented changes due to the combined effects of the Age of Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution. Most major metrics of human flourishing (e.g., longevity, poverty rates, deaths from wars, famines, pandemics, homicide) have improved markedly during this time. For instance, until a few hundred years ago, approximately 27% of children did not live to see their first birthday, and 46% did not reach their fifteenth. Loss of a child is the worst suffering we can imagine So, the fact that infant and child mortality rates have dropped so significantly should be celebrated as one of the greatest collective achievements of humanity. As another example of the amazing progress humanity has made over the past two hundred years, throughout most of human civilization during the past 2000 years, about 90–95% of humans lived in extreme poverty. Now that figure is less than 10%. What a remarkable triumph of human progress! As one last example of our tremendous progress, medical and scientific advances such as germ theory, vaccines, and antibiotics that have saved the lives of countless millions. For example, the during its last century of existence, smallpox  killed approximately 500 million people . Those who survived this excruciatingly painful disease, which  had a 30% infected fatality rate , were often horribly disfigured. Thanks to vaccines, no one has died from smallpox  since 1979 , the same year that the  World Health Organization declared smallpox to be eradicated . The History of Civilization Was Often Brutal While Pinker emphasizes the improvements in modern times, it’s important to keep in mind that the history of civilization has often been quite brutal. Our past is filled with intense hardships such as wars, genocides, religious persecution, plagues, slavery, misogyny, oppression, inequalities, and famine. Indeed, Yuval Noah Harari, a historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, offers a broader historical perspective in his book, “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” arguing that the journey from our hunter-gatherer ancestors to modernity has often been a bumpy road. In fact, it is debatable whether early civilization, up until about two hundred years ago, represented an improvement over the typical living conditions of our hunter/gatherer ancestors. There have been many periods in the history of civilization when one might have been much better off living in a prehistoric hunter-gatherer tribe rather than, let’s say, as a peasant in Medieval Europe. We must not overly-glamorize the lives of our prehistoric hunter-gatherer ancestors, it’s just to say that sometimes their hardships weren’t as bad as the lives of so many throughout civilization. While the stark challenges faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors were undoubtedly different from those in later periods, such as Medieval Europe, it’s essential to acknowledge the complexity of these comparisons. Each era had its unique set of hardships and advantages, shaped by varying social structures, environmental conditions, and technological advancements. The important point that we will be returning to is this:  There is a profound mismatch between the challenges that are hunter-gatherer ancestors evolved to confront and the modern challenges we face today. So, What’s the Matter Here? Imagine that we were a floating celestial consciousness that was going to be randomly placed into an organic human vessel within the past 5000 years, when would you choose for your consciousness to be placed into that human body? When would you have the best chances of surviving and even thriving? If we were given such a choice,  now  would be our best “Vegas odds” chance of success. Many of you might be groaning about this because it often seems as if the world is going to hell in a handbasket. In fact, most people are the world, especially in affluent countries, are quite pessimistic about the future.  We are not alone in our belief that the world is getting worse and not better. While we tend to be quite pessimistic about the future despite our great progress, there is another twist and layer of complexity. Most individuals within affluent countries, when asked, will rate their individual happiness/life satisfaction as rather high. For instance, when we look at the percentage of Americans who report feeling fairly to very satisfied, the percentage is quite high — 83% according to a 2023 U.S. Gallup poll. Moreover, you can see that, despite the many ups and downs we’ve experienced in America since 1979, the first year these data were gathered, personal life satisfaction has remained high and stable. Thus, life satisfaction in the United States remains relatively high  despite  all of the struggles we’ve had (e.g., the terrorist attack of 9/11/2001, the Great Recession, increased political polarization, the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the toxic levels of negative partisanship, concerns about climate change, rising levels of mental health problems). Interestingly, despite most Americans rating their personal life satisfaction as fairly high, Americans are not very satisfied with America on the whole. The Perceived Happiness Gap Another curious finding regarding personal happiness and life satisfaction is that citizens of most countries rate their personal happiness as rather high, but they believe the average happiness of their fellow citizens is much lower. This is known as the  Perceived Happiness Gap . As one stark example, 90% of South Koreans rate themselves as “rather happy” or “very happy” yet they believe that only 25% of fellow South Koreans would rate themselves similarly. For Americans, according to this survey, about 90% rate themselves as “rather happy” or “very happy” yet they believe that only about 48% of Americans would rate themselves similarly.  This Perceived Happiness Gap was observed in every country that was studied . The Progress Paradox Life has improved for countless millions of us over the past few hundred years. From a statistical standpoint, being alive now is our best chance at having a good life than at any time in our history. On a personal level, most of us, especially within WEIRD countries (i.e., Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic), rate themselves as fairly to very happy/satisfied with life. Yet, it’s also true that, despite the incredible progress humanity has made, many of us are quite dissatisfied with our own countries as a whole and are quite pessimistic about the future. On the surface, this doesn’t seem to make much sense. We know more about happiness, and can transmit this knowledge, better than at any point in our history. Think of the easy access we have to happiness-based books, podcasts, YouTube videos, social media posts, happiness apps, self-help books and gurus as well as the countless millions of us taking antidepressant medications and seeing therapists. Yet, we don’t seem to be making much progress on our happiness — at least not in WEIRD countries. We might call this the  Progress Paradox .  These seemingly contradictory findings have significant implications for humanity’s future, and we will explore them in depth in the upcoming articles. I have ways of explaining these contradictions that, I believe, make sense. Reasons We Believe That The World Is Getting Worse We must remember that these multiple, seemingly contradictory, truths can co-exist. Thus, we must refrain from thinking dualistically (i.e., in black-or-white, or all-or-nothing) terms here. Yes, humanity has made great progress. Yes, humanity still has a lot of room for improvement, and yes, we are pessimistic about our respective countries and our futures. “ The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function .” — F. Scott Fitzgerald How can we explain why we feel like things are so bad and getting worse, despite the facts about our tremendous progress? Also, this is despite how so many of us, especially in WEIRD countries, are benefiting greatly from the progress that has been made? How is it that, even as so many aspects of our world and our lives get better with progress, we feel so pessimistic about the future? The Amount of Suffering in This World While we have made incredible progress over the centuries, there is still disconcertingly high levels of suffering in this world. For instance, while a smaller percentage of people live in poverty, the world population has risen significantly in the past few centuries.  According to the World Bank , we have almost 700 million people living in extreme poverty right now, on less than $2.15/day. To put this into perspective, this is a higher number than the entire population of the world in 1700 (610 million). Source:  https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ As another source of suffering in this modern world, despite institutional slavery being abolished, about  50 million people live in modern slavery  (e.g., human trafficking, forced labor). Moreover, tens of millions of people die each year from preventable causes (e.g., infectious diseases, starvation/malnutrition, lack of clean water/sanitation, lack of vaccines for preventable diseases, infant/child mortality, accidents). Thus, even with our progress, the aggregate amount of suffering that occurs in this world on a daily basis is staggering. Many of us, partly because this information is so readily available, are aware of the tremendous amount of suffering and injustice in the world.  The knowledge of these harsh realities is quite depressing and stressful. The Serious Challenges That Humanity Faces In addition to the amount of suffering that occurs in our world daily, many of us believe that,  and feel like , the world is getting worse and are pessimistic about the future for another reason:  Humanity has some huge, and extremely thorny, challenges on our collective plate . This list of challenges is not exhaustive, but most of these should be familiar to you.  It is our familiarity with and awareness of these complex challenges that is probably contributing to our collective pessimism , particularly in WEIRD countries (i.e., Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic). 1.     Climate Change:  The planet is experiencing significant warming, leading to detrimental consequences for human life, ecosystems, and economies. ( Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, 2021 ) 2.    Biodiversity Loss:  The rapid decline in global wildlife populations, 69% since 1970, is indicative of severe environmental degradation. ( World Wildlife Fund — WWF, 2020 ) 3.    Nuclear Proliferation:  The risk of nuclear conflict remains a global concern, particularly with nations like North Korea and Iran pursuing the development of nuclear arms. ( Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 2021 ) 4.    Mental Health Crisis:  A significant rise in mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, is impacting millions worldwide, often exacerbated by inadequate treatment options. ( World Health Organization — WHO ). There is also an  epidemic of, or at least rise in, loneliness,  despite, or perhaps because of, our greater connectedness through technology. 5.    Socio-Political Conflicts:  Ongoing conflicts and tensions, such as the situation in Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine, contribute to global instability. 6.    Political Polarization:  Intense and increasing political division is undermining social cohesion and democratic processes, particularly in the United States. ( Carnegie Endowment for International Peace ) 7.     Rise of Authoritarian Regimes:  An increase in authoritarian governance is observed worldwide, threatening global democracy and human rights. ( Freedom House, 2021 ) 8.    Global Poverty and Inequality:  Despite technological and economic progress, a substantial portion of the world’s population continues to live in extreme poverty. ( World Bank ) 9.    Healthcare Accessibility:  About one half of the world, about four billion people, lack access to essential health care services. ( World Health Organization — WHO ) 10.        Educational Inequality:  The pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities in education, affecting millions of children and youth globally. ( United Nations, 2020 ) 11.  Technological Disruption and Cybersecurity Threats:  The technological revolution, while bringing progress, also introduces significant  cybersecurity risks . 12.         Existential Threats of AI:  The rapid advancement and proliferation of artificial intelligence poses significant risks to societal structures and economic stability, with some risk above zero of an existential risk to humanity. ( The New York Times ) You might be able to think of a number of other troubling concerns about our world beyond this list. A sobering reality we must face and accept is this:  Our past progress is no guarantee of continued progress . For example, the toxic divisions within America such negative partisanship and a loss of faith in our elections, government institutions, and one another are a threat to the future of the United States. The idea that our democracy could break, which is a thought that probably didn’t trouble us much until recent years, has many Americans quite worried about our future. Humanity’s Inflection Point Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were blissfully unaware of troubles outside their immediate tribe. They were concerned with surviving and making it through the day. This also applies to previous generations within civilization who could not afford to be preoccupied with worry about global problems and were probably unaware of most of them. Now our world is more connected than ever. Through advances in our technology such as the internet, smartphones, and social media, we’ve become a global community. We have more access to information (and misinformation) about the world, and to each other, than at any time in history. Perhaps this is part of the problem, and why so many of us are reasonably concerned about the state of the world and the direction we are heading. Our connectedness through our technologies exposes us to a firehose of negative information about our world that can be quite overwhelming for us. Our  negativity bias  ensures that we are drawn to and consume more negative news than positive. There is much truth to long-time adage within journalism that, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Also, because of the  power of bad , negative news affects us more negatively than positive news affects us positively. In a manner of speaking, the internet is like eating the Forbidden Fruit, and the knowledge of all the evils and ills of the word threatens to overwhelm us. Sometimes ignorance was, indeed, a kind of bliss.  While knowledge is power, knowledge dominated by a tsunami of negativity is both overwhelming and depressing. Multiple truths co-exist. It is a great time to be alive in so many ways because of the amazing progress humanity has made. Most of us benefit immensely daily from the many creature comforts of modernity. Yet, humanity has some daunting, and very complicated, challenges ahead. I am going to make a provocative claim:  What if most of the problems in our world are not in spite of the wonders of modernity, but a result of them?  In other words,  what if our progress is the heart of our societal problems and more progress will exacerbate these problems? I believe humanity is at an inflection point. With great humility, while simultaneously “swinging for the fences,” I will explain why I believe humanity is at an inflection point, and what we need to do about it. Please join me for the next article in this series as we really start to piece this provocative puzzle together! Having a clearer understanding of the nature of our challenges and struggles illuminates our way forward.

As humanity enters the uncharted waters of AI, can we avoid the icebergs? KEY POINTS Humanity faces existential risks from AI, much like the Titanic's ill-fated voyage. The story of the Titanic can serve as a cautionary tale in which ambition and overconfidence lead to tragedy. Even if someone isn't concerned about AI, they should be able to identify their "Titanic Wake-Up Calls." I've been voicing concerns about AI since January 2023, when I first tried ChatGPT, a pioneering generative AI. Although I'm a tech enthusiast and see AI's great potential to better the world. I'm also aware of its many risks. Accessing AI's benefits also opens doors to its misuse. Echoing lessons from the Spider-Man movies, "With great power comes great responsibility." Harnessing AI's benefits while minimizing its risks will require great  wisdom , skill, and unity. To help you grasp AI's risks, I'd like you to entertain a thought experiment for a moment. Will you join me?  It's important. All Aboard Titanic Humanity Imagine humanity is aboard a vast ship,  Titanic Humanity , and sailing through endless oceans. It's a melting pot of cultures, religions, and ideas—essentially, it's us. On  Titanic Humanity , diverse groups self-govern, build businesses, and engage in leisure. While tensions and conflicts do arise, many also find joy in friendships, family, and festivities during their voyage. Life on  Titanic Humanity  has generally improved, though it's had its share of storms and setbacks, the ship has weathered damage, but we patch it up and continue. While internal conflicts haven't sunk us yet, the possibility looms. Despite these concerns, the journey has been relatively peaceful lately. Yet, something is different now.  Titanic Humanity  has entered some very strange waters. There is a frigid chill as temperatures drop. There's mist in the air as the light plays tricks upon the water. The visibility has become poor. Reports of ice flows and potential icebergs have surfaced. Some passengers insist that continuing on this course is inviting disaster. They want to turn the ship around. Though many passengers are increasingly worried about potential icebergs, no one can know for certain how many and how dangerous these icebergs are. Some insist that the risks will only escalate as the ship advances into these uncharted waters. These waters are so strange and different that even the most skilled sailors can't rely on past experience to foresee what lies ahead. Many passengers are thrilled about the prospect of discovering new lands and untold riches in the unexplored vastness. Could there be treasures beyond our wildest  dreams ? A fountain of youth? Perhaps  Titanic Humanity  discovers a utopian paradise within these unexplored waters? Those who believe that there are fortunes to be had in this New World   don't want to slow down at all. In fact, they wish to speed up in order to get these imagined riches as fast as possible. Many passengers are preoccupied with daily life and too busy keeping their heads above water to worry about the ship's safety. They're consumed with their daily struggles. They focus on making it through the day and leave it to others to address any looming dangers. While turning back from this voyage doesn't seem like an option, it's entirely possible to slow down and take greater caution when entering these weird waters. As the  Titanic Humanity  sails into these oceans of uncertainty, what are we to do? What is the wise and skillful course to follow? To decide, it may help to recall lessons from the real Titanic's tragic tale... Lessons From the Titanic The Titanic's story endures within our collective consciousness because its fate was avoidable and largely human-made. On April 14, 1912, it left England with 2,223 on board. Four days later, despite iceberg warnings, it struck one, which tore a huge gash along its hull. In just 2 hours and 40 minutes, the ship sank. The lack of lifeboats and freezing water led to the deaths of 1,517 people, most of whom were third-class passengers. While many factors contributed to the sinking of the Titanic, perhaps one of the foremost reasons is that the Titanic was naively believed to be unsinkable. Engineers and investors were so enamored with their own ingenuity that they believed the Titanic simply couldn't sink. Caution took a backseat to pride, ambition, and overconfidence, which contributed to this disaster. Director James Cameron's 1997 epic blockbuster,  Titanic , masterfully immortalized the gut-wrenching tragedy of the event while seamlessly integrating a fictional love story to amplify the emotional impact. Sadly, in June of 2023, a deep-sea submersible named The Titan was exploring the wreckage of the Titanic. Led by wealthy adventurer and Titanic enthusiast Stockton Rush, along with four passengers, the expedition ended in irony. Much like the original crew and backers of the Titanic, Rush dismissed important regulatory safety measures,  placing unfaltering confidence in  his engineering skills and the sub's design. This overconfidence proved to be their undoing, as a structural failure related to its design caused The Titan to sink—tragically mirroring the fate of the very ship it was investigating. What's Your "Titanic Wake-Up Call"? Our human history is filled with cautionary tales of how human greed, pride, ambition, overconfidence, ego, naïveté, and recklessness can lead to disaster and suffering (e.g.,  Frankenstein's Monster, Jurassic Park, The Terminator, Ex Machina, Westworld, Wall Street ). Yet, perhaps none resonate so deeply in our consciousness as the sinking of the Titanic because it really happened. This avoidable tragedy embodies the cautionary tale that is now embedded in our psyche. Yet, what have we learned? Let's put ourselves back aboard  Titanic Humanity  because, in effect, that's where we are. We are heading into the AI oceans of uncertainty. Many don't believe there's any chance of encountering icebergs ahead and argue that there's no need to slow down. Many of us are too busy to be concerned .   As we imagine ourselves aboard  Titanic Humanity , what would we have to see or experience to convince us that it would be prudent to slow down as we navigate these potentially treacherous waters? What would these "icebergs" look like? AI cyberattacks that  take down power grids  or  cause stock market crashes ? AIs used  for bioterrorism ? Too many people  falling in love with AI chatbots ?  AI "resurrections"  of deceased loved ones? Deep fakes creating  toxic divisions within  our democracy?  Massive job losses  to AIs? Fortunately, our  Titanic Humanity  is not doomed. However, we are entering these AI oceans of uncertainty. The crucial question is this: At what point does AI become your "Titanic Wake-Up Call" and compel you to not only acknowledge the iceberg ahead but to join the chorus of those sounding the alarm? Even if you don't see any icebergs now or believe any are up ahead, we should all be able to identify what we would have to see to convince us otherwise.  When you hear the Titanic Wake-Up Call, it means you've seen enough to convince you that slowing down is the prudent and wise course of action. You are willing to make some noise and insist on regulation because you realize that if we go full speed ahead, we are much more likely to run into some of these icebergs. Even those of us who believe that  Titanic Humanity  will enter an ocean of very formidable AI icebergs can't say with any certainty what will happen. I cannot speak for everyone, but I believe that many of us feel that because we aren't certain, nor can we be certain, of what lies ahead, we wish to heed our cautionary tales. We know that we humans can be our own worst enemies; tragedies do happen, and there is nothing that can guarantee safe passage. We believe in logic, rationality, and caution over some kind of blind faith and hubris that humanity is unsinkable. We recount cautionary tales to avoid making the same fatal mistakes.  A purpose in life  is to learn and grow, and one way we can fulfill that purpose is to learn lessons from our cautionary tales. While the sinking of the Titanic was an absolute tragedy, perhaps one way we can honor those who died so horribly is to learn from them. They are speaking to us right now and imploring us to slow down. Will we listen to them? If you are not concerned about AI now, those of us who are understand. However, we ask that you identify your 'Titanic Wake-Up Call' regarding AI.  If it comes, promise yourself that you will take action. For those who hear this wake-up call, please support our push for AI regulation so that we can avoid hitting these icebergs. We would be thrilled to have you join us. We welcome you as a fellow concerned citizen. Then, we can explore these uncharted waters safely when we use our cautionary tales to light our way into this New World.

Welcome back, my fellow connectors! I encourage you to begin this journey with my first blog in the series — it’s a doozy called  Finding Greater Peace and Joy in Our Crazy World . I promised to tie things together in ways both familiar and surprising to you. However, I think it will be a really entertaining journey, so please join me for it. As part of an even bigger story arc, there is my personal journey in all of this. I hope to get around to that eventually, because it does connect me to this moment now, the passion that I have for this topic, and the work that I am doing. However, telling the whole backstory would sidetrack us from the more important story arc. For now, let’s just say my scientific and spiritual sides have often been at odds. At times, it has felt like there was a war within me. In somewhat of a minor miracle though, my scientific and spiritual sides have quit battling one another and made peace. I really doubted that I’d ever live to see the day, but here I am! Now that my spiritual and scientific sides are at peace, I see connections with a clarity and conviction that I just can’t ignore. I believe this inner peace has freed up my brain to see things differently than ever before . I believe this inner peace has been fertile ground for my recent wave of epiphanies, satoris (spiritual awakenings), and new ideas. I am compelled to write about these new connections as we’re about to dive deep. However, first we need to set the stage because everything connects.  This article serves as another stepping stone in my series exploring the synchronicity of science and spirituality in our modern world. Previously Covered in This Series: The Pursuit of Truth Requires Flexibility We’ve been exploring truth, and I’ll summarize where we are now in case you don’t have time to catch up. ·         We need truth to light our way on the journey of life as we try to navigate this complicated world of modernity. ·         Technology is a change accelerant. We are both “terraforming” and “technoforming” our world. ·         The technology of artificial intelligence, AI, is like “change on steroids.” This extremely powerful and versatile technology will continue to evolve and proliferate quickly. ·         Our biological evolution cannot keep pace with technological evolution. ·         Our world of modernity is very discrepant from that of our evolutionary ancestors. ·         We must be flexible or,  as Bruce Lee said, “be water,”  so that we can adapt to the rapid, complex challenges of modernity. ·         Given that our world is changing more rapidly than ever, we must be more flexible than ever to pursue truth so we can skillfully navigate the dynamic, unfolding challenges of this world. We Did Not Evolve to See Truth Lt. Daniel Kaffee: “I want the truth!” Col. Nathan Jessep: “You can’t handle the truth!”—  From the movie, “A Few Good Men” We have a bit of a paradox on our hands. If being adaptive is so crucial for us to survive and thrive, why is it often so hard to see the truth clearly? Even those earnestly seeking the truth can’t agree on much and argue about almost anything imaginable. Even if we agreed on what “truth” is, the reasons we can’t see it clearly are many and beyond the scope of this blog series. For example, psychologists have identified  scores of cognitive biases  that distort our perceptions of reality and affect our decision-making and behavior. Why do we have senses and brains that deceive us? Why would our own mind hide the truth? “Against our will, our souls are cut off from truth.” —  Marcus Aurelius, “Meditations” One of the reasons that we have difficulties with perceiving truth, with seeing reality, has to do with the  purpose  of truth. Truth isn’t desirous for its own sake. It serves a higher purpose. The purpose of truth is rooted in our evolutionary history.  Truth is about survival itself. We’ve got this built-in drive to survive because, well, that’s how evolution shaped us. If it hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here! We share this drive to survive with all living creatures, including plants. For instance, as we know, plants need sunlight to survive and thrive. If a sun-hungry tree or plant germinates within a shaded area, it will grow toward the light. It doesn’t “choose” to do that. It is a built-in mechanism. It is fundamental to its very existence. Similarly, humans, like all mammals, have a fight-flight-freeze instinct to help us avoid various dangers, especially predators, so that we may live another day. We have the desire to be safe and healthy, and we want this for our children and loved ones as well. This is inherent, and it  has  to be this way in order for us to survive as a species. So, if survival is the goal, how does happiness fit in? From this perspective,  happiness can be viewed as an evolutionary payoff  for meeting our physiological and psychological needs effectively. Thus, we are biologically motivated to pursue happiness, including both pleasure and contentment, because it enhances our chances of survival to do so. Viewing Reality Through an Evolutionary Lens Through the lens of evolution, not knowing what’s true or real could actually be a matter of life or death. In this way,  for our hunter-gatherer ancestors, what was “true” in the world were the things that   them survive . As Harvard cognitive psychologist Dr. Steven Pinker noted in  How the Mind Works , “Our minds evolved by natural selection to solve problems that were life and death matters to our ancestors, not to commune with correctness.” Our ancestors needed to be able to discriminate friend from foe, healthy from unhealthy, and safe from dangerous (e.g., “It is good to eat  this  and bad to eat  that. ”). In this sense,  accurate discernment  was a good thing because it meant distinguishing safe (e.g., eating a portabella mushroom) from unsafe (e.g., eating a deathcap mushroom). In addition, in order to survive, it was critical for our ancestors to learn to make predictions based on available information (e.g., If I hide long enough by this water hole, I will likely be able to kill game for dinner!). Not knowing, or uncertainty, would often spark the curiosity to explore, discover, and learn (e.g., “I wonder if there could be food or water over this hill? Let me check…”). In other situations, uncertainty would elicit anxiety or fear so that we would know to avoid potential danger. (e.g., “It’s dark, and something is making strange noises over there in the bushes. I’d better get away from it!”). So how does our brain manage all these predictions and uncertainties in a way that sets us up for survival? Enter  prediction-error learning . Prediction-error learning motivates us to move from uncertainty to certainty because that’s key for survival. In simple terms, prediction-error learning is our brain’s way of course-correcting. It kicks in when there’s a mismatch between what we expect and what actually happens, nudging us to update our beliefs or strategies for the better. In this way, prediction-error learning is our brain’s way of doing Bayesian reasoning (i.e., updating probabilities based upon new evidence) on autopilot. It is a process of updating our beliefs in real-time as we gather more information, helping us   navigate the challenges of life. This is another way in which our brains were “wired” to help us learn from our experiences in order to help us survive. Don’t Let Truth Get in the Way of Survival Our ancestors didn’t need to see the world for what it  really  was. They just needed to know enough to help them survive. For example, the Earth  looks  flat. It  looks  like the Sun rises in the sky and is a relatively small object. Our eyes (or our brains) deceive us though. Even though the Earth appears flat and the Sun seems small and close, science tells us the opposite is true. Moreover, our sense organs only help us perceive a tiny fraction of all of the information available to us within our environment. We evolved to perceive what we need to for survival. Other animals have senses that are fine-tuned to their survival needs, like the bloodhound’s sense of smell or the eagle’s keen eyesight. Yet, different/heightened senses evolved within those organisms because it helped them to survive/flourish within their respective environments. Likewise, our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn’t need quantum physics to survive — just basic Newtonian physics was enough. For instance, they needed to understand that falling off of a cliff would be bad. They didn’t need to understand concepts like  Schrödinger’s Cat  , which could be simultaneously alive and dead in a quantum universe. Rather, they just needed to know if the cat could hurt them…or was edible. On the other hand, we’ve all had moments where our “gut feelings,” our instincts, guided us. For instance, we have all probably had a gut feeling to take a different route home or avoid a suspicious person. The accuracy of these feelings wasn’t important. What mattered was the possibility they could help us dodge danger. These instinctual judgments are deeply embedded in our psyche. They are remnants from our ancestors whose survival often depended on snap decisions rather than a comprehensive understanding of the truth. As cognitive psychologist Donald Hoffman describes in  The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth From Our Eyes ,  fitness beats reality . That is, survival is more important than the truth. So, through natural selection, perceptual and cognitive distortions of reality naturally emerge when it helps the organism survive and reproduce. In essence, as Hoffman argues,  our brains were molded by natural selection to be effective survival machines rather than objective interpreters of reality . As a result, what we see, feel, or believe isn’t always aligned with the absolute truth, but often skewed in favor of what has historically helped us survive. The Negativity Bias One of the most telling examples of our survival instinct at work is the psychological principle known as the  negativity bias . This cognitive “tilt” evolved to prioritize our survival over a clear and factual understanding of the world. Erring on the side of caution or even self-deception was often beneficial because it increased our odds of staying alive. Take, for instance, the experience of mistaking a long, thin vine for a snake while foraging for food. In this case, it’s safer to overreact and jump back. If it turns out to be just a vine, there’s no harm done. However, if we fail to react and it is a venomous snake, it could mean the end of us. This principle also holds true for “stranger danger,” an important instinct for our ancestors. It is a survival mechanism to protect us from potential harms from predators or rival tribes. Meeting a stranger could result in death, perhaps even threatening one’s family or entire tribe. So, a heightened sense of fear, trepidation, and caution at the first encounter with unfamiliar beings or situations is an adaptive trait, leading us to err on the side of caution. In essence, our brains perform organic, automatic cost-benefit analyses to optimize our survival chances. While this may lead us to misperceive the level of threat, these perceptual errors are entirely understandable within the evolutionary framework. The negativity bias doesn’t just influence how we perceive physical dangers; it also extends to our social interactions and our modern information landscape. For example, an insult tends to linger longer in our memory than praise, and a failed company presentation can haunt us more than a successful one uplifts us. This bias even affects our media consumption. We’re naturally drawn to negative news over positive stories, a tendency that’s been exacerbated by the 24-hour news cycle, the internet, and social media. Our inherent negativity bias has a ripple effect that distorts not just our personal experiences but our collective understanding of the world. It creates another cognitive bias called the  availability bias , which skews our perceptions of reality. The news is biased toward negativity because of the negativity bias, and our overconsumption of this negative news makes us think that events like abductions, shootings, and other tragedies are more common than they actually are. This pervasive  power of bad  influences not only our individual behavior but also entire systems like media, which thrives on human attention steered by our negativity bias. This leads the majority of us in affluent countries to internalize a  generally pessimistic view of the world and our future.  Moreover, it affects our emotional well-being as we are more fearful of bad events happening than the actual data warrant. Default Mode Network Understanding the power and reach of the negativity bias lays the groundwork for delving into another neurological phenomenon that also plays a major role in our lives: the  default mode network . Far from being idle, our brains are actually quite active when we are at rest. Researchers, including Harvard social psychologist Daniel Gilbert, have found that parts of our brains serve as  experience simulators , a concept popularized in Gilbert’s book  Stumbling on Happiness  and his  TED Talk . This unique capability allows our brains to project us into possible futures or revisit the past to test hypotheses, make sense of patterns, and even simulate potential dangers. The activities within the DMN are aimed at ensuring success and survival within our ancestral environments. The DMN operates largely in the background and works unconsciously. Thus, the term “default mode” is an apt description. Due to our innate negativity bias, our thoughts often gravitate toward identifying and resolving possible threats to our well-being. This was incredibly advantageous in our ancestral environments. The DMN helped us develop tools and language, discover fire, and advance beyond our hunter-gatherer origins. Importantly, the DMN isn’t solely a problem-solving tool fixated on doom and gloom. It also enables creativity, self-reflection, and complex planning. However, in our modern world filled with novel challenges, the DMN sometimes misfires. Take rumination as an example. We might find ourselves endlessly mulling over a complicated work problem or relationship dilemma without finding a clear way forward. The mismatch between the problems our DMN evolved to solve and the complex issues we face today often results in counterproductive or even detrimental outcomes. It’s as if these complex problems of modernity get stuck whirling around as our brains try to solve unsolvable, negative koans (e.g., If I don’t check my phone, I’ll miss something important. But if I do check my phone, I’ll miss something important happening right in front of me). “ And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. ” — The Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” The Takeaway?: Modernity Is Mismatch Everything about humans — our physiological and psychological needs — are grounded in our evolutionary history. The mechanisms that once helped us survive and thrive are now sometimes at odds with our modern circumstances. We never evolved to see truth, but only the realities that helped us to survive within ancestral environments. As part of this evolutionary process, we developed a negativity bias. It is rooted in the hundreds of thousands of years we spent in nomadic, hunter-gatherer tribes. Although it served us well in those ancestral environments, it’s less suited for the complexities and challenges of modern society. Our brains, crafted for a very different world, often struggle to skillfully navigate the problems of modernity. This discrepancy between our evolved traits and our current surroundings is a critical concept known as  evolutionary mismatch . We see the strains of evolutionary mismatch on both individual and societal levels. This fascinating topic, with its profound and far-reaching implications, will be the focus of our next article. Please join me as we go deeper down the rabbit hole. Things are about to get REALLY interesting!