Economics, Systems Thinking
Ecologists take a nuanced, evidence-based approach to intervening in complex adaptive systems. This is how complexity thinking could reboot our approach to public policy.
Ecology, by Midjourney
"Like ecologies, economies are complex adaptive systems. They exhibit feedback loops, delays, adaptation, path dependence, nonlinearity, emergent phenomena and — importantly — people.
"Economics is a social science. As the renowned physicist Murray Gell-Mann once quipped, 'Imagine how hard physics would be if electrons could think!'” - Kasey Klimes
Article: Designing an Economy Like an Ecologist
How We Learn, AI
Sure, ChatGPT raises all kinds of questions. But history suggests that we're ready for it, and can benefit from it.
In Gilgamesh, the benefits of civilisation and urbanisation are juxtaposed with their costs, like environmental destruction. This clay tablet is inscribed with part of the epic of Gilgamesh. Zunkir/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
"While ChatGPT threatens to change writing (and writing-related work) as we know it, the Mesopotamians, who lived 4,000 years ago (in a geographical area centered in modern-day Iraq), went through this kind of seismic change before us."
"...Mesopotamians invented the wheel and agriculture, and pioneered advances in mathematics, urbanisation and transportation. These breakthroughs are reflected in cuneiform literature, one of the oldest known forms of writing.
"...In the world’s earliest known written epic, Gilgamesh, the eponymous hero is shown inventing and using technologies, such as diving weights and a sail, to further his journey to the edges of the world – and beyond."
"...Mesopotamian epics don’t present cultural and technological advances as unambiguously and uniformly beneficial. In Gilgamesh, the benefits of civilization and urbanization, such as advances in wall-building technology, are juxtaposed with their costs – such as environmental destruction and alienation from the wild."
"...In some ways, the representation of new technologies in cuneiform literature echoes contemporary concerns about AI: fears of increasing social inequalities and its potential use in cyberwarfare."
Article: ChatGPT is Confronting, but Humans Have Always Adapted to New Technology – Ask the Mesopotamians, Who Invented Writing
How We Live
"Mankind is quite literally out to destroy the only life that we know of in the universe. That's how good we are at denying reality."
"And here’s the kicker—it really is mankind doing this, not humankind, says physician-scientist Ajit Varki. He claims that men suffer more from reality denial and extreme optimism than women, perhaps a function which allowed hunters to take bold risks tens of thousands of years ago. Contrary to their optimism, women are more prone to depression and, therefore, reality awareness—and have a better theory of mind. Women are more collective, more empathetic, more collaborative. Men, on the other hand, are more unrealistic, take more risks, and put themselves and others in danger.
"The split between the sexes, Varki says, is the same pull that you can see cognitively between this theory of mind (mortality awareness) and reality denial (optimism). And he says the only way forward is elect women leaders, because only women are capable of both confronting reality, and the necessary connectedness to navigate the climate crisis." - Rachel Donald
Article: Should Women Run The World?
Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Messaging
Ikea uses roomsets in UK stores not to sell furniture but to highlight the reality that people who experience homelessness are forced to endure when living in temporary accommodations.
"One in every 208 people in England is currently experiencing homelessness, with thousands more likely to lose their homes by the end of the year as a result of the cost of living crisis. Together, IKEA and Shelter have created ‘Real Life Roomsets’ to raise awareness of this issue and highlight the real living conditions of those who are forced into temporary accommodation as a result.
"The roomsets, which are a stark contrast to those found in IKEA’s famously inspiring and well-designed showrooms, are based on real stories of people local to the stores involved. Each roomset highlights the cramped, dangerous, and grotty spaces that an increasing number of people who are experiencing homelessness are forced to experience when living in temporary accommodation." - Eva Dixon
Article: Ikea and Shelter Reveal the Reality of Temporary Accommodation
Community, Connecting
A lot of people appreciate an excuse to connect with others.
Photo by HIVAN ARVIZU @soyhivan on Unsplash
"So many structural elements of a community are designed to help people connect: Having a shared purpose; a curated invitation process; any shared experience. Learning and collaboration is often just an excuse to connect. Roles — just as my role to build the local Sandbox chapter — are an amazing excuse to proactively connect with people. And there are also smaller ways how we can bring in excuses to connect, for example:
- Introducing two people who will be at the same event to each other weeks before the event.
- Creating a buddy system.
- Creating smaller sub-groups of 4–5 people.
- Randomly introducing people to another member once a month via email."
- Fabian Pfortmüller
Article: Community Weaving is About Creating (Safe) Excuses for People to Connect.
How We Live
Ted Goia says that Emily Post's Etiquette is the most fascinating book he's read so far in 2023.
"Not many books get more interesting as they age, but it does happen sometimes."
"These are the moments when we need guidance—and by implication, books of etiquette—the most. Call them rites of passage or whatever you will, certain events in our life catch us unawares and unprepared. If we live in a healthy society, there is some accumulated wisdom to fall back on, and it guides us when our own efforts fall short.
"I once felt that etiquette was just a tool to impose class distinctions. And maybe it is (although certainly less nowadays than in my mother’s day)—but it’s also something else. Or at least can be. Etiquette fills the gap for us when we are at a loss, when our familiar day-to-day ways offer no help. We need that, especially in our most vulnerable moments. The ‘rules of the game’ are like the steps of a ritual. And the older I get, the more I grasp how significant our rituals are. And how much we lose when they disappear." - Ted Goia
Article: What I Learned from Emily Post's 'Etiquette' (1922)
One-liners
Article: Vinyl Records Outsell CDs for the First Time Since 1987.
Article: Can Brain Science Explain Why We Like Certain Artworks?
Article: Trees, Green Space May Lower Postpartum Depression Risk.
Article: Turns Out That America’s Most “Recession-Proof” Business Is . . . Bookstores.
Playlist
Last week, on the night before she brought her boundless talent to the Love Rocks NYC 2023 concert, St. Vincent performed Glory Box with The Roots on The Tonight Show. Pinch me. As one commenter said: "The hipster forces aligned beautifully on this one. It doesn't get much cooler than St. Vincent backed by The Roots playing Portishead."
Another asked: "Since the 90’s now qualify as oldies, can trip hop make a comeback?". I sure hope so.
Mitch, the editor, in his a new role as Mitch the DJ
A mix-tape inspired by Portishead's Glory Box
The eighth post in my new weekly series of mix-tapes, Big Sounds from a Small Planet.
Mix-Tape: Give me a reason. Easy now, No. 3.
Image of the Week
"Undulating grass mounds at Kurkku Fields camouflage a meditative enclave for reading and rest. Opened last month in Kisarazu City, Japan, 'Underground Library' is the project of Hiroshi Nakamura and NAP Architects, who designed the study center so that it nestles into the ground and seamlessly merges with the surrounding landscape.
"A radial skylight allows natural light to pour into the otherwise concrete and wood space, along with large glass windows that line the building’s perimeter, showcasing a selection of the 3,000 books on the shelves. Given the location of the library, many of the titles explore the natural world through poetry, art, philosophy, history, and science. Halls wind throughout the circular space and lead to cozy reading rooms, some of which have narrow shelves carved into the walls that hide volumes for surprise discoveries." - Grace Ebert
Article: Readers Burrow into a Bookworm Haven in Kurkku Fields’ ‘Underground Library’
What's Love & Work?
Love & Work is the weekly newsletter by me, Mitch Anthony. I help people use their brand - their purpose, values, and stories - as a pedagogy and toolbox for transformation.
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