Transformation and Inflection Points
Transformation and Spirituality
Jonas Salk, the medical pioneer who developed the vaccine for polio went on to undertake significant research into the cycle of existence for various species. In his work he concluded that there were three very distinct patterns to the lifecycle of any species. In brief they were:
• Following long and stable growth, the rate of growth suddenly spurts upward, after which the species ceases to exist;
• Growth accelerates, then rapidly declines, then accelerates, then declines again, fluctuating throughout its entire existence;
• A long period of steady growth is maintained, then spikes upward and then hits a plateau on which it maintains itself from then on (this is the normal pattern for species which survive).
In the third type of transformation, the species reaches a “point of inflection” which divides the entire mode of the species’ existence into two distinct epochs. At the point of inflection, a transformation is triggered in the existence of a species which creates the conditions conducive to the long term survival of the species. Salk concluded that the human species was entering the point of inflection and that there would have to be a significant shift in human values and modes of survival if the species was to continue to survive. Critical to this period was that Salk concluded that as a result of our work on genetics and other related fields we have reached a point where we can affect the genetic outcome, and closely aligned to this that we had reached a point where we could, through the application of human will, affect the outcome of our own evolution.
A Heirarchy of Sustainability?
There is probably no modern issue more subject to misrepresentation, extremist views and non-scientific assertions than the problem of defining human sustainability (except perhaps the climate change issue). There is no doubt that the human species has reached the boundaries of the closed system known as the Earth's biosphere. However, finding long term solutions to the maintenance of human existence within this biosphere is not well served by taking non-scientific extreme positions which fail to take into account the closely linked considerations in creating a sustainable environment for future generations.
In considering the meaning of sustainability it is critical that we understand and model sustainability in terms of four main views:
- Natural Sustainability (sustainability of the planetary biosphere);
- Social Sustainability (the sustainability of social systems and structures which sustain human existence such as individual rights and responsibilities, and respecting the integrity of those constructs which maintain social resilience within the human collective)
- Economic Sustainability (sustainability of economic mechanisms which form the basis for the ongoing development of the human enterprise)
- Human Performance Sustainability (the creation and maintenance of built and natural environments which encourage and support the sustainable performance of human elements within the overall human enterprise (domestic / employment / recreation)
A Systems Philosophy for Human Sustainability
"A human being is part of the whole called by us universe , a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty... We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive."
Albert Einstein
For several decades the concept of sustainability has been held captive by a limited understanding of the meaning of the term. All too often the focus of human sustainability is in terms of ecological sustainability or, more recently, eco-footprinting - both of which are admirable and extremely important principles. However, human sustainability also needs to be understood in terms of the human capability to exist / operate in an environment for long periods of time.
In the workplace, for example, we create environments based on artificial lighting, rigid desk layouts and high levels of technology, all of which create in most people a desire to get to the end of the day and get back outside - back to where they feel comfortable. An alternative approach is to view the workplace as an extension of the way of life that an individual has chosen.
One special application of these principles is the work environment in which human crises / natural disasters are managed. In these environments, individuals will frequently operate for extended periods of time, operating under high workload, with high consequence decisions a key part of their task. Examples of these environments include Emergency Services operations rooms, Casualty wards/ Emergency Rooms and stock trading floors. In these environments it is critical that the design accounts for the human propensity to work long hours during crisis and design appropriately. The application of a relatively new discipline which has emerged from the Information Technology arena gives us a fresh way to look at these environments and better understand how to design for human sustainable performance.
The Paradoxes of Modern Existence
As we once again honour the holiday season in the West one cannot help but ponder the paradoxes of modern existence. For many (if not most) in the West, there is a total denial of the Christian belief system as a way of life. We may claim a return, rather, to the worship of the promise of sun return and perhaps there is some sense in this. Of all the forces that shape human existence, none is more vital to us than the warmth and energy which comes to us from this inconsequential star. However, for we in the South there is no need to worship Sun return. The Sun is high in the sky, the air is warm and we worship instead at the altar of sport, beachside activities and the laden table.
But in the midst of all this, there is one form of worship which for many has become all consuming. Once again, here in Australia, the shops have opened and Australians have yielded to the temptation to spend way beyond their means. Indications are that as a nation we have spent somewhere around $5 billion dollars in a single day. Yet we can ill afford such expenditure. Not only is this profligate purchasing of things, many of which are probably unnecessary, and a consequent expansion for many of their total debt situation. It also represents the generation of vast volumes of additional waste in the form of packaging, not to mention the waste associated with the production of goods of questionable value. For many, one cannot help but wonder how long the joy of the new possession will last once the packaging has been removed and yet another item is added to the cupboard to be subsequently forgotten. And how much will end up in of the self storage parks that dot every large community.
Sustainability as a Principle
I was recently pondering a range of initiatives which have been either stopped as a consequence of questions of sustainability or which were framed to achieve enhanced sustainability. In all cases that I have looked at there appears to be a strong skewing to one aspect of sustainability - the natural environment.\
As a systems thinker I have often been struck by the fact that sustainability is generally only seen in terms of the natural environment. I think there is a more holistic view of this issue of sustainability.
I believe there are three distinct aspects to sustainability:
Sustainability in terms of the natural environment
Sustainability in terms of human performance; and
Sustainability in terms of the human enterprise.
Where Will the Children Play
Last weekend I was visiting my family at Portland in Victoria. While I was there an extremely large school of tuna was passing to the South of Portland and fishermen from many miles away had come to fish for Tuna. The spectacle of the entire fishing wharf area of Portland covered in boats and boat trailers was quite a sight to see. But amidst the sight was a sad reality.
There have been questions over the total fish stock left in Australian waters for a long time. The size of the catch seemed to indicate that perhaps stocks are recovering as a result of recent initiatives. However I could not help but wonder if there was something wrong with what was happening. As boat after boat came in laden with tuna it became obvious that this school was going to be significantly depleted if not destroyed by the level of fish take. Whilst individual fisherman may observe bag limits etc, the aggregate catch was probably more than the school could bear. On Saturday evening as I watched the catch being processed by the fishermen I was informed by a council worker that they had already taken over 160 tonnes of tuna waste to the tip. And the fishing went on for several more days.
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