Ecology, Energy, Entropy: How to Civilize Civilization

http://www.imbf.ku.dk/MolBioPages/abk/PersonalPages/Jesper/Ecosem.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosemiotics

From Hoffmeyer's paper:
"It should be noticed that contrary to legend, people in general do not want to cultivate the soil if they don't have to. The point is, that the control of photosynthesis, i.e., systematic biological energy, is a survival strategy which changes every dimension of people's social life. This is born out by anthropological and archeological evidence as well as by theoretical considerations (Lee 1968; cf. Boserup 1965; Wilkinson 1973; Harris 1977). Hunter collectors resist the introduction of agriculture, primarily because the necessary workload is radically increased and also because social freedom and autonomy is decreased. The continued intensification of agriculture apparently leads inevitably to a doubling — or even a tripling (in irrigation-systems) — of the amount of social work. The anthropologist Marshall Sahlins even coined the term "the original affluent societies" for the hunter-collector cultures of the Stone Age (Sahlins 1972). Thus, the agricultural revolution has probably nowhere in the world been a voluntary process (Carneiro 1970)."

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• biosemiotics
• hoffmeyer
• entropy
• energy
• ecology
• agriculture

[RoadRrunner]

I applaud the fan within a fan effect. I perused the paper, valuable insight, especially the bit about expulsion of entropy. The problem I have with the exaltation of hunter gatherer societies is that it would seem that in order to maintain the equilibrium of the human/area ratio there is the general need to episodically cull the population whether through infant morality, inter-tribal wars, or whatever keeps death near.

[0ThouArtThat0]

The culling of population is not something humans should or need to take into their own hands. Nature takes care of it for us. This doesn't mean we can't take steps to avoid over-populating to begin with (like more education, being conscientious about how much food we produce, etc.)

[astrotometry]

humanity's that is...

[patternsinchaos]

The potential damage from bioengineering represents humanities greatest threat to itself and the planet. Unfortunately, potential damage from bioengineering is largely unforeseeable. From this activity of manipulating biological machinery mankind finds his greatest potential to accidentally destroy himself.

[cosmanthony21]

"First, so-called information techniques (among which should be included techniques dealing with biological information) are not really techniques proper but meta-techniques, i.e., they are not directly interacting with the world around them. Instead, they are interacting with, and controlling other techniques." Thought that was interesting, good paper too.

[cosmanthony21]

I think its more ideal to work less and live affluent, what are the solutions to that?

[jogayot]

ah, finished reading... indeed, perhaps. still it's not obvious that introduction of more sustainable industries could or would lead to egalitarian societies of hunter-gatherers. the "harm" has been done...

[jogayot]

"Thus, the agricultural revolution has probably nowhere in the world been a voluntary process (Carneiro 1970)."

that sounds sort of depressing as it implies that it's long, long past the time we can reasonable hope to get away from latest form of "involuntarity" i.e. wage slavery. nothing short of destruction of the system, letting ecosystem stabilize itself and starting from scratch... with this new ideas in mind. or i'm understanding it totally on the wrong footing.

[JustPlaneNuts]

Yep, sustainability is the key word. Oil peaked in the US in 71, and may have now peaked worldwide, natural gas is approaching peak, coal mining is destructive, burning it is poisonous, and it all produces greenhouse gasses. The industrialized world needs to move quickly towards renewable, sustainable energy, water and agriculture solutions before its to late. (and yes, all three are inner connected) Have you read Plan B 3.0 by Lester Brown?