STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM by Gbenga Michael Ogungbuyi

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Eckard,

Thanks for following up on my reply to Christian,

However, Einstein's relativity has a lot to do with my article. Since I used thermodynamic principle, some people felt my idea was entropy but I never made reference to any entropy in my article. But rather the first law of thermodynamic which is the law of conservation of energy and this is in conformity with Einstein's relativity principle of time, mass and space. Although, this might not be directly quoted in this essay but find its application in my explanation and write up.

I have attached a pdf document to help clarify this idea. But for emphasis, I will still attach it here.Attachment #1: 2_Some_clarifications_on_the_article_fqxi.pdf

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Eckard,

Just to register my appreciation.

Thanks and regards

Gbenga

[deleted]

Hi Gbenga,

I read your essay some time ago.I have just reread it. It is a pleasure to read, well written, nicely expressed but I feel it is based on wishful thinking rather than hard and fast solutions to to World's many problems.

There needs to be a balance between being paralyzed by fears of things that may never come to pass, as you say FEAR, and living a hedonistic life oblivious of the problems in the World. You have indicated a good direction to steer towards.I liked Peter Gluck's notion that we should not aim for unattainable perfection or expect the worst but strive always to improve things.{My description based on my understanding of his words}

I like that you argue for balance between technological advances and care of the ecosystem. It does seem that very often it is our technological solutions that cause more problems.

Good luck, Georgina

[deleted]

Dear Georgina,

Thanks for reading my essay again and again. I will look out for yours and try to read before the contest is over.

However, it is not just a wishful thought. It is a model that is achievable. If the global world is seen as a unit community which indeed it is. The sum total of all activities that happen within this community must be beneficial to everyone including the personality steering the activities, his neighbour, other living and non living things, and finally respect the environment where he exist. Obedience to the law of universe/nature is his perimeter of operation. Failure to keep the law makes him a nuisance to other biodiversity of the ecosystem as mentioned above, and the environment for which he will be punished for the consequence of not obeying the law. This is a normal way of life. So therefore, our technology must be proportional to the benefit of other biodiversity in the ecosystem and the natural environment in general.

The only thing that could upset the ecosystem and its balance is natural disaster which even though can be foreseen through cutting-edge technology but may not be avoided altogether.

It is therefore an implementable model. The UN is adopting this model to curb dehumanization, totalitarian government and all forms of insurgencies in the world today.

Thanks for your comments. I will look out for your essay to read as well.

Regards

Gbenga

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

The above reply was from me. The system signed me out unaware.

Gbenga

Aaron Feeney

I am testing the linking function. The link does not work in preview, but if it works after being posted, here's a link to my Kindle ebook on Amazon:

[link:www.amazon.com/Understanding-Future-Viewing-Machines-Time-Travel-ebook/dp/B00JI53G8G/ref=la_B00JJDUTFA_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401147976&sr=1-1]Understanding Future-Viewing Machines and Time Travel[/link]

Jonathan Dickau

Hello Gbenga,

This essay is a good start, but only a start. Your goal is admirable, and your main thesis is reasonable, but your explanation is weak while the subject and a contest like this one demand well-fitted and compelling arguments. I admire what you are trying to do, and I feel like you that it is absolutely necessary to strike a balance between technological progress and respect for the natural environment - if humanity is to survive. The question is how Science links in, and if you have been just in assessing its role.

I am reminded of the story of Buckminster Fuller, who almost committed suicide when he realized that if he persisted, his inventions could almost certainly be used for war destruction, but he decided not to jump and instead to design things that couldn't be built yet - in hopes that future humans could sort out some of the day's problems.

Pete Seeger once shared a story with me about his father - who was a happy go lucky man most of his life, but became terror-stricken in old age, over the destructive power Science was putting into the hands of despotic rulers, and discouraged that he couldn't convince them to stop. Pete was more optimistic, and he reasoned that only learning more still could get us out of the mess we are in. A little of this kind of perspective would help your essay greatly.

I attach slides for the talk I was slated to give at FFP12, which discuss some of these issues.

All the Best,

JonathanAttachment #1: Do_people_in_Physics_have_a_responsibility.pdf

Jonathan Dickau

I should add this..

The Pete Seeger story is recounted in his book "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" on pages 282-283 where Pete says about his father "If he were alive, I'd argue with him 'Remember Hegel? He said there is always thesis, antithesis, and synthesis'," and then he went on to quote FDR who said "If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all people, of all kinds, to live together in he same world at peace." I think we can all agree that we need that kind of Science.

All the Best,

Jonathan

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for finding time to read my article. Your comments were noted with deep appreciation. However, I disagree with you on "but your explanation is weak while the subject and a contest like this one demand well-fitted and compelling arguments"

If there is only one straight jacket approach of explaining "HOW HUMANITY SHOULD STEER THE FUTURE" I am sure this platform of contest wouldn't have existed. The contest provider notes the diverse background the people will examine the topic and hence more than 150 people have hitherto responded. You have examined the topic on playing perspective and I have examined it on striking a balance. You cannot force a model or principle on my objective neither can I do the same on you.

I have a total grasp on "How Humanity Should Steer the Future". I have examined what is responsible to global terrorism, dehumanization and totalitarian government. If you are current with international news across board (media), you will see that more lives are lost through the above highlighted points than through any other means. This happen everywhere especially in the middle east, developing countries with emphasis in Africa and parts of Asia. You see the uncultured/unlawful use of invented gun and biological missiles by individuals, governments and terrorists who are members of the public to invoke terror and fear in the society. And some of these including personal dangerous ideas are seen in our movies and literature and hence I came with a proposal to strike a balance between the invented technology and our natural habitat. What do you think I have not explained explicitly?

In achieving this I suggested the following, having adaptive control over our inventions, obedience to the universal law and absence of natural disaster.

You suggested learning, but I said NO to this. Research has shown that most of the unlawful use of gun and bombing are initiated by the illiterates who have been brain washed by the act of terrorism by certain sects that is beyond the scope of this forum. You can only propose science learning to the enlightened. But I have suggested that obedience to the universal law can scale this down. The universe is governed by specific laws. Most of the assault to human's life is as a result of breaking the laws. There have been so many terrorists that have been brought to book by the international law of justice. Where is Osama Bin Laden? Governments like Sadam Hussain, Charles Taylor etc were made to face the full wrath of the law for their inhuman and totalitarian act of leadership. All these I explained in my essay.

Your judgment over my essay is inconclusive. I addressed the topic of the contest in a philosophical reasoning. I suggested a way of life of balancing all our activities with other components of nature including the environment into consideration. And any suggestive act to upset the balancing will be punished. I said since good was created before evil ever surfaced, so many evil/endangered species in the ecosystem must be removed. This is how the 7 billion world population can be effectively managed while leaving the natural environment unhurt.

Do you understand? We came from diverse background.

God bless you and regards

Gbenga

Jonathan Dickau

Thank you for addressing my concerns...

I appreciate the time taken to further explain your aims, Gbenga. My critique is not meant to take issue with your main points, and is more about how it is presented.

I agree that those who abuse their power to create an unnatural advantage for themselves must be balanced by restraining forces that can take a despot down or prevent further abuses. I also agree that many of those who are terrorists or despots feel that they are above natural law, and that this will automatically be countered by the actualities of nature. The ruptured pipe that spewed oil into the Gulf of Mexico for months is a good example of how ignoring natural law leads to catastrophic consequences. To underestimate the risk of such use of technology, by ignoring the actual Physics, invites tragedy.

However; your essay does introduce some confusion about where nature's law is at work, and where man-made laws are a reflection of the natural order. It is true that every action leads to an equal and opposite reaction. When applied to human affairs, this is called the Law of Compensation or Karma. But in every case; we must be the vigilant ones who make our leaders respect the laws of nature, or else nature's answer to our abuses comes down on our heads - instead of the ones who did the abusing. Nature is presently holding all of mankind accountable for the excesses of a few powerful and power-hungry people. But the rest of us are the ones who must bring them down or compel them to respect the laws of nature, or we will all suffer.

Regards,

Jonathan

Jonathan Dickau

Regarding adaptive control over inventions...

I see this as absolutely desirable, and perhaps essential to securing a better future, but the reality is that once things are invented and perfected so they can be turned over to engineers - scientists and inventors lose all influence upon how their discoveries and inventions will be used by society. The only recourse men and women of Science have is to withhold information, or try to direct it into a pipeline where conscientious development is possible.

There is an enormous challenge to actually implement a system where those who make discoveries and inventions have a role in determining how those advances are developed, or who will benefit. Typically; those who have the ideas get no opportunity at all to determine how they are used, while those who invest the money in their development get to choose unilaterally, and derive most of the benefit. It would certainly be better if the ones who have good ideas could benefit more and got to control their development and usage to a greater degree.

Do you have any concrete notion of how that could be accomplished?

Regards,

Jonathan

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Jonathan,

Thanks for following up on my response. I really appreciate this spirit. I notice if this altitude is ploughed into this contest it would have been the best FQXI will produced so far, unfortunately I see selfishness! Just a side comments, please pardon me!!!

As law of gravity in Physics holds for everyone and everything in the universe, I see natural and human laws interplaying together. One does not need to tell anyone about the law of gravity before believing it does exists. Every just society has bye laws which regulate activities of her citizens. International law of justice has stated in my article will not unduly punish any offender. There are bye laws that govern the peaceful co-existence of humanity with nature otherwise this world will be in chaos. For every injurious act of dystopia on the ecosystem (or global world or civil society), the court is meant to bring order. For instance, motor drivers are only allowed to speed within limits and any driver over-speeding will be caught by the state camera. He will be punished by paying a fine. You find this law of gravity expressed in all human activities, socio-economic, finance, security and in our day-to-day activities. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY THE LAW OF UNIVERSE.

Even if there is delay in justice by the law court, you see a form of civil unrest like protest by the people demanding for their rights. So many governments have been overthrown in the middle east since 2011. e.g in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and recently in Ukraine and Thailand. One interesting thing is that the west and international community backed up these rebels against the prevailing governments. This is due to justice delay. There is application of that little article in our contemporary world, and this is how I mean humanity can steer the future.

Do you think there is still any iota of confusion in any aspect of my essay that needs further explanation?

I like your gesture and wish to follow up your work after this competition. You can provide me a link here.

Thanks so much.

Regards

Gbenga

Jonathan Dickau

Thanks for explaining, Gbenga,

I will be happy to compare notes later. You can e-mail me a this address.

jonathan at jonathandickau dot com

I wrote it that way to prevent the spambots from harvesting my address.

Regards,

Jonathan

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Thanks a lot Jonathan,

I have posted my last response before I discovered you still have another question for me. I will answer them very shortly. I can't do that at the moment because there is power cut.

Thanks for making this forum uniquely dynamic. I love your spirit. Your link is also noted with appreciation so we can exchange ideas.

We come back later.....

Thanks

Gbenga

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Thank you Jonathan,

Sorry for your infection. Please get well on time and make this forum more dynamic has ever. On your last question as it appeared in my thread, here is my clarification.

There is hardly any form of technology and invented device produced by the scientists or engineers that you buy at the shopping malls without a working manual with it. Even the drugs we buy the pharmacists who produced them will recommend at "Doctors prescriptions." But that does not solve the problem of drug addiction. You even found for example, a form of routine test conducted for those in sports to ensure they keep shape without any influence of drugs. Those tested positive are ban for not keeping the law.

I asked in my article the intention of "Edward Teller and his team for inventing the Hydrogen bomb?" Of course it may be with good intention, but for the endanger species (human beings) in the ecosystem which use the same to propagate terrorism and every act of dehumanization and upset the balance in the ecosystem, the law will catch up on such. So my explanation goes beyond technology and inventions but even all activities of man which must be correlated to the good of others and the natural habitat in the ecosystem. But if he will use technology, invention or any activity to abuse others and the good of the ecosystem, the law or retribution will apply. This is my concept. So the ideology explained in the essay, form a concept for a normal way of life for the global community to follow. And I think the UN is doing a lot in this direction and can still do more. For more on the essay, here is the link http://fqxi.org/community/forum/topic/2020

This may not apply to everyone but may add to earlier post as regard my essay on STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND ECOSYTEM. You may downplay it if it does not apply to you.

With highest regards to Jonathan

Gbenga

Chidi Idika

Dear Gbenga,

Bros, I dey hail o! No vex, NEPA dey show me pepper join.

You say: "Invented technology must relate proportionately with the ecosystem such that the energy available from the sun for both humanity and his environment in the ecosystem (cosmic world) is conserved."

Makes me wonder may be we should as a matter of convention simply go ONLY as far as renewable energy can take us. And why not?

Also: "All forms of terrorist attacks, suicide bomber and global tyrants abusing Physics or using applied technology to threaten global peace and its ecosystem should be brought to order or judgment at once! The law of retribution must hold for such inhuman aggression."

I actually think the world would be better if it took an ear for an ear, an eye for an eye but problem to me is HOW to reliably and fairly get the world to do so (instantly?) without somehow punishing the innocent or engendering selective justice.

"Rather than following the path of destruction above why not down-play the side effects of science and fully think about it rewards and fulfilment?........ At least good was first created before evil ever surfaced."

Good one. Just like the FQXI essay guide suggests, there is no control over the fact that BOTH good and evil exist but we can consciously choose which side to emphasis (hoping that one man's good does not still end up as another man's evil!). BTW, why is the world such a tangle and resistant of balance? Or is it?

Am proud of the spirit of your essay and the spirit in which you have run in this contest. To the best of my tiny ability I hope to be your buoy.

Best wishes,

Chidi

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Chidi,

Thanks for appearing on my thread. I could not hold my JOY when I saw your essay posted bc I knew from the name this is from Naija and quickly read and rated high and of course the score card should be high from the quality of the essay. Let's encourage others to join in such competition considering the level of IQ we have in Nigeria.

The power problem hinder active participation especially when I have the time for it. But let's hope things will get better.

I will like we continue even after this contest is over. We will get to discuss that later. Still power problem.

God bless you and stay lifted!

Gbenga

Cristinel Stoica

Dear Gbenga,

Very beautiful essay. I like the way you support scientific progress as a tool that should be used for our planet and for mankind, and to avoid its misuses and abuses. Good luck in the contest!

Cristi

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

Dear Cristinel Stoica,

Thanks so much for finding time to read my essay. I am exceptionally elated by your comments.

Wishing you a great reward as well.

Thanks and regards

Gbenga

George Gantz

Gbenga - I enjoyed your essay and the basic notion of ecosystem dynamics as the guide for steering humanity - and, as you noted in your comment on my essay (The Tip of the Spear), there are some similarities to the evolutionary concepts and the importance of cooperation in my essay. You have also included many interesting quotes in your essay. I did not, however, find your analysis easy to follow or compelling. For example, I did not follow how the paragraph on Newtonian mechanics actually supported the ecosystem concept. The discussion on misuse and abuse of technology was interesting, but I was unsure how that related to your conclusions. In summary, it is an interesting essay, and I support the overall message of optimism and cooperation (e.g. the principle of ecosystems) that you espouse, but the essay did not provide a coherent and well-articulated pathway to get there.

All the best - thanks so much for your efforts! - George

[deleted]

Dear George,

Thank you for your comments, but I perceive your interpretation of my essay is from your business background. I have provided a concept between innovation or technology and the ecosystem and how they interrelated using the various laws of thermodynamics (also known as relativity of EINSTEIN) and Newton laws. The universe which I described as a unit community called ECOSYSTEM is supported by some principles of Physics which I explained.

The misuse, disuse and abuse of technology were provided to describe the effect of scientific explorations on humanity, other biodiversity and to the ecosystem in general where biotic and abiotic components are found. Within each of the sub-titled, I provided the means by wish humanity can steer in line with my goal of striking a balance between technology/innovations with the ecosystem. The whole concept is rooted in OUR WAY OF LIFE which I can called philosohy, this is why I asserted that the ecosystem is in a state of stable and balance equilibrium. All the assertions were supported by Physics. It is difficult to examine my essay from the lopsided view of business. But you found it applications in almost every sense of humanity.

Thank you and regards

Gbenga

Gbenga Ogungbuyi

I was not anonymous. The system signed me out.

Gbenga

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