Hi Ross,

Thank you for reading my essay and for your kind comments.I could have dealt with fewer problems in more depth but then it would have been a different essay : ). I take your point that there could have been much more discussion of each problem but with the page limit a lot would have had to be left out. One advantage of dealing with so many problems at once is it brings up the big issue that many problems are coming together.

This is my first attempt at writing fiction. Because it has been so well received I am quite tempted to continue with this tale, add in details and further discussion and possibly try writing others too. The questions that readers are asking are gradually putting more "meat on the bones".

I have written other FQXi essays but I would only recommend "Which of our basic physical assumptions are wrong", as it is relatively easy to read and was well received.It isn't fiction though. It contains the diagram of the explanatory framework for physics which was in passing referred to in the last section of the story you read. There is also an enlarged copy of the diagram in the discussion thread.

Biosphere 2

Yes you are correct about enclosed communities but the scale of these sanctuaries is far larger than any project yet attempted and I hypothesize that it would both psychologically and ecologically be more sustainable. Though the sanctuary we follow has been self sufficient and sustainable for 10 years it might be assumed that prior to that it was not and the inhabitants and ecosystem have had to adjust to reach equilibrium.I agree,'the social science/psychology of such a community might be quite an interesting topic to try to explore in detail'.

Thank you for your interest, Georgina

Georgina, there are a whole lot of ideas in here, and many that I think really are valuable, but I find the young lady's life repressive sounding, and the idea of bubbles of humanity in a sort of post apocalyptic planet depressing. Was that intentional?

    Hi Turil,

    thank you for reading my essay, for your comments and question.

    On the contrary there is a lot of freedom. The children do a lot of personal study of topics that interest them, they collaborate on virtual reality projects, they are able to freely access the Knowledge Hub, they can indulge in pass-times that are classed as stress relieving such as spending time with the companion animals. They have Greenspace play times. High culture and creativity are measures of success in the sanctuary. I can imagine music composition, virtual,immerse and interactive arts, theater, dance and story telling; as well as scientific investigation of the sanctuary itself to optimize the environment for survival and quality of life. Also biomimicry and bioengineering research and development, and study of weather data for prediction of future challenges. People choose to dedicate their lives to serving the sanctuary in some way, I mentioned also that they can choose to alter their dedication if they desire.

    It was not my intention to be depressing but rather to be optimistic that a technological civilization can survive while allowing humanity an enhanced quality of life, better health, dignity and purpose. Yes it is set in a background of devastating climate change and strife but as Vladimir noted it is also based around current scientific knowledge and might be seen as a warning of what might come to pass. I'm afraid I do not think everyone can live happily in the sanctaries as I have talked to Tommaso and Michael about. People can leave if they wish, it is not a prison. They can join the warriors or take their chances, which are not good.

    I think it is a far cheerier vision of the future than rise of the machines oppressing humanity, Borg like hive mind post humans, complete collapse of civilization and return to a new dark ages, or a tale of feral, savage humanity trying to survive against the odds, cannibalism as an answer to food shortages and other such horrific scenarios.

    Georgina,

    A nice utopia and some interesting snippets of biology. But apart from those I was left feeling it didn't really address how we overcome the many problems we have here and now to actually get there, if 'there' is where we want to end up.

    How do we evolve the way people think?

    I couldn't help thinking that without an epiphany human nature would just end up pitting sanctuaries against each other. It's the other mans (blade of) grass syndrome. As guidance to somebody with influence to 'steer' us to a future it does give a 'vision', which is certainly needed as targets to aim for, but I wondered how much it would help him chart his way through and out of the present maelstrom. Is it not really man's 'ways of thinking' that need to be changed to really allow progress in the right direction?

    I think I'm thinking; having visions is great, but what we really need is almost an intellectual revolution to stand any real chance of achieving them before we destroy our habitat. (i.e. exactly how, in practice, DO we keep the population to 5bn?)

    Do you disagree?

    A very nicely written and valuable essay anyway.

    Judy

      I've got a background in social science if you would ever like to talk further on that side of things. My website is http://citizenearth.altervista.org and my email is the-citizen at safe-mail dott net

      Good luck with your entry!

      All the way through, I kept wondering if this was supposed to be utopia or dystopia. It is reminiscent of Brave New World or THX 1138, updated to a 2014 organic crunchy flavor. I suppose to the people in the story, it might seem that their world and their way of life was chosen and democratically ratified. But they do not seem truly free; they are subject to too many palpable constraints and everything must be negotiated with the collective. It's not clear to me that such a social order would ever be stable. Global utopian democratic socialism? You give us a vision of what that would be like if it could be made to work, and no, it isn't pretty, it seems suffocating. But then again, in your story it has been forced on humanity by some set of ecological catastrophes... people will adapt, as long as they possibly can. Anyway, thought provoking, nice work.

        Georgina,

        Up to your usual high standard. Nice to have a utopian view among the doom and gloom. Which is correct is moot of course.

        As an offshore racing helmsman (UK Rep) your title caught my eye, but seems a little contrary to the content. If life turns out to be a smooth as you describe won't the eventual result then be a failing society? The view did seem to lack 'challenge' or 'purpose', but perhaps that's what you're saying in a subtle way?

        Anyway I found it a very pleasant, interesting and thought provoking read. Well done. I hope it does well.

        I also hope you'll enjoy mine, which may better describe what we were discussing, the recognition of which may help achieve some more utopian society. But then I think you agree; recognising things for what they really are doesn't exactly seem to be man's forte at present!

        Best wishes

        Peter

          Hi Georgina,

          I had to read a couple of times (and it was delightful reading) to understand what is meant by the title. I came in with the assumption that it had something to do with evolutionary pressure. I'm no yachtsman like Peter, yet I did serve at sea in the U.S. Navy, and had much the same reaction. Foul weather and heavy seas make us vigilant toward forecasting conditions sufficiently ahead of time -- the common wish from sailor to sailor is for "fair winds and following seas."

          So I guess that sanctuary would be a form of "smooth sailing," too. It's what we all wish for in a sea of ever present danger. We can't avoid it entirely, though let's try and steer away from it, please! (I have to admit at the same time that some of those storms were awesome and exhilarating; a lot of life at sea is dreadfully routine and boring.)

          All best in the essay competition!

          Tom

            Peter ,

            thanks for reading the essay. The 'Utopian' story is a vehicle for raising and giving solutions to many problems that are facing mankind.I have written a list in this discussion thread which may not be complete. I should have mentioned in the abstract that that was what its purpose is. Smooth seas do not make good sailors rough and unpredictable seas do. And that is also what the essay is about. Facing and preparing to face challenges and unpredictability.The challenges are not all done and finished with, the weather reports say the weather is still changing. They don't know if they will be dealing with an ice age, or be going into space or what challenges of living in an isolated biosphere might bring. They are creating and developing solutions to potential problems, and creativity is a part of their culture. They have a clear purpose to preserve and propagate the tree of life.

            I will read your essay. Thanks for your feedback,Georgina

            Georgina,

            You made a bunch of tough topics easy to read once I understood the interweaving different threads in your essay. Very innovative approach.

            If I understood your message, your description of Utopia, however, sits not at all well with me. While you definitely bring justice to a set of deserving issues, I feel you may have given up on humanity.

            In Grace's time, I get the feeling that the human mind and spirit had been lost for a long time: there exists a final design of the sanctuary and it could be moved anywhere in the universe; All the science and technology being used was developed and available for a long time; humankind has found peace of sorts, but I can't tell if Grace is really really happy or even if the concept of happiness is one anyone harbors anymore. Is Grace and the sanctuary the goal of the Anthropocene?

            I miss the imagination, the ingenuity, the adventure that makes us humans a unique species. We have a spark that always (at least till today) has found a way not just to aid in our survival but also that ensures that we thrive: Our near-daily inventiveness and imagination-induced ingenuity is what defines us as human. The horse age doesn't end for us when horses die out, but ends because we cannot wait to think up and make real new modes of transportation. We don't limit ourselves to land, we see water and the air as pathways to new places.

            In Grace's world, Nature's evolutionary characteristic that even created humanity, also appears to be long dead. Ecosystems used to move to new places because instability is inherent to nature and all its creations. Maybe, even all evolution is no more.

            If I am understanding correctly what you mean to convey, I would not be happy in Grace's shoes.

            The problems you address must be solved by us, and now. In my way of thinking, this is the challenge of the 21st century for humanity: Build your utopia but without curbing human imagination, desire and longing to make things even better.

            If you have a moment, please read my essay for my thoughts on how we can build your utopia but it will be varied and dramatically different in too many ways to define.

            Thanks for making me think.

              Hi Mark,

              Thanks for reading the essay. I was using the story to raise and give possible solution to many of the problems facing mankind. Rather than considering future politics. However since the politics concerns you, I envision it as more of a democratically elected meritocracy.Candidates having been educated to fulfil leadership roles. I agree it is not necessarily utopian but I have tried to suggest that the people have a lot of freedom to choose what they do and that there is a rich culture and promotion of creativity, better health, pleasing architecture. The deleterious effects of stress has been acknowledged and stress relief activities are considered worthy of dedication time. The sanctuaries are not prisons anyone can leave if they wish and take their chances.The sanctuaries are a way of allowing a large number of people survive rather than the human race going through an evolutionary bottle neck.

              Dear Georgina,

              You have written an imaginative essay in which you mention a host of challenges for humanity, and, although a future living in underground colonies sounds rather bleak, you have managed to keep the essay upbeat.

              I have noticed a similarity between the affirmations and lessons in your essay and the "rules for a prosperous society" in mine, and it seems that we both agree that they need to be inculcated at the earliest possible age. How we raise our children will probably have the largest impact on the future of humanity, and that message came clearly through in your essay.

              All the best,

              Armin

                Hi Judy,

                thank you for reading may essay and for your queries.A solution to antibiotic resistance, symbiosis with micro flora in the habitats was given. Cancer, no light at night and adequate regular sleep regime and optimal vitamin D levels in the population. If you had looked at the references you would have seen this is based upon actual current research. Growth in population is halted by having a controlled parenting programme. See my reply to Tejinder Singh re the acceptability of that programme.

                I envisioned that the sanctuaries programme would be started too late and so there is a backdrop of war , famine and disease that has also reduced world population.I have also given a solution to the problem of unwanted children. There is education and public information to remind people of the need to stay within limits and they now understand the lesson of the exponential function unlike most people alive today.Yes it might be regarded as indoctrination but it could be more kindly likened to social engineering such as anti smoking or anti drink driving campaigns.

                I have given a solution to desertification. Alan savory is working on that now. its not a make believe solution. I could go onbut I have written a list of the problems raised, in this thread which you could take a look at if you are interested.

                I think to make the programme acceptable the "indoctrination' or public information and education would have to begin before any construction begins. I can see that otherwise the programmes would be considered a waste of money and resources and might meet a lot of opposition.

                The rate in growth of the worlds population is dropping in part because in modern societies women have the choice to reproduce or not and an increasing number find fulfilment in other ways. There needs to be a continuation of that trend and one way is to regard women as more than just potential mothers and for child free status to be seen in a positive light rather than a cause for suspicion of selfishness or something not quite right. Perhaps more media exposure of men and women who have voluntarily chosen top be child free. More research into their mental well being and sense of fulfilment/ regrets would be good. That can be fed back to the population to attempt to spread the desired cultural change. I have seen studies showing that child free people do have better mental health and sense of personal fulfilment. I will add those references here later. Thanks Georgina

                Hi Armin,

                thank you for reading my essay and for your comments. Yes I have included many solutions. Though the final outcome may be displeasing to many it is a far better outcome than many others that could be considered.

                I look forward to reading your essay.

                  Hi Ajay,

                  thank you for your comments.

                  I don't see the sanctuary as something stagnant but something adapting and developing like a life form itself.Smooth seas do not make good sailors rough and unpredictable ones do. They are still learning all of the ways of dealing with problems as they arise and for future use. The kids start their lifelong creativity with IT, study of nature and engineering very early. As I said in the essay high culture and creativity are in part how the success of the society is measured. Yes I think there is a preservation of genetic diversity, rather than allowing drift, to keep populations healthy and give the maximum ability to diverge into new niches when the Earth is habitable again or on other worlds.

                  I will read your essay, Georgina

                  Hi Tom,

                  Glad you enjoyed reading it. I meant that it's the 'rough and unpredictable seas', difficulties, problems, challenges, that make good sailors. That is what Grace's mother was trying to explain to Grace. That's still ongoing as they do not know what new challenges they will face. They are filling their 'tool box' with as many solutions as possible, for current challenges and ones that might arise in the future.

                  I have a list in this thread of many of the problems that are raised in the essay and solutions given. There are references through out many to current research and with hyper-links for easy access. I have also referred subtly to my explanatory framework by mentioning the un-written future and saying that the present image is written in the light but the material future has not been built.

                  Thanks Tom, Georgina

                  Hi Georgina,

                  Thank you for the reply..

                  Am I correct to understand that Grace is simply a representative of all children but not for all the many residents of the sanctuary?

                  As everyone is a child once, I can see the logic in presenting just this perspective or slice to define your vision.

                  Powerful in many ways, indeed.

                  Thanks

                  Tom,

                  I should also say that it is meant as a science essay not just a sociological experiment fantasy. It seems many people don't like the lifestyle of the inhabitants, they could easily imagine something different and more to their liking. However I think they should also ask themselves if it solves as many or more problems.If not I would question whether it is better. War, famine and disease are not exhilarating for most but misery.

                  There are some premises on which the essay is built. Though it does not become obvious until the end; the idea that the future can be built rather than just steering towards a space-time future that has existence in the space-time continuum, or towards a particular branching of the universe. That comes from my explanatory framework, it is the last reference in the essay. It is referred to subtly because to present it overtly might be seen as just using the essay as an excuse to talk about it.

                  The next premise is that there are problems that already have solutions that ought to be implemented.Allan Savory's work on combating desertification , pandemic vitamin D deficiency, night light cancer link, Fever cancer treatment are examples.

                  The third is that there are unknown and unpredictable problems that we will face, and that we can prepare for them, "filling the tool box". The chaos in the weather and climate were given as examples, there is reference to the Lorenz center and a really interesting video on why they are unpredictable and the need for more investment on even greater computing power. That's about physics. The Prairie dog tunnels, physics, the gills physics. I was trying to show how the physics (and biology) of nature can be taken and utilized to preserve and improve quality of life under extreme conditions ie. subterranean and subaquatic living.

                  Hi Ajay,

                  yes Grace is a typical child. I have imagined her to be about 14 or 15 years old but have not given an age in the story. I think it would have been too difficult to describe the lives of all the people in just a few pages. Thank you very much for your interest and kind comment, Georgina

                  Author Georgina Parry wrote on Apr. 29, 2014 @ 00:55 GMT

                  Hi Armin,

                  thank you for reading my essay and for your comments. Yes I have included many solutions. Though the final outcome may be displeasing to many it is a far better outcome than many others that could be considered.

                  I look forward to reading your essay.