How Should Humanity Steer the Future? -- Sideways! by Thomas Howard Ray

Thomas Ray

Thanks, Alex! I think your entry deserves top consideration as well.

Best,

Tom

Thomas Ray

Hi Eckard,

You write, "Perhaps the slogan of communism 'give everybody anything he/she wants' is unreal(istic) ..."

That isn't the slogan of communism, though how realistic is the conservative opposite, "Give no one anything he or she wants"?

Your underlying assumption is that there is some agency that owns resources that can be given; that is, no individual is entitled to have anything that is not granted by a hierarchical system empowered to distribute the largess.

"I advocate for rationality including the obligation to slightly improve our ethics by inclusion of the human obligations for responsible behavior as precondition of human rights."

I see that as irrational. How about instituting entitlements to human rights first, from which ethics and responsibility rationally follow?

Best,

Tom

Thomas Ray

Christian,

I appreciate your emphasis on Einstein's much-misinterpreted "Imagination is more important that knowledge."

You're exactly right that Einstein meant to suggest that theory is primary to discovery. The whole meaning of science as a rationalist enterprise is contained in that simple statement.

I have already given your essay my high score -- all best in the competition!

Tom

Thomas Ray

Readers,

To pass along some relevant news, the PLOS open access journal has published a paper co-authored by some of my NECSI associates, "Good Fences: The Importance of Setting Boundaries for Peaceful Coexistence."

Also, the book referenced in my essay to be published by Springer this year -- to which I contributed a chapter, "Net-Centric Logistics: Complex systems science aims for moving targets" -- will be out sometime soon, so I hope that all of you who expressed interest will be on the lookout. I will post a publication date when available.

All best,

Tom

Thomas Ray

Readers,

Excessive demands are leading to burnout everywhere.

More evidence that our global plantation-type economy is failing and bringing about the demise the human race is reflected in the statistic that only 13% of workers in 142 countries are satisfied in their work. Even in the U.S. alone, the figure is only 30%. How long does one believe we can endure this trajectory before something bad happens?

Thomas Ray

My 23 May issue of Science just came in the mail. The special issue is devoted to "Haves and Have Nots: The Science of Inequality."

The magazine comes with my AAAS membership. If you're not a member, buy it at the newsstand. It's the best 10 bucks you'll ever spend, if you want to be informed on the growing crisis, and especially if you want to help do something about it.

All best,

Tom

Thomas Ray

Readers,

The referenced book by Springer, *Conflict and Complexity: Countering Terrorism, Insurgency, Ethnic and Regional Violence* is published.

http://www.springer.com/physics/complexity/book/978-1-4939-1704-4

Tom

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