Rethink X
In the 2020s we stand at a crossroads. In one direction we face collapse, caused by resistance to change and a clinging on to the age of extraction as it falls apart around us. In the other we see a breakthrough to the Age of Freedom, where embracing new, largely technology-led, ways of being takes us to a bright future we can barely imagine. So speak James Arbib and Tony Seba, the authors of the ambitiously titled Rethinking Humanity, published in June 2020.
A recent acquaintance (and hopefully future colleague) introduced me to this free book (you can download it here) during a conversation we were having on the climate emergency and our growing awareness of the reality we are facing. I found it a fascinating read, that pulled together a number of the topics I’d already been exploring as an Eco Citizen in a hopeful, evidenced-based, vision of our future combined with an action plan of how to get there.
The subtitle, Five Foundational Sector Disruptions, the Lifecycle of Civilizations, and the Coming Age of Freedom, gives a sense of what is to come and it’s pretty mind-blowing stuff. After an executive summary and a ‘book guide’ that explains the models used, the book is divided into four parts, and it’s probably most helpful if I just summarise these.
Part one shows the authors flexing their credibility muscles describing how the change in front of us will be less linear and more S-shaped. They cite the inventions of printing, cars and smartphones to make the point that quantum shifts happen fast at tipping points (the bottom of the s-curve). It is all groundwork for the basic premise that the 2020s will offer the possibility of an even more radical change in our futures as a result of technological breakthroughs and convergence in five systems; information, energy, food, transportation, and materials.
Part two again focuses on the past to explain the present, this time through the lens of civilisations. It’s a deep and broad exploration of the history of humanity that encourages us to rethink how and why we got to where we are now, near the end (hopefully) of the age of extraction. It’s written, as is most of the book, in an easy-to-read narrative style that treats its readers as adults but not academics.
Part three brings us today, which is described as being on the cusp of a new era, taking us from the age of extraction to the age of creation. The earlier hard work in the book building frameworks, narrative coherence and credibility starts to pay off in this section with descriptions that filled me with some belief that what is being proposed might actually be possible. This part includes a really helpful table showing the difference between the ages of extraction and creation. It’s on page 51 of the book and if you want a bite-sized view of the essence of the difference between the two then go there. The premise reminded me of the age of connection and it’s emergence from the industrial age that has informed a lot of my work for Relume.
Perhaps predictably, part four talks about the future and how we need to go about rethinking it if we want to take the path to freedom (as opposed to staying on the extraction path, which is not going to end well). It’s set up as a clear choice:
“History indicates we face two possible outcomes:
1. Breakthrough. A new Organizing System emerges that can make sense of, and manage effectively, the emerging production system, allowing us to break through to a higher order.
2. Collapse. We follow the course of all previous civilizations and collapse back to a lower order as we fail to escape the constraints of the industrial Organizing System.”
Put like that it might seem a no-brainer so why the need for this book? Because the power of resistance of the status quo is huge and should never be under-estimated. Like lemmings we all seem trapped on a path to societal collapse, if not oblivion. Some, like colleagues in the Deep Adaptation movement see this as inevitable, or at least probable, while others, like in Project Drawdown, are more optimistic.
The book ends with a very well thought-through action plan for the 2020s. It’s extremely radical and some items might seem impossible but if we look in the right places there are signs of progress. Personally I find the technological breakthroughs less daunting than the societal ones. Another reason why books like this are so important in raising consciousness and providing hope in dark times.
Update - Nov 21
The good people at Rethink have turned thew book into a 30-minute film, which you can see here. For those of you preferring the visual medium, with more impact but less detail, it’s very engaging viewing. The format is identical to the book, the production values are exceptional and it manages to inform and educate while also being entertaining.