The Next Revolution, Part I

I've mentioned in several blogs that I envision the next revolution in human development to be mastering the self instead of the environment. There are two overarching reasons:

1. For all of human history we have had wars. There are numerous reasons for war, but they probably all start well before armed conflict with the fears of leaders who believe that there is a force out there strong enough to take over -- economically, militarily, culturally -- and therefore it must be stopped. All wars result in destruction and death, and modern war results in more civilian deaths and destruction than ever before with indiscriminate bombs (even if our leaders tell us they're 'smart' and 'humanitarian') and the inability to tell enemies from civilians. Victory comes at a high price for the common good of all humanity. Every victory has been, in the long run, temporary, and the story is played out again and again with each successive generation. At what point do we say that it is not our highest acheivement? How many times do we play it out before saying, "Gee, that resulted in the same thing that all other wars have"?

2. There are nuclear warheads on the knife's edge at every moment. We have the ability to destroy the planet now for what would be another chapter in temporary victories. A permanent solution to a temporary problem, you might say. Like suicide. Today, like no time in history, it is imperative that we find another direction before we either intentionally or accidentally wipe out all life on the planet.

I have many ideas for the next revolution. Perhaps in a series of blogs I will end up with the structure for a book. Hopefully, expressing my ideas will not propel me into notariety so much as it will infect others with ideas that will have widespread impact.

There are many reasons for moving toward the next revolution, but these two will suffice for the time being. They alone make a strong case.