Category: Science

Entropy and Scarcity within Human Social Systems v2.0 This is a work in progress. What I posit here is descriptive and NOT prescriptive. This flow chart, which flows left to right is broken down into 3 main parts which are as follows: Physics (4 parts which make 4 steps), Evolutionary Psychology (2 parts which make 1 step), and Historical Sociocultural Weight and Entropic Bias (2 parts which make 1 step) with arrows pointing to each step. Physics (left most section with 4 steps) The foundational reading for this section can be found within my post "The Tao of Entropy and Syntropy within Human Social Systems". Another post relevant to this topic is "The Tension within Methods of Exchange". 1. Systems Theory and the Interdependence of All From the First Law of Thermodynamics, A.K.A. The Law of Conservation of Energy, we learn that all things within the universe are one Interdependent and interconnected system, therefore the lens through which we should look and think about all things is Systems Theory. 2. Inviolable Law of Breakdown, Separation, and Change From the Second Law of Thermodynamics, AKA Entropy, when combined with the First Law of Thermodynamics from above, we learn that Entropy is only ever increasing, that break down, separation, and change are inviolable laws. 3. Systemic Bias Towards Entropy Because all things are Interdependent and Entropy is always increasing, this continuously pushes all things towards diffusion, separation, and breakdown, which means that reality has an Entropic bias. Entropy is the path of least resistance, therefore it is always easier to destroy than it is to create. 4. Scarcity (Entropy) Because Entropy will only ever increase over time, Scarcity, as a form of Entropy, will only ever increase over time. 5. Evolutionary Psychology (center section with 1 step and 2 options) Scarcity Triggers Male Predisposition for Competition, Tribalism, Sociopathy, and Violence Within environmental Scarcity males tend to be more dominant because they are physically larger and stronger and because these conditions trigger their evolutionary psychological predisposition towards competition (from competing for mates) which is an Entropic action. This then opens up the door for them to engage in more Entropic and separative actions such as: tribalism, violence, exploitation, and patriarchy. Males tend to be less dominant within environmental abundance. Abundance Triggers Female Predisposition for Egalitarianism, Cooperation, and Sharing Within environmental Abundance females tend to be more dominant because they are the life-givers (Syntropy) and because these conditions trigger their evolutionary psychological predisposition for cooperation and sharing. Tendencies towards Syntropic systems and results. Females are less dominant within environmental scarcity. 6. Historical Sociocultural Weight and Entropic Bias (right section with 1 step and 2 options) Scarcity to Abundance If a culture has been competitive and tribal (Entropic) for a long time due to resource scarcity, and then resource abundance manifests (Syntropy), it will take a long time for abundance to potentially wear down the current Entropic societal organization. Although, that might also never happen because of reality’s bias towards Entropic systems, ideals, and results. If the shift eventually does happen, then it will most likely only happen with extreme violence and devastation (Entropic movement) or, less likely, through a massive organized and peaceful social movement (Syntropic movement). Abundance to Scarcity If a culture has been cooperative and egalitarian for a long time (Syntropic) due to resource abundance, and then resources scarcity manifests (Entropy), it will take a while for scarcity to tear down that current Syntropic societal organization, but eventually it will (sooner than later) because of reality’s bias towards Entropic systems, ideals, and results. It is not a matter of IF it happens, but when it happens. Copyright © 2023 James O’Neill, www.freexenon.com/?p=13656

Entropy, Scarcity, and Patriarchy within Human Social Systems: the Rough Cut

James O'Neill584Leave a Comment on Entropy, Scarcity, and Patriarchy within Human Social Systems: the Rough Cut

Introduction I have shared text like this a few times over the past year and have had to retype it a few times after not being able to find where I last wrote it which is beginning to annoy me. So, now I am adding it as a blog post so I do not have […]

Continue Reading
The Tao of Entropy (expanding) and Syntropy (contracting)

The Tao of Entropy and Syntropy within Human Social Systems

James O'Neill44323 Comments on The Tao of Entropy and Syntropy within Human Social Systems

In this post we will discuss the Conservation of Energy as well as looking at Entropy and Syntropy and how they apply to human social systems and human civilization in our effort to maintain our societies, economies, and the environment. This is really getting into interdisciplinary thinking, specifically the intersection of the laws of physics as they apply to human social systems.

Continue Reading
UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland in Nov 2021, in partnership with Italy

The Glasgow Climate Pact from COP26

James O'Neill2998Leave a Comment on The Glasgow Climate Pact from COP26

Introduction A. Document Overview Working towards saving Humanity and all life on this planet from extinction being the most important global work that needs to be done. However, as my words here will show, this 8 page “agreement” is utterly devoid of providing anything relevant that needs to be done by being exemplary of the […]

Continue Reading
Carl Sagan from his Keynote Speech at the Emerging Issues Forum in Cornell University in Feb of 1990

Carl Sagan’s Keynote Speech at the 5th Emerging Issues Forum (1990)

James O'Neill114091 Comment on Carl Sagan’s Keynote Speech at the 5th Emerging Issues Forum (1990)

Introduction If you have not watched this amazing video of Carl Sagan from his Keynote Speech at the 5th Emerging Issues Forum in Feb of 1990 (1 hour 5 min) where he talks about climate change, then do it NOW! Sadly, his powerful and amazingly prophetic words are still very, very relevant today. I also […]

Continue Reading
A Timeline of Earth's Average Temperature Since the Last Ice Age Glaciation (XKCD)

A Timeline of Earth’s Average Temperature Since the Last Ice Age Glaciation (XKCD)

James O'Neill13187Leave a Comment on A Timeline of Earth’s Average Temperature Since the Last Ice Age Glaciation (XKCD)

Here is an Amazing infographic showing the timeline of Earth’s average temperature from XKCD. I have seen this before, but now, since I am posting much more ravenously I thought I would introduce you all to it. Enjoy! Earth Temperature Timeline (XKCD) Climate Change, Explained in One Simple Comic (Climate Central News)

Continue Reading
Picture of Earth as seen from Voyager I as it was leaving our solar system

Carl Sagan and His Famous ‘Pale Blue Dot’ Speech (1994)

James O'Neill24211Leave a Comment on Carl Sagan and His Famous ‘Pale Blue Dot’ Speech (1994)

Introduction A. Background While watching a video or two from Neil deGrasse Tyson (one of which I recently posted: Video: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Keynote Speech for the 28th National Space Symposium (2012)) I saw a lecture from Carl Sagan in the sidebar, so I decided to give the original Cosmos narrator’s wisdom a spin. I […]

Continue Reading
Neil deGrasse Tyson giving keynote speech @ 28th National Space Symposium in 2012

Video: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Keynote Speech for the 28th National Space Symposium (2012)

James O'Neill4783Leave a Comment on Video: Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Keynote Speech for the 28th National Space Symposium (2012)

Introduction I have just found this great video of an understandably irate Neil deGrasse Tyson (NdT) speaking the truth in this amazing video from 2012! The power of the innovation and inspiration gained from the NASA and our space program and its accomplishments is worth far more than the paltry 1 cent for each tax […]

Continue Reading
The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone's Well-Being

Read: The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-Being

James O'Neill3246Leave a Comment on Read: The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-Being

Introduction The Inner Level: How More Equal Societies Reduce Stress, Restore Sanity and Improve Everyone’s Well-Being(Pickett and Wilkinson, 2019) is an amazing book and is written as a follow up to their previous work Read: The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger (Pickett and Wilkinson, 2009) which was also an amazing read. I […]

Continue Reading
Types of Advanced Civilizations (Futurism)

The Kardashev Scale of Civilizations

James O'Neill462651 Comment on The Kardashev Scale of Civilizations

I am going to introduce you to an interesting idea proposed by Kardashev called the Kardashev Scale. Here is a quote from science fiction and fantasy writer Veronica Sicoe which has a great introduction to this concept:

In 1964, Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev figured that civilizations can be categorized by the total amount of energy available to them. He defined three levels of civilizations based on their capacity to harness and use power. These have since been expanded by another four (in light of the increasingly wild speculations spawned by marrying mathematics and theoretical physics).

The Kardashev Scale, as it is called, now lists 7 levels of civilizations based on their power consumption, and implicitly on their technological advancement and extension.

Continue Reading
Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur

Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur!

James O'Neill3991Leave a Comment on Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur!

My next post The Kardashev Scale of Civilizations is coming out on Friday (2019 Mar 22) and, as a part of that research, I have be gifted with discovering an awesomely educational YouTube channel titled Science and Futurism with Isaac Arthur (SFIA) where he discusses so very many different technical topics dealing with primarily with the science of space and other related technologies. In my above mentioned Kardashev Scale post I reference quite a few of his videos to help people understand not only the Scale itself, but also to be introduced to other interesting related topics

Continue Reading
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (8 levels)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (MHoN) and the Biopsychosocial model in Psychology (BPS)

James O'Neill146592 Comments on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (MHoN) and the Biopsychosocial model in Psychology (BPS)

In several of my more technical posts that talk about politics, religion, economics, etc I talk about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (MHoN) and about Biopsychosocial (BPS) issues so I would like to take a moment to create a post on this to collect throughts, images, and links on these important topics so I can refer people to it and so they can learn about this which can greatly increase people’s understanding of many parts of our human experience as well as how our world works. And, honestly, I though I already had a post on this, soooo…

Continue Reading

New Page: Declaration of the Unified Rights of Humanity (DURH)

James O'Neill1669Leave a Comment on New Page: Declaration of the Unified Rights of Humanity (DURH)

This is something I have posted and then deleted, much like my page The 7 Philosophical Pillars for Peace within Humanity. As with the previous document, I find myself driven to post this again so that I have it here so I can reference and work on it, and so that others can benefit from […]

Continue Reading
Evolution of Myth and Religion Tree

Religion, an Overview

James O'Neill212311 Comment on Religion, an Overview

I am going to post some really general information on religions from a more academic perspective. Keep in mind, it has been quite a few years (a little more than a decade) since I have really studied this and related topics, so I will try to keep this pretty general. I will also pull ideas from my previous posts on the topic of religion too, as well as some of my other related unpublished works.

Continue Reading
Conversations Across the Social Spectrum

My New Class: Transforming the World: Conversations on Social, Economic, Political, and Sustainable Policy

James O'Neill2228Leave a Comment on My New Class: Transforming the World: Conversations on Social, Economic, Political, and Sustainable Policy

As I have stated on my new Patreon project I am planning on creating a class in our Yoga studio for conversations on political topics. Here is its description: Transforming the World: Conversations on Social, Economic, Political, and Sustainable Policy Description These FREE conversations will be facilitated by James O’Neill and will focus on social, political, economic, […]

Continue Reading