Social Perceptions of a Paradigm Shift [04.14.02]

I am sometimes amazed that people would think me "strange" for talking about these impressive predictions of a changing society and the potential for paradigm shifts.

This is something that has grown very apparent and is a reasonably (all things considered) straight-forward concept to me. The world is going to undergo some radical changes. Relatively soon, too. Hence I wish people would open their eyes and try to see how I do. Possibly read some contemporary science articles and then read a few history books to provide the proper scope with which to frame our current age. [Recommended: The Discoverers, by Daniel Boorstin]. Of course reading doesn't necessarily imply understanding. But one thing I have learned from history is that people don't learn from history!

It's always the same Game, just played out in different times. But sometimes the flow of the Game is punctuated by waves of new ideas, and the Game shifts to a new level. Revolutions in thinking have always swept over unsuspecting human cultures. As examples, consider the changes wrought by the ideas of Jesus, Newton or Einstein.

As it turns out, our present society is in the middle of such a cultural reality shift. Of course there is still much resistance to such a grand idea, but that must necessarily be the case. The heavy resistance in the minds of people is what qualifies it as a major shift. But I think that using the past as a guide can help people drop their defences to the idea.

When Galileo pointed his telescope into the heavens he discovered things that would change the world. Galileo also allowed other people to gaze into the telescope so that they could see for themselves what he had seen.

The amazing part is that some of his opposition (probably old, cranky men) actually refused to look into the telescope! They were SO sure that he was wrong, that they refused to even look. They clearly didn't want a paradigm shift due to their personal investment in the Old Paradigm. (The translation of the "new awareness" for our current shift will require more than just telescopes, but it remains a direct metaphor for our time.)

One thing to learn from Galileo's adventures is that his paradigm shift happened, regardless of the resistance put forth by the opposition. You can't stop true progress, I suppose. You can choose to go down kicking and screaming, or you can just embrace the change and integrate the new information into your worldview. Yes... I am being prophetic here. This lesson is applicable to our current age: "You can't stop progress". (Indeed, this may appear contradictory with my further arguments... :)

But another thing to learn is that people are remarkably pigheaded. Do not think that the people living in 16th Century Europe were very different than us "modern humans" in their underlying psychology. Back then, just as now, everyone had a personal agenda to follow (wealth, mate acquisition, bearing children etc.) and as a result was remarkably narrow in their perception of the world.

Although even with that being the case, everyone thinks they are "right" without ever examining their basic premises. Whether you're a brain surgeon or a donut salesman, everyone clearly believes they are, at heart, a master of metaphysics and insight. <insert muffled giggling> This is visible in our world when you examine people's religious beliefs: the time-honoured "My god is bigger than your god" syndrome.

It seems everyone is terrified of true change.

"Are you telling me that MY god isn't bigger than your god?! I'm scared. Where's my gun?....."

I believe this fear of change provides a subconscious resistance, in all the Ages of Man, to paradigm shifts. The shift that humanity now approaches ("now" being the year 2002) will be the most dramatic one yet. These things are exponential in their ever-increasing scope and ever-shortening time-frames. Hence, the fear of the approaching change will be proportional. People are not going to give up their treasured belief systems and habits without a fight.

Alas, I feel this is where my job enters the scene, in a frenzied attempt to properly communicate important, foundational ideas as a form of ideological damage control. Although I understand that I am also instinctively afraid of change (Read: uber-neurotic half the time... can't even find a job or girlfriend it seems ;) but I'm not afraid to express my perspective into how the future may unfold. I don't claim to be a "visionary"... my ego is not nearly that fat... but some general trends in the world are very clear to me.

But many people don't like to seriously discuss these things, due to low self-esteem I suppose:

"I'm not smart enough to direct the future."

"What do I know? I don't have a Ph.D.! I'm just a Web designer. Just gimme another paycheque, and I'll be happy."

"I'll let other people worry about it. I'm not clever enough."

Etc, etc.... You know what? Fuck that attitude. ;) If you know what I mean, congratulations. I say start talking about it. Start thinking about it. If Galileo listened to the grumpy bastards of his day, where would we be now? Exactly. I don't intend on letting the 21st Century grumpy morons out there tell me how to think. Remember that the men controlling Globocorp MegaMedia & Petroleum Inc. are, in all likelihood, selfish idiots. It is high time that enlightened people reclaimed their right to control their own destiny.

[Damn! I'm inspiring even myself here. ;) I need a stirring soundtrack to set the mood...]

And as an aside to some of my electronic-music-culture peers: this does not mean just "learning how to party". When the high wears off, you'll still be stuck in your corporate-whore job, no closer to your dreams than last year when you made that optimistic resolution to change. The psy-trance scene in Toronto, for example, could be soooo much more intelligent and vibrant than it currently is. That is saying a lot, since I think the "scene" is pretty awesome so far! [I had a good time last night, thus my enthusiasm is still fresh. Props to Blacklight Activists and DeepSeaFish for organizing it!]

As I learn these things, I have a suspicion that it all pivots around an elusive variant of personal maturity. Please keep in mind that I am remarkably immature sometimes (mostly by choice, since it is fun and because I am slightly nuts... :) And granted since I don't have a mortgage to pay and kids to feed, I have more freedom to be immature than many people.

But when a person flatly ignores the course of History, and ignores the projected curve of the Future, and sticks their head in the sand hoping the world will "get better" all on its own while simultaneously robbing the world of its resources... this demonstrates a remarkably low level of personal-global maturity. It smacks of denial. I'm not being preachy here, I am simply making an observation.

Although I understand the limited influence any single person can contribute. So, technically, one less person won't make a difference. But that's cheating, in my opinion... ;) And as any psychologist will tell you, ignoring a problem won't make it go away. Through various media, I feel "connected" to the world's problems to a certain degree. For example, since I have actually been to Antarctica, when I read an otherwise benign headline that the Antarctic region is in some ecolgical danger, this upsets me. Thus, working to contribute in some manner, somewhere, serves to grant me peace of mind. (Not a contribution to solve Antarctica's specific problems, obviously. I've decided that to be someone else's job.)

The men and women around the globe who have devoted their lives to helping "save the world" in some way are, in my humble opinion, more psychologically evolved in certain ways than the rest of the masses (dare I use the word "evolved"?). It takes great courage to cast aside your personal problems (we all have problems... everyone is fucked in their own special way...) and embark on a Grand Plan to help the world. I have great respect for all the Eco-warriors, visionary scientists, revolutionary musicians, and noble politicians (to name a few varieties) who are striving to make a difference. Whether I belong to this "more evolved" group is yet to be seen... the proof is in the pudding, right? Every man, woman, and their dog can post preachy essays on the Internet, shooting off ill-informed opinions. Good thing I'm so well informed! <ahem> :) But actions speak louder than words and I hope I can live up to this ideal.

The future awaits.

[Although I could also argue that our perception of Time is somewhat of an ego-bound illusion, and thus the Future already "exists" in a very profound way. Maybe I am accessing the non-local properties of my Homo Sapien mind and thus I am, in all seriousness, perceiving a shadow of the future? Or maybe I've been sniffing glue? I'll let you decide for yourself.]