fbpx

Learning from the Past

The Great Courses: Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations – Notes

Humans have been on the planet for 3 million years (Homo habilis), 2 million years (Homo erectus) or 200,000 years (Homo sapiens sapiens) depending on what you want to call “human”. The structure and organization of life we know as “civilization” has been around for about 8,000 years. It took us about 8,000 years to discover that our modern way of life, as possibly civilization, itself, is unsustainable (meaning that it will end). Perhaps we might consider the fact that for 96% to 99.6% of human existence (190,000 to 2.9 million years) we lived sustainably on one planet’s worth of resources. What lessons might we learn from our history to guide us once again to sustainable lifestyles, or, even better, thriving on one planet? Because writing, itself, developed with the lifestyle we call “civilization”, we never did have anything like a written owner’s manual for how our ancestors lived sustainably for so much time. Hopefully, archeology, anthropology, and related fields of study will help us create one. These are my notes from a course that may provide some clues.

The Great Courses: Human Prehistory and the First Civilizations – Notes Read More »

A History of the World in 100 Objects – Notes

Note: I am working on this post off-and-on right now so it is not yet complete. My motivation for diving into history is to understand how we can evolve our current culture towards one that is consistent with one planet thriving which includes the synergy between individual wellbeing, connected relationships, healing our politics, and healing

A History of the World in 100 Objects – Notes Read More »

“The Great Reckoning” by Davidson and Rees-Mogg – Notes

Short Summary The economy is bad and getting worse. Put money in diverse assets (including 5-10% in gold and silver) and insurance in multiple countries. Be prepared for government services to be provided privately (e.g., water, education, security). Divest yourself of investment real estate, especially in large cities. For maximum safety move to small, rural

“The Great Reckoning” by Davidson and Rees-Mogg – Notes Read More »

Is civilization sustainable? How long do civilizations last?

The end of civilization — societal collapse — is a scary concept. But, what is the lifestyle we call “civilization” and is it worth preserving? The answers are important for moving from our dysfunctional status quo to a future of thriving on one planet’s worth of resources — one planet thriving. Increased resilience during the

Is civilization sustainable? How long do civilizations last? Read More »