a hundred million years ago the cockroaches discover agriculture become
cockroaches discover agriculture become
cockroaches discover agriculture become the first super organism ten thousand
the first super organism ten thousand
the first super organism ten thousand years ago the first intelligent
years ago the first intelligent
years ago the first intelligent superorganism forms their own species do
superorganism forms their own species do
superorganism forms their own species do intelligent super organisms that exist
intelligent super organisms that exist
intelligent super organisms that exist at the global scale carry within
at the global scale carry within
at the global scale carry within themselves the seeds of their own
themselves the seeds of their own
themselves the seeds of their own destruction have we got a hope of
destruction have we got a hope of
destruction have we got a hope of surviving
what I’m going to do this evening is
what I’m going to do this evening is really talk to you about my latest book
really talk to you about my latest book
really talk to you about my latest book the book came out of my attempt to
the book came out of my attempt to
the book came out of my attempt to answer a question that I was asked very
answer a question that I was asked very
answer a question that I was asked very frequently when I was talking about
frequently when I was talking about
frequently when I was talking about climate change particularly after I’d
climate change particularly after I’d
climate change particularly after I’d written the weather makers in 2005 and
written the weather makers in 2005 and
written the weather makers in 2005 and that question was what are our chances
that question was what are our chances
that question was what are our chances really of surviving this the shifting
really of surviving this the shifting
really of surviving this the shifting climate that’s looming and that we we
climate that’s looming and that we we
climate that’s looming and that we we are causing and the only way I could
are causing and the only way I could
are causing and the only way I could think of to answer that question was to
think of to answer that question was to
think of to answer that question was to really go back to the scientific
really go back to the scientific
really go back to the scientific fundamentals to go back to the process
fundamentals to go back to the process
fundamentals to go back to the process that created us and our planet and of
that created us and our planet and of
that created us and our planet and of course look at the intersection between
course look at the intersection between
course look at the intersection between our species and this thing that we call
our species and this thing that we call
our species and this thing that we call planet Earth because it’s at that
planet Earth because it’s at that
planet Earth because it’s at that intersection that the issue of
intersection that the issue of
intersection that the issue of sustainability arises and I couldn’t
sustainability arises and I couldn’t
sustainability arises and I couldn’t think a better way really of starting to
think a better way really of starting to
think a better way really of starting to look at the issue than to go back to the
look at the issue than to go back to the
look at the issue than to go back to the work of that man there the reason I
work of that man there the reason I
work of that man there the reason I wanted to start with Darwin was because
wanted to start with Darwin was because
wanted to start with Darwin was because he’s the man who really explained to us
he’s the man who really explained to us
he’s the man who really explained to us how what would the process that made us
how what would the process that made us
how what would the process that made us and the process that made our earth and
and the process that made our earth and
and the process that made our earth and his idea his great idea was an extremely
his idea his great idea was an extremely
his idea his great idea was an extremely simple one it was simply that in every
simple one it was simply that in every
simple one it was simply that in every generation there is variation between
generation there is variation between
generation there is variation between individuals and that some of those
individuals and that some of those
individuals and that some of those individuals are more likely to survive
individuals are more likely to survive
individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce than others and that over
and reproduce than others and that over
and reproduce than others and that over the vastness of time that people were
the vastness of time that people were
the vastness of time that people were just becoming aware of the history of
just becoming aware of the history of
just becoming aware of the history of the earth in the mid 19th century that
the earth in the mid 19th century that
the earth in the mid 19th century that that must tell on heritability on those
that must tell on heritability on those
that must tell on heritability on those which are on the shape of species as a
which are on the shape of species as a
which are on the shape of species as a whole as he put it so as a very very
whole as he put it so as a very very
whole as he put it so as a very very simple idea but Darwin being a very wise
simple idea but Darwin being a very wise
simple idea but Darwin being a very wise man I think a very perceptive person
man I think a very perceptive person
man I think a very perceptive person decided to sit on that idea
decided to sit on that idea
decided to sit on that idea for twenty years and it was only when I
for twenty years and it was only when I
for twenty years and it was only when I went to Darwin’s house in Kent that I
went to Darwin’s house in Kent that I
went to Darwin’s house in Kent that I really understood a little bit more
really understood a little bit more
really understood a little bit more about why he waited so long before he
about why he waited so long before he
about why he waited so long before he announced this fundamental idea that
announced this fundamental idea that
announced this fundamental idea that that changed our view of the world just
that changed our view of the world just
that changed our view of the world just outside his house he built a little
outside his house he built a little
outside his house he built a little thing that he called the the sand walk
thing that he called the the sand walk
thing that he called the the sand walk and that’s it there it’s actually a
and that’s it there it’s actually a
and that’s it there it’s actually a pebble walk I don’t know why he called
pebble walk I don’t know why he called
pebble walk I don’t know why he called it the sand walk but there you go
it the sand walk but there you go
it the sand walk but there you go even great men can do odd things and
even great men can do odd things and
even great men can do odd things and every day of his life at downe house he
every day of his life at downe house he
every day of his life at downe house he would walk for several hours around that
would walk for several hours around that
would walk for several hours around that sand walk and people have wondered why
sand walk and people have wondered why
sand walk and people have wondered why he did it what was he thinking about
he did it what was he thinking about
he did it what was he thinking about what was he doing as he walked around
what was he doing as he walked around
what was he doing as he walked around that racetrack really it’s just a loop
that racetrack really it’s just a loop
that racetrack really it’s just a loop around the forest there I think what
around the forest there I think what
around the forest there I think what Darwin was doing as he wandered the sand
Darwin was doing as he wandered the sand
Darwin was doing as he wandered the sand walk was metaphorically fingering his
walk was metaphorically fingering his
walk was metaphorically fingering his worry beads he was thinking about the
worry beads he was thinking about the
worry beads he was thinking about the implication of his theory for religious
implication of his theory for religious
implication of his theory for religious belief in his country for the shape of
belief in his country for the shape of
belief in his country for the shape of civil society and other deep matters I
civil society and other deep matters I
civil society and other deep matters I guess
guess
guess at base what he was worried about was
at base what he was worried about was
at base what he was worried about was the deep he destroyed faith by showing
the deep he destroyed faith by showing
the deep he destroyed faith by showing that we were not the unique creation of
that we were not the unique creation of
that we were not the unique creation of a loving and caring God but instead
a loving and caring God but instead
a loving and caring God but instead we’re the result of a an amoral and
we’re the result of a an amoral and
we’re the result of a an amoral and utterly cruel process that by destroying
utterly cruel process that by destroying
utterly cruel process that by destroying faith he might destroy hope and charity
faith he might destroy hope and charity
faith he might destroy hope and charity as well and have a very adverse impact
as well and have a very adverse impact
as well and have a very adverse impact upon his society he may never have
upon his society he may never have
upon his society he may never have published his theory if it hadn’t been
published his theory if it hadn’t been
published his theory if it hadn’t been for this man here in 1858 20 years after
for this man here in 1858 20 years after
for this man here in 1858 20 years after Darwin first stumbled on the idea of how
Darwin first stumbled on the idea of how
Darwin first stumbled on the idea of how we and every other living thing on the
we and every other living thing on the
we and every other living thing on the planet was was made this man here Alfred
planet was was made this man here Alfred
planet was was made this man here Alfred Russel Wallace was working in Indonesia
Russel Wallace was working in Indonesia
Russel Wallace was working in Indonesia he was a man 20 years younger than
he was a man 20 years younger than
he was a man 20 years younger than Darwin he was a working-class lad
Darwin he was a working-class lad
Darwin he was a working-class lad self-made went to the tropics to collect
self-made went to the tropics to collect
self-made went to the tropics to collect biological specimens and while he was
biological specimens and while he was
biological specimens and while he was there on the island of Turin arte he had
there on the island of Turin arte he had
there on the island of Turin arte he had a malarial attack
a malarial attack
a malarial attack and as a result of that malarial
and as a result of that malarial
and as a result of that malarial attackers he was highly fevered the idea
attackers he was highly fevered the idea
attackers he was highly fevered the idea came to him that perhaps species were
came to him that perhaps species were
came to him that perhaps species were created by exactly the same mechanism
created by exactly the same mechanism
created by exactly the same mechanism that Darwin had chanced upon 20 years
that Darwin had chanced upon 20 years
that Darwin had chanced upon 20 years earlier when he recovered enough from
earlier when he recovered enough from
earlier when he recovered enough from his malaria to write he wrote a note to
his malaria to write he wrote a note to
his malaria to write he wrote a note to Darwin in great excitement outlining his
Darwin in great excitement outlining his
Darwin in great excitement outlining his theory and asked Darwin if he wouldn’t
theory and asked Darwin if he wouldn’t
theory and asked Darwin if he wouldn’t mind transmitting it to one of the
mind transmitting it to one of the
mind transmitting it to one of the journals to be published in bringing a
journals to be published in bringing a
journals to be published in bringing a when Darwin received the letter he was
when Darwin received the letter he was
when Darwin received the letter he was horrified he said you know Wallace
horrified he said you know Wallace
horrified he said you know Wallace couldn’t have made a better precis or
couldn’t have made a better precis or
couldn’t have made a better precis or summary of my work if he’d had my notes
summary of my work if he’d had my notes
summary of my work if he’d had my notes in front of him and he thought perhaps
in front of him and he thought perhaps
in front of him and he thought perhaps that his whole life’s work was about to
that his whole life’s work was about to
that his whole life’s work was about to be stolen by this upstart this working
be stolen by this upstart this working
be stolen by this upstart this working class later as it was he appealed to his
class later as it was he appealed to his
class later as it was he appealed to his friends particularly those who looked
friends particularly those who looked
friends particularly those who looked after journal publications and so forth
after journal publications and so forth
after journal publications and so forth including Charles Lyell the great
including Charles Lyell the great
including Charles Lyell the great geologist and as a result of their
geologist and as a result of their
geologist and as a result of their intervention both pieces of work would
intervention both pieces of work would
intervention both pieces of work would Co published in July 1858 both Darwin’s
Co published in July 1858 both Darwin’s
Co published in July 1858 both Darwin’s and Wallace’s and it is extraordinary
and Wallace’s and it is extraordinary
and Wallace’s and it is extraordinary how similar they are it was like a squib
how similar they are it was like a squib
how similar they are it was like a squib going off in British society no one took
going off in British society no one took
going off in British society no one took any notice in fact the man who was in
any notice in fact the man who was in
any notice in fact the man who was in charge of publishing the Journal of a
charge of publishing the Journal of a
charge of publishing the Journal of a professor Bell who was an expert on the
professor Bell who was an expert on the
professor Bell who was an expert on the store guide Crustacea wrote in his
store guide Crustacea wrote in his
store guide Crustacea wrote in his summary of the year 1858 that there’d be
summary of the year 1858 that there’d be
summary of the year 1858 that there’d be no significant scientific discoveries
no significant scientific discoveries
no significant scientific discoveries really published in a journal that year
really published in a journal that year
really published in a journal that year nothing that would revolutionize the
nothing that would revolutionize the
nothing that would revolutionize the department of science that they bear
department of science that they bear
department of science that they bear upon of course he couldn’t have been
upon of course he couldn’t have been
upon of course he couldn’t have been more wrong and that was showed the
more wrong and that was showed the
more wrong and that was showed the following year in 1859 when Darwin
following year in 1859 when Darwin
following year in 1859 when Darwin published his book on the origin of
published his book on the origin of
published his book on the origin of species and then as Darwin perhaps
species and then as Darwin perhaps
species and then as Darwin perhaps feared with the theory unleashed upon
feared with the theory unleashed upon
feared with the theory unleashed upon his society everything began to change
his society everything began to change
his society everything began to change within five years Herbert Spencer had
within five years Herbert Spencer had
within five years Herbert Spencer had coined the term to survival of the
coined the term to survival of the
coined the term to survival of the fittest and social Darwinism had been
fittest and social Darwinism had been
fittest and social Darwinism had been born so I as I was beginning to look at
born so I as I was beginning to look at
born so I as I was beginning to look at the process that created us read reread
the process that created us read reread
the process that created us read reread Dawkins
Dawkins
Dawkins selfish gene reread Darwin and began to
selfish gene reread Darwin and began to
selfish gene reread Darwin and began to despair that perhaps we were selfish
despair that perhaps we were selfish
despair that perhaps we were selfish short-sighted ruthless entities forged
short-sighted ruthless entities forged
short-sighted ruthless entities forged by an amoral and utterly cruel process
by an amoral and utterly cruel process
by an amoral and utterly cruel process but it was this man here that really
but it was this man here that really
but it was this man here that really gave me hope that that may not
gave me hope that that may not
gave me hope that that may not necessarily be the case Alfred Russel
necessarily be the case Alfred Russel
necessarily be the case Alfred Russel Wallace lived a very long and full life
Wallace lived a very long and full life
Wallace lived a very long and full life dying at the age of 90 at the age of 80
dying at the age of 90 at the age of 80
dying at the age of 90 at the age of 80 you he was still writing and in fact I
you he was still writing and in fact I
you he was still writing and in fact I would argue his most important work was
would argue his most important work was
would argue his most important work was published in 1904 in his eighth decade
published in 1904 in his eighth decade
published in 1904 in his eighth decade and that’s the title page of it there
and that’s the title page of it there
and that’s the title page of it there man’s place in the universe a study of
man’s place in the universe a study of
man’s place in the universe a study of the results of scientific research in
the results of scientific research in
the results of scientific research in relation to the unity or plurality of
relation to the unity or plurality of
relation to the unity or plurality of worlds very very strange title indeed
worlds very very strange title indeed
worlds very very strange title indeed but what this book really is is a
but what this book really is is a
but what this book really is is a summary of Wallace’s understanding of
summary of Wallace’s understanding of
summary of Wallace’s understanding of what the evolutionary mechanism had
what the evolutionary mechanism had
what the evolutionary mechanism had created and being a holistic thinker his
created and being a holistic thinker his
created and being a holistic thinker his field of endeavor was the entire planet
field of endeavor was the entire planet
field of endeavor was the entire planet and this book is the foundation stone of
and this book is the foundation stone of
and this book is the foundation stone of the science of astrobiology it compares
the science of astrobiology it compares
the science of astrobiology it compares worlds quite literally and he posits the
worlds quite literally and he posits the
worlds quite literally and he posits the theory that this planet is the only
theory that this planet is the only
theory that this planet is the only living planet that the others wherever
living planet that the others wherever
living planet that the others wherever they be in the universe are all dead
they be in the universe are all dead
they be in the universe are all dead it’s also the forerunner of James
it’s also the forerunner of James
it’s also the forerunner of James Lovelock’s work on Gaia theory he talks
Lovelock’s work on Gaia theory he talks
Lovelock’s work on Gaia theory he talks in the book about the atmosphere the way
in the book about the atmosphere the way
in the book about the atmosphere the way the atmosphere works the way that dust
the atmosphere works the way that dust
the atmosphere works the way that dust which is often created by living things
which is often created by living things
which is often created by living things is important in regulating Earth’s
is important in regulating Earth’s
is important in regulating Earth’s climate system
climate system
climate system it’s an extraordinary lucid what I say a
it’s an extraordinary lucid what I say a
it’s an extraordinary lucid what I say a prescient work really that underpins
prescient work really that underpins
prescient work really that underpins many aspects of current science
many aspects of current science
many aspects of current science particularly holistic science like Earth
particularly holistic science like Earth
particularly holistic science like Earth System science at Gaia theory and so
System science at Gaia theory and so
System science at Gaia theory and so forth and what we learn from Wallace and
forth and what we learn from Wallace and
forth and what we learn from Wallace and his work is that evolutions legacy is
his work is that evolutions legacy is
his work is that evolutions legacy is not nasty brutish and short it’s not a
not nasty brutish and short it’s not a
not nasty brutish and short it’s not a survival of the fittest world instead
survival of the fittest world instead
survival of the fittest world instead this cruel animal
this cruel animal
this cruel animal second ISM has led to a world of
second ISM has led to a world of
second ISM has led to a world of extraordinary intricacy
extraordinary intricacy
extraordinary intricacy interconnectedness and cooperation and I
interconnectedness and cooperation and I
interconnectedness and cooperation and I just want to run through a few examples
just want to run through a few examples
just want to run through a few examples of that cooperation this slide just
of that cooperation this slide just
of that cooperation this slide just shows mitochondria there they’re small
shows mitochondria there they’re small
shows mitochondria there they’re small organelles that exists in all of our
organelles that exists in all of our
organelles that exists in all of our cells they’re the Power Packs for
cells they’re the Power Packs for
cells they’re the Power Packs for ourselves it’s been realized in the last
ourselves it’s been realized in the last
ourselves it’s been realized in the last 30 years or so that these mitochondria
30 years or so that these mitochondria
30 years or so that these mitochondria actually have nothing to do with us in
actually have nothing to do with us in
actually have nothing to do with us in terms of their origin they originated as
terms of their origin they originated as
terms of their origin they originated as free living bacteria a billion years ago
free living bacteria a billion years ago
free living bacteria a billion years ago in an ancient ocean and they came to
in an ancient ocean and they came to
in an ancient ocean and they came to cohabit the cells of our bodies much the
cohabit the cells of our bodies much the
cohabit the cells of our bodies much the way algae cohabit with the coral polyps
way algae cohabit with the coral polyps
way algae cohabit with the coral polyps on a coral reef but over a billion years
on a coral reef but over a billion years
on a coral reef but over a billion years they have become so closely tied in with
they have become so closely tied in with
they have become so closely tied in with ourselves and the symbiosis is so
ourselves and the symbiosis is so
ourselves and the symbiosis is so intricate now that they can’t exist for
intricate now that they can’t exist for
intricate now that they can’t exist for a millisecond without the cells that
a millisecond without the cells that
a millisecond without the cells that they live within the cells of our body
they live within the cells of our body
they live within the cells of our body and now our body our bodily cells cannot
and now our body our bodily cells cannot
and now our body our bodily cells cannot survive without them and that’s just the
survive without them and that’s just the
survive without them and that’s just the beginning really of the complexity of
beginning really of the complexity of
beginning really of the complexity of the thing we call a human being you know
the thing we call a human being you know
the thing we call a human being you know if I look at my skin I have hundreds of
if I look at my skin I have hundreds of
if I look at my skin I have hundreds of species of bacteria virus and funky
species of bacteria virus and funky
species of bacteria virus and funky living all over me and I do wash I
living all over me and I do wash I
living all over me and I do wash I hasten to wait so don’t rush off it’s
hasten to wait so don’t rush off it’s
hasten to wait so don’t rush off it’s it’s we’re all like that we are all we
it’s we’re all like that we are all we
it’s we’re all like that we are all we are all ecosystems of near planetary
are all ecosystems of near planetary
are all ecosystems of near planetary complexity you know if you took the
complexity you know if you took the
complexity you know if you took the cells that are me and my mitochondria
cells that are me and my mitochondria
cells that are me and my mitochondria away you would still have a shadow of my
away you would still have a shadow of my
away you would still have a shadow of my entire body here because about ten
entire body here because about ten
entire body here because about ten percent of my body mass ISM is made up
percent of my body mass ISM is made up
percent of my body mass ISM is made up of other species all of the gut flora
of other species all of the gut flora
of other species all of the gut flora and fauna in my intestines everything
and fauna in my intestines everything
and fauna in my intestines everything covering my skin the special mites that
covering my skin the special mites that
covering my skin the special mites that only survive in human eyebrows the other
only survive in human eyebrows the other
only survive in human eyebrows the other species of mites that only survive at
species of mites that only survive at
species of mites that only survive at the base of human eyelashes we are
the base of human eyelashes we are
the base of human eyelashes we are ecosystems of planetary complexity and
ecosystems of planetary complexity and
ecosystems of planetary complexity and what are we at the end of the day we are
what are we at the end of the day we are
what are we at the end of the day we are ultimately just animated bits of Earth’s
ultimately just animated bits of Earth’s
ultimately just animated bits of Earth’s crust for all of that complexity that’s
crust for all of that complexity that’s
crust for all of that complexity that’s what the evolutionary process tells us
what the evolutionary process tells us
what the evolutionary process tells us that’s what biochemistry tells us our
that’s what biochemistry tells us our
that’s what biochemistry tells us our our chemical origin
our chemical origin
our chemical origin the Earth’s crust dating back four
the Earth’s crust dating back four
the Earth’s crust dating back four billion years when the spark of life
billion years when the spark of life
billion years when the spark of life first sparked on our planet and of
first sparked on our planet and of
first sparked on our planet and of course we’re the same today to draw a
course we’re the same today to draw a
course we’re the same today to draw a line separation line between us and rest
line separation line between us and rest
line separation line between us and rest of the planet is foolish in terms of
of the planet is foolish in terms of
of the planet is foolish in terms of thinking so what is the big entity that
thinking so what is the big entity that
thinking so what is the big entity that we are part of that we are part of the
we are part of that we are part of the
we are part of that we are part of the crust of that’s it
crust of that’s it
crust of that’s it there and the way I think about the
there and the way I think about the
there and the way I think about the planet is simply information systems
planet is simply information systems
planet is simply information systems organize matter so what is the
organize matter so what is the
organize matter so what is the information system at work here it is
information system at work here it is
information system at work here it is DNA which is a digital information
DNA which is a digital information
DNA which is a digital information system which obviously it’s the
system which obviously it’s the
system which obviously it’s the blueprint of our bodies and has created
blueprint of our bodies and has created
blueprint of our bodies and has created our bodies but even more than that it
our bodies but even more than that it
our bodies but even more than that it has created that entity that we see
has created that entity that we see
has created that entity that we see today 4.5 billion years old nothing
today 4.5 billion years old nothing
today 4.5 billion years old nothing going in but sunlight pretty much
going in but sunlight pretty much
going in but sunlight pretty much nothing going out but heat and yet it’s
nothing going out but heat and yet it’s
nothing going out but heat and yet it’s created this extraordinary entity I just
created this extraordinary entity I just
created this extraordinary entity I just like to concentrate briefly on the three
like to concentrate briefly on the three
like to concentrate briefly on the three organs of the planet because they tell a
organs of the planet because they tell a
organs of the planet because they tell a tale of dramatic modification by life
tale of dramatic modification by life
tale of dramatic modification by life itself by DNA the first is the crust
itself by DNA the first is the crust
itself by DNA the first is the crust formed off two bits we’ve got the
formed off two bits we’ve got the
formed off two bits we’ve got the oceanic crust here the continental crust
oceanic crust here the continental crust
oceanic crust here the continental crust here in the very early stages of the
here in the very early stages of the
here in the very early stages of the earth there was no continental crust
earth there was no continental crust
earth there was no continental crust these rocks were made by the weathering
these rocks were made by the weathering
these rocks were made by the weathering of these rocks and scientists have
of these rocks and scientists have
of these rocks and scientists have recently come up with the rather
recently come up with the rather
recently come up with the rather intriguing notion that the continents
intriguing notion that the continents
intriguing notion that the continents will not exist without life and that’s
will not exist without life and that’s
will not exist without life and that’s because we can calculate the energy
because we can calculate the energy
because we can calculate the energy budget of the early Earth the primitive
budget of the early Earth the primitive
budget of the early Earth the primitive earth we can work out rates of erosion
earth we can work out rates of erosion
earth we can work out rates of erosion and are required to create the early
and are required to create the early
and are required to create the early continents and the figures just don’t
continents and the figures just don’t
continents and the figures just don’t add up there is an energy deficit so
add up there is an energy deficit so
add up there is an energy deficit so where was the energy coming from to
where was the energy coming from to
where was the energy coming from to create the erosion of oceanic rocks that
create the erosion of oceanic rocks that
create the erosion of oceanic rocks that led to the continents being formed it
led to the continents being formed it
led to the continents being formed it can only have come from one source it’s
can only have come from one source it’s
can only have come from one source it’s been argued and that is life itself
been argued and that is life itself
been argued and that is life itself life capturing energy from the Sun
life capturing energy from the Sun
life capturing energy from the Sun creating acids and so forth these a very
creating acids and so forth these a very
creating acids and so forth these a very primitive bacteria and
primitive bacteria and
primitive bacteria and the primitive forms of life that helped
the primitive forms of life that helped
the primitive forms of life that helped hasten the erosion of rocks and so
hasten the erosion of rocks and so
hasten the erosion of rocks and so created the earth the ground beneath our
created the earth the ground beneath our
created the earth the ground beneath our feet the ocean itself we know from
feet the ocean itself we know from
feet the ocean itself we know from studies paleontological studies did not
studies paleontological studies did not
studies paleontological studies did not resemble its current form two billion
resemble its current form two billion
resemble its current form two billion years ago it was full of metals
years ago it was full of metals
years ago it was full of metals dissolved metals heavy metals and so
dissolved metals heavy metals and so
dissolved metals heavy metals and so forth and was very different was
forth and was very different was
forth and was very different was inhospitable to life the atmosphere
inhospitable to life the atmosphere
inhospitable to life the atmosphere didn’t resemble the modern atmosphere
didn’t resemble the modern atmosphere
didn’t resemble the modern atmosphere James Lovelock argues that that very
James Lovelock argues that that very
James Lovelock argues that that very thin layer about as thick as an onion
thin layer about as thick as an onion
thin layer about as thick as an onion skin on an earth the size of an apple is
skin on an earth the size of an apple is
skin on an earth the size of an apple is 99% a creation of life that almost all
99% a creation of life that almost all
99% a creation of life that almost all of the gases in the atmosphere with the
of the gases in the atmosphere with the
of the gases in the atmosphere with the exception of the noble gases are made by
exception of the noble gases are made by
exception of the noble gases are made by life itself for life’s own purpose so
life itself for life’s own purpose so
life itself for life’s own purpose so there is a profound impact of life on
there is a profound impact of life on
there is a profound impact of life on the system we can think of the earth
the system we can think of the earth
the system we can think of the earth quite literally as a living planet but
quite literally as a living planet but
quite literally as a living planet but what exactly is it and this is the
what exactly is it and this is the
what exactly is it and this is the question at Lovelock and other earth
question at Lovelock and other earth
question at Lovelock and other earth scientists are asking the name Gaia
scientists are asking the name Gaia
scientists are asking the name Gaia comes from the ancient Greek and the
comes from the ancient Greek and the
comes from the ancient Greek and the ancient Greeks believed that the earth
ancient Greeks believed that the earth
ancient Greeks believed that the earth was one whole and perfect living being
was one whole and perfect living being
was one whole and perfect living being like a human being they believed it was
like a human being they believed it was
like a human being they believed it was a living creature I don’t think in fact
a living creature I don’t think in fact
a living creature I don’t think in fact no scientists today believes that that
no scientists today believes that that
no scientists today believes that that is a tenable hypothesis because the
is a tenable hypothesis because the
is a tenable hypothesis because the earth just is not as tightly integrated
earth just is not as tightly integrated
earth just is not as tightly integrated nor is it as well-regulated as a living
nor is it as well-regulated as a living
nor is it as well-regulated as a living creature such as ourselves and yet it
creature such as ourselves and yet it
creature such as ourselves and yet it clearly has some self-regulating
clearly has some self-regulating
clearly has some self-regulating capacity I want to talk a little bit
capacity I want to talk a little bit
capacity I want to talk a little bit about hierarchies of organization
about hierarchies of organization
about hierarchies of organization between an individual like ourselves and
between an individual like ourselves and
between an individual like ourselves and the planet or an ecosystem for that
the planet or an ecosystem for that
the planet or an ecosystem for that matter and the most important of those
matter and the most important of those
matter and the most important of those hierarchies is a thing called the super
hierarchies is a thing called the super
hierarchies is a thing called the super organism here is a great example of a
organism here is a great example of a
organism here is a great example of a super organism
super organism
super organism these are termites you can see that they
these are termites you can see that they
these are termites you can see that they differ quite a lot one to the other yet
differ quite a lot one to the other yet
differ quite a lot one to the other yet they’re all the same species
they’re all the same species
they’re all the same species a superorganism is a a level of
a superorganism is a a level of
a superorganism is a a level of organization that is between that of our
organization that is between that of our
organization that is between that of our bodies and something like an ecosystem
bodies and something like an ecosystem
bodies and something like an ecosystem or the planet as a whole
or the planet as a whole
or the planet as a whole and it is action is mediated through
and it is action is mediated through
and it is action is mediated through these things these these creatures
these things these these creatures
these things these these creatures through pheromones perhaps the best way
through pheromones perhaps the best way
through pheromones perhaps the best way to start thinking about the origin of
to start thinking about the origin of
to start thinking about the origin of the social insects like termites is to
the social insects like termites is to
the social insects like termites is to think where they came from 100 million
think where they came from 100 million
think where they came from 100 million years ago these things were cockroaches
years ago these things were cockroaches
years ago these things were cockroaches I mean they’re just there they are just
I mean they’re just there they are just
I mean they’re just there they are just very specialized and modified
very specialized and modified
very specialized and modified cockroaches but it was when cockroaches
cockroaches but it was when cockroaches
cockroaches but it was when cockroaches discovered agriculture that they became
discovered agriculture that they became
discovered agriculture that they became super organisms we think together like
super organisms we think together like
super organisms we think together like that they’re always they same always
that they’re always they same always
that they’re always they same always have the upper hand over us the
have the upper hand over us the
have the upper hand over us the cockroaches don’t think they’re they
cockroaches don’t think they’re they
cockroaches don’t think they’re they were 100 million years before us our
were 100 million years before us our
were 100 million years before us our building building farms and cities and
building building farms and cities and
building building farms and cities and look at that it’s like a skyscraper with
look at that it’s like a skyscraper with
look at that it’s like a skyscraper with its own air conditioning system with its
its own air conditioning system with its
its own air conditioning system with its own water security system with its own
own water security system with its own
own water security system with its own gardens roads it’s a very complex entity
gardens roads it’s a very complex entity
gardens roads it’s a very complex entity and the similarities between that
and the similarities between that
and the similarities between that structure in our cities is striking
structure in our cities is striking
structure in our cities is striking despite the fact that there are many
despite the fact that there are many
despite the fact that there are many differences as well the other thing that
differences as well the other thing that
differences as well the other thing that you see if you look at these super
you see if you look at these super
you see if you look at these super organisms is that they tend to share a
organisms is that they tend to share a
organisms is that they tend to share a particular point of view a philosophy if
particular point of view a philosophy if
particular point of view a philosophy if you want a set of ideals and that is
you want a set of ideals and that is
you want a set of ideals and that is another very important piece of glue I
another very important piece of glue I
another very important piece of glue I think that holds our civilizations
think that holds our civilizations
think that holds our civilizations together what happens when these super
together what happens when these super
together what happens when these super organisms meet very very interesting
organisms meet very very interesting
organisms meet very very interesting sure there’s a lot of disaster there is
sure there’s a lot of disaster there is
sure there’s a lot of disaster there is warfare and so forth but there is also
warfare and so forth but there is also
warfare and so forth but there is also an immense exchange because the bigger
an immense exchange because the bigger
an immense exchange because the bigger the group is the greater the division of
the group is the greater the division of
the group is the greater the division of labor the greater the benefits the
labor the greater the benefits the
labor the greater the benefits the greater the opportunities of trade the
greater the opportunities of trade the
greater the opportunities of trade the more amenity that is created
more amenity that is created
more amenity that is created I know I’ve wandered a long way from my
I know I’ve wandered a long way from my
I know I’ve wandered a long way from my initial question have we got a hope of
initial question have we got a hope of
initial question have we got a hope of surviving climate change I want to
surviving climate change I want to
surviving climate change I want to return to that with just that background
return to that with just that background
return to that with just that background of our species and the planet there are
of our species and the planet there are
of our species and the planet there are two ways really of thinking about about
two ways really of thinking about about
two ways really of thinking about about this
this
this and one comes from an understanding of
and one comes from an understanding of
and one comes from an understanding of the evolutionary mechanism as elucidated
the evolutionary mechanism as elucidated
the evolutionary mechanism as elucidated by Darwin and Dawkins which if fused
by Darwin and Dawkins which if fused
by Darwin and Dawkins which if fused with a sense of our current impact on
with a sense of our current impact on
with a sense of our current impact on the environment can lead one to despair
the environment can lead one to despair
the environment can lead one to despair and that particular theory has been
and that particular theory has been
and that particular theory has been really articulated most fully by Peter
really articulated most fully by Peter
really articulated most fully by Peter Ward a paleontologist here his book the
Ward a paleontologist here his book the
Ward a paleontologist here his book the Medea hypothesis he puts it up in
Medea hypothesis he puts it up in
Medea hypothesis he puts it up in opposition to James Lovelock sky a
opposition to James Lovelock sky a
opposition to James Lovelock sky a hypothesis the name comes from the
hypothesis the name comes from the
hypothesis the name comes from the ancient Greek as well Medea the woman
ancient Greek as well Medea the woman
ancient Greek as well Medea the woman who are slighted by her husband
who are slighted by her husband
who are slighted by her husband slaughtered her own children and ward
slaughtered her own children and ward
slaughtered her own children and ward uses that that name because he believes
uses that that name because he believes
uses that that name because he believes that life is inherently destructive to
that life is inherently destructive to
that life is inherently destructive to life that in a Malthusian world where
life that in a Malthusian world where
life that in a Malthusian world where populations just continue to increase
populations just continue to increase
populations just continue to increase and this capacity to feed them increases
and this capacity to feed them increases
and this capacity to feed them increases arithmetic Li while the population
arithmetic Li while the population
arithmetic Li while the population increases exponentially species are
increases exponentially species are
increases exponentially species are destined to crash it’s a very dismal
destined to crash it’s a very dismal
destined to crash it’s a very dismal view of the world it really is a
view of the world it really is a
view of the world it really is a survival of the fittest view of the
survival of the fittest view of the
survival of the fittest view of the world and in wards eyes humans and I
world and in wards eyes humans and I
world and in wards eyes humans and I think special we are simply the
think special we are simply the
think special we are simply the continuation of the great destructive
continuation of the great destructive
continuation of the great destructive capacity of the planet and that within a
capacity of the planet and that within a
capacity of the planet and that within a few generations we will lead to the
few generations we will lead to the
few generations we will lead to the sixth great extinction and life will go
sixth great extinction and life will go
sixth great extinction and life will go on without us as this suggests I have
on without us as this suggests I have
on without us as this suggests I have quite a different view of that I think
quite a different view of that I think
quite a different view of that I think that if we look and not just evolutions
that if we look and not just evolutions
that if we look and not just evolutions mechanism but its legacy we see great
mechanism but its legacy we see great
mechanism but its legacy we see great reason for hope we see the intricate
reason for hope we see the intricate
reason for hope we see the intricate interrelatedness of life as a whole we
interrelatedness of life as a whole we
interrelatedness of life as a whole we see that while our species has has
see that while our species has has
see that while our species has has impacts the power of coevolution the
impacts the power of coevolution the
impacts the power of coevolution the power of the division of labour leads to
power of the division of labour leads to
power of the division of labour leads to hope for collaboration and a very
hope for collaboration and a very
hope for collaboration and a very different relationship with life on
different relationship with life on
different relationship with life on earth and I just want to explore that a
earth and I just want to explore that a
earth and I just want to explore that a little bit with you and the Montreal
little bit with you and the Montreal
little bit with you and the Montreal Protocol ratified in 1987 I think will
Protocol ratified in 1987 I think will
Protocol ratified in 1987 I think will be celebrated one day as the
be celebrated one day as the
be celebrated one day as the first global seller festival first
first global seller festival first
first global seller festival first national or a truly global day of
national or a truly global day of
national or a truly global day of celebration on our planet you can see
celebration on our planet you can see
celebration on our planet you can see here where we were in terms of ozone
here where we were in terms of ozone
here where we were in terms of ozone depletion so this is ozone here
depletion so this is ozone here
depletion so this is ozone here relatively less ozone in 1974 a
relatively less ozone in 1974 a
relatively less ozone in 1974 a depletion of ozone through to 94
depletion of ozone through to 94
depletion of ozone through to 94 continuing 2009 2020 still slightly and
continuing 2009 2020 still slightly and
continuing 2009 2020 still slightly and of course these are projections of what
of course these are projections of what
of course these are projections of what would have happened without Montreal
would have happened without Montreal
would have happened without Montreal without the Montreal Protocol on this
without the Montreal Protocol on this
without the Montreal Protocol on this side through to 2060 you are down to
side through to 2060 you are down to
side through to 2060 you are down to very very low levels of ozone life can’t
very very low levels of ozone life can’t
very very low levels of ozone life can’t exist on earth as we know it without
exist on earth as we know it without
exist on earth as we know it without ozone because ultraviolet radiation
ozone because ultraviolet radiation
ozone because ultraviolet radiation tears our DNA apart for every percentage
tears our DNA apart for every percentage
tears our DNA apart for every percentage decrease or sorry every percentage
decrease or sorry every percentage
decrease or sorry every percentage increase in ultraviolet radiation
increase in ultraviolet radiation
increase in ultraviolet radiation there’s a percentage increase in a
there’s a percentage increase in a
there’s a percentage increase in a failure for seeds to germinate in our
failure for seeds to germinate in our
failure for seeds to germinate in our crops there’s a percentage increase in
crops there’s a percentage increase in
crops there’s a percentage increase in blindness for any creature with eyes and
blindness for any creature with eyes and
blindness for any creature with eyes and of course the problem is a a long-lived
of course the problem is a a long-lived
of course the problem is a a long-lived one these chemicals that lead to ozone
one these chemicals that lead to ozone
one these chemicals that lead to ozone depletion or banned under the Montreal
depletion or banned under the Montreal
depletion or banned under the Montreal Protocol have a long lifetime in our
Protocol have a long lifetime in our
Protocol have a long lifetime in our atmosphere so we needed to act well in
atmosphere so we needed to act well in
atmosphere so we needed to act well in advance of of the worst manifestations
advance of of the worst manifestations
advance of of the worst manifestations of the problem occurring thankfully we
of the problem occurring thankfully we
of the problem occurring thankfully we did that and you see there over time
did that and you see there over time
did that and you see there over time from 1980 to 2005 ozone concentrations
from 1980 to 2005 ozone concentrations
from 1980 to 2005 ozone concentrations decreasing but then flattening out and
decreasing but then flattening out and
decreasing but then flattening out and now just over the last couple of years
now just over the last couple of years
now just over the last couple of years scientists have announced that they’re
scientists have announced that they’re
scientists have announced that they’re confident that the ozone protection for
confident that the ozone protection for
confident that the ozone protection for our planet is regrowing and by 2050 it
our planet is regrowing and by 2050 it
our planet is regrowing and by 2050 it would be back at levels that it was
would be back at levels that it was
would be back at levels that it was before we ever started releasing these
before we ever started releasing these
before we ever started releasing these CFCs another great achievement for
CFCs another great achievement for
CFCs another great achievement for Humanity acting as a whole every nation
Humanity acting as a whole every nation
Humanity acting as a whole every nation had to agree to phase-out these
had to agree to phase-out these
had to agree to phase-out these dangerous chemicals I think we are in a
dangerous chemicals I think we are in a
dangerous chemicals I think we are in a critical phase at the moment where the
critical phase at the moment where the
critical phase at the moment where the new social media such as the internet
new social media such as the internet
new social media such as the internet mobile phones and so forth causing our
mobile phones and so forth causing our
mobile phones and so forth causing our species to cohere as a single global
species to cohere as a single global
species to cohere as a single global intelligence where ideas are shared
intelligence where ideas are shared
intelligence where ideas are shared instantly and where the
instantly and where the
instantly and where the interconnectedness between individual
interconnectedness between individual
interconnectedness between individual vigil is at an unparalleled level of
vigil is at an unparalleled level of
vigil is at an unparalleled level of ease what these social media are also
ease what these social media are also
ease what these social media are also doing is empowering individuals so we’re
doing is empowering individuals so we’re
doing is empowering individuals so we’re seeing for the first time outside well
seeing for the first time outside well
seeing for the first time outside well well not the first time but we’re seeing
well not the first time but we’re seeing
well not the first time but we’re seeing had an accelerated rate particularly in
had an accelerated rate particularly in
had an accelerated rate particularly in places like North Africa and the Middle
places like North Africa and the Middle
places like North Africa and the Middle East people throwing off dictatorships
East people throwing off dictatorships
East people throwing off dictatorships aided and empowered by these new social
aided and empowered by these new social
aided and empowered by these new social media and it’s I think it’s an amazing
media and it’s I think it’s an amazing
media and it’s I think it’s an amazing phenomenon I was watching the news
phenomenon I was watching the news
phenomenon I was watching the news looking at what was happening in Syria
looking at what was happening in Syria
looking at what was happening in Syria just a few nights ago and there was
just a few nights ago and there was
just a few nights ago and there was these people who looked terribly alien
these people who looked terribly alien
these people who looked terribly alien at first there was men dressed in these
at first there was men dressed in these
at first there was men dressed in these Arabic costume you know the the thobe
Arabic costume you know the the thobe
Arabic costume you know the the thobe and the headdress and and women dressed
and the headdress and and women dressed
and the headdress and and women dressed in the hijab and they were talking in
in the hijab and they were talking in
in the hijab and they were talking in Arabic well I listened to the rhythm of
Arabic well I listened to the rhythm of
Arabic well I listened to the rhythm of the channelize what they were saying is
the channelize what they were saying is
the channelize what they were saying is the people United will never be defeated
the people United will never be defeated
the people United will never be defeated and it made me think you know this there
and it made me think you know this there
and it made me think you know this there is a common humanity here there’s a
is a common humanity here there’s a
is a common humanity here there’s a common series of aspirations we all have
common series of aspirations we all have
common series of aspirations we all have that as we become empowered come to the
that as we become empowered come to the
that as we become empowered come to the surface and as we become interconnected
surface and as we become interconnected
surface and as we become interconnected become ever more transparent where’s all
become ever more transparent where’s all
become ever more transparent where’s all of that heading it’s anybody’s guess but
of that heading it’s anybody’s guess but
of that heading it’s anybody’s guess but what I think we’re seeing now is the
what I think we’re seeing now is the
what I think we’re seeing now is the emergence of a truly global
emergence of a truly global
emergence of a truly global superorganism which is capable in
superorganism which is capable in
superorganism which is capable in principle at least of acting as an
principle at least of acting as an
principle at least of acting as an intelligence for our planet and if you
intelligence for our planet and if you
intelligence for our planet and if you look at Wallace’s legacy and Wallace’s
look at Wallace’s legacy and Wallace’s
look at Wallace’s legacy and Wallace’s insights into coevolution you can see
insights into coevolution you can see
insights into coevolution you can see that that is the way things that’s the
that that is the way things that’s the
that that is the way things that’s the way that the information that organizes
way that the information that organizes
way that the information that organizes the matter that’s us has always worked
the matter that’s us has always worked
the matter that’s us has always worked command and control systems have been
command and control systems have been
command and control systems have been thrown up again and again in nature our
thrown up again and again in nature our
thrown up again and again in nature our brains are a great example maybe earth
brains are a great example maybe earth
brains are a great example maybe earth is throwing up a command and control
is throwing up a command and control
is throwing up a command and control system for itself in the form of this
system for itself in the form of this
system for itself in the form of this emergent global superorganism people
emergent global superorganism people
emergent global superorganism people saying that that can never be because
saying that that can never be because
saying that that can never be because humans are greedy and selfish well I’ve
humans are greedy and selfish well I’ve
humans are greedy and selfish well I’ve got news brains are also greedy and
got news brains are also greedy and
got news brains are also greedy and selfish brains weigh about 2% of our
selfish brains weigh about 2% of our
selfish brains weigh about 2% of our body mass yet they take in 20% of the
body mass yet they take in 20% of the
body mass yet they take in 20% of the energy they use 20% of the energy that
energy they use 20% of the energy that
energy they use 20% of the energy that our bodies take in so they’re greedy
our bodies take in so they’re greedy
our bodies take in so they’re greedy they’re also incredibly self
they’re also incredibly self
they’re also incredibly self as any doctor would know brains will cut
as any doctor would know brains will cut
as any doctor would know brains will cut off supplies to almost every other part
off supplies to almost every other part
off supplies to almost every other part of the body before they deprive
of the body before they deprive
of the body before they deprive themselves for a second they’re very
themselves for a second they’re very
themselves for a second they’re very very selfish just like us
very selfish just like us
very selfish just like us so we’re greedy and selfish and it’s
so we’re greedy and selfish and it’s
so we’re greedy and selfish and it’s interesting that 20% of the energy of
interesting that 20% of the energy of
interesting that 20% of the energy of the planet humans are currently used
the planet humans are currently used
the planet humans are currently used using something in excess of 20% of the
using something in excess of 20% of the
using something in excess of 20% of the total bio capacity of the planet perhaps
total bio capacity of the planet perhaps
total bio capacity of the planet perhaps we shall come back into balance but just
we shall come back into balance but just
we shall come back into balance but just because we’re greedy and selfish doesn’t
because we’re greedy and selfish doesn’t
because we’re greedy and selfish doesn’t mean we can’t form Earth’s control and
mean we can’t form Earth’s control and
mean we can’t form Earth’s control and command system the other important thing
command system the other important thing
command system the other important thing to realize about us of course is that
to realize about us of course is that
to realize about us of course is that any command and control system has to be
any command and control system has to be
any command and control system has to be self-regulating what’s stopping the
self-regulating what’s stopping the
self-regulating what’s stopping the brain from taking even more resources it
brain from taking even more resources it
brain from taking even more resources it has to live within the constraints that
has to live within the constraints that
has to live within the constraints that its body offers it and we our species is
its body offers it and we our species is
its body offers it and we our species is becoming self-regulating because we see
becoming self-regulating because we see
becoming self-regulating because we see between the UN population projections
between the UN population projections
between the UN population projections sure we’ve reach 7 billion people this
sure we’ve reach 7 billion people this
sure we’ve reach 7 billion people this month on the planet but the projections
month on the planet but the projections
month on the planet but the projections are that within just 40 years we will be
are that within just 40 years we will be
are that within just 40 years we will be at a population perhaps of 9 billion and
at a population perhaps of 9 billion and
at a population perhaps of 9 billion and starting to plateau out so within a
starting to plateau out so within a
starting to plateau out so within a hundred and fifty years the entire human
hundred and fifty years the entire human
hundred and fifty years the entire human species will have gone through the
species will have gone through the
species will have gone through the demographic transition
demographic transition
demographic transition that’s incredible in the 4 billion year
that’s incredible in the 4 billion year
that’s incredible in the 4 billion year history of the planet there has never
history of the planet there has never
history of the planet there has never been a species that’s escaped the trap
been a species that’s escaped the trap
been a species that’s escaped the trap that Thomas Malthus described so
that Thomas Malthus described so
that Thomas Malthus described so eloquently where the population expands
eloquently where the population expands
eloquently where the population expands exponentially the means defeated expands
exponentially the means defeated expands
exponentially the means defeated expands only arithmetic Li
only arithmetic Li
only arithmetic Li we are the first species ever to escape
we are the first species ever to escape
we are the first species ever to escape that trap and in doing so we have become
that trap and in doing so we have become
that trap and in doing so we have become self-regulating at least in terms of our
self-regulating at least in terms of our
self-regulating at least in terms of our numbers and that gives me great hope for
numbers and that gives me great hope for
numbers and that gives me great hope for the future of our species and our planet
the future of our species and our planet
the future of our species and our planet just to summarize what is our earth like
just to summarize what is our earth like
just to summarize what is our earth like and where by analogy should we place it
and where by analogy should we place it
and where by analogy should we place it James Lovelock the originator of the
James Lovelock the originator of the
James Lovelock the originator of the Gaia theory has a particular view on
Gaia theory has a particular view on
Gaia theory has a particular view on this he says that Gaia the earth system
this he says that Gaia the earth system
this he says that Gaia the earth system is like an old lady who has to share a
is like an old lady who has to share a
is like an old lady who has to share a house with a growing and destructive
house with a growing and destructive
house with a growing and destructive group of teenagers Gaia grows angry and
group of teenagers Gaia grows angry and
group of teenagers Gaia grows angry and if they don’t mend their ways
if they don’t mend their ways
if they don’t mend their ways she’ll evict them in other words the
she’ll evict them in other words the
she’ll evict them in other words the Medea hypothesis
Medea hypothesis
Medea hypothesis I think that Lovelock’s wrong about that
I think that Lovelock’s wrong about that
I think that Lovelock’s wrong about that I think that if you look at the earth
I think that if you look at the earth
I think that if you look at the earth more objectively you see that Gaia is
more objectively you see that Gaia is
more objectively you see that Gaia is much more like a newborn baby
much more like a newborn baby
much more like a newborn baby because newborns have new formed brains
because newborns have new formed brains
because newborns have new formed brains just like our earth now which is going
just like our earth now which is going
just like our earth now which is going through this process of forming a global
through this process of forming a global
through this process of forming a global superorganism intimately interconnected
superorganism intimately interconnected
superorganism intimately interconnected nervous systems just as our satellite
nervous systems just as our satellite
nervous systems just as our satellite surveillance systems or arguably nervous
surveillance systems or arguably nervous
surveillance systems or arguably nervous systems for the planet and the many
systems for the planet and the many
systems for the planet and the many natural systems that exist as well to
natural systems that exist as well to
natural systems that exist as well to integrate us and the rest of nature and
integrate us and the rest of nature and
integrate us and the rest of nature and bodies the game system as a whole but
bodies the game system as a whole but
bodies the game system as a whole but these are yet to be fully integrated
these are yet to be fully integrated
these are yet to be fully integrated just as our earth is today we have the
just as our earth is today we have the
just as our earth is today we have the newly emergent consciousness we have the
newly emergent consciousness we have the
newly emergent consciousness we have the technology but we have they yet to be
technology but we have they yet to be
technology but we have they yet to be fully integrated so self-control and
fully integrated so self-control and
fully integrated so self-control and self-awareness remained rudimentary as
self-awareness remained rudimentary as
self-awareness remained rudimentary as the human species I would argue is today
the human species I would argue is today
the human species I would argue is today it’s also axiomatic that infancy is the
it’s also axiomatic that infancy is the
it’s also axiomatic that infancy is the most dangerous period of life so we are
most dangerous period of life so we are
most dangerous period of life so we are going through a dangerous transition I
going through a dangerous transition I
going through a dangerous transition I just like to revisit that idea that
just like to revisit that idea that
just like to revisit that idea that information organizers matter in the
information organizers matter in the
information organizers matter in the context of the life of our planet the
context of the life of our planet the
context of the life of our planet the life of Gaia formed 4.5 billion years
life of Gaia formed 4.5 billion years
life of Gaia formed 4.5 billion years ago out of a ball of atmospheric dust
ago out of a ball of atmospheric dust
ago out of a ball of atmospheric dust life originating around about 4 billion
life originating around about 4 billion
life originating around about 4 billion years ago many scientists now think very
years ago many scientists now think very
years ago many scientists now think very very early in the history of our planet
very early in the history of our planet
very early in the history of our planet by just after 3 billion years ago life
by just after 3 billion years ago life
by just after 3 billion years ago life has taken control of Earth’s systems so
has taken control of Earth’s systems so
has taken control of Earth’s systems so the chemical equilibrium that
the chemical equilibrium that
the chemical equilibrium that characterizes dead planets is banished
characterizes dead planets is banished
characterizes dead planets is banished and dramatic chemical disequilibrium is
and dramatic chemical disequilibrium is
and dramatic chemical disequilibrium is enforced by the life system itself by
enforced by the life system itself by
enforced by the life system itself by the enormous energy budget 100 terawatts
the enormous energy budget 100 terawatts
the enormous energy budget 100 terawatts that life commands today by 3 billion
that life commands today by 3 billion
that life commands today by 3 billion years ago that budget was sufficient to
years ago that budget was sufficient to
years ago that budget was sufficient to take control of the systems
take control of the systems
take control of the systems 100 million years ago the cockroaches
100 million years ago the cockroaches
100 million years ago the cockroaches discover agriculture become the first
discover agriculture become the first
discover agriculture become the first super organism ten thousand years ago
super organism ten thousand years ago
super organism ten thousand years ago the first intelligent superorganism
the first intelligent superorganism
the first intelligent superorganism forms our own species and perhaps today
forms our own species and perhaps today
forms our own species and perhaps today very end of the line we can see the
very end of the line we can see the
very end of the line we can see the birth of a new integrated gayer perhaps
birth of a new integrated gayer perhaps
birth of a new integrated gayer perhaps taking place where humans at least have
taking place where humans at least have
taking place where humans at least have the potential to act as a commanding a
the potential to act as a commanding a
the potential to act as a commanding a trial system on the planet much as our
trial system on the planet much as our
trial system on the planet much as our brain does for our bodies when might
brain does for our bodies when might
brain does for our bodies when might guerre be said to have reproduced I
guerre be said to have reproduced I
guerre be said to have reproduced I would argue that the moment we colonize
would argue that the moment we colonize
would argue that the moment we colonize another heavenly body another planet we
another heavenly body another planet we
another heavenly body another planet we can think of Gaia as having reproduced
can think of Gaia as having reproduced
can think of Gaia as having reproduced Alfred Russel Wallace my great
Alfred Russel Wallace my great
Alfred Russel Wallace my great scientific hero said at the very end of
scientific hero said at the very end of
scientific hero said at the very end of his book man in the universe that
his book man in the universe that
his book man in the universe that perhaps it was human destiny to fulfill
perhaps it was human destiny to fulfill
perhaps it was human destiny to fulfill the human spirit in the vastness of the
the human spirit in the vastness of the
the human spirit in the vastness of the universe it’s a thought that really
universe it’s a thought that really
universe it’s a thought that really struck with me for two reasons one is
struck with me for two reasons one is
struck with me for two reasons one is that if you look sorry if you look at
that if you look sorry if you look at
that if you look sorry if you look at the time scales involved in planetary
the time scales involved in planetary
the time scales involved in planetary travel even at the rate we can travel
travel even at the rate we can travel
travel even at the rate we can travel through space today that only take us
through space today that only take us
through space today that only take us five million years to colonize the whole
five million years to colonize the whole
five million years to colonize the whole galaxy and that’s oh and from a
galaxy and that’s oh and from a
galaxy and that’s oh and from a paleontological perspective that’s quick
paleontological perspective that’s quick
paleontological perspective that’s quick it’s amazing I think but secondly as
it’s amazing I think but secondly as
it’s amazing I think but secondly as well because it highlights just how very
well because it highlights just how very
well because it highlights just how very much is that stake for this generation
much is that stake for this generation
much is that stake for this generation this decade at this this is the moment
this decade at this this is the moment
this decade at this this is the moment of decision it’s an enormous privilege I
of decision it’s an enormous privilege I
of decision it’s an enormous privilege I think to be born and to be alive here
think to be born and to be alive here
think to be born and to be alive here and now because we’re the generation
and now because we’re the generation
and now because we’re the generation that will actually make the decisions
that will actually make the decisions
that will actually make the decisions about this will decide whether we’re
about this will decide whether we’re
about this will decide whether we’re into it too difficult to wean ourselves
into it too difficult to wean ourselves
into it too difficult to wean ourselves off the fossil fuels and move to cleaner
off the fossil fuels and move to cleaner
off the fossil fuels and move to cleaner energy and thereby precipitate a global
energy and thereby precipitate a global
energy and thereby precipitate a global crisis that might destabilize food
crisis that might destabilize food
crisis that might destabilize food systems and lead to the demise of this
systems and lead to the demise of this
systems and lead to the demise of this global superorganism that has only now
global superorganism that has only now
global superorganism that has only now taken shape the way I think about the
taken shape the way I think about the
taken shape the way I think about the options before us are really framed by a
options before us are really framed by a
options before us are really framed by a one of my other scientific heroes a man
one of my other scientific heroes a man
one of my other scientific heroes a man called Enrico Fermi he was a an Italian
called Enrico Fermi he was a an Italian
called Enrico Fermi he was a an Italian physicist and one day one evening he
physicist and one day one evening he
physicist and one day one evening he looked up into the heavens and knew that
looked up into the heavens and knew that
looked up into the heavens and knew that there were billions of stars there and
there were billions of stars there and
there were billions of stars there and asked a very simple question why the
asked a very simple question why the
asked a very simple question why the great silence why aren’t we hearing from
great silence why aren’t we hearing from
great silence why aren’t we hearing from other intelligences out there in the
other intelligences out there in the
other intelligences out there in the vast nursin
vast nursin
vast nursin universe and there really are only two
universe and there really are only two
universe and there really are only two satisfactory explanations to Fermi’s
satisfactory explanations to Fermi’s
satisfactory explanations to Fermi’s paradox I think as that question has
paradox I think as that question has
paradox I think as that question has become known one is that intelligent
become known one is that intelligent
become known one is that intelligent super organisms that exist at the global
super organisms that exist at the global
super organisms that exist at the global scale carry within themselves the seeds
scale carry within themselves the seeds
scale carry within themselves the seeds of their own destruction
of their own destruction
of their own destruction so that soon after birth they inevitably
so that soon after birth they inevitably
so that soon after birth they inevitably die and therefore the great silence
die and therefore the great silence
die and therefore the great silence persists in the universe the second
persists in the universe the second
persists in the universe the second possibility however is that we genuinely
possibility however is that we genuinely
possibility however is that we genuinely are the first now on the face of it that
are the first now on the face of it that
are the first now on the face of it that might seem incredibly unlikely but if
might seem incredibly unlikely but if
might seem incredibly unlikely but if you look at the time scale of the
you look at the time scale of the
you look at the time scale of the universe so extend that back another 10
universe so extend that back another 10
universe so extend that back another 10 billion years you realize that it takes
billion years you realize that it takes
billion years you realize that it takes three generations of stars to create the
three generations of stars to create the
three generations of stars to create the heavy elements that make life even
heavy elements that make life even
heavy elements that make life even possible so that’s taking up to here
possible so that’s taking up to here
possible so that’s taking up to here before you can even think about having
before you can even think about having
before you can even think about having life in the universe because you don’t
life in the universe because you don’t
life in the universe because you don’t have carbon you don’t have any of the
have carbon you don’t have any of the
have carbon you don’t have any of the other heavy elements that have to be
other heavy elements that have to be
other heavy elements that have to be born in the hearts of stars over three
born in the hearts of stars over three
born in the hearts of stars over three generations and then of course it takes
generations and then of course it takes
generations and then of course it takes all of evolutionary time to create an
all of evolutionary time to create an
all of evolutionary time to create an intelligent global superorganism so
intelligent global superorganism so
intelligent global superorganism so maybe just maybe we are the first and
maybe just maybe we are the first and
maybe just maybe we are the first and maybe Wallis’s right that we will go on
maybe Wallis’s right that we will go on
maybe Wallis’s right that we will go on to perfect the human spirit in the
to perfect the human spirit in the
to perfect the human spirit in the vastness of the universe thank you very
vastness of the universe thank you very
vastness of the universe thank you very much
”
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