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Global Cult of Materialism
An Optopian Semi-Centennial Forecast (2000 - 2050)
Submitted: 21/04/2000
Human Systems (political, economic, legal, cultural, etc.) are all capable of achieving and sustaining an optimum condition. There is one, and only one, optimum condition for every human system, beyond which a system can’t be improved (metric = Quality of Life). All other system states are sub-optimal (by definition), and therefore institutionalize some form of injustice. This Optopian Wiki provides a universal reference for repairing or replacing sub-optimal systems, and for constructing new, optimal systems.
The Optopian Wiki acts as a comprehensive reference manual for human optimization. Because it’s a discontinuous innovation, a full understanding requires an in-depth analysis of the worldview. Each generation can utilize the strategic principles of optimization codified into this framework to benefit themselves and their succeeding generations as well. The best results can be achieved if the majority of Social Power elites with the highest levels of control over Social Power understand the strategy and act accordingly. Otherwise, the usual cycle of revolution will continue.
Current evidence indicates that human civilization experienced a global systemic Inversion (circa 2000), which will cause continuously increasing chaos, before the cycle comes to an end (circa 2050).
Finding the best path forward requires new thinking and new solutions. There are 6 major causal factors that prevent past system solutions from working as expected.
First: the transformation into a global zero-sum game (container regime), caused by the relentless expansion of civilization.
Second: the sudden introduction of a global, public communication system (Internet)
establishing a unique information Commons (para-social world).
Third: the wide spread public availability of affordable global transport (air, land, sea, space).
Fourth: the declining rate of new discoveries of primary energy resouces (petroleum, etc.).
Fifth: the rapid discovery and wide deployment of advanced technologies.
Sixth: a global epidemic of Mass Formations (Hysteria).
The combination of these 6 factors has made the world a much smaller place (relatively), requiring entirely new worldviews (strategies, narratives, frameworks, etc.) to ensure the peaceful flourishing and evolution of humanity.
The Global Inversion (ca. 2000) has caused previous philosophical worldviews (narratives) to become increasingly disconnected from reality, and no longer as dependable. Circumstances will only continue to get worse if we don’t learn how to manage the perpetual cycle of Inter-generational Indoctrination. Efforts to escape from this cycle can be challenging for those who have invested much of their lifetime into obsolete worldviews. Those who love justice more than they fear dying can easily accomplish the necessary transition.
The nearly universal response to the Inversion has been a growing confusion and a global state of denial (mass formation). This unique event has lead to humanity being trapped in a heartless, soulless Global Cult of Materialism (GCM). The GCM ideology views the collection of sovereign states as the new Gods, large corporations as the Demigods, and Social Power elites as the Clergy (along with their sycophants, parasites, and peers).
As in most cults, “non-believers” are treated like heretics (or lunatics), rather than legitimate dissenters. Humans are generally treated like objects (fungible goods, resources, tools, etc.), not autonomous subjects.
Since we can’t manage what we don’t measure, an understanding of the Optopian Strategy (Human Optimization) is essential for identifying the appropriate metrics and actions necessary to achieve the best outcomes. Optimization of a zero-sum game generally depends upon scientific thinking in order to realize and implement the best solutions. Without the benefit of a scientific strategy, as is available in this Optopian Wiki, we will most likely continue to recycle obsolete philosophical ideologies.
This Wiki is divided into specific sections for ease of reference but all of them are interdependent, and
collectively they constitute an integrated reference framework for the future.
Discussion