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Quality of Life (QOL)
The universal metric for determining the state (perfomance) of a human system is “optimization”. This includes systems such as Government, Economic, Legal, Cultural, Commununity, etc. Like all systems, there is an optimum condition (state) of functional operation (for purpose). Beyond this condition, no further systemic improvement is possible (sub-optimal only).
A Human System Optimum is defined by 4 interdependent conditions.
First: no one (in the system) can be made better off without
making someone else worse off.
Second: everyone (in the system) can’t be made better off in total
(systemic aggregate).
Third: no one can be moved closer to the optimum (median) without
moving someone else further away.
Fourth: the entire system is sustainable.
An optimized system is the ideal way to sustainably provide the greatest good for the most people for the longest time. Sub-optimal systems all fail to simultaneously achieve the optimum defined by these four conditions.
Human systems almost never evolve to an optimum condition by default, and therefore require continuous management (leadership) to achieve and sustain it. Since we can’t manage what we don’t measure, a complete framework that encodes the underlying causality, structures, dynamics and metrics of human systems is necessary. The metrics arising from such a framework can be explicit or implicit. For practical use, the framework must also be simple enough for anyone with average intelligence to understand the meaning. This module is intended to provide such guidance.
For any given system, the quality of the framework (strategy) utilized for managing it determines the quality of the consequences produced. Leaders (formal and informal) require a full understanding of human systems, if they intend to realize optimum performance (systemic) within a system. This is difficult because humans are easily seduced and intoxicated by the control of Power (Social), and generally become addicted to it. More Power over a longer period produces a greater addiction. Elites who possess control over such Power become encased in a bubble surrounded by peers, sycophants, and parasites, rarely utilizing a competent “Devil’s Advocate” for feedback. This “Power Addiction Syndrome” is the natural enemy of optimization, creating the most difficult barrier to any form of real systemic improvement.
A governance system is a special type of human system because it is given authority and responsibility for managing the other human systems (and itself). This intrinsic self-governing characteristic is unique to governance systems, which produces a high susceptibility to corruption. Leaders in a legitimate governance system ideally accept the highest level of personal accountability for the performance of their system (community, team, etc.).
This module provides a complete, integrated, simple framework that codifies the basic causality, dynamics and structures underlying all human systems. The relevant metrics are both explicit and implicit. Without utilization of such a framework to manage outcomes, sub-optimal systems will nearly always be the ultimate result.
A full understanding of this framework and the metrics it provides, usually requires an interactive dialog with someone who is already competent in the Optopian worldview. It’s important not to become too focused on the words, but rather on the meaning they convey. Basic skill in scientific thinking (objective, empirical, etc.) is ideal for understanding this framework.
All innovative new concepts are initially untested under real circumstances, making initial implementation a risk that must be well managed to achieve success. The ideal opportunity for implementing an optimum system is a “blank slate” circumstance. Such opportunities are rare in the current sub-optimal world order (Westphalian System of Sovereign States). This is the first time in recorded history that all of humanity has experienced a global systemic Inversion, making changes even more difficult. There are no more frontiers (non zero sum games) available for implementation (except outer space). Existing systems (sub-optimal) must all therefore be repaired or replaced (with minimal disruption), in order to establish an optimal civilization for humanity going forward.
Universal Metrics for Quality of Life
1. Balance (optimum, norm, median, middle way)
2. Love (belonging, sense of oneness, trust, etc.)
3. Health (physical, mental, spiritual)
4. Truth (the most useful interpretation of reality)
5. Play (fun, enjoyment)
6. Fortune (good/bad luck, chance)
7. Autonomy (self-directed power/control/freedom)
8. Security (protection, privacy, peace, safety)
9. Work (productive labor)
10. Justice (systemic optimization, fairness)
Balance is a special case that acts as a meta-element for the other 9 dimensions.
The positive and negative ends of the spectrum for each one of these dimensions are well known and can be mathematically formulated to provide the practical metrics necessary for optimization projects.
Discussion