http://wiki.omega-research.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=Baby+Boy&feedformat=atomPoint Omega Research - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T19:14:50ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.26.1http://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model_(1)&diff=8842Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)2022-09-28T10:50:22Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 7. Summary and Conclusions */</p>
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<div><center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN HB-91-1029-EX (first part)<br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.)</b></big><br/><br />
on the Bistable Organization of Motivation and its Effect on Cognitive Development<br />
<br />
by<br />
<br />
Bernard B. Maarsingh<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
Popko P. van der Molen<br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/>Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<big><strong>Table of Contents</strong></big><br />
<br />
[[#1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability|1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability]]<br/><br />
[[#2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation|2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation]]<br/><br />
[[#3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals|3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals]]<br/><br />
[[#4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level|4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level]]<br/><br />
[[#5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience|5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience]]<br/><br />
[[#6. Cognitive Development|6. Cognitive Development]]<br/><br />
[[#7. Summary and Conclusions|7. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
<br />
[[#References|References]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== 1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} One of the most widespread concepts in psychology is "homeostasis" or synonimous words such as equilibrium and stability. The word homeostasis originates from the physiologist Cannon ([[#CITEREFCannon1932|1932]]) who used it to describe a range of physical systems whereby body temperature, respiration frequency, or the illumination of the retina {{Harv|Lakke|1985}} are maintained at a constant level. In psychology, we encounter this concept in a diversity of areas, for example in the work of Pavlov, where he writes about the equilibrium between the systems of the organism and external conditions {{Harv|Ban|1964}}; in Jung ([[#CITEREFJung1954|1954]]) in his compensation theory of personality; in Lewin ([[#CITEREFLewin1951|1951]]) where he writes about the "quasi-stationary equilibria" in group processes and in Piaget when he describes the cognitive development of the child. Also in theories on motivation the homeostasis concept is often utilized. Examples are Freud's "pleasure principle" and "reality principle" which are focussed on excitation or tension reduction and even in Butler ([[#CITEREFButler1953|1953]], [[#CITEREFButler1954|1954]], [[#CITEREFButler1957|1957]]) who advocated a "curiosity drive", in Montgomery ([[#CITEREFMontgomery1953|1953]]) who proposed an "exploratory drive" and in Myers and Miller ([[#CITEREFMyersMiller1954|1954]]) who even postulated a "boredom drive". The end product of behaviour, even if an attempt is made to explain explorative behaviour, is in fact still considered to be a reduction of the drive to a lower preferred level. More recently, Buck's motivation theory ([[#CITEREFBuck1985|1985]]) has attracted attention. Buck adopts White's non-homeostatic concept and subsequently moulds it back into a homeostatic framework. This is the concept of "effectance motivation" (see [[#CITEREFWever1989|Wever, 1989]], unpublished, for a survey). Other examples stem from the research on whether or not altruistically motivated behaviour occurs at all. Piliavin and Piliavin ([[#CITEREFPiliavinPiliavin1973|1973]]) and Piliavin et al. ([[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1981]], [[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1982]]) consider altruistic behaviour to be pro-social behaviour which is focussed on reducing one's own aversive arousal as a result of having seen somebody else "suffer". Variations on the same theme originate from Hornstein ([[#CITEREFHornstein1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1978|1978]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1982|1982]]), Reykovski ([[#CITEREFReykovski1982|1982]]) and Lerner ([[#CITEREFLerner1970|1970]]). Batson ([[#CITEREFBatson1987|1987]], [[#CITEREFBatson1988|1988]]) ends two of his articles, on whether altruistically motivated behaviour does or does not occur, with:<br />
<br />
:"More and more it appears that motivation to help, evoked by feeling empathy, is at least partly altruistic. If it is, then psychologists will have to make some fundamental changes in their perceptions of human motivation and, indeed, of human nature" {{Harv|Batson|Dyck|Randall Brandt|Batson|1988|pp=75-76}}<br />
<br />
Apter and Smith ([[#CITEREFApterSmith1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979a|1979a]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979b|1979b]]) and Apter ([[#CITEREFApter1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApter1982|1982]], [[#CITEREFApter1988|1988]]), on the other hand, propose a bi-stable explanation of motivation in their reversal theory. A bi-stable system is a system in which there are two levels of preference with a given variable {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The Cognition-Energy-Learning -Cognition model (ELC: van der Molen, Stoelhorst, Van Dijk, Maarsingh) is based on the reversal theory in relation to the concept of bi-stability of motivation.<br />
<br />
=== 2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the ELC two arguments are given to underpin the concept of bi-stability: an ethological and a phenomenological argument.<br />
<br />
The first argument was originally formulated by Van der Molen (1977, 1983, 1985) and revolves around the idea that one of the most recent evolutionary developments is the open-ended learning system. This is a learning system by which a behavioural repertoire develops which is especially appropriate to the situation or surroundings in which the individual incidentally happens to live. The capacity to develop such a behavioural repertoire is only utilized optimally when supplies and shortages in the energy balance are treated in a very specific way. This means that behaviour should be organized in such a way that a surplus of energy is immediately invested in the extension and refining of this repertoire. Adjustments in the repertoire will be especially meaningful when those adjustments offer a higher probability of survival in emergency situations and in situations which are very stressful. This means, however, that one has to practice in situations which engender a high level of arousal, for such situations are exactly the situations in which risks have to be taken. But taking risks which afterwards turn out to be too great can have unpleasant consequences. Also, situations which are (too) stressful for a long period of time, can be harmful to the individual. Thus, apart from the necessity to practice with difficult situations, it is also of the utmost importance that the individual has, with regularity, the possibility to escape from threat and danger and to settle down.<br />
<br />
An open learning system will contribute maximally to survival when the following two conditions are met: - firstly, there should be a tendency to seek situations which give rise to a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy and - secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations which reduce the arousal as soon as the energy supply is exhausted or in cases of emergency.<br />
<br />
The second argument which is used by the CEL has a phenomenological nature and is borrowed from Apter and Smith (e.g. Apter, 1982). These authors indicate that a specific level of arousal can be experienced in two different ways. They mention as examples of situations which cause a high level of arousal: having to wait at the dentist while worrying about the condition of your teeth, or watching an exciting movie and feeling thrilled. Situations with a low level of arousal are: waiting for the bus while you have nothing to do and are bored stiff, or sitting in a nice warm tub after a hard day's work and enjoying a pleasant relaxation. What distinguishes these four situations is, in the first place, the level of arousal and, in the second place, the extent to which a person feels comfortable or not, in other words, the hedonic tone. Apter and Smith generalized such phenomenological occurrences and elaborated them into their reversal theory. One of the fundamental postulates in their theory is:<br />
<br />
: "... that certain psychological processes, especially certain motivational and emotional processes, exhibit bi-stability rather than homeostasis (i.e. uni-stability). Switching from one stable state to the other in a bi-stable system can be referred to as a "reversal" and may be brought about by a number of different factors." (Apter and Smith, 1979)<br />
<br />
Both arguments, the one phenomological and the other ethological in character, plead for a bipolar organization of behaviour, as described in the ELC.<br />
<br />
=== 3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Both states of the bi-stable system in the CEL, following Apter and Smith, are called metamotivational states. They can be seen as "frames of mind" which determine the general phenomenological characteristics of motivation at a certain moment in time: in other words, the individual interprets his own motives in one of two ways. Because states are not motives in themselves but rather organize the motivation, they are called metamotivational states.<br />
<br />
Both metamotivational states indicate a level of preference as to the variable "level of arousal" or "tension". They are called "telic" and "paratelic", derived from the Greek word "telos" which means goal. In the telic state the individual is serious minded, tries to avoid high arousal and wants to plan and structure the future as much as possible {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The phenomenological characteristics of the paraletic state are, in short: to carry out behaviour for the behaviour itself or for the excitement and sensation which this behaviour arouses {{Harv|Apter|1979}}, e.g., impulsiveness, fickle or frivolous behaviour and searching for arousal because it is pleasant in itself {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. (See table 1.1 for a more elaborate summary of the telic and paratelic state.)<br />
<br />
The CEL not only postulates, following reversal theory, a complex "control adjustment system" {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981|p=185}}, but also indicates that the relation between arousal and other variables, such as being full of fear or being full of fun, is much more complex than was generally assumed. This is because, as described above, arousal in the paratelic state is experienced as being exciting and pleasant, and in the telic state as being frightening, unpleasant and as something which has to be avoided. (In table 1.2 this relation between the two metamotivational states and the level of arousal is summarized again.) <br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Summary of the telic and paratelic states.png|framed|none|Table 1.1: Summary of the Telic and Paratelic States (from {{Harvnb|Apter|1982|p=52}}).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Table 1.2: Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.]]<br />
<br />
<br />
In the last paragraph, a statement by Apter (1979, page 405) was quoted which, among other things, dealt with the "reversals", or changes, from one stable state into the other, that occur with a certain regularity {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. These reversals can occur under a variety of conditions {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}, but will especially take place when: (a) the individual gets frustrated in one state, or (b) the individual gets satiated in the other state (Van der Molen et al., 1991)<!-- TODO -->. The former (a) takes place in particular in the paratelic state in which the organism seeks tension and accordingly takes risks. Taking risks implies that unexpected things and unforeseen contingencies may happen which can lead to a telic state. Because of the fact that in such a state the person searches for tension or arousal, satiation will not very often be the cause of a reversal. However, a reversal by satiation may occur when the supply of energy gets exhausted (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985;<!-- TODO --> see also {{Harv|Van der Molen|Stoelhorst|Van Dijk|Maarsingh|1991}}. The reversal from the telic to the paratelic state will more often be caused by satiation, because at a certain moment in time the energy supply is replenished to the extent that the search for situations which offer arousal may continue (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985)<!-- TODO -->.<br />
<br />
In the CEL model of Van der Molen et al (1991)<!-- TODO --> the energy dependent basis of motivation is an important explanation for such an interaction between level of arousal and metamotivational state and the reversal from one state into the other.<br />
<br />
=== 4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences at the Proximal and at the Ultimal Level ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In contrast to most psychological approaches, the concept "allocation of energy" is very important in ethology. Strategies and tactics (e.g. to find food) of various animals are analyzed in the light of the hypothesis: " ... behavioral control mechanisms are designed to maximize the rate of net energy gain" {{Harv|Daly|Wilson|1983|p=39}}.<br />
To illustrate the concept we will give two examples to indicate what the term means in ethology.<br />
Tits are small birds which are found often in wooded areas in Europe and North-America. These birds remain in the same area the entire year and they breed there in summer. In winter it is hard to find larvae because they are well hidden and irregularly spread. So the tits must have a special strategy which makes finding food as efficient as possible. It seems to be the case that they use a "giving-up time" decision-rule. This means that they look for food only during a specific period of time at a specific place and if by then they have not found anything yet, they give up and look for another place. Krebs et al. (1974) have shown by means of experiments and calculations that this strategy produces the maximal number of food-units within a specific period of time compared to other strategies, such as, for example, examining a pine-cone during a pre-set period of time, or starting to look elsewhere, having found a fixed number of larvae.<br />
<br />
This is an example in which a number of strategies for collecting food are compared on the basis of their efficiency, and in which the animal appeared to use the most efficient method; the animal allocated energy as efficiently as possible. The next example is completely different, but corresponds with the former in using energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
The hermit-crab lives in "discarded" snail-shells and looks for a new house when she grows too large for her current house. If the crab succeeds, she continues to grow. But if the crab does not succeed to find a larger house, she stops her own growth, for a house is necessary in order not to be caught by predators. The energy which normally is put in the growth, now is used to mature sexually. Instead of putting energy in the growth, the crab puts it in reproduction {{Harv|Bertness|1981}}.<br />
Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) and Van der Molen et al. (1991) assume that the motivation with specialized learning-animals (human beings), is steering behaviour in such a way that the energy spent is actually utilized in an optimal way. This means that arousal inducing situations will be sought as soon as there is a surplus of energy and that the situation will, if possible, be controlled as soon as the supply threatens to be exhausted (see pp. 4, 5, and 6). <br />
<br />
The question which now arises is: what are the implications of an energy-efficient learning system? In the first place, it can be said that the energy which is invested in experimenting with new and exciting situations is no longer available for other activities (such as eating). So only when there is a surplus of energy i.e. when there are no other urgent outstanding needs to be fulfilled, can investments be made in learning. This learning should produce long-term results in terms of survival or reproduction (see for instance {{Harvnb|Dawkins|1976}}. When the system results in a more exact, more efficient and more economical representation of the surroundings, especially concerning relevant situations, it contributes to a higher survival value. A side effect of such a learning-system is that eventually energy and time will be available for activities other than those considered to be essential necessities of life. This is so because the surroundings have been mapped out in such a way (cognitively) that one responds to the specific situation in the right way at the right time.<br />
<br />
When we add the ethological argument used by Van der Molen to the phenomenological argument which was used by Apter (see pp 4, 5, 6), we can draw an important conclusion regarding "cause" and "function" of behaviour (Tinbergen, 1963, 1968). By "cause" Tinbergen means the proximal causes and goals of behaviour and by "function" he means the ultimate causes and effects.<br />
<br />
The paratelic state results, in the long term, in a surplus of experience (especially in important areas) which in the end is settled down into a refined and extended behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985). <br />
In the short term, the main goal is to have fun doing things which are exciting (see for instance Apter, 1976 or 1982). So the behaviour is, at the proximal level, aimed at the principle: just do what is exciting. The effect at the ultimate level of such behaviour (an extended and refined behavioural repertoire) seems to play no part in the proximal motivation of such behaviour. In our view, this is a logical consequence of the observation that learning competes with other activities (e.g. eating) and so should be inviting at the proximal level.<br />
<br />
Batson et al. (1987, 1988) also ascertain the importance of the distinction between proximal and ultimate results when they study the motivation of altruistic behaviour. From a number of very well organized experiments Batson concludes that altruistic behaviour indeed also appears to exist when the proximal goal of the behaviour is examined and not only the long term results.<br />
Now that a clear distinction between proximal and ultimate results and goals has been indicated to be of crucial importance, it seems logical to ask in more detail how exactly learning progresses.<br />
<br />
=== 5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In figure 1.1 both the metamotivational states and the reversals from one state to the other are represented graphically. The sequence, shown in this figure (fear - relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear, etc) is important for the learning process. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversals between telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.1. A commonly occurring Motivational Sequence.]]<br />
<br />
Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops by way of positive and negative learning spirals. If the indicated sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation - etc. can be completed often enough, it means that generally speaking there have been sufficient opportunities to achieve relaxation timely and to replenish the energy supply. In this way an individual will develop a behavioural repertoire which functions adequately and in which the various skills have been well consolidated and integrated.<br />
<br />
As a consequence, the person is (better) able to deal with emergencies and to relax more quickly and effectively, with the result that after some period of time he or she is able again to explore, etc. We label this a positive learning spiral.<br />
<br />
If, however, the person does not succeed in finding enough moments of relaxation, he or she can replenish his/her energy less often. The individual will then be in the paratelic state less often and consequently will explore less and exhibit telic behaviour more frequently. This results in the person acquiring fewer new skills and practicing "old" skills less often. And being less skillful subsequently lessens the chances of further moments of relaxation. Thus a negative learning spiral develops (figure 1.2).<br />
<br />
According to this model, skills have the tendency to grow in clusters. Van der Molen calls such clusters, after Grof (1972, 1973, 1976) "clusters of COndensed EXperience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 1.3). Grof defines a COEX-system as follows: <br />
:"A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related fantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another."<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions connected with the cluster. The reason for such clustering of areas of experience is explained by Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985). When certain situations have been explored regularly and the experiences have been processed well, we can speak of a positive COEX-system in which various skills have been incorporated. Such skills can often also be applied in other, comparable situations, so that these too, can turn out to be controllable and manageable. In this way positive experiences can extend to related areas of experience and thus stimulate a positive COEX-system to grow. Poorly processed experiences also have the tendency to grow in clusters. When, in a given situation, there is little exploration and consequently little practice with certain relevant skills, it is more difficult to control that situation if needed, and subsequently it is also more difficult to relax and settle down after solving the problems at hand.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|Figure 1.2 Two possible learning spirals {{Harv|Molen, van der|1984}} in which the development and refining of the behavioural repertoire is the result of positive learning spirals, and in which a rigid and stereotyped way of reacting will be the outcome of negative learning spirals]]<br />
<br />
This implies a high probability that only few new skills will be learnt, so that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar situation, he will, most likely, have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (i.e. behaviour for escaping and avoiding) in such situations, resulting in even less experimenting. An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of somebody who, as a result of his or her shyness, no longer dares to appear in public. By doing so, the fear for such kind of situations will grow, because the familiarity with those situations will diminish, and the person can not properly develop other skills for which he or she needs the help of others in a group context (for instance school tasks). In this way the individual easily ends up in a negative learning spiral in which new experiences are no longer utilised to learn, but rather to strengthen the existing, inadequate avoidance behaviours. Breaking out of such a spiral is very difficult. The most important (and most necessary) condition for this is the ability to acquire relaxation and rest whenever needed, which is necessary for the processing of experiences and replenishing the energy resources. If a number of well-processed areas in which there are well-controlled skills, are in some way related to badly processed areas of experience, those well-processed areas of experience can sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations become too frightening. Such refuges serve to provide the necessary opportunities for relaxation.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|Figure 1.3 Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the total area of experiences (from: {{Harv|van der Molen|1984}}.]]<br />
<br />
Here it is important to bear in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. It can also be a matter of a positive end result, i.e. the ''good processing'' of negative, unpleasant, experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of ''badly processed'' unpleasant experiences.<br />
<br />
The term unpleasant can easily lead to misunderstanding. The experiences were unpleasant at that time, but after a while the negative COEX-system may be experienced as intriguing, i.e. when the person is in the paratelic state, precisely because of the arousal elevating characteristics of such a COEX-system. Positive areas of experience are then experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant, for they no longer produce excitement.<br />
<br />
In the telic state, of course, the situation is reversed. The positive areas of experience will be sought, whereas the negative areas of experience will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening. <br />
<br />
This difference in the way in which positive and negative COEX-systems are faced, has interesting implications for cognitive development.<br />
<br />
=== 6. Cognitive Development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) speaks of "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; certain standards indicating what kind of behaviour should be pursued and what kind of behaviour should be avoided. Czapinski (1982, 1985, 1986, and 1987) extends this with his research on the judgement of experiences, from which it is evident that, generally speaking, people have a slight "positivity bias". This means that experiences generally acquire a slightly positive emotional value rather than a zero or neutral value (except when they have a specific and very strong emotional value). According to Czapinski one can speak in the cognitive representation of the experiences of a slightly positive background field, against which the negative areas of experience especially stand out. Using these concepts, we can now say more about cognitive development. (see figure 1.4).<br />
<br />
This figure resembles the figure which van der Molen used to depict Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see the previous paragraph), but is now further specified. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, i.e. the areas which have not yet been properly processed and digested (- -), will raise the level of arousal and be accompanied by tension.<br />
In the telic state, the well processed areas (+ +) are attractive, because they are controllable in such a way that in the case of an emergency a state of rest can easily be achieved. For such areas we therefore have chosen the term "refuge". In the paratelic state, the not yet well processed areas will be particularly attractive, because the tension they afford will be experienced as pleasant. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.4: Cognitive representation of areas of experience.]]<br />
<br />
We assume the following: in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, i.e. exploration will occur in those areas that are closest to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and where there is a relatively high chance of an arousal inducing (and thus also possibly unpleasant) experience. At the proximal level, if things go well, it is however simply a matter of (pleasant) tension and excitement. A consequence of such an exploration then is that the borders of the badly processed areas start to shift; as a result of the positive experiences, parts of the problem area are "nibbled away" and gradually change into well-processed areas. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further.<br />
At the ultimate level we may in a way speak of a "goal" of the paratelic state, namely, "striving after" and gaining new experiences which are necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What then happens on the logical-cognitive level? Following the line of argumentation, the experiences should be represented in such a way that the organism acquires precise, relevant and economical schemes of the surroundings (otherwise the gain from the energy spent would not be maximized). Lewicka (1985, 1987, and 1989) concludes that we can say more about this when we make a distinction between sufficient and necessary conditions. Sufficient conditions are conditions which have to be fulfilled in order to attain a certain result. When for instance, somebody wants to boil an egg for his breakfast, a sufficient condition could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Place the egg into the pan.<br />
# Put the pan on the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# Once the water is boiling, wait for 4 more minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour the water away.<br />
<br />
When these conditions are met, the person will indeed get his boiled egg. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg: it could also for instance be boiled in an old can over a camp-fire or in a micro-wave. A (series of) sufficient condition(s) indicate(s) how a certain result can be obtained, but this does not mean that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be obtained.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition which hás to be fulfilled; without that condition a certain result cannot possibly be obtained. A necessary condition in the example of boiling of an egg could be: "heat the egg to a temperature above the coagulation temperature of the white of the egg, just long enough for the heat to penetrate the whole egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, it is in fact unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for a certain period of time is relevant; otherwise it never never will become "boiled". Given the necessary condition(s) for a certain result it is often possible to lay down a varied number of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) subsequently speaks of "necessity-oriented" and "sufficiency-oriented" procedures (behavioural strategies / -recipes). In the CEL these procedures are treated as a number of "recipes" for behaviour, belonging to a certain COEX-system which are based on sufficient or on necessary conditions. The recipes which are based on conditions (necessity-oriented procedures) are related in particular to those areas of experience which are mapped out thoroughly. The recipes which are based on sufficient conditions (sufficiency-oriented procedures) are conceptually simpler, but in general less economical, because in general more instructions and recipes are then needed and they are less well (causally and logically) integrated (see Van der Molen et al. 1991).<br />
<br />
What happens eventually at the logical-cognitive level in the optimal case is that, starting from the experiences that exploration has yielded, an all-encompassing necessity-oriented recipe of a higher abstraction level is generated out of the initially acquired sufficiency-recipes. For this to happen it is a prerequisite that there is enough time and relaxation between such situations for the processing and integration of the new experiences. A simple example will clarify this: <br />
Imagine John is walking in a forest. He enjoys the surroundings and is completely relaxed. Every now and then he climbs a fence to walk through the pastures or through a piece of fenced-in woodland. Suddenly a horse gallops towards him from out of the wood and without thinking John starts running. Somehow he can escape and not until later he asks himself what exactly has happened. First he hesitates to enter the forest again, but after a while when he has settled down again it seems to him quite exciting (paratelically) and he resolves to constantly stay close to the fences, so that he can escape quickly should that be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John re-investigates the situation and finds out in which area of the forest the horse is and which area of the forest and which pastures he must try to avoid. Eventually, the excitement of walking is diminished, because he exactly knows where he has to be careful and why. The motivation during the paratelic phase - to explore the forest - eventually disappears because he knows it all. It has become too familiar.<br />
<br />
In this example, John is unpleasantly surprised and at first reacts frightened upon the entire forest. But by exploring the situation a sufficiency-oriented recipe ("If I walk in the forest, a horse may gallop towards me at any given moment in time") is converted into a necessity-oriented recipe ("Only if I climb that particular fence can the horse gallop towards me"). The consequence hereof is also that John's freedom of movement has increased, for the area to be avoided is clearly reduced. This is represented in figure 1.5.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.5 Avoidance, exploration, and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences).]]<br />
<br />
An area of experience which is first experienced as problematic (unpleasant in the telic phase), gradually reduces in size, as its borders are explored (in the paratelic states) and positive experiences in that marginal area may occur. At the ultimate level the aim of the paratelic behaviour is, to speak in Grof's terms, to convert as many negative COEX-systems as possible into positive ones. In other words, the aim is, among other things, to convert less efficient sufficiency-oriented recipes, connected to badly processed experiences, into highly efficient necessity-oriented recipes which are are in particular connected to well-processed and digested experiences. This means that the representations of the surroundings become more efficient and more economical.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to result in well processed and badly processed clusters. When certain situations have been explored often enough and the experiences have been well-processed, we speak of a positive COEX-system in which skills have been learned that are applicable in different, but comparable or related situations. In such an area of experience the individual can more easily establish positive learning spirals. In a similar way badly processed experiences also tend to grow in clusters; there is a strong likelihood that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar or related situation, he will experience it as problematic. This raises the probability of telic behaviour in such situations, with the result that less exploration and experimentation will take place. In this way the individual gets caught up in a negative learning spiral in such areas of experience; new experiences cannot be used for learning, but only for strengthening and extending the existing, relatively inefficient behavioural strategies. In terms of figure 1.4 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) remain relatively limited and small and that for the cognitive representation of the problem areas (- -) relatively broader and less efficient margins are maintained.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.6 Safety margins in the telic state. Explanation: the dotted lines indicate the direction in which the circumference of the COEX-systems changes in the case of an unfavourable direction of the learning process.]]<br />
<br />
Should necessity-oriented recipes of high precision and a high level of abstraction be absent, and relatively many sufficiency-recipes be used instead, the indicated borders in figure 1.4 are less favourable during the telic state. The refuges of well-processed areas are small because of the overly simple, badly generalizable and thus limitedly useful sufficiency-recipes, whereas for the badly processed areas, excessive safety margins are maintained. The individual's freedom of movement is then relatively limited (see figure 1.6).<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system may gradually extend via an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are principally based on sufficiency recipes. These can be generated relatively quickly, but they are also accompanied by relatively large safety margins, with the result that a relatively large area of experience is considered to be risky and scary.<br />
<br />
=== 7. Summary and Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter about the Cognition-Energy-Learning-Cognition model (ELC), which explains the most essential aspects of the learning process, two arguments have been put forward to support the bi-stable character of motivation. One argument refers in particular to the ultimal effect of an open-ended learning system: the accumulation of a refined and extensive behavioural repertoire. The second argument was purely phenomenological and refers to the fact that the bi-stable character of motivations indeed is reflected in the personal experience of the individual.<br />
<br />
Subsequently, the energy dependent basis of learning was discussed. The concept of energy allocation was illustrated using a number of examples from ethology which then were applied to the CEL model. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal provides two essential parts of the process of learning: on the one hand the acquisition of new and novel experiences, on the other hand the reserving of time and energy for structuring and processing this experiential knowledge. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic state guarantees that the learning process continues, every time when time as well as energy are available for other matters than for the primary necessities of life. This system thus guarantees that no surplus energy is waisted, but is utilized to increase survival value.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematic or non-problematic. Depending on the meta-motivational state of an individual, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. In the telic state problematic areas (for which no adequate behavioural strategies exist yet) will be avoided as much as possible: in the paratelic state, however, they can be a source of (then pleasant) tension and arousal and can thus be attractive to explore. In this way the individual can gain some measure of experience in areas which are (relatively) unknown. And such experiences are a prerequisite for the development of the individual to higher levels of behavioural organization. Non-problematic areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, for they do not produce arousal and are thus considered to be "boring". In the telic state however, these areas are essential for the individual in order to be able to retreat to "common ground" and to relax. Only when a certain amount of rest can be achieved regularly is the individual able to process his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
There are circumstances in which it is impossible for the ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals to occur, because they are too demanding. If such circumstances last too long, this will lead to the establishment of a negative learning spiral which will force the individual into stereotyped and inefficient ways of responding. <br />
<br />
<br />
The likelihood that the negative, problematic experiences within a certain area will spread to other areas will then increase. Hence the term, the "contagiousness" of experiences. This contagiousness of experiences also applies to the positive, well processed and consequently non-problematic experiences. In a positive learning spiral, the individual continually learns new skills which can sometimes be applied to other areas of experience. In this way, the likelihood of having positive experiences increases. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, both in the positive and the negative direction, primarily manifests in areas of experience than are functionally related. However, the principle of contagiousness manifests also in all other areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter, the CEL-model will be expanded to include two other metamotivational states, namely social contacts and the emotions arising from them. By incorporating these two states, it is possible to describe and explain how the quality of social relationships influences the learning process.<br />
<br />
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==Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
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last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
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last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
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last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognitief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Directives_for_after_Point_Omega&diff=8841Directives for after Point Omega2022-08-04T17:14:12Z<p>Baby Boy: /* From fact-finding to courses of action */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
'''(*)''' This paper was written at the request of Victor Koekkoek. Reading the other materials on this Wiki, he was missing a clear summary of what are the implications of all this novel information for those who carry responsibility for how society is ran and guided.<br />
In other words: What are the implications for the intelligent part of our leaders ?<br />
And he was right. For most people the materials on this Wiki are too difficult to grasp. Most people are only capable of thinking what the majority of the herd is thinking. We are social animals after all. Most people are not curious enough and not intelligent enough to address the issues that really matter. And that holds a fortiori in this period of time, when much of the information, presented here, has not yet found its way to the pool of common knowledge and wisdom.<br />
<br />
Therefore this paper is written as an aid for that part of our leaders that have the capacity to grasp the essence of the issues as presented on this Wiki and that have the gumption to think "out of the box", trying to figure out the best guidance for human society.<br />
<br />
After discussing the implications for the different realms of society, this paper will end with a listing of suggested priorities for any persons who find themselves in positions of responsibility.<br />
<br />
This chapter, "Directives for after Point Omega", is placed after "A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki" and after "Why a Point Omega transition ?". <br />
The reason is that for understanding this way of summarizing of the situation of mankind, one needs to have understood the basics of several notions that these days are not yet part of our cultural heritage and common awareness, but that are nevertheless indispensable for assessing the most important dangers, options and opportunities that humanity is faced with these days.<br />
Without knowing the facts, there is no useful assessment possible.<br />
<br />
In short, this Wiki communicates bits of information that already have each become available in different, specific circles of specialists, but that have not yet reached the status of common knowledge, but that we nevertheless consider here as indispensable for a proper understanding.<br />
<br />
Some of the bits and pieces of information that we need here, have in previous years already been published by ourselves, separately in scientific papers, each of which is dealing with one of those specific fields of interest and research. In such cases it is indicated in the chapters in question. But these pieces of information are at best known to the limited circle of specialists in those specific separate scientific research fields, and not to the public at large.<br />
<br />
Other pieces of information have not yet been published in scientific papers, but are nevertheless based on thorough research.<br />
<br />
Still other contributions on this Wiki consist of general discussions about combining various of such bits and pieces of information and about investigating what emerges from such a combining of different fields of research.<br />
All these bits and pieces are needed in order to come to a comprehensible total picture of the present human situation. None of the presented issues can be missed, or the complete picture will fail to emerge.<br />
<br />
For the above reasons it is indispensable to already have taken notice of most of these separate issues, dealt with in the various papers on this Wiki, in order to be able to grasp what led us to the conclusions and advices as formulated in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
In case a reader wishes to first take notice of the advices and the directives below, before having grasped the details of all the different issues in question as dealt with in one of the other articles on this Wiki, we have added in the text below links to where for each separate issue additional explanation can be found.<br />
<br />
What the reader should at least be familiar with before continuing to read the below, is what is meant with the term "Point Omega transition" ([[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|see e.g. here]](*) and [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|here]](*)).<br />
<br />
In case the reader has read and digested the chapter "[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki(*)]]" and has taken notice of the underlying argumentation in the chapters referred to there, it should be possible to also grasp the message in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
== Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Right now, in the beginning of the 21st century AD, we are living in a period in which the greater ideological movements have lost most of their appeal. <br />
<br />
All great religions suffer from believers moving towards a secularized position, stopping to behave like meek sheep. Disbelief and denial of superstition rule the day. <br />
<br />
Not only the great religions lose their influence and control over their people, also the greater political idealistic systems encounter more and more critique and scepticism. The communist system has lost the cold war competition and thus lost most of its credibility. But also the capitalist system is encountering more and more scepticism from its citizens, who recognize the obvious shortcomings of blind capitalism that follows the basic principles of the survival of the fittest in an economic sense. Many feel that this competitive system does not support its people well enough and that in the capitalist societies, and not only there, the majority of "losers" in the competitive societal structure are locked into a more or less hopeless struggle for survival. They may survive, or at least many of them, but hardly with any hopes for a pleasant future for themselves or at least for their offspring.<br />
<br />
More and more people resent society treating them like slaves without any prospect for liberation or an otherwise agreeable life. And that also holds for the western "democratic" and "enlightened" societies, not only for those "backward" societies elsewhere in the world, that are widely recognized as repressive, dictatorial and totalitarian, suffering from unpredictable arbitrariness and cruelty.<br />
People in modern society apparently have lost their perspective for a better, future, society. This makes a sense of ever more openly confessed hopelessness gradually spread among the populations of the civilized world. The fairy tales are being exposed as such and nothing comes forward to fill the gap.<br />
<br />
There seems to be a growing need for a perspective that can give hope for a brighter future, a perspective that can survive the scrutiny of seasoned disbelievers, a perspective that cannot be put aside as another fairy tale, a perspective that is not anchored in badly tested political ideals or in superstitions, but a perspective that is firmly anchored in scientific knowledge. Such a perspective is increasingly sought after, but it is generally felt that it is alas nowhere in sight.<br />
<br />
This Wiki is dedicated to showing that, despite this ever more widely felt hopelessness, such a novel perspective is very well possible and in fact that the total of available data suggests that an enormous shift in human perspective is at hand, called here the [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega transition.]] <br />
And that once the Point Omega transition has started, the sought after perspective will present itself automatically and unavoidably. This perspective will fill the gap and it will bring purpose where now hopelessness rules [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|(see here'''(*)''' for a description of the Point Omega concept)]].<br />
<br />
After Point Omega namely, humanity finds itself in a totally novel situation. We will have left the millennia long era in which consciousness has gradually been evolving up to this Point Omega and instead we will have entered the situation of "conscious evolution", the beginning of which is basically what Point Omega is all about.<br />
Many of the rules and laws, regulating societies before Point Omega, will become superfluous or counter-productive and will vanish as a consequence. Most of these limiting rules and laws, needed in the customary societal situation(s), dictating our behavioural possibilities and impossibilities, will lose their function and their necessity. <br />
<br />
This reduction of repressive forces will release enormous amounts of energy in all participants, energy that can forthwith be spent on more useful, more creative and more productive goals than merely keeping each other in check, or winning all sorts of - now dysfunctional and obsolete - competitions for survival.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that, according to us, there is now a new perspective emerging, a perspective that will be firmly anchored in scientific research and a perspective that perfectly makes sense in view of everything we scientifically know for sure, a perspective that also will help us overcome the neuroticizing and utterly unpleasant power structures that have ruled the existence of Homo sapiens for about 10.000 years. Those crippling and utterly unpleasant power structures have ruled our existence for all that time and that situation is now coming to an end. Homo sapiens will take over the lead over its own existence and over its own evolution as well. Once these new options and possibilities will start spreading, human society will gradually absorb this new perspective and in the end there will not be any lack of "purpose" left. <br />
<br />
Having sorted out in this Wiki most theoretical issues that we need to know in order to assess our situation properly and correctly, we can now come to a listing of what is awaiting us, which options we do have and which options do not exist or otherwise are "no go" areas and what would be the most clever issues to work on, in order to make our coming transition as smooth as possible.<br />
<br />
Before starting with a listing of useful directives as given [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#Priorities_for_an_action_list|further below]], it seems useful to first rehearse the most important findings of the research reported elsewhere on this Wiki, findings that we will have to take into account when ruminating how our future will going to be shaped. With each of these findings a link is given to where on this Wiki more information can be found about each specific issue.<br />
<br />
== New facts we need to take into account ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)'''<br />
<br />
* Human beings have strikingly little capacity to understand their own or each other's behaviour. As a consequence human beings behave essentially like other Apes behave, no matter their intellectual pretense. We can call this phenomenon [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*).<br />
<br />
* At the cognitive level Human beings utilize an important tool to consolidate that Self-Blindness, which is the '''Good-Bad''' polarity. Good-Bad differences refer not to any real behavioural differences, although people tend to think that they do. But in reality good-bad differences refer to different likings or appreciations from the side of the onlooker or "judge" that serve to stabilize existing ideas (prejudices) of one person about the other. The Good-Bad dimension therefore stabilizes social relationships while preventing (effectively shielding off) any understanding of the real social mechanisms involved. It helps ascertain that human beings keep acting socially to a large extent like other Great Apes. And the latter is crucial for the continuation of procreation and evolutionary success. Until this moment in our evolution this [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_illusory_aspects_of_the_Positive.2Fnegative_or_Good.2FBad_dimension|illusory Good-Bad tool]](**) was an indispensable attribute for mankind's survival.<br />
<br />
* '''Self-Blindness''' has evolved in Homo sapiens as a consequence of, or rather as '''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|a condition for higher intelligence]]'''(*).<br />
<br />
* Much later, beginning with the agricultural revolution, since the period of 10.000 years ago till 5.000 years ago, Human evolution was taken over by an evolution on the level of "memes" or of "software". The latter evolution moves at a much higher speed than the traditional level of DNA or "hardware" evolution. The evolution of the hardware (Genes, DNA-based) is therefore lagging behind as compared to the evolution of the "software" (Memes, Culture). But, since we humans are carriers of both genes ánd memes, this causes motivational friction in individuals of Homo sapiens, which friction is structural. We call this friction the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|'''"Evolutionary Jet Lag"''']](**).<br />
<br />
* '''Agriculture needs power structures''' at the cultural level (software-level). As mentioned above, these power structures in fact have taken over the lead in Human evolution. As carriers of the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|power structure]] "memes"(**), human individuals tend to be pushed into a state of mild or harsh slavery, as compared to their primordial natural tendencies. <br />
<br />
* Power structures have evolved in such a way, that they developed a myriad of tricks to subdue and control their carriers. One of the most elementary tricks is to [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''neuroticize their human carriers''']](*). Whereas this customary neurotization strongly reduces the capacity of human individuals for realizing their full innate behavioural repertoires, it improves their maleability and adaptation to slavery. Power structures need large masses of malleable work slaves and military ("cannon fodder" these days). Power structures compete with one another at such levels, and that determines the direction of our evolution.<br />
<br />
* Self-Blindness has always prevented humanity to understand the most basic elements of the fundamentals of our behaviour, to the extent that we even do not have daily used words for the most essential basic elements of our own behaviour. That way the '''mechanisms of [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]`'''(***) have for instance always escaped our attention and stayed hidden, in spite of the fact that these mechanisms are the very cornerstones of any behaviour in species with an open ended capacity for learning, and therefore in particular in us humans.<br />
<br />
* '''Repair of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Blindness]](*) for our own [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]'''(***) harbours untold opportunities to open completely novel and more mature and wholesome avenues of regulation and support of us human beings. It opens up the road for intelligently looking at ourselves as well as looking at each other.<br />
<br />
* Behavioural differences between individuals in socially living species are partly based on genetics. One of these congenital personality dimensions is "'''differences in adaptiveness versus creative innovation", also to be labeled as "Social versus Self-Willed"'''. [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria_(abstract)|'''Involuntary and automatic selection forces within social structures''']](**) are causing automatic shifts in average genetic make up of the group members. That results in a limited life span of any social structure of socially living mammals, including in human societies and other social human structures. Depending on the level of social organization that mechanism leads to turn-over catastrophes like e.g. in rodents periodic migration waves and e.g. in us humans "bankruptcy", "revolution", "genocide" and similar phenomena. Whereas this mechanism throughout the ages always has made any stable social structure in also human societies impossible, the mechanism doesn't need to cause much concern at this moment in time. Once Conscious Evolution has been started up, the sting can be taken out of this primordial mechanism and it can consciously be replaced by more agreeable mechanisms.<br />
<br />
* Another mechanism with a genetic basis that until now has always been kept hidden from awareness, by means of taboo-structures, is [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''genetic pollution''']](**). That mechanism in itself has always already been enough to make any stable social organization impossible to survive for long. Genetic pollution has always been a sufficient extra reason to make (peaceful) social organizations collapse in due time. For thousands of years it has been one of the main reasons why complex civilizations would only have limited life spans and would invariably end in catastrophical collapse. But also this mechanism does not need to fill us with much concern. Even while this mechanism is still beyond our collective awareness at this moment in time and still keeps triggering the collapse of all large civilizational structures in the usual way, the start of Conscious Evolution will easily and automatically make this problem of [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|genetic pollution]](**) be tackled successfully in the slipstream of events.<br />
<br />
== From fact-finding to courses of action == <br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Thus we memorized above the most important novel facts that we have to take into account for understanding the present human situation properly. These facts, that were either unknown or that were out of the focus of our attention, we now do need to be aware of in order to be able to design our future course, for the options that we have, and for the actions that we may decide to take as a consequence.<br />
These novel bits of extra information, the formerly unknown facts and the already known facts that were not in the focus of our attention, together with a number of generally well known facts that already were part of our cultural heritage, [[Why a Point Omega transition ?|led us to the conclusion(*)]] that we are at the brink of a major transition in the evolution of mankind, in fact the largest revolutionary transition in the whole of Human Evolution, which transition point we labeled as Point Omega.<br />
<br />
Having become aware of the above mentioned novel bits of information, we can now start to discuss a number of issues that each will play a completely different role in our existence, once we will have moved from the pre-Point-Omega condition to the post-Point-Omega situation. For it is mankind's moving through the transition of Point Omega that will change the role and the importance of each of the discussed phenomena. Below, we will now first discuss a number of such key issues one by one, viewing each issue from both perspectives, the actual, pre-Point-Omega perspective and the coming post-Point-Omega perspective.<br />
<br />
One general consideration that we should keep in mind while trying to find our way, is that '''scientific thinking will replace traditional superstitions'''. But, that is what will happen at the surface. Below the surface, within ourselves, as part of our system of feelings, emotions and motivations, it is that '''curiosity will''' increasingly '''replace fear''' as the all-determining factor in our lives. That is what the over-all picture of the theory of Point Omega predicts. That is what can be derived from the detailed knowledge as is presented elsewhere on this Wiki. The all pervading neuroticising structure of the old society will more and more give way to the emergence of curiosity and creative impulses. And since those differences are very [[Energy_and_Strokes#10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagious]], those changes will happen with the increasing speed of a chain reaction and with an unexpected rapidness. <br />
<br />
In the below, non exhaustive, listing, some issues are presented, in the form of rules that will apply, others in the form of well known, but until now badly understood or difficult to realize admonitions, each of which issues will get a completely new reality value in the new situation. Each consideration in this listing leads to a course of action. We will now present here in the below chapters 12 such courses of action. And at the end we will summarize the suggested courses of action in a listing of priorities. That listing may be an indication for us where we now had best put most of our attention and energy.<br />
<br />
12 considerations:<br />
<br />
- [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account|Democratization of education]]<br />
<br />
-[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account%7CDemocratization of Information|]]<br />
<br />
- Procreating consciously<br />
<br />
- Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes<br />
<br />
- Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness<br />
<br />
- What about Religion <br />
<br />
- Curbing destruction of the environment<br />
<br />
- Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way<br />
<br />
- Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness<br />
<br />
- Treating others as you would like to be treated yourself<br />
<br />
- How to deal with hopeless cases ?<br />
<br />
- Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence<br />
<br />
== Democratization of education ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The first issue is about the optimization of educational opportunities. <br />
<br />
Power structures lean among other things on an information privilege. Youngsters from privileged classes enjoy more opportunities for study and for personal development than do youngsters from the working class. This situation does have a number of advantages for the structures in power. It stabilizes the position of power of the persons manning the power structure control positions, keeping control positions "in the family". Privileged wealth is one of the driving stimuli to keep this pattern going. <br />
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For society as a whole there is however also a strong disadvantage to this education privilege. That is that enormous quantities of talent are continuously being wasted, because stemming from the working and other lower classes of society. A society can potentially win vast advantages when exploiting all potential to the full, which can be achieved by making education levels just depend on individual potential and talent and not on the incidental wealth of the family of the persons in question.<br />
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In some countries the availability of education for those who are capable is to some extent democratized. In those countries, now still a minority, the learning potential of the population is exploited to a much higher degree than what is usually the case. After Point Omega we may expect that this tendency to democratize education will further be perfected world wide.<br />
The results will be two-fold. First of all expensive education resources will not any more be wasted on stupid or less gifted members of the privileged classes. Those resources can then be utilized more effectively.<br />
In the second place almost all innate potential in the whole population can be utilized, where now only a fraction of that potential is coming to bloom.<br />
<br />
Comparing the percentage of potential until now being realized world wide with what would potentially be realized afterPointOmega, leads to the conclusion that this education issue will be one of the major power sources for a stabilization of Point Omega developments. Just this one of the many basic changes around Point Omega does in itself already have the potential to change our world beyond recognition.<br />
<br />
== Transparency ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The second issue is about transparency.<br />
<br />
Transparency is a key issue in the transition to the post-Point-Omega world. Transparency combines with honesty, but not with counterfeit and fraud. Powerstructures heavily lean on information advantages and on keeping the ruled masses unaware of what is really going on. The more ignorant the subdued masses, the easier it is to keep exercising power over them. Power structures in general prefer to keep information privileges in place. Transparency often is poison to their power games and (hidden) ruling techniques.<br />
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However, these days, because of technical developments, we are experiencing an information explosion and with that an explosion of accessibility of information. One of the implications is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult for power structures to maintain their information privileges and communication advantages. Knowledge is democraticized unstoppably and the customary information privileges are crumbling down. <br />
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In the old days, up till this moment in time, information privileges were the "normal" state of affairs. Everybody is used to it and customarily takes it for granted.<br />
In the new era however, transparency will be valued more than the holding upright of the power structures of the day. People will prefer to do away with all that.<br />
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There is also another, different side to this coin. That is the side of "privacy". People in general are very much attached to their privacy. People in general fear "thought control" by the powers in charge and wish to defend their last areas of privacy left to them. People wish to keep their most personal thoughts and feelings hidden from other people. They want to defend their freedom of thinking and feeling differently from what they perceive as the "ideal" that society is trying to impose. The result is that people do not wish transparency regarding their personal selves. They do not wish that other people can read their thoughts.<br />
<br />
However, these are reactions and reflexes that are anchored firmly in the old situation.<br />
The old situation is a situation of struggle and strife. A situation where competition is present in every corner and fold of society. <br />
No matter how far a human society has advanced in establishing a "just" and "fair" societal structure, every societal structure before Point Omega needed to harbor a certain degree of "survival of the fittest" principles in order not to loose the quality of its carriers, us humans, too rapidly by genetic pollution and random drift. These are principles that never have been articulated clearly, in fact they were in general "taboo", but nevertheless in reality they always have been a prerequisite and a strict condition, because of the demands of the struggle for survival between the different competing power structures in the human world. <br />
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Therefore, in practice, only societal structures that kept incorporated certain degrees of competition and "survival of the fittest" within their population and within their structures, could win in the evolutionary battle for survival, a battle basically carried out on software level. But that battle clearly was / is felt in the personal lives of us, individual carriers, also. And that hurts !<br />
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In the new situation however, the old evolutionary requirements will have been replaced by the new principles of "conscious evolution". And these new principles make the primordial requirements of competition and strife superfluous. That holds not only for the evolutionary survival struggle between the different power structures, but also for the evolutionary struggle and competition between individuals within the same power structure or culture, between the carriers of the same power structure, between neighbours, between even family. No need for competition any more after Point Omega. Its evolutionary usefulness and necessity will have become obsolete. <br />
That also implies that the need for secrecy, for cheating and for fraud is large and by becoming obsolete. <br />
<br />
The struggle for survival by all sorts of competition used to lean heavily on the cleverness of individuals, on their capacity to be just a little more clever than their individual competitors. In the old structures huge seas of energy and effort used to be invested in attempts to be more "clever" than the other, and unavoidably that always implied attempts for cheating and fraud, especially if not detected. This principle is so basic to human society, that we don't notice how much these mechanisms rule our lives and how much energy they take. Of course it is true that any society, small or large, is anchored in regulations about which behaviours are permitted and which are not and in more or less effective measures to force its citizens to stick to those rules and laws. Still, within such law systems, people try to outflank each other in "cleverness" and they naturally search for the boundaries of what they can socially and legally get away with. <br />
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In short, in the old system the individuals cannot help but be subjected to the all-overruling demand to compete and to excel in comparison with their fellow citizens and unavoidably also often would try to cheat and defraud the others if they could get away with it. One needed to be almost "holy" to no fall for such pressures. And holiness was rare by definition. In practice, one could simply not avoid to join in those aspects of the rat race. A liking for transparency did not fit in those situations.<br />
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After Point Omega the situation is however quite different, also in that respect. If the deeply felt need for being better at cheating and defrauding falls away because the need for it has become obsolete, incredibly vast amount of energy and attention are spared and can be invested in more agreeable and more pleasant issues. In fact, we are talking here about ''the major part of all our energy spent.''<br />
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After Point Omega there will be felt much less need for privacy and secrecy, because the danger of being unmasked and the need for winning in such competitions of cheating and fraud doesn't play such an important role any longer. That has become irrelevant. People will not be concerned any longer if others can look into their inner thoughts and feelings. They don't fear to lose important competitions by too much "transparency" any longer. They couldn't care less.<br />
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This does have important implications for governments and other leaders of society. <br />
'''Transparency''' can safely be a basic target and goal with less concern for unwanted transparency in the feelings and likings of the individuals. They don't have much to hide any longer anyway.<br />
<br />
Transparency ? Yes !<br />
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Privacy ? Who cares any longer ? And for what obsolete reasons ?<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the results of transparency is that power structures are losing their information privileges and thus lose an important tool for keeping their citizens / carriers subdued and in slavery, mild or harsh. That relaxation of repression tools will diminish also the selection pressures in favour of sociability and compliance and against individualism, self-will and creativity. As explained in detail [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Selection_within_human_social_structures|elsewhere on this Wiki(***)]], the relaxation of that selection pressure will take the power away from the cyclic processes that cause turn-overs, bankruptcies, revolutions and genocides. <br />
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Social selection cycles and '''social catastrophes''' will as a consequence become '''easier to handle''' and can be redirected. This side effect of transparency should provide an extra reason for governments and other authorities to stimulate such transparency where possible.<br />
<br />
== Procreating consciously ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The third issue is about procreation.<br />
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There is no need to receive children with handicaps, nor to produce them. Parents, and also governments with all their guidance potential, have a responsibility towards newborn life. '''Every newborn is entitled to be wished for and to be received with joy and love'''. This includes the parental care for the quality of the new life, also in the planning phase. Medical and biological knowledge and skills make suffering from innate defects large and by unnecessary from Point Omega on.<br />
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This principle will automatically put an end to overpopulation. [http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies Statistics show] that the percentage of children, born unwanted, is such that if that category will end, numbers will rapidly decrease. In a not too far future after Point Omega it will be difficult to imagine for the people from that time, that in the past our present overpopulation was such a grand problem and that people were quite prepared to live with a couple of thousand people per square kilometer. What we today consider as "usual" population densities will then be regarded as a nightmare from the past.<br />
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Technically speaking, there will be no need to restrict the number of children, permitted per parent, by force. Chinese methods are, or will soon be, superfluous. Helping parents to avoid unwished for children, will already be enough to reduce the average reproduction rate to below 2,0 per woman. Governments had better spend their energy in counter-effecting the tendency of "the most stupid people reproducing fastest".<br />
<br />
Whereas knowledge about the effects of '''genetic pollution''' is not at the core of our present day cultural heritage, it used to be a more common concern just a couple of generations ago. Among other things by the misdemeanour of the Nazis these notions have been put away in taboo sections of our present day culture. <br />
The above considerations as derived from the information presented on this Wiki (see for instance [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|here (#5)(**))]] lead however to the conclusion that, in spite of the Nazi-inspired taboo on population genetic thinking on humans, we should effectively address our genetic make up and start to prevent genetic pollution from automatically undermining any attempts to establish lasting fair and civilized societies. <br />
<br />
We wish to point out here that in that respect we do not need to foster any fears as installed in us by what happened in the Third Reich. We now do have all technological tools at our fingertips to help people avoid unwanted genetic defects in their offspring. And since the average human being can easily be brought to the point of paying attention to these genetic issues and act accordingly, there is basically no need whatsoever to exert strong pressures from above to enforce a genetic police system. Where it appears possible to seduce people for instance to buy the useless foods that they daily purchase in great quantities, it should be no problem at all to seduce them to follow a healthy management of their own offspring. The level of advertisement needed to achieve that is probably less intensive than the advertisement needed to make them continuously buy unwholesome quantities of junk food.<br />
All that is needed is a better level of awareness at all levels of society, breaking this specific veil of organized ignorance and superstition.<br />
<br />
To put it bluntly, humankind can only survive if it addresses effectively not only the unhampered growth of numbers, that is causing the destruction of the world’s ecological heritage, but also the effects of genetic pollution and deterioration, that would unavoidably cause the collapse of any serious attempt to establish a really civilized human community, as it has always done, throughout the history of mankind.<br />
All the necessary know how is now available. '''We just need to change focus, breaking taboos and ignorance and embrace awareness'''.<br />
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Our civilization is getting global. Let’s take the war producing population genetic sting out, before it destroys us all. We cannot afford to have complete morons sit at the red buttons, which is what unavoidably happens more and more when ever increasing “genetic loads” are smothering any further possibility for adequate and intelligent action.<br />
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The stark truth is that most of us do behave as, and have been trained to behave as complete morons, adapted with force, under penalty of being ostracized, to systems of collective superstition, blindness and ignorance that block any tendency to come to our senses and take adequate, responsible decisions.<br />
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It is '''time to wake up'''. Further delay will become more and more “homo-cidal” to us all.<br />
<br />
Let us consider shortly what we may expect on the level of human population genetics after we have "woken up".<br />
What will happen after Point Omega ?<br />
<br />
Increased awareness of our genetic endowment, an increased general level of sober thinking and a strongly improved set of medical tools to assist us in family planning will result in an ever larger percentage of the population procreating consciously and voluntarily. That will increase the frequency couples are utilising genetic counseling for optimal procreational results.<br />
In the USA we have seen already a steady increase during the last decades of the use of genetic counseling. And these tendencies are spreading towards Europe and other wealthy regions as well.<br />
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Governments can easily induce more use of medical techniques for enhancing the quality of the offspring. Therefore it is '''not needed''' at all '''to use''' much government '''pressure and force'''. Nazi-like measures are not needed at all. Modern advertisement techniques are effective enough to help trigger such '''rational procreational methods to spread among the population widely'''.<br />
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The modern techniques of birth control enable parents to choose the proper time for procreation. These techniques are spreading rapidly all over the world. This has two very important consequences. One is that conscious procreation will stop the growth of overpopulation. If all unwanted children would not get born, the world population would stop to grow and the present overpopulation would come to a halt. <br />
The second consequence is that the genetic counseling going with a more conscious procreation would decrease levels of genetic load and pollution.<br />
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These effects will come automatically and unavoidably, simply because they have become possible and people like to profit themselves from their advantages. We may expect that contemporary taboos that are still blocking such developments, will gradually but shortly lose their power over us.<br />
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There will be more different effects on the population genetic level that we may expect to emerge after Point Omega. But the above examples will suffice to indicate the trend to be expected.<br />
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== Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The fourth issue is dealing with our illusions about "Good" and "Bad".<br />
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The ability to avoid being trapped by the tendency to indulge in Positive versus Negative Evaluation is likely to be a prerequisite for manipulating [[The biological instability of social equilibria|population- and group-cycles]] at will. And since human population- and group-dynamics tend to be worked out nowadays at the level of economic strangling techniques, genocide and (nuclear) war, the skill of controlling such population-dynamic forces would seem to be a prerequisite for man's survival.<br />
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The positive-negative dimension, Good versus Bad, does not relate to actual behaviour. Still, people think it does. This phenomenon is one of the most striking examples of man's innate Blindness for the Self. The Good-Bad dimension is a very effective veil for hiding human behavioural reality from awareness. One of the mechanisms is the built in time bomb within every social structure, making sure that the life span of any social structure is only limited and in the end causing catastrophic turn over events like break down through ossification, bankruptcies, revolutions, genocides, political collapse, etc. For the people involved these catastrophic events are highly unpleasant and problematic, but the (historical) biological and evolutionary advantages have been amply explained [[The biological instability of social equilibria|elsewhere on this Wiki.]](***) The evolutionary usefulness of these built in catastrophes is clear.<br />
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The proximate mechanism fueling these cyclic selection mechanisms is the involuntary selection pressure within each organizational structure in favour of the genetic roots of docility, sociablity and adaptiveness and against innovative creativity and individualism. These forces of attraction and repulsion work out on the cognitive level through the illusory [[Good_and_Bad,_an_illusory_dimension_as_the_cornerstone_of_human_personality|notions of Good and Bad]]. The Good-Bad dimension thus motors the cyclic turn over mechanisms and the periodic emergence of social catastrophes.<br />
Until now, these social cyclic turn-over mechanisms are practically unknown, let alone their effects and implications.<br />
<br />
For all practical reasons, after Point Omega it is not necessary to focus on the working of those cyclic catastrophes. It will be sufficient to focus attention on the knowledge of Good and Bad, that is, on the illusory character of it. Once awareness will be spreading about this one particular aspect of humanity's Self-Blindness, the attachment to utilizing this illusory polarity as the most important personality dimension, the all overriding power of these good-bad reflexes in social relations will diminish and gradually lose its influence in human social life. And that is in particular of crucial importance on the level of politics and governmental decision making.<br />
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Viewed from a point of view from before Point Omega (which is "now"), this option, this possibility to collectively overcome the devastating effects of this aspect of our Self-Blindness, the blinding effects of the utilization of the Good-Bad dimension, is rather difficult to grasp. If not conceptually too complicated for most people, it certainly is a bridge too far emotionally to ask from people to not follow the primordial dictates of the blind forces of social attraction and repulsion, that have steered their / our behaviour since the beginning of time.<br />
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However, viewed from our situation áfter the Point Omega transition, it will be increasingly easy for increasing numbers of people to overcome these primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion and to consciously choose more fruitful ways to interact. And this change will also be subject to positive feed back mechanisms that will make it progressively easier for people to adopt novel ways to interact, once certain critical numbers have been reached.<br />
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In short, it will pay off for governments to enhance scientific knowledge about the Good-Bad concepts and to stimulate people to find alternative and more fruitful ways to interact with one another. Such ways will be counter-intuitive at first, but gradually people will get used to it, especially after it becomes more and more clear what bounties can be expected at the other side of the divide, after having passed the boundary of the knowledge of Good and Bad.<br />
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If you understand how (illusory) Good-Bad reflexes work, you automatically stop to "judge" people.<br />
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"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7, verse 1&2.)<br />
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== Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Self-Blindness has been a steady trait of Homo sapiens since a couple of million years, that is, from the time the intelligence of our ancestors started to rise. A high intelligence cannot be an ESS without a special provision that blocks the application of intelligent faculties to the own behaviour. The latter is the strong and striking Self-Blindness that is such a peculiar feature of our own species.<br />
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The above discussed compulsive human tendency to make use of Good-Bad differences in judgments is just one of the many forms in which Self-Blindness appears.<br />
<br />
In the psychological research literature one can find a vast amount of issues that show specific human blindnesses in certain (other) fields of functioning.<br />
Even on Wikipedia one can find a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases list of cognitive biases](*), each of which biases is another expression of the striking Blindness for the Self of Homo sapiens (see also [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|here]](*) for a chapter on this Wiki that is dedicated to these Self-Blindness phenomena).<br />
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Since Self-Blindness is one of the main ingredients for the structures that keep humanity bound in slavery and neuroticism, it is of great importance, and very urgent at that, that we collectively try as quickly and as effectively as we can, to come to grips with this typically human behavioural bias. If we wish to create a more agreeable world, we do have to take this hurdle. There is no escape from that necessity. In the above mentioned chapter on this Wiki it is argued that we should start a research discipline that is fully dedicated to create clarity and scientific insight in these aspects of Self-Blindness. In [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|that chapter]](**) it is suggested to label such a research discipline as "Amathology" or "the science of ignorance".<br />
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It may sound outrageous at first sight to advertise such a research discipline, but it is not meant as a joke. In fact this should be considered as one of the most important issues for putting extra energy, time and attention, if we wish to stimulate a smooth transition into the post-Point-Omega world. <br />
Seriously dealing with the human Self-Blindness should therefore be considered as one of the major differences between the pre-Point-Omega condition and the post-Point-Omega situation. In fact, starting up research disciplines on Amathology could be labeled as a significant characteristic of the post-Point-Omega era.<br />
<br />
== What about Religion ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The sixth issue to pay attention to here is religion.<br />
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Religion is one of the areas of life where great differences will occur between the pre-Point-Omega situation and the post-Point-Omega situation. In the realm of religions great changes will inescapably occur. One of the reasons is that religions deal with peoples attitude towards life and towards society and towards fellow citizens and at the same time religions play a major, and often hidden, role in keeping people under control. Apart from being a rescue and a life vest for the struggling populace, religions in general also play a major role as tools for power structures. This dual role contributes to the confusion that religiously oriented subjects tend to suffer from. And this confusion is one of the corner stones of power structures in charge, for maintaining control.<br />
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Because of these central functions in human life, religions will change in appearance and in function once all major aspects of human life are changing with the Point Omega transition.<br />
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Briefly summarized, we can recognize 4 central characteristics of religions:<br />
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1) Religions represent an important information source for its adherents; religions also function as a support system for people in need; and religions function also as networks for social communication and social relationships; and finally, religions provide a channel for spiritual experiences, god-consciousness and related levels of awareness. These aspects together are the information and support sides of religions.<br />
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2) A totally different function is that religions are also functioning as tools for suppression, installing fears and superstitions in their carriers / subjects.<br />
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3) Religions also serve as a sort of life vests for neurotic and fearful people. And since the vast majority of people falls in that class of people, the life-vest function of religion has always been, and still is, crucial.<br />
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4) The above 3 functions may seem contradictory in many respects, and basically, they are. Religions always seem to create inextricable tangles of inexplicable complexities, that nevertheless manage to bind people within their believe systems. The pictures of the world and of peoples own existence may seem inextricably complex, but as such these pictures and views, as provided by religious beliefs, represent an ESS structure ( Evolutionarily Stable Strategies) for the power structures in place. <br />
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All these 4 aspects of religion will change tremendously during the shift towards Point Omega.<br />
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So, religions play a central role in keeping communal world views in place and at the same time in keeping their carriers (us) bound in a strong dependence of the local power structures in question. Neuroticism and dependency of the masses is strongly defended and given shape by means of all the fairy tales and lies that religions keep in place (see [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''here''(**)]] for more explanation about the way power structures utilize organized ignorance, superstition and fear for maintaining their power over their carriers - subjects). Packages of superstition, ignorance and neuroticizing belief systems may be disadvantageous to their personal carriers, but they evolved and always existed because of their evolutionary survival value at the communal level. And by that we mean survival value on the level of software, the level of "memes", the leading level for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, many philosophers (and prophets) consider science as conducted properly and soberly, as a means to liberation. "Seek ye the truth, and the truth will make you free", as the saying goes, a saying that can also already be found in the Bible. In that sense such philosophers mean to indicate science as juxtaposed to religious superstition, ignorance and belief-systems.<br />
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What can be expected to happen after Point Omega in this respect is a further secularization of society, in the sense that superstitious beliefs and structured ignorance will stop controlling society as they did in the past. The world will more and more choose for science where science appears to conflict with religious traditions and blindness for the truth, and especially with religious taboos against looking at ourselves soberly. In that sense science will work as a liberating force.<br />
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Another effect we may expect from this secularization and increasing awareness of all the workings within ourselves is a cleaning up of all aspects, mentioned under point 1) above. <br />
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Our world views, our support systems for the needy, our social networks, and also our spiritual life, will all be cleaned from taboo structures and other irrational blocks, from fear inducing old habits, from illogical inexplicabilities, from structured and forcefully imposed ignorance.<br />
And such a clean up will unleash untold and unexpected quantities of personal energy in all people involved, taking away the myriads of energy consuming tricks with which the power systems always kept us subjugated in neuroticizing structured slavery and ignorance. And the synergy between all these individual clean ups will cause an exponential increase of human potential and communal energy. It will verily motor the Point Omega transition. (For an [[Energy and Strokes|explanation of the mechanisms underlying such synergies, see here]](***).)<br />
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So, yes, the religion-related changes will be crucially important aspects of the new era and of the transition thereto.<br />
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Also, these changes will not be the end of spirituality and personal salvation, for authentic spirituality is not dependent of superstition and fairy tales. On the contrary, ending superstition, institutionalized ignorance and repression systems, will open up the road to a massive revival of genuine spirituality.<br />
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<br />
From the above we may conclude to a number of focusing points for governments to pay attention to and to invest in, like:<br />
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- Discourage superstitions that are blocking science or blocking truth.<br />
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- No worldly power should be allotted to systems of fairy tales and superstitions.<br />
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- Protect secularization tendencies.<br />
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- Protect authentic spiritual revival movements from persecution by old established repressive religious traditions. (The latter have in general become mixed with repressive power structures.)<br />
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For deciding how to deal with the differences between religious affairs before Point Omega and religious affairs after Point Omega, it is useful to take one step back and consider the evolutionary necessities that have formed these characteristics of human life and that determine and will keep determining our options, options in personal behaviour, options in political management, and options in philosophical and ideological attitudes, including religions.<br />
As explained in more detail in the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|''article on this Wiki about human Self-Blindness'']](*), a higher intelligence could only evolve in humans by virtue of specific built in blindnesses for our own and each other's behaviours. Human evolution has been a competition between increasing intelligence and concomitantly needed Self-Blindness needed for preventing that evolving intelligence from biting in its own tail, blocking further successful procreation and spreading of a higher intelligence through the population. As pointed out above and in [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''other articles on this Wiki'']](**), religion is a major tool to keep sufficient Self-Blindness operational for allowing higher levels of freely applicable intelligence to evolve.<br />
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== Co-evolution of High Intelligence and Self-Blindness, the example of the Jews ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' With respect to the above, which was the sixth issue we discuss here, it should be of interest to pay attention to one of the oldest grand religions on earth, the jewish believe system. That belief system already exists for over 3.000 years and has well survived until this day. That is a very exceptional feat. Most religions in the world have been in operation only locally and only for a limited period of time. In general such local religions were very ethnocentric and self-serving. <br />
<br />
What strikes the interested onlooker is that the jewish tribe enjoys a higher than usual average intelligence, while at the same time the religious prescriptions are more numerous and more restrictive for daily life, than is usually the case with other religions. What also strikes the attention is that the jewish race has survived quite a number of (forced) mass-migrations out of their home-territory and returning later, not loosing their ancestral religious culture. This cultural survival is not customary in most other religious systems. Tribes and races tend to disappear and or to dissolve in other peoples and tribes, their local belief systems disappearing with them.<br />
When investigating the relationship between the evolution of intelligence in the human species and the theoretical [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|prerequisite of Self-Blindness to make a high intelligence possible]](*), the case of the apparently successful jewish race could be utilized as a test example. <br />
There are a number of other striking features to the jewish people. We mention here the holocaust-like historical events, that have plagued the jews repeatedly, in fact for thousands of years, every time without the jews disappearing completely from the scene, as is more customary with other tribes and creeds in the world of Homo sapiens. Another feature of jewry is that they have moved through a number of population-cycle events as described in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|''another article on this Wiki(***), consisting of a paper that was also presented in 1987 in Jeruzalem at a conference of the ESS (European Sociobiological Society)'']]. <br />
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The effects of genetic pollution and of extreme selection effects in favour of sociability and against creativity and innovation, as one would expect in most social structures, be it tribes, races or local cultures, evidently have been circumvented in the case of the jews, probably by how their history was shaped. In view of the theory in the above mentioned article the conflict between jews and palestinians is also determined to a high degree by the facts that the palestinians historically are a typical "residue"-population whereas the jews are typical migrated newcomers. Historically such relationships are a guarantee of disaster for or a complete disappearance of the "residue-population". In that light, it is remarkable and maybe a characteristic of this era, that the palestinian people are still present there and tolerated as a distinct population-entity.<br />
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Irrespective of these latter considerations, the fact is that the jewish tribe or race combines a higher than average intelligence with a higher than average religious pressure on personal and social life. Also, it can easily be recognized that also theír religious system, as any other religious system, is an extra barrier to understanding of the own behaviour or of understanding the behaviour of human beings in general.<br />
<br />
Looking at Jewry, just from the surface, it immediately strikes the eye that these people have just recently gone through an unbelievably harsh racist ordeal, losing literally millions of their kin at the hands of the Nazi nationalists.<br />
We should not forget that the genocide that happened in the Third Reich was nothing more than what in earlier times of human history, and even before that, was what ordinarily happened between competing tribal entities. Genocidal and territorial "final solutions" were the rule rather than the exception. The Third Reich was just a larger scale and more "industrialized" version of an ancient pattern. Now, some 80 years later, we find that the Germans in general are deeply ashamed that "they", that theír folk, allowed such stark collective blindness to take the lead. The Nazi's considered the Jews as foreigners, as another tribe or race, which makes genocide easier, but history shows us that such a racial component is not even necessary for committing monstrous and massive killings of people, even of one's own kin. Carrying other than the preferred ideas or believes may be sufficient to be exterminated on a massive scale. We have seen that recently happen in quite a number of occasions, like e.g., the Stalinist purges, killing tens of millions of the Russian's own people, Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward, costing the lives of also tens of millions of people, The Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, also taking the lifes of a high percentage of the own people, simply because they were suspected of not carrying the right political ideas and ideals, etc. <br />
So, ethnocentric aspects may facilitate massive killings, but they are in no way a condition for these atrocities to occur. They just make genocides and the like a little more probable.<br />
<br />
In the case of the Jews, one would expect that, having suffered such an ordeal just recently, they themselves would nót fall for the automatisms of racism and ethnocentric territoriality.<br />
Present history shows us however that that expectation is far too optimistic. Even while a large part of the nations in the world are questioning the Jewish territorial and ethnocentric internal aggression, against people who lived there first, the Israëli nevertheless still give the impression that they "stick to their guns" and that they carry on with the usurpation at hand.<br />
<br />
Taking another step back and looking at what is happening today in the "holy land" through the eyes of an unprepared onlooker, we cannot but be flabbergasted by the enormity of what at the surface seems to appear as a jewish blindness for reality. <br />
We wish to point out here that this is a good example of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|evolutionary necessity of Self-Blindness in cases of an evolving higher intelligence]](**).<br />
No doubt that the Jews are one of the most intelligent tribes on earth. No doubt also, that hey demonstrate collective Self-Blindness in an incredibly clear and obvious way. The least we can say is that what happens to the Jews today, is alas in line with what is predicted from the pages of this Wiki. Viewed from the perspective of the [[The biological instability of social equilibria|above mentioned Jerusalem paper (1987)]](***) a newly arrived invading group (the jews from the diaspora) has to deal with a resident "residue" population (the palestinians) and naturally encounters difficulties in dealing with the in Homo sapiens customary tendencies of subjugation or genocide of the resident residue population. In view of the recent history of the jews themselves and of the complete world community looking over their shoulders, novel and "better" solutions are sought to solve the emerged political conflicts, but better (novel) solutions cannot easily be found.<br />
<br />
As a comment in the margin we could add here that we may hope that the Israëli will shortly manage to learn to keep thinking soberly in front of a mirror, the mirror e.g., of the opinion of the rest of the world. If they would manage to do just that, that would verily be a novelty. <br />
Because ...........................<br />
we outsiders may easily conclude that the jews in the "holy land" appear to be crazy racists, having lost their minds, but what the jews are showing there is the result of primordial social reflexes that are the endowment of us all, of all the people in the world.<br />
Let's hope that they shortly learn how to keep their intellect working in front of the mirror, how to conquer the typical Blindness for the Self that has been the characteristic of us since Homo sapiens started to differ from its hominid ancestors.<br />
The Jews have not much time left.<br />
The proliferation of nuclear weapons on both sides makes survival of a jewish ethnocentric and territorial state ever more unstable, if not impossible. It looks like time is running out. They either come to their senses quickly, or some competitor group might obtain nuclear weapons and wipe Israël off the map.<br />
If that terrible thing would happen, that would no doubt be an extra impulse for the rest of the world to analyse what has happened and what are the basic mechanisms leading to such types of disasters. And that would facilitate and boost a rise in Self-awareness, not only about what is happening to the Jews right now, but about how these mechanisms are working in literally all tribes and races on earth. And that in turn would facilitate the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
An alternative to such a disaster would be the Israëli coming to their senses, starting to understand themselves at last and explaining to the world how it all works. In that case they could take the lead in the coming explosion of (self-)awareness. That would fit in their self-assigned role of a "chosen People".<br />
For the world at large will learn from their mouths, or they will learn from their graves. <br />
Let's hope that the first option will prevail for the Israëli people.<br />
Time is almost up.<br />
<br />
The Jewish (seemingly) ethnocentric creed can thus serve as an example illustrating the customary evolutionary need for Self-Blindness in our species.<br />
<br />
When considering and discussing governmental measures to be taken for the benefit of the human species for after Point Omega, it would therefore seem useful to also consider such measures in comparison with and in relationship with the jewish creed as an example. The history and the shaping of that tribe can serve as a valuable reference point and bench mark.<br />
<br />
== Curbing destruction of the environment ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The seventh issue is about biodiversity and our pretended stewardship.<br />
<br />
As we have seen, present day human evolution is primarily determined by the survival struggle between meme level power structures. And these power structures are dragging the much slower gene level evolution of mankind along. <br />
Competing power structures basically have no "interest" in the environment. They are only interested in spreading their software as well as possible among as many carriers as possible (us). The ecological environment is only important in as far as that environment should be able to keep the power structure's carriers alive. Of course there is no conscious "intent" in the power structures, but from the outside, at the surface, it looks like that to us, onlookers. The survival struggle looks like there is intent involved, but of course it just is an automatic process, the process of evolutionary changes.<br />
So, for the power structures in charge ecological values and biodiversity are only interesting in as far as they enhance the more effective spreading of "their" culture, their memes among us humans. <br />
<br />
Before Point Omega, including the moment of "now", the real competition for resources is between the power structures in charge. And money is power, so if more money can be made in a short time at the cost of some extra environmental damage, the environment is in bad shape. Even if good stewardship would render more long term profit, then still, higher short term profits are generally preferred, even if the long term environmental damage is high and thus the long term profits lower than would be possible with more rational methods. Because of the short term higher profits environmental destruction has been going on since mankind has learned to manipulate its environment. Agriculture has been reducing the carrying capacity of the environment consistently since almost 10.000 years. Some people may think that environmental damage is a recent phenomenon, but that is not the case. The damage may proceed faster these days then in earlier times, but for instance the process of desertification has already taken its toll since thousands of years. For instance, in some North African regions, that used to serve as granaries for the Roman empire, the desert is now practically reaching to the sea. Another example is the sorry ecological state of the löss plateau in China, the source region of the yellow river, This highly fertile löss area is where the Han Chinese originated from, but in recent centuries the area only could support a minor percentage of the people it could support in more ancient times. The reason has merely been short sighted short term profit making by conforming to habits of overgrazing and subsequently losing fertile soil. <br />
Similar agricultural mis-use of soils occurred everywhere in the world. In fact there is more man-made desert on this planet than there is agricultural land.<br />
<br />
Since the blind competition struggle for resources between power structures was the leading factor in our evolution, the environmental price being paid locally did not play an important role. As long as the carriers of the power structures in question would not survive less than the carriers of competitor power structures, the environmental effects could safely be neglected and ignored. We can now formulate that even more precisely. As long as the struggle between power structures determines our lives, and that is still the case completely, it is practically impossible to prevent biodiversity from further dwindling away.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega however, we will enter the phase of conscious evolution, which will take the sting out of the all overruling influence of the power structures. The ancient penalties on the level of success and procreation, that had to be paid if one's own power structure would not win, do not apply any more. After Point Omega we will enjoy freedom from the old procreational dictates and laws, that used to make rebellion against the interests of the power structures a risky and often fatal affair.<br />
After Point Omega we can safely reverse the wave of ecological destruction that has plagued mother earth for such a long time already.<br />
In our modern age of tool making and technical innovations we can then choose to use all those technical tools for "creating more biodiversity" rather than reduce it. It just needs some awareness of what has been going on and how we could do it better. And once we have come around to calculating the long term financial profits of good stewardship, we can in principle easily stimulate decisions to improve biodiversity, rather than reduce it. <br />
All the modern tools and technical possibilities can equally well be applied for the better instead of only for the worse.<br />
<br />
Modern ecological methods that can replace the ancient agricultural habits, go by various names: "Permaculture", "Natuurbouw" (Nature construction), "Ecological Stewardship", "Sustainability", etc. <br />
These more rational ecologically-friendly agricultural methods and land-management methods, methods of controlled landscaping, are nowadays spreading rapidly all over the world.<br />
Still, the all pervading influence of big money serves as a powerful engine for ecological destruction. Financially, it still pays off on the short term to continue to accept destruction as collateral damage of making more money in the short term.<br />
Until these days that destructive effect of the way power structures express themselves cannot easily be countered lastingly, because in the end the question is always which power structure was able to win from which other power structure, wielding its resources, including money, for spreading itself maximally. And the ecological collateral damage was always of minor importance in comparison to the survival and supremacy of the power structure in charge.<br />
<br />
However, once we will have entered the phase of conscious evolution, the usual evolutionary penalties will lose their previously all pervading power and influence, making it possible for mankind to conscientiously choose its own course of action, which course of action then may very well be a course that optimizes biodiversity on earth instead of destroying it in the slipstream of the blind battle for survival between the impersonal powers structures.<br />
<br />
What governments could do for example to speed up the turning around of ecological destruction is to wield taxes as a means to help steer the behaviour of their people in more environment-friendly and wholesome directions. After Point Omega governments will get increasingly more space to introduce such methods. And their populaces will simply demand it, being aware of what is at stake.<br />
<br />
== Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness ==<br />
'''(*)''' The eighth issue is about happiness, illusory or not, or about what comes most close to it.<br />
<br />
As described in other articles on this Wiki (see e.g. [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|here]]), lasting happiness is something people tend to strive after, but in reality it does not exist. As the Canadian philosofer Tennessen used to say: "happiness is for the pigs". And indeed, once a person starts to understand how our behaviour works, the illusion of the possibility to eventually reach a state of lasting and stable happiness will have vanished. The notion of happiness is a valid phenomenon in our own personal, day to day, minute to minute, system, in that it indicates a direction in which we wish to go at any one given moment in time. The difference between happiness and unhappiness makes us move. And the items or situations that are thought to make us happy or unhappy, are the things we move away from (unhappiness) and things we move towards (happiness). We move from what we dislike towards what we do like. Any living being that is not a plant but a moving entity does have such perceptions or it would stop moving.<br />
So, the feeling or sensation of happiness simply is implied by being an animal and not a plant.<br />
But, even if some steady state of happiness does not exist in reality, it is pointed out [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|elsewhere on this Wiki]](***) that it is nevertheless very well possible to reach states of well functioning and personal growth as opposed to states of disfunctioning and stagnant learning processes. Happiness may be illusory, but "well functioning" certainly is a real thing, that can be measured and that can be strived after and eventually be obtained successfully.<br />
<br />
In the small Himalaya country of Bhutan they do not have a ministry of economic affairs that is trying to maximize the gross national product, but they have instead a ministry that has the task to maximize the gross national happiness.<br />
In the same vein most people in the world are striving continuously on a personal level to improve their situation and to seek happiness.<br />
<br />
Knowing what we now know about our behaviour as laid down on this Wiki, we, Homo sapiens, can become aware that we are not plants, but animals, that we are `movers`, that we move from `A` to `B`, from unpleasant to pleasant, from unhappiness towards happiness.<br />
Being constantly on the move, our awareness includes the point where we come from, `A` as much as the point we are moving towards, `B`. So, basically each person can be aware of both happiness and-or unhappiness, just depending on whether the attention is reaching forward or reaching backward. In principle it is technically speaking quite simple to make that switch from looking backward to looking forward, but nevertheless people in general feel either the pain of the situation to move away from, or the pleasure of the situation preferred, giving the illusion that one is either in state `A` or in state `B`, while in reality one is always connected to both, while moving. This very basic fact of human life can serve as an example of to what extent we are blind for our own behaviour. <br />
People mostly need so called `wise men` to be reminded of the above truth, instead of really understanding all that automatically right from the start.<br />
<br />
Tennessen´s statement `happiness is for the pigs` means to illustrate the illusory aspect of states of happiness. That is the subjective side of the story. <br />
From the objective side however we can discriminate very well between states of well functioning and states of bad functioning, between states of expanding and processing experience successfully and states of a faltering learning process and a stagnant development. And whereas that latter distinction is not the same as happiness versus unhappiness, it is functionally related with happiness / unhappiness and it is very real and nòt illusory.<br />
<br />
That is why on this Wiki we have paid attention to states of well-functioning versus states of mal-functioning, states of optimal development versus states of stagnation and neurotization. This distinction is not only very real, it is an important issue in the present day state of Homo sapiens.<br />
[[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5.2_Growth_of_Skills_versus_Growth_of_Unskills|Elsewhere on this Wiki (see e.g., here)]](*), the basic mechanisms of learning and the processing of experiences is described. There the basic mechanisms of motivational end emotional reversals is discussed and the importance of a proper rhythm between the two is explained.<br />
Since we are not plants but animals, we are "movers" and therefore switches between feeling happy and feeling unhappy alternate. That's what makes us move. <br />
In cases where the rhythm of telic / paratelic switches are optimal, also an optimal learning process will result. In cases where the telic /paratelic switches are far from optimal, usually with too few paratelic states, a cumulation of avoidance reflexes occurs and from that the formation of so called "negative COEX-systems" (a label introduced by Stanislas Grof; i.e. Systems of COndensed EXperience).<br />
In the ideal case an optimal rhythm of telic and paratelic switches occurs and that results in the formation of many "positive COEX-systems". Such positive COEX-systems consist of areas of experience where the experiences in question have been processed sufficiently and have as a result been integrated in areas of "mastery". That route leads to the actualization of many potentials that were/are present in the person in question. A proper rhythm leads to Self-actualization and an improper rhythm leads to neuroticism and truncated behaviour patterns.<br />
<br />
==== Evolutionary Jet-lag before Point Omega ====<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' As explained in other articles (see [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|e.g. here]](*)) the power structures that have ruled human societies for almost 10.000 years now derive advantages from inducing to some degree neurotization in their carriers, us humans. They are in need of fearful compliance and that state can easier be induced in ailing neurotics than in well functioning self-actualizers.<br />
Another characteristic of the situation before Point Omega is the continuous and structural mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands (see [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|here'''(**)''']] for further explanation). We labeled the source of that mismatch as "evolutionary Jet-Lag". And that mismatch in turn also does have a strongly neuroticizing effect.<br />
<br />
These two effects together result in Homo "sapiens" nowadays functioning quite sub-optimally. We are on average neurotic, truncated, fear-driven failures as compared with "what every individual could have been".<br />
<br />
The evolution of "memes" is running on a different time scale than does the biological DNA-based evolution. Since both memes and genes have us humans as their carriers, we humans are the ones who suffer from the Jet-Lag between the gene-evolution and the meme-evolution.<br />
<br />
All in all this emotional friction from that Jet-Lag brings us mainly pain and bad feelings.<br />
Seen from that point, Homo sapiens after all does have a severe unhappiness-problem. That is, the present state of mankind is characterized by neurotic, truncated behaviour and a very low frequency of Self-Actualizers. However, this does not imply that subjectively we feel rather unhappy on average. Because we are saddled with a strong Self-Blindness, we are not aware of our relative malfunctioning. Our point of reference is ourselves and our very myopic way of looking at things, precludes us becoming aware of the difference between "what is" and "what could be", especially in ourselves. <br />
<br />
Humanity is in a very bad state for already many thousands of years, but as individuals we have no clue as to this situation. We cannot see. For us, this horrible state is "normalcy".<br />
<br />
==== Evolutionary Jet-lag after Point Omega ====<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega Humanity will resort to conscious evolution and that will inter alii result in taking the sting out of that evolutionary mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands. We will more and more direct the N-demands ourselves and create matches between the consciously designed N-demands and our primordial P-feelings.<br />
Until this moment in time, this phase in our evolution, there would be a high penalty on not yielding to current, traditional, N-demands. However, that evolutionary penalty will be suspended by the introduction of conscious evolution.<br />
<br />
So, what will happen after Point Omega is this: Conscious Evolution ---> Consciously dealing (and successfully) with evolutionary Jet-Lag ---> less pressure from N-demands that are not fitting with our primordial P-feelings ---> more Self-Actualization ---> more "happiness" in an objective way, i.e. more Well-Functioning (but this does not imply a higher level of subjective happiness, because that is a technical impossibility).<br />
<br />
The mechanisms described here offer distinct options for governments to ease the escape from the all influential control over us by the power structures in charge. Governments may choose to help spread awareness of the unpleasantness of the demands by the power structures. That would make it easier for people to gather the necessary courage to make a stand and choose more wholesome courses of action, increasing their psychological health and well-being structurally. And, apart from that, governments can choose to actively take a host of other measures for reducing mass neuroticism, now that they understand the working of the underlying mechanisms. And that will result in freeing enormous quantities of human energy and resources. It does not need much further explanation to understand that such developments will result in a chain reaction of mass-self-actualization, fueling and speeding up the Point Omega transition at large.<br />
<br />
== Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The ninth issue is about how we behave towards one another.<br />
<br />
As pointed out in the article [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|about Reversal Theory on this Wiki(***)]], that is dealing with the antagonist motivational states Telic and Paratelic and the alternations between the two, our behavioural system is designed to make optimum use of acquired experiences and to make us automatically search for those experiences that would optimally fit as a useful addition to already acquired experiences and skills. That way the system makes optimal use of any surplus of energy, investing it automatically in exactly those places and situations that fit best to expand the systems of condensed experience [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|(COEX systems)(***)]] that have already been acquired and already are available. On the one hand this mechanism results in better chances to successfully expand the behavioural repertoire in cases where the individual in question has already learned quite a bit and is on average well balanced. This is a positive feed back system within the individual behavioural system. The more skills already acquired, the easier it is to acquire further growth.<br />
<br />
Between people, at the level of social interaction, a similar effect can be recognized. A positive attitude from one person to the other (we can label that as "strokes") does enhance better chances for the receiving person to find relaxation when needed and subsequently to establish or maintain an optimal rhythm of telic / paratelic reversals. That way there exist also very strong positive feed back loops between people, that finally result in a high contagiousness of psychological health.<br />
<br />
If one would seek for methods to enhance a healthy psychological development of as many people as possible, a good strategy would be to treat individual people as supportive and as positively as possible. Such treatment, abundant with "strokes", helps the receiver of such an attitude to reach or maintain optimal telic / paratelic alternations and thus an optimal learning cycle. <br />
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"Treating others as one would like to be treated oneself" an admonition which is familiar to e.g. Christians and Buddhists, would therefore be a logical strategy when striving to create a more ideal society. And obviously, the usefulness of that principle has already been recognized by seeers and prophets since a very long time.<br />
<br />
<br />
This principle also pertains to behaviour towards other species than only to the human race itself. Self actualization brings forth automatically a raised compassion with all forms of life, because in that state of mind there is more emotional space available, in whichever direction. This involuntarily results in "good stewardship" over nature, also an old Christian (and also Buddhist) ideal.<br />
<br />
However, until now there have always been very strong evolutionary principles and laws that are at variance with the above mentioned ideal. Evolution cannot proceed without a continuous competition between individuals, resulting in that only the most "fit" will contribute proportionally to the next generations. Without such a selection pressure, a certain species, or a certain sub-population thereof, will soon crumble down and perish from genetic load and pollution after selection pressure has been suspended for some generations.<br />
Creating a "socialist, fair and just" society may work for a little while, but it is basically at variance with the above basic laws of evolution and thus of survival. <br />
In that sense a fair and just society at best is postponement of selection pressure, or rather, that has always been the case until now.<br />
Some philosophers therefore say: "Civilization is a conspiracy against evolution". <br />
And necessarily, such conspiracies always were only short lasting.<br />
<br />
Every time a civilization would crumble down under the pressures of resumed natural selection mechanisms, times would be hard again on all inhabitants and disaster, mayhem, wholesale rape, economic strangling techniques and other misery, up to and including genocide would reign again for some period of time. Such periods of time would allow for selection pressures to recoup lost terrain again and also typically would enhance a reshuffling of gene pools, causing hybrid vigour to help boost the genetic quality of the left over populations surviving the period of disasters. ([[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|See here for more explanation about the effects of genetic load.]](***)<br />
<br />
'''Compassion after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' However, after Point Omega the blind forces of the evolutionary laws that rule all life, including our own, will be enriched in the case of Homo sapiens by "conscious evolution". In fact, by introducing conscious evolution, humanity can take the sting out of the customary selection pressures that until this moment in time always have made "fair and just" societies intrinsically unstable.<br />
<br />
What this means is that after Point Omega finally the above mentioned ideal of "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" can be introduced to stay. The usual danger of becoming unstable after a limited amount of time, because of genetic deterioration, can now be countered by "conscious evolution". <br />
<br />
The changes coming with the Point Omega transition may imply that religions will disappear, at least the vast majority of (superstitious) varieties thereof. But on the other hand the state of affairs that prophets would sometimes label as the "kingdom of God", meaning a really fair and just society, may at last be realized in a stable and evolutionarily viable way.<br />
<br />
When the admonitions "love your neighbors like yourself" and "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" rule, the result will be: more Strokes --> easier to attain relaxation when being in a Telic State --> better Rhythm of Telic/Paratelic reversals --> Better Processing of experiences --> Better Learning results --> more Self-Actualization --> Mass Enlightenment --> catalysation of Point Omega shift --> Chain Reaction character of Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
== How to deal with hopeless cases ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The tenth issue is about how to deal with the complete failures, the people that fill us with disgust and hate.<br />
<br />
From the previous paragraph it follows that it is a good advice to treat others as one would like to be treated oneself. As stated, this is the old christian admonition, that also can be found in numerous other widely spread cultures and traditions. It can be considered a useful prop to enhance the emergence or rather catalysation of the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
One could however counter that there are vast numbers of individuals that cannot reasonably be considered as even potentially useful for society and for their fellow men. Many criminals, psychopaths, etc., do not evoke any other reactions than aversive aggression and disgust. For many of such individuals the conclusion is almost inevitable that such persons better were dead, for the benefit of their fellow men as well as for themselves. <br />
<br />
From a practical point of view, such a radical defensive attitude regarding these failed persons may be advisable or at least very seductive.<br />
However, there are by now very good scientific and political reasons why also towards such acknowledged failures, such absolutely hopeless individuals, it is of crucial importance to also treat such disgusting individuals in the way as described above. <br />
<br />
That is because once the above is the official attitude, every individual "knows" that he will be accepted "as he/she is". And that awareness will stop most of the basic fears as ordinarily used to be, and still are, installed by the ruling power structures. <br />
And that new, novel situation will stop the internal personal feed back loops that always were stabilizing neuroticism. It can be calculated that this is a relatively cheap and easy way to install change of course. And the beneficial effects at the social level will simply be tremendous. A very stable and thorough relaxation will enter the minds and hearts of such "hopeless" persons. And that will have enormous effects on the citizens around, because of the great contagiousness of relaxation and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The advice to governments should therefore be to assume responsibility for making clear that all people, simply because they were born, are entitled to acceptance and support if needed, of course within reasonable boundaries. <br />
<br />
In the pre-Point-Omega situation such measures could not be carried through without penalty. Population genetic laws would make sure that then genetic load would increase too much and sooner or later the social structure would collapse under the pressure of genetic pollution, not being able any longer to come up to the competitive challenges from other power structures with a less polluted gene pool. <br />
In other words: social stress, competition, struggle and suffering are needed to exert enough selection pressure on the population to realize some degree of selection pressure enabling the power structures in question to not loose its carriers in the competition for survival.<br />
<br />
However, in the "after Point Omega" situation we will have conscious evolution replacing the natural struggle between power structures over the backs of their carriers, us people. Conscious evolution takes care of preventing genetic (over-)load, of preventing the ordinary social selection cycles and other mechanisms with which mother nature always kept our innate qualities at the required level. The "natural" methods of mother nature invariably come with struggle and strife and pain for the individuals in question. Circumventing that misery always was self-defeating because of the basic demands from the inescapable laws of evolution.<br />
But, once conscious evolution is in place, the usual penalties are suspended and society can safely install the luxury of accepting every human being born, thus removing all serious basic fears. <br />
<br />
The chain reaction that such a novel situation will trigger is assumedly of such a magnitude, that the proposed measures will produce revenues of a completely different order than what the costs amounted to.<br />
The bottom line is to organize that we all need to assume responsibility for one another, which attitude is further discussed in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The eleventh issue is about a new foundation for human social relationships.<br />
<br />
One of the basic characteristics for after Point Omega is that every human being should be guaranteed a relatively stress-free life. Such a situation is already the ideal of many societies and political systems. However, more often than not, such striving appears to be quite difficult to bring into practice, especially for the long term. And besides, many societies do not embrace such a principle at all. <br />
Until this moment in history principles of "survival of the fittest" and the "struggle for life" have dominated the situation. And such principles were very necessary in order to maintain a certain required level of genetic selection pressure. Without such selection pressures genetic pollution and degeneration would quickly put an end to any societies' survival.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega however, "conscious evolution" will have taken over and therefore the stress of selection struggles will have become superfluous. The consequence of this change in evolutionary demands is that there finally will be (evolutionary) space for fair and just societies to be continued without end. Genetic pollution and social selection cycles can be countered with ease and the usual life span limitations of social structures can be by-passed.<br />
<br />
The implication of such a novel situation is that we may set aside and overcome primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion without in the end suffering the thereby speeded up life cycle end, and the total collapse of the social structures in question. And that in turn implies that our very strong tendency to indulge in black/white or bad/good thinking regarding other people, will have lost its evolutionary "usefulness". We can now safely open our eyes to reality, to how we are put together, to how we have evolved, to what our options are, and which traditional options have become superfluous "no-go areas".<br />
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Having bypassed the ordinary needs for evolutionary selection pressures in our society and our social relations, we can at last safely refrain from denouncing adversaries, from scapegoating, from black/white thinking, etc. We can safely "love our neighbor like ourselves" without paying in the end the concomitant evolutionary penalty for it.<br />
<br />
Even more, because we will have entered a situation where conscious evolution has taken over and that being in a democratic context, we are basically all together responsible for every human being that is being born on this earth. A situation will develop, where large and by humanity together decides how procreation will be given shape.<br />
Ultimately, that implies that '''everybody basically is co-responsible for every other human being that has been born'''. And that may be considered as one of the '''basic rules''' of the human world '''after Point Omega'''.<br />
<br />
Conscious evolution has not yet been started up and it will probably take quite a number of generations before that state of affairs will have been consolidated.<br />
In the mean time however we can already get used to thinking along those lines. That will help to support individuals that have problems in functioning smoothly and properly. Many of such problem-people may need to be firmly controlled or even locked up in order to avoid them causing harm to other people, but if we remember that we all together are responsible for their very existence, it is easier to maintain a supportive attitude. As argued [[Energy and Strokes|in the article about "strokes"(***)]], handing out "strokes" is the best medicine to help people regain proper rhythms of telic/paratelic reversals and thus regain growth towards fulfillment of their best innate capacities. Self-actualizers are more pleasant company than overstressed neurotics. And every "stroke" helps to bring that better option about. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, increasingly more strokes will come back to us in a process of social interaction which is, from a technical point of view, basically a process of positive feed back loops. And because of the technical characteristics of positive feed back loops, this will cause a chain reaction of strongly increasing mutual social support. And that, in turn, will diminish neuroticizing structures beyond a critical point, making space for a more broadly occurring actualization of human potentials to an unprecedented extent. And, because of the technical consequences of the positive feed back loops involved, these changes will increasingly gain speed until the majority of mankind wil all of a sudden be "taken by surprise" (but in a positive sense).<br />
<br />
These are the considerations why we need to assume responsibility for every human being in existence, and act accordingly. It is about time.<br />
<br />
It is clear that this general attitude of mutually assured respect and support is strikingly different from the pre-Omega condition of unlimited competition on all levels, ethnocentric cramps and reflexes, racism and genocide. <br />
This new attitude of accepting responsibility for and giving support to also the less privileged of our fellow human beings, up and including "the hopeless cases", the hardened criminals, and the plain idiots and simpletons, that attitude is an emotional cornerstone of the post-Point Omega world order. <br />
Before Point Omega we hardly could afford such an attitude, because of the evolutionary penalties involved, but from now on that attitude will fully pay off on all levels and that to an unprecedented degree.<br />
The classical evolutionary penalties and disadvantages of "being soft" on misfits and other hopeless cases will cease to exert their disruptive effects. These disadvantages will be bypassed effectively by "conscious evolution".<br />
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== Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way ==<br />
'''(*)''' The twelfth and final issue to be addressed here is about our attitude to "work".<br />
<br />
Our relationship with work is another area of human life where great changes can be expected with the Point Omega transition.<br />
Work can be experienced in very different ways. Work can be an activity through which we manage to be an accepted member of society, being useful to the community through our (professional) "work".<br />
Work can also be felt as a social obligation, something the person in question does not want, but does not dare to challenge in order to avoid being expelled or ostracized. In order to be accepted and stay accepted, one has to do his fair bit of the toil.<br />
In more extreme cases, one simply is forced to do some sort of work. That may be forced labour in a prisoner-type of setting or, more subtle, being forced to do labour against one's will because the social pressure and control mechanisms are felt as inescapably strong and permanently overwhelming.<br />
In such situations one cannot formally be labeled as a prisoner or a slave, but the emotional experience is coming close to that.<br />
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At the other side of the spectrum one finds those persons who have managed to make money with their hobby, or at least with something that they like to do. In those cases, what people already prefer to do by themselves, is accepted by society as something that is generally considered a useful contribution.<br />
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Ideally, parents wish to bring up their children in such a way that they can master one or other skill that is considered useful for society and is being paid for, while the kids in question like to perform that specific type of (professional) skill.<br />
Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. In the latter cases, the children in question end up in some sort of jobs that they don't really like, but that they keep performing in order to make some money and survive, trying to forget that they are basically living in some sort of harsh or gentle slavery.<br />
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Basically, on average we live in states of mild or harsh slavery and the extent to which we manage to like our "jobs" differs greatly. The more we like our "job", the less we feel enslaved.<br />
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One of the specific factors that tends to make work less pleasurable for us humans, is the factor of the rat-race. Successful societies in general have incorporated in their social systems structures that induce competition between people doing similar work. Our capitalist system is but one example in which organizations strive to get the necessary work done in the most efficient and profitable way. Workers are under continuous pressure to perform better and often it is quite difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work pressure and personal needs for relaxation and recovery. In such cases the slavery-aspect is felt more strongly.<br />
Seen from the point of view of the power structures ruling our societies and lives, it doesn't matter so much if a majority of the people works under such pressure that they do not manage any more to maintain proper emotional balances and as a consequence end up as fearful neurotics. The useful output per neurotic person may be less than optimal, but the power structure can manipulate neurotic workers easier than they can manipulate self-actualizers. Neurotics have much more fear-handling-points that can be utilized by the power structures in charge. The useful output per person may then be lower, but the malleability of the neurotic herds is much better. They can be better employed to man the production lines and the military battle units, doing as they are told.<br />
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One more factor we need to keep in mind about work is that mankind is suffering from evolutionary Jet-Lag. This means that the requirements that are demanded by the power structures are often at variance with our primordial emotional preferences and tendencies. There is a misfit between our primordial P-feelings and the N-needs. And it is especially in "work" where we feel that squeeze hurting. Much work that is required by the power structures, only gets done by way of force, either harsh or subtle.<br />
<br />
If we look at human history, we can recognize that during the last millennia we have been moving from very clear cut slavery structures, being a cornerstone of society, to less total suppression and slavery in which the slave-aspect is more and more hidden and less painful. Since in the latest centuries technical machinery has been developed to replace simple manual labour, society does not need any more such high percentages of slaves in order to be successful. In particular stupid and mindless work is done more and more by machines. And besides, those machines can produce way more products in less time and against lower costs than what was possible before.<br />
<br />
In fact we have entered a situation of affluence and that situation is not going to disappear. On the contrary, in the present time we are testimony of an explosive increase of efficiency and that gives an enormous boost to the world wide "wealth" of us humans. The present development of computers and communication tools is multiplying the effects of the industrial revolution and our wealth will keep increasing accordingly.<br />
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Seen from that point of view, from the exploding increase in wealth, the millennia old rat race and the millennia old enslavement of people have become basically superfluous. <br />
In principle, society could start to utilize other, different, ways to win the competition with other power structures. After Point Omega the playing field changes thoroughly and more agreeable methods can become the winning formulae.<br />
<br />
'''Work after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega the percentage of neurotics will decrease, making it more difficult for power structures to utilize the age old methods to rule by fear. It becomes increasingly more viable to seduce people to do useful things by being transparent and by simply paying more for unpleasant jobs. If fear doesn't work any more, the remuneration needs to go up in case it is different from work that is intrinsically pleasant to do.<br />
After Point Omega the balance between telic and paratelic states and their alternations will improve, with a higher frequency of paratelic states, in turn resulting in better growth and development of the individuals, which in turn results in a higher percentage of Self-actualizers.<br />
<br />
Point Omega basically is the "run away" increase in optimal telic-paratelic reversal frequencies. The contagiousness of proper personal growth will fuel the typical Point Omega changes leading, among other things, to a radically different work attitude. <br />
People will more often stop accepting slave positions and will more and more demand "meaningful" work. And "meaningful" is in principle more in line with our [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|P-feelings]](**).<br />
So, the evolutionary Jet-Lag will stop to make our work situations miserable. The dirty, boring, tedious, heavy, difficult work that cannot be done by some efficient machinery, simply will have to be paid better in order to be in balance with the new situation. <br />
<br />
Evolution works through competition between conspecifics. We humans have to compete with fellow human beings, either within our own group or tribe or competing with other people in a more far away group or society. Evolution proceeds because the winners contribute more to the next generation than do the losers, losers in whichever sense of the word. Men may theorize about fair societal structures in which aggressive competition is harnessed and cooperative friendliness reigns. But, as we mentioned above, civilization can in a sense be regarded as a conspiracy against evolution. No matter how clever a fair and just society had been designed, sooner or later such a society would collapse and selection pressures would recover lost terrain by launching the citizens of the former fair society into chaos, turmoil and destruction.<br />
Competition as we know it in our societies can be hard, in the sense that one's life depends on the outcome, but also it can take the form of a rather "sportive" competition. In such cases winning the competition is striven after, but one's life does not directly depend on the outcome.<br />
In such cases it is rather like in sport. One works hard to win, but basically it remains a game.<br />
<br />
What we may expect after Point Omega is that competition will not disappear from work and social life, but that the ongoing competitions get a more "sportive" flavour.<br />
We then work ourselves right until our limits, but we do it for fun, not out of fear and desperation. <br />
<br />
Since after Point Omega work will be more like a game, giving enjoyment to the "worker", rather than stress and fear, and since we all will have to take responsibility for literally every human being on this planet, base pay comes in sight. It can be calculated that granting every person in society a base pay, no matter what the person in question is contributing, an enormous shift in general attitude will occur in most people. The pressure is off and relaxation is always within reach. As pointed out [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|elsewhere on this Wiki]](*), easier relaxation will trigger better learning processes and subsequently will bring about an ever higher percentage of Self-Actualizers. <br />
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Until this moment in time "work" used to be in most cases very much a "re-active" activity, full of fears and concerns. After Point Omega work will have a more "pro-active" flavour. People will work rather "for the hell of it", rather than out of fear to drop out or to perish financially.<br />
Work and play will be better compatible and pleasure in work will become the rule, rather than the exception. And as pointed out above, if, in such a fear-free society the dirty, hard or unpleasant work is refused by most people, a better pay for the jobs in question will do the trick.<br />
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This development will be amplified by the advance of technology. Ever more necessary work is delegated to machinery and robots. People can enjoy more leisure. This will stimulate the "pro-active" working attitude over the traditional "re-active" attitudes. For an eloquent discourse on this development, refer e.g., to [[Further_reading#Livingston2016|Livingston (2016)]].<br />
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== Priorities for an action list ==<br />
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'''(*)'''<br />
After the above 12 paragraphs we may draw the conclusion that:<br />
<br />
- After Point Omega many issues and many problems will have to be treated in a different way than before.<br />
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1. - Some of these changes in attitude will follow suit automatically and involuntarily. In those cases no extra pressure is needed to steer the changes in the right direction. Such changes therefore do not need to be put high on the list of priorities, that is, the priority list of where we should invest extra attention, energy and time. These changes may in some cases be quite crucial for mankind in the new situation and they may play a central role in the shifting towards the Past-Point-Omega state of affairs. But still, these issues end up low on the priority list, because they will also come about without extra purposeful action from our side or from the side of the authorities.<br />
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2. - Some changes can be boosted and sped up from outside rather easily. Where that is the case, it pays off for that reason to give these changes an extra "boost" and the issue may for that reason be put higher on the priority list. There, extra effort will pay off. <br />
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3. - Some of the changes, related to the emergence of Point Omega, are already on the list, in the sense that people already pay attention and try to spread the changes in question as broadly as they can. An example is "freedom of speech". In many parts of the modern world the importance of this change is recognized, but in many other countries freedom of speech is still a utopian dream. These issues are certainly of importance. Still, they do not need to be put high on this priority list, because, evidently, they already are getting attention, time and energy.<br />
<br />
With these three criteria in mind we now can, as examples, order a non-exhaustive listing of priorities and recommended actions for governments and individuals. With every item, every change, we will give an indication of why the item has been put higher or lower on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''1) Amathology'''.<br />
Spending time and money studying the mechanisms of human Blindness for the Self is crucial for dealing with the changes needed for moving through the Point Omega transitions. Awareness of and knowledge about these mechanisms of Self-Blindness are fundamental for the Past Point Omega world. However, for purely technical reasons we should expect that people and institutions will not automatically put energy and time and money in that type of research, no matter how important it is. For most people these issues just "don't feel right". Therefore this item is put high on the priorities list. Extra effort on this issue will pay off exponentially. <br />
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<br />
'''2) Transparency'''.<br />
One of the major tools for power structures to maintain their control over their subjects is that the officers "in charge" enjoy broad information privileges. They "know more" than their subjects and keep their people that way in a permanent state of helplessness, which, by the way, these subjects consider as "normal".<br />
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In contrast, democratic ways of cooperation need to be anchored in sufficient information levels for the people who are part of the democracy. Otherwise, no educated opinions can be formed. <br />
In our modern world, and especially recently, transparency has increasingly become a hot item and the target of introducing and improving transparency on many levels is part of most modern societies.<br />
In spite of all this already existing attention, we still put transparency high on this priority-list, because it is something that can easily be improved and steered by governments and other large organizations. By putting energy in the further improvement of transparency on all levels, the transition to the post Point Omega situation can considerably be facilitated. Transparency is a main characteristic of the "new world" and it will pay off to increase the emphasis it is already receiving. <br />
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'''3) Legal innovations for "taking responsibility"'''.<br />
Taking responsibility by everybody, for everybody else's existence, is a new concept for most people. It is not or hardly supported by already existing traditions and culture. It goes counter to traditions of competition and of holding failing people responsible for their failures to "have made it". Still, this novel type of responsibility - by all for all - will have a tremendous impact on the feelings of well-being of the majority of mankind. It will give every individual a feeling of "being OK" and "being accepted". It will take away the feeling of failure and the neuroticizing fear to be ostracized or held personally responsible for failure. By positive feed back loops in our behavioural system such a removal of imposed feelings of inadequacy will free enormous amounts of positively spent energy. <br />
This admonition to accept responsibility for literally everybody will have tremendous effects on the peace of mind and the peace of heart of our fellow human beings. Knowing the mechanisms of the contagiousness of well-being and of emotional equilibrium and personal growth it is clear that "Taking Responsibility" is very important for the transition to the other side of Point Omega. <br />
Because of its importance and because it is difficult for individual people to switch to this new attitude, we have put this issue high on the list of priorities. Attention and energy being spent on this issue will most likely be very well spent and that is why we have put this issue also close to the top.<br />
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Once the idea of "together taking responsibility for every human being alive" has been accepted as a useful tool to (re)form our world, this principle has to be embedded in new legislation that can help to establish and propagate the global support for "everybody". First of all the authorities should recognize the importance of this "support of all by all". And one of the most effective - lastingly effective - methods for authorities to boost this principle is legislation itself.<br />
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'''4) Psychological sciences'''.<br />
Giving shape to the post-Point-Omega world will be supported by an increase in scientific research efforts. In our rapidly developing and changing world, new techniques emerge and are actively sought in all fields of human functioning.<br />
Whereas technical scientific developments traditionally used to get much attention and financing and will automatically receive such attention in the future, we have good reasons to advise for a shift in emphasis into the direction of research in the fields of psychology, sociology and ethology. The Omega-shift implies that humanity will enter into another level of understanding of our own behaviour. One of the tenets defended on this Wiki is that the level of knowledge about our own behavioural system, our emotions and motivations is still very limited and at places almost non-existent. Large gaps in our understanding of these matters need to be filled in urgently. Many of these gaps in our knowledge have traditionally been maintained by complex systems of taboos and contemporary superstitions. <br />
After Point Omega we will need to pay extra attention to for instance the following fields in psychological research: <br />
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-- Good-Bad reflexes and their biological functions; <br />
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-- Reversal Theory, dealing with the dynamics of our emotional and motivational system; <br />
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-- Automatic selection pressures in the social plane on the dimension of Adaption-Innovation and the resulting periodic catastrophes in social structures; <br />
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-- Amathology or the research on human blindness for the own behaviour and its biological function.<br />
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Whereas not being exhaustive, these issues should be in the front of our future scientific research efforts.<br />
As pointed out in many papers on this Wiki, human misery is finally and solidly anchored in ignorance about exactly these fields of psychological functioning. Spending attention, time and energy here, certainly will pay off.<br />
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For that reason this focus point is placed rather high on our list of priorities.<br />
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'''5) Military authority for the UN'''.<br />
At this moment in time, it is becoming more and more likely that at some stage a group of deranged idiots will be able to lay their hands on nuclear retaliation instruments. If that would happen, humanity will be in bad shape. For instance, Islamic fanatics have flown 2 airplanes into the New York twin towers. Imagine what would happen in case such fanatic morons would get control over nuclear missiles. Such disaster would most likely trigger the immediate allocation of more military power in the hands of the UN "government", in order to be able to prevent such idiocies from happening again. However, it seems much better strategy to arrange such decisive military power to the UN level before the above may happen. Until now, people don't seem to feel the urgency to put more effective power in UN hands. But that is a sorry example of shortsightedness, that might cost many millions of us their lives unnecessarily.<br />
Since this issue is likely to be taken seriously too late, and because of the price humanity would have to pay for the sorry consequences, this issue is also put high on this priority list. <br />
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These days there are quite a number of political states of whom we would not like to know nuclear hitting power in their hands. Examples from the recent past or the present are for instance: ISIS, North Korea, the Ayatolla state in Iran, Zimbabwe, Ruanda's genocide, Pol Pot in Cambodia, etc., etc., etc. <br />
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'''6) UN-power guaranteeing the right to political self-determination for all populations and sub-populations'''.<br />
Self-determination will come about for all people in the world without any doubt at some point in time. Developments that can be expected after Point Omega will bring that about inevitably. <br />
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Until this moment in time, until this moment in our evolution, differential procreation of tribes and races and other (sub-)populations was inevitable and necessary for the gradual evolution of novel characteristics of Homo sapiens, for the progress of evolution. And selection processes on that level of operation come with genocide, large scale war, economic strangling techniques and other misery producing events. These events may always have been unpleasant, or rather terrible, properties of human life, but they were basically and in principle unavoidable because of the evolutionary dictates of differential fitness of different tribes, races or genetic sub-groups of people.<br />
Only when the ordinary automatic evolutionary pressures have been bypassed by a different (and more effective) mechanisms, can we hope to have conquered the above mentioned eternal sources of human misery and pain, pains that are basically the same as the pains of any species in evolution, but that in the case of Homo sapiens tend to occur at a larger scale and more at distinct intervals (wars) instead of continuously.<br />
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After the introduction of "conscious evolution", after Point Omega, the evolutionary forces leading to all those forms of suffering will be bypassed and principles of self-determination will become a possibility that is not unstable any more. So, after Point Omega we may expect that principles of self-determination will automatically become the rule rather than the temporary exceptions.<br />
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However, it pays off to put extra energy and attention in this development and speed that process up where possible, because of the dangers for mankind stemming from the present situation in many countries, where self-determination is still a far away dream and violent revolutions are lurking below the surface. The sooner we can install a generally applicable right to self-determination, the sooner those - really great - dangers will be brought under control. <br />
In the new situation every local population will be entitled to collectively decide how much autonomy is preferred against which decrease of efficiency of size or decrease of governmental expertise. <br />
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Recent examples of where such issues are under discussion or, less ideal, should be under discussion, are for instance: Scotland versus the UK; the UK versus the EU; the Krim versus Ukraina or Russia; East Ukraina versus Ukraina or Russia; East-Timor versus Indonesia; Papua New Guinea versus Indonesia; Catalunia versus Spain; Western Sahara versus Marocco; Southern Sudan versus Sudan; Darfur versus Sudan; etc.; etc.; etc., almost without end.<br />
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'''7) Create better opportunity for mothers to care sufficiently for their babies'''.<br />
One of the most effective ways to improve chances for young children to grow up to be mature and capable individuals is to enable mothers of neonatives to spend enough time and attention to their newborns and in the first years after birth. There are ample scientific research data that show the large effects of proper maternal care on the development of the newborns. Also, various articles on this Wiki explain how this developmental effect comes about.<br />
Whereas in the future there will be no doubt more space, time and room for mothers to care for their newborns in an optimal way, we still need to emphasize here the usefulness of paying more attention to these long term developmental effects of good maternal care. On the one hand there will be created more and more opportunity for mothers to give their birthlings an optimal start. On the other hand, we can catalyze these changes tremendously by putting still more attention and energy in these changes.<br />
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Therefore this issue should get relatively much priority. It will happen anyway, but events can be much optimized by now already speeding up this particular change as much as possible. (A scientific analysis of these effects can for instance be found in the work of [[Further_reading#Bowlby1969|Bowlby]](1969) and of [[Further_reading#Bettelheim1969|Bruno Bettelheim]](1969), where he describes the large scale failures in 20th century kibbutses regarding the early upbringing of babies.)<br />
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'''8) Tax reforms world wide'''.<br />
Taxes are a relatively easy way to help steer the behaviour of large masses of people in the right direction. An environment tax would make it more expensive for people to purchase or apply environment-unfriendly articles and products. Price differences can easily bring people to make better choices on a daily basis. This method could reduce pollution considerably and could equally improve the protection of biodiversity. Likewise a junk-food tax could help to make people buy less unhealthy fodder (then more expensive) and instead buy more healthy (cheap) alternatives. This would improve the average well-being of people and simultaneously reduce costs of medical care.<br />
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At this level benefits can also be obtained by making better international agreements on preventing tax-evasion. That would improve the possibilities for governments to collect fair levels of taxes from all citizens concerned, including the bigger international companies who nowadays often do not need to pay their fair share. Fair taxes for internationals would greatly reduce the tax levels for ordinary citizens, this to the benefit of all. And once the big companies pay their fair share of taxes, the environmental components of the taxes will finally have a strong effect on the reduction of pollution and the improvement of biodiversity. <br />
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These tax issues already do have increasing lots of attention, but still it would pay off greatly to put extra energy in these reforms, because the powers that resist such reforms are traditionally very strong and the effects of these tax reforms will have immediate beneficial effects on the whole of society. Also, it will enhance people's confidence in the authorities if they manage to realize a broad tax-equality.<br />
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'''9) Eugenics'''.<br />
One main characteristic of the transition Point Omega is finishing the era of evolving gradually towards higher levels of consciousness and entering a new era, a new phase in human history, the era of Conscious Evolution.<br />
That new situation implies the conscious utilization of Eugenics and all its techniques involved.<br />
Homo sapiens ''cannot survive'' without taking its ow evolution consciously in its own hands. It is therefore of crucial importance now and in the near future.<br />
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One of the novel tools involved in dealing with eugenics is Eugenic Mapping. The improvement of these techniques is a major tool for conscious evolution. On the one hand we mention it here, because it is not something that will automatically be taken on by governments. At this moment in time this matter is still hidden safely behind walls of taboos and superstition. On the other hand, eugenic mapping will gradually but inescapably be boosted by public demand. People will increasingly demand to enjoy all the advantages of genetic screening and other measures to produce offspring that is as healthy and as capable as possible. It can therefore be put at a relatively low position on the list of priorities, because in due time this issue will get sufficient attention anyway. The public at large simply will demand it.<br />
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'''10) Sexual liberation of women'''.<br />
The inequality between the sexes is a primordial given. Apart from cultural habits our biological past has caused difference between the average investments in newborns by mothers and the average investments by the fathers. This difference between the sexes has always been causing certain basic frictions. These differences in focus and in where the main concerns are located in each of the sexes, evidently has been an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy, ESS, throughout our evolution. <br />
However, in the coming era of conscious evolution it will be of crucial importance that women will increasingly be in command of their own bellies, about their own offspring and if possible, the fatherhood involved. Genetic pollution, which is one of the major classic obstacles for a long lasting and stable peaceful human society, will have to be tackled with a range of novel approaches. And more say for women about their own pregnancy is one of those indispensable novel attitudes. <br />
This beneficial effect of women's sexual emancipation on the reduction of genetic pollution is the reason why we have included this issue here on the list of priorities.<br />
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'''11) Make biological fathers pay for their offspring'''. <br />
As a pair to the above item is the priority of making men pay for the offspring they have sired in a biological sense. Medical techniques to assess fatherhood without a doubt are now available everywhere and they will increasingly be applied to back up claims of young mothers to share the burden of parenthood with the biological fathers. This tendency is already on the increase in most places of the world. That we still mention it here is because this will put a break on the tendency of men to "knock up" women with child without coming up with marital assistance.<br />
And that shift will be in favour of fathers who are capable of giving parental support and this shift will be an increasing hindrance to the fatherhood of incompetents. Making biological fathers pay their fair share in parental efforts is an extra brake on genetic pollution and moreover it helps to provide newborns with a good start. And that will improve the likelihood of positive learning cycles and optimal courses of development with all the resulting positive spin offs involved. And that, in turn, will help to make the Point Omega transition more likely to occurr.<br />
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'''12) Pollution'''.<br />
Pollution too, needs to come to an end shortly. We presently tend to regard the fight against pollution as crucial for human well-being. And that is quite right. However, the pollution problems will automatically be tackled more vigorously and more effectively once Point Omega has been passed. Most individual people and also their governments are increasingly aware that pollution needs to stop and that human well being can be raised that way. Pollution can therefore safely be put somewhat low on the priority list. We'll effectively deal with it anyway.<br />
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'''13) Overpopulation'''.<br />
Alleviation of present day suffering of our whole planet through over-exploitation, fueled by millions of tonnes of superfluous human flesh, is very urgent and one of the major features of the new time. Still, this item ends up rather low on the priorities list, because a systematic and lasting reduction of human numbers will inevitably and automatically happen anyway, and that without draconian pressures from above. <br />
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'''14) Secularization'''.<br />
We have put this item low on the list because doing away with superstition and religious fear will score high with many people already anyway.<br />
Giving shape to the world after Point Omega does not need spiritual awareness to disappear. What it does need is that superstitions and collective fears do not keep dominating individual and group behaviour. Organized religions normally played a crucial role in maintaining power structures by inducing and regulating fears in their people. What will be left in the future of present day religions is at best a kind of spiritual awareness and feeling of unity, that is denuded from all the traditionally concomitant fears and unwholesome taboos, that served the power structures rather than the individual welfare of the believers. Anyway, putting religions back in their proper place, where they do "good" and no "harm", will continue to happen automatically and unavoidably.<br />
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'''15) Ecology.'''<br />
For evoking sensible and rational action with respect to the global ecological hot issues, the best and also lasting approach is to broaden the education packages about ecology for our young people in the schools. The more people are aware of the ecological imbedding of Homo sapiens, the more our ecological heritage will be protected and improved upon. The more emphasis we put on the issues of ecology, the better we will take care of our biological heritage.<br />
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A movement that already is gaining more and more influence at the level of ecological values, is "Permaculture". The Permaculture methodology guides land owners in the direction of producing useful goods, foods and raw materials, while at the same time improving and not exhausting the local ecological carrying capacity. This new method about how to deal with our world originated in Australia and has since its beginning kept spreading over the world at an ever expanding pace.<br />
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A similar striving is included in what we call the "Sicirec Formula", a form of "controlled landscaping" applied in plantation forestry, but equally well applicable in any other exploitation of land for whichever purpose, be it forestry, agriculture, industry or urban planning. That formula emphasizes that crucial for preserving biodiversity is the strategy to keep a certain percentage of the land involved in a state of its climax vegetation, together with its climax animal life, spatially intertwined with areas for rational productivity. The latter may refer to forms of Permaculture, but less ideal patterns of utilization will also work out well within the Sicirec Formula.<br />
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Boosting the world wide utilization of these new ecological principles, can and will have a tremendous impact of the well being of the world as a whole and thus on our own well being.<br />
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Still, we put this issue relatively low on our priority list, simply because these issues will be tackled with more and more vigor and purpose anyway already. <br />
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'''16) Technical sciences'''.<br />
Boosting scientific developments is not surprisingly of crucial importance for shaping the world after Point Omega. This holds for psychological and related sciences, as mentioned above, but also for technical sciences. <br />
That this item shows relatively low on the list of priorities is due to the fact that rather automatically sufficient energy, time and money will be invested in these developments. There is hardly an extra boost needed.<br />
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'''17) Medical Sciences'''.<br />
Equally, Medical Sciences have been put in a low position on the priority list. <br />
Apart from what people generally think about the reasons why medical care and medical knowledge are so important, we wish to point out one crucial effect of good medical care that is of importance for how the transition to the era of conscious evolution will come about.<br />
Good medical care namely, makes longevity of our species increase. And that in turn implies that decision making will increasingly be in the hands of older and more experienced people. And that in turn is equal to saying that less decision making will be left to inexperienced youngsters who have not yet learned to deal with their testosterone boosted social reflexes or the female equivalents of it in a prudent way. For instance, male inclinations towards group aggression and female brainless procreational impulses will have lower chances to run out of hand. This beneficial collateral effect of longevity will be one of the major ingredients of the after Point Omega society.<br />
Anyway, Medical Sciences will automatically receive sufficient support from society and therefore a high place on this priority list is not needed.<br />
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== Relax .......... we can afford it now ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The main tenet on this Wiki is that we are now entering the shift of human society into Point Omega, and beyond.<br />
Indications are that humanity has already entered the accelerating phase in this transition and that we are already beyond the "point of no return".<br />
What is certain, according to the information on this Wiki, is that Point Omega will happen, sooner or later, automatically and unavoidably, simply because that is how human behaviour has been organized and has evolved up to this point. And yes, we think that we already have entered the predicted accelerating phase. That this is not generally recognized already is mainly due to the fact that human awareness very strongly is hindered by myopic effects, making it almost impossible for humans to see the broad and complete picture. Our personal horizons are very narrow indeed, for both genetic (genes .....)and cultural reasons (memes .....). <br />
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From the contributions on this Wiki one might deduce that this Omega Transition, being of more influence and importance than the agricultural revolution, and bringing untold changes and advantages to the whole of mankind, is very much worth fighting for. And of course, this is very much true. Of all possible targets and goals, helping Point Omega to proceed appears to be the most useful possible, rightly deserving all our best efforts.<br />
Having listed in the above chapter the priorities that we could handle to make our choices about what to do first and what second, we could embrace the attitude of "let's not waste any time, but go for it right away with all power available". The conclusion does emerge that such is the best thing to do, with all energy available. We seem not to have time to waste, because ''we really still do have to do a thing or two !''<br />
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However, this motivation also would tie in perfectly with the pre-Point-Omega general attitude of "telic dominance" and the customary out-of-balance "goal directedness". And this tencency is very seductive indeed.<br />
But, what in fact would facilitate the necessary shifts towards Point Omega best is more relaxation of all participants involved. <br />
So, our message should rather be: ...... RELAX. Allow yourself personally the time to come back into balance, into emotional and motivational balance. Only then the paratelic states will emerge more frequently and only thus you will be able to correctly perceive the situations at hand and choose prudently the most effective ways to proceed and contribute from here.<br />
Only when anchored in a proper telic/patatelic emotional and motivational balance, a person can grow into great enough strength and capacities to make a difference for the whole of society at all. <br />
So, RELAX ........, we can afford it now.<br />
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Looking at the world-wide situation of humanity, we are basically in a very comfortable position.<br />
We have unprecedented amounts of energy at our disposal.<br />
We are producing plenty of food to feed the whole world populations, be it that we still don't manage to distribute it effectively enough.<br />
We are living in the middle of an avalanche of technological innovations, making life proceedingly easier.<br />
Basically, this is an era of plenty, no matter what problems the newspapers present to us each day.<br />
So, what we can do, what we can afford to do, is just STOP !<br />
RELAX ........ <br />
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We can afford it now, at last. So, let's enjoy it !<br />
And besides, that way we best boost an increasing frequency of paratelic states in as many people as possible. The articles on this Wiki have explained how that contagiousness works. And the restoration of mankind's emotional and motivational balance is the most important trick of all. And it is our birthright. <br />
No feelings of guilt for laziness needed.<br />
The theory explains how paratelic states will automatically emerge sooner or later, once relaxation has done its job. <br />
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So, give it a chance. That's what the world really needs at this moment in time: your and everybody's paratelic states, in sufficient frequencies. Don't worry, ''relax, and a thing or two will happen to you'' ! . . . . . and especially . . . . . to us ''all''.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8840A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2022-07-11T12:36:17Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 1.3summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quickly scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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Among evolutionary biologists a common point of discussion and diagreement is the relevance of "group selection mechanisms. Often, the very existence of group selection effects is denied as being relevant. Taking into account however the present role of large scale organizations and military and political interactions it would seem that effects of group selection instead have become primary drivers in our existance and should therefore now be taken quite seriously.<br />
'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[['''1.5''']]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of the 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
<br />
<br />
In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
<br />
<br />
Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
<br />
<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
<br />
<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
<br />
<br />
We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
<br />
'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
<br><br />
<br />
<br />
We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
<br />
<br><br />
<br />
== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
<br />
As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
<br />
In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
<br />
- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
<br />
- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
<br />
- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
<br />
- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
<br />
- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
<br />
- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
<br />
<br />
The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
<br />
Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
<br><br />
<br />
<br />
'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
<br />
However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
<br />
However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
<br />
This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
<br />
1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
<br />
2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
<br />
3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
<br />
4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
<br />
5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
<br />
6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
<br />
7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
<br />
8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
<br />
9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
<br />
10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
<br />
As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
<br />
Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
<br />
In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
<br />
((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
<br />
What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
<br />
And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
<br />
((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
<br />
There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
<br />
<br />
If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
<br />
<br />
[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
<br />
((DNA streng))<br />
<br />
=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
<br />
Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
<br />
((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
<br />
In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
<br />
The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
<br />
However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
<br />
For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
<br />
Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
<br />
((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
<br />
So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
<br />
Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
<br />
We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
<br />
((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
<br />
((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
<br />
== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
<br />
((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
<br />
((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
<br />
The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
<br />
So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
<br />
((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
<br />
In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
<br />
Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
<br />
((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
<br />
<br />
== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
<br />
Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
<br />
((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
<br />
Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
<br />
In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
<br />
((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
<br />
The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
<br />
In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
<br />
((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
<br />
The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
<br />
This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
<br />
== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
<br />
In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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<br><br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
<br />
<br />
'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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<br><br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
<br />
All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
<br />
In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
<br />
In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
<br />
In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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<br />
Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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<br />
Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
<br />
If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
<br />
“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
<br />
The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model&diff=8839Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model2022-07-09T10:51:20Z<p>Baby Boy: </p>
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<div><br />
<center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN - HB-91-1030-EX <br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy- -Learning -Cognition model (E.L.C.) (2)</b></big><br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/><br />
Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br/><br />
(second part)<br />
</center><br />
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<br />
<br />
''' Introduction'''<br />
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{{Level|2}} This report describes the E.L.C. (Energy-Learning - Cognition- model) which is based on a number of established psychological theories. This model is integrative in the sense that it describes different classes of behaviour, of personal insights and of experiences that are generally regarded as distinct areas of psychological research. Examples are: emotions, motivation, cognitive representation of experiences, coping behaviour and the ethological concept of the efficient allocation of energy. The importance of this model lies, therefore, firstly in the opportunity it provides to classify all those different psychological phenomena in a logically coherent and consistent way. In addition, the model provides a ''basic explanation'' of learning behaviour, as it refers back to the evolutionary basis of behaviour. In other words: it is possible to indicate ''why'' effective coping behaviour develops and also ''why'' this development may stagnate. Coping means here: behaviour that is geared to mastering a problem situation. Subsequently, the model explains on the one hand the connection between emotions and motivation and on the other hand the way in which the cognitive representation of experiences is laid down and how it gradually shifts and changes.<br />
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In each chapter of this treatise, one theoretic approach of a specific phenomenon will be discussed and any lacunae, gaps or specific problems of the theory concerned, will be identified. We shall then attempt to solve these problems in the next chapter, adding an additional piece of theory. This way, four theories will be discussed, all of which show hiatuses in some specific respects.<br />
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The basis of this treatise is Lazarus' classical theory. According to Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen, 1980), stress arises when a person notices that environmental requirements demand too much of his/her available resources.<br />
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Lazarus states that stress situations do not necessarily have to be experienced as negative. It is, however, often the case; when a person expects that his or her abilities and resources for dealing with specific environmental requirements are insufficient, he or she will probably expect damage or loss. Such situations may be experienced as extremely threatening. On the other hand, great demand may be exerted on a person in terms of adaptability while that person still thinks he or she can handle the situation well. Such situations might be regarded as challenges, regarding the opportunity to gain advantages or more control or is affecting personal growth. Adequate reactions in such situations may then influence that person's well-being very positively. Thus, stress situations are not always experienced as negative, but depend on the interpretation by the person in question. When a person experiences stress, he or she may develop strategies to limit damage, or even profit from the situation. In literature this is called coping.<br />
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With regard to the interpretation of stress situations, Lazarus (1980) states that it is a problem that too little is known about which situations are felt to be threatening or challenging, and when that happens and by whom. This hiatus can neatly be filled by Apter's Reversal theory (chapter 2). In this theory two so-called meta-motivational states are proposed. These metamotivational states determine how a person perceives a specific situation and the type of behaviour with which he of she will react to it.<br />
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However, one disadvantage of Apter's theory is its descriptive nature and the fact that it does not account for a connection between the dynamics of motivation and the learning processes mentioned above.<br />
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Van der Molen's learning model, described in chapter 3, does provide this connection and is thus able to explain how these learning processes are maintained. In this model the "contagious nature" of learning experiences is described too. That is, a learning experience that is badly dealt with, increases the likelihood that future learning experiences in similar areas of experience will also be badly dealt with which means that it is likely that the area concerned will stay and always will be problematical. (the reverse applies to learning experiences which are dealt with successfully). The cognitive interpretation or emotional "labelling" of similar areas of experience (for example "exciting" or "boring") always depends on a person's metamotivational condition. Van der Molen's model describes how metamotivational conditions affect learning processes. The model does not yet, however, adequately describe how these conditions influence cognitive contents.<br />
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Lewicka's model of antagonistic cognitive styles (chapter 4) does discuss this aspect. In this model two mechanisms are described which are alternately active in a person (comparable to Apter's theory). Which of the two mechanisms is active at a specific moment, determines what type of information a person will seek in the first place and also determines how cognitive information will be structured.<br />
By combining and integrating the theories mentioned (chapter 5) we have been able to develop a model that not only explains the growth of coping strategies, but also explains the relation between the dynamics of emotions and motivation on the one hand and the way in which cognitive contents are effected and develop on the other hand. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning -Cognition- Model (ELC).<br />
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This will be exemplified with empirical information about the coping behaviour of teachers (Romkes, 1988, chapter 6).<br />
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== Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory ==<br />
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{{Level|3}} In this chapter Lazarus' theory (e.g. 1980, 1984) of coping behaviour is discussed. The most important ideas of this theory are summarized and at the end of the chapter we show that the theory contains a number of gaps with regard to the process of learning and the development of coping skills. <br />
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=== Transactions between persons and their environment ===<br />
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{{Level|3}} Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen,1980) calls his approach to stress and coping behaviour cognitive-phenomenological. Emotions and stress are regarded as products of cognitive activity, relating to the way in which a person assesses and evaluates his or her relation with the environment. Lazarus emphasizes that there is a continuous relationship between persons and their environment. On the one hand there are people with individual values, beliefs, skills, etc. On the other hand there are situations, with varying requirements, limitations and facilities. Together they form a dynamic system in which there is a continuous process of mutual influence and change. Lazarus states that there is a ''transaction'' between persons and their environment which changes (adapts / transforms) constantly in the course of time. <br />
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=== The concept of appraisal: assessment of the environment ===<br />
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{{Level|3}} In Lazarus' theory the term ''appraisal'', that is to say the cognitive assessment by a person of a (real, imaginary or expected) transaction, is central. Lazarus distinguishes between ''primary appraisal'', ''secondary appraisal'' and ''reappraisal''. "Primary appraisal" refers to the process in which a person assesses whether and how a particular transaction will influence his or her own well-being. Such assessments can take three forms, irrelevant, positive or stressful. A person considers a situation to be stressful when he or she perceives that there are situational<br />
requirements that make a great demand on his or her adaptability and on the resources he or she possesses to respond to these demands. Appraisal of a situation as stressful can be divided into sub-types:<br />
* '''damage/loss'''; for example when a partner dies, loss of physical functions, loss of self-respect.<br />
* '''threat'''; expected or feared damage or loss which has not yet materialized.<br />
* '''challenge'''; growth opportunity, acquisition of control or advantage.<br />
Lazarus states that there is too little known about when and by what kind of people a situation is felt to be threatening rather than challenging (and vice versa). However, Lazarus does provide some information about these aspects:<br />
:"A working hypothesis about the causal antecedents of threat and challenge is that the former is more likely when a person assumes that the specific environment is hostile and dangerous and that he or she lacks the resources for mastering it, while challenge arises when the environmental demands are seen as difficult, but not impossible to manage, and that drawing upon existing or acquired skills offers a genuine prospect for mastery." (in Bond and Rosen, 1980, p. 48).<br />
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This leads us to the second type of transaction assessment. The above quotation not only deals with appraisal of the situation and environmental demands, but also with a person's own possibilities to react adequately. Lazarus calls the latter "secondary appraisal", i.e. appraisal of the personal and social means a person has at his or her disposal, the effectiveness of a particular strategy of behaviour in the situation, as well as the possibility that new problems will be created as a result of one's own actions. <br />
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With regard to transactions in which persons and environment influence each other, we can see that primary and secondary appraisal also affect each other. A situation which was originally seen as threatening, can for example be seen as less threatening when a person realises that damage can probably be prevented by adopting a particular strategy of behaviour. Lazarus calls this "reappraisal": a change in the original appraisal of a transaction, resulting from feedback from effectuated outcomes from this transaction, as a result of the person's actions, or by a (mere) re-thinking of the nature of this transaction. So appraisal is also a dynamic process in which changes take place constantly in the course of time and in which appraisal of the situation and one's own possibilities is constantly adjusted.<br />
<br />
Finally, we must observe that appraisal does not only mean rational assessment of the transaction, but also the quality and intensity of a person's emotional feedback on the transaction. For example, it is more likely that a positive assessment of a situation will cause a positive emotional reaction, such as joy or satisfaction. It is likely that a situation that is assessed as threatening will evoke negative emotions, such as fear or anger. In such cases a person feels that he/she is unable to react adequately to the demands that he or she are facing in a specific situation. In other words, he or she feels that they are beyond his or her coping activities. Let's pay some attention to the concept of ''coping''.<br />
<br />
=== Coping ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus gives the following definition of the term coping:<br />
:"We regard coping as problem-solving efforts made by an individual when the demands he faces are highly relevant to his welfare (that is, a situation of considerable jeopardy or promise), and when these demands tax his adaptive resourses." (in Coelho, 1974, p. 250-251).<br />
<br />
Coping activities can have two functions. First, a person can try to improve the situation by changing his or her own behaviour or environment. Secondly, a person can try to control emotions evoked by stress, so that morale and social functioning will not be influenced. Lazarus calls this ''palliation'', using a temporary measure to alleviate stress, such as denying, intellectualising or avoiding negative thoughts; in this way the situation itself does not change, but the individual makes sure that he or she feels better. Thus coping activities are not always rational or realistic, but can also be very irrational, primitive or rigid. Lazarus states that both kinds of coping are important; according to him realistic problem solving and primitive defensive mechanisms are two sides of the same coin.<br />
<br />
Lazarus distinguishes four types of coping activities: <br />
<br />
(a) ''Information seeking'': investigating the characteristics of a stressful situation in order to gain the knowledge necessary to make a correct coping decision, or to be able to assess threat or damage differently. On the one hand, seeking information can form a firm basis for an individual's action, on the other hand it can make this person feel better, by rationalising or supporting a previous decision; this is called "palliation".<br />
<br />
(b) ''Direct action'': action taken by an individual to handle a stressful situation, directed towards himself or herself or at the environment, depending on environmental demands and personal goals.<br />
<br />
(c) ''Inhibition of action''; suppression of action impulses that may otherwise cause damage, for example because they are morally or socially not acceptable, or because they can cause physical damage.<br />
<br />
(d) ''Intrapsychic modes'': cognitive processes aimed at regulating emotions which arise as a result of stressful situations. As with other coping activities, they can be aimed at incidents from the past (for example the reinterpretation of a traumatic experience), or at future events (for example denying that a particular situation may become dangerous). Usually they are aimed at increasing the feeling of well-being of this individual; therefore, succesful intrapsychic coping activities may restrict the number of active attempts an individual makes to control his of her environment.<br />
<br />
Lazarus admits that his rather rough division of coping activities is a rudimentary classification system; and indeed, a number of significant aspects are lacking. For example, it does not include any details about possible coping feedback and any antecedent conditions or results of different types of coping behaviour. There is still too little known about which situations evoke which types of coping behaviour. Moreover, Lazarus states that motivational and emotional aspects of coping receive relatively little attention in psychological studies. The developmental aspects of coping behaviour are also still unclear, and according to Lazarus studies of these aspects are essential in order to be able to understand the coping process more clearly.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus has developed a clear and understandable theory with regard to certain central concepts, such as the transaction between persons and their environment, the individual's appraisal of a transaction, emotional response on this appraisal and several types of coping activities. However, it is still not clear what exactly is the nature of the processes described. Some lack of clarity remains which Lazarus himself in fact also admits.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states, for example, that it is not clear which situations are experienced as threatening and not as a challenge, and by which persons (and vice versa). In the theory little is said about what kind of factors are important for acquiring coping behaviour and how the behavioural repetoire a person has at his or her disposal to respond to environmental demands, may develop in the course of time.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how Apter's Reversal theory can provide an answer to a number of the queries mentioned above.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory ==<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to remedy Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} One of the deficiencies observed in Lazarus' theory can be remedied by supplementing it with Apter's Reversal theory. The Reversal theory provides a (descriptive) answer to the question relating to the various ways in which people react to the same, or similar, situations. The Reversal theory states that as far as human motivation is concerned people are in one of two metamotivational states. The way in which a situation is experienced depends on the state a person is in at a particular moment. The two states can be distinguished by the level of arousal that is preferred. ''Arousal'' is defined in this theory as being mentally and physically prepared for action.<br />
<br />
=== The organisation of motivation according to Apter ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} The ''Reversal theory'' has been developed by Apter and Smith (1975; see also Apter, 1984). The theory deals with the way in which people experience motives for their actions and descibes the process of changes in motivation. In this theory an individual is regarded as a complex "machine" that uses the environment for his or her own aims. This "machine" can behave according to different "programs" which determine the way in which the environment is experienced. The idea that one action can be performed with different motives is central. For example, a person may ride a bicycle, because he or she has to attend a meeting. This is a determined action. Here, riding a bicycle represents the means by which a goal can be achieved. However a person can also ride a bicycle "just" for pleasure. In this case a person acts according to the program "wanting to be active", and cycling is a goal in itself. Thus, there are two possible states in which a person can be. These states are characteristic of the way in which an act, in this case "cycling", is experienced. In the case of the meeting this act is purposive. In this situation cycling is not an act undertaken to create stress or excitement; here the aim is to fulfill a particular task. In other words: to remove the tension that is caused by being obliged to fulfill this task. In the second case cycling is an action which in itself evokes particularly pleasant excitement.<br />
<br />
For this reason the Reversal theory rejects a simplistic-homeostatic interpretation of human motivation in which there is just one optimal state of balance that individuals are seeking. This state of balance particularly refers to ''one optimal level'' of arousal. According to the homeostatic way of thinking, individuals will always try to achieve one optimal level of arousal and/or to remain at this level. However, the Reversal theory assumes that at times a low level of arousal is aimed and at other times, a high level of arousel. Therefore Apter introduces the concept of ''bi-stability''. This means, for example, that people may or may not feel fine at a low or a high level of arousal. As the examples mentioned above show, at times one's aim may simply be the performance of a particular task and the act is not meant to raise the level of arousal. At other times a person may seek excitement, in which case the same or a similar act can suddenly become exciting (arousal increasing).<br />
<br />
To illustrate these ideas we can consider a number of situations in which different levels of arousal are experienced. Generally (but not necessarily), there is a high level of arousal when a person watches an exciting film. One can imagine that this excitement can be both pleasant and unpleasant. For example, when a person has been working all day and the work was very boring, a movie picture can provide a welcome state of excitement. On the other hand, when a person has just been threatened in the street, the tension caused by the movie may be too much for him or her. In this situation a hot bath may be preferred as it is more likely to provide relaxation. Thus, there is a desire for a low level of arousal. The same hot bath may evoke boredom (in Apter's terms) in someone who has not done anything all day long. Therefore, it is important here that a particular level of arousal is not inadvertently connected with the person's well-being.<br />
<br />
These examples indicate that a person can feel good or not, depending on the level of arousal sought at that moment, in other words: depending on the metamotivational state a person is in at that moment. The level of arousal is always evoking a ''subjective experience''. In other words: an exciting experience for one person, may be boring to another.<br />
<br />
=== Bi-stability of emotions and motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We have shown that there are two possible states of preference as far as the level of arousal is concerned. Firstly, there is the state in which a person aims at a low level of arousal and performs purposive action. This state is called arousal-avoidance or the ''telic state'' (telos is Greek for goal or purpose). In this state a low level of arousal is experienced as pleasant, Apter (1982) calls this "relaxation". A high level of arousal is experienced as unpleasant and is called "fear" by Apter. Secondly, there is the state in which a person aims at a high level of arousal and shows unpurposive action. This state is called the arousal-seeking or ''paratelic state'' (literally translated from Greek, paratelic means "without aim" or "goal-less"). In this state a high level of arousal will be experienced as pleasant "excitement", whereas a low level of arousal causes an unpleasant feeling: "boredom". These two states, telic and paratelic, differ as far as the experience of purpose, time and intensity is concerned (Apter, 1982; Murgatroyd, 1978, 1983). This is shown in table 2.1.<br />
<br />
The telic or paratelic state is as it were a frame for particular behaviour (Goffman, 1975). The states mentioned refer to the way in which the motivation of behaviour is experienced. For this reason they are called ''metamotivational states''. These states determine how experiences are labelled (see table 2.2, following next page). At any moment in time a person is always in one of these two states. The period of time in which a person can be in a particular state varies from a few seconds to some days (Walters, Apter and Svebak, 1982). <br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the telic and paratelic states<br />
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ In the telic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - purposive action ║<br />
║ - imposed purposes ║<br />
║ - attempts to complete actions ║<br />
║ - secure and routine behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for experience and safety ║<br />
║ - orientation to the outside world ║<br />
║ - behaviour aimed at the future ║<br />
║ - planned activities ║<br />
║ - activities that are a means to a purpose ║<br />
║ - preference for low intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - a high level of realism ║<br />
║ - preference for a low level of arousal ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ In the paratelic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - process behaviour ║<br />
║ - avoidable and freely chosen "purposes" ║<br />
║ - attempts to extend activities and to make them continue ║<br />
║ - exploration ║<br />
║ - experimenting with behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for news and excitement ║<br />
║ - a here-and-now experience ║<br />
║ - activities that are aims in themselves ║<br />
║ - activities that are spontaneous and free ║<br />
║ - a preference for high intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - imagination and exaggeration ║<br />
║ - preference for a high level of arousal ║<br />
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Pleasant and unpleasant experiences of high and low arousal.png|framed|none|Table 2.2 The variable meaning of the experienced level of arousal]]<br />
<br />
=== The reversals to the different states ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We will now describe how a reversal from one state to another can take place. Reversals take place involuntarily, although a person may be capable of getting into a situation in which a reversal into one or another direction becomes likely. The frequency with which reversals take place differs from person to person and is, moreover, dependent on the situation a person is in (Blackmore and Murgatroyd in Apter, 1980).<br />
<br />
The Reversal theory describes several conditions that can lead to a reversal. Most important are "contingencies"; aspects of a person or of the environment change in such a way that a reversal is triggered. For example, if a particular drug is used, if a visitor arrives unexpectedly or in an emergency situation. The second condition that can lead to a reversal is called "satiation". It is assumed that a reversal becomes more likely when the period of time in which a person is in a particular metamotivational state increases. A person then becomes more sensitive to signals from the environment or from himself or herself that can lead to contingencies. The different conditions influence each other, and can make reversals more or less likely. Table 2.2 and figure 2.1 show that a reversal from one state to another changes the meaning given to the level of arousal experienced. A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, while a person experiences a high level of arousal, will result in a change from excitement to anxiety. A reversal from telic to paratelic, while a person experiences a low level of arousal, will result in a change from relaxation to boredom.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 2.1. Apter's Reversal model (from: Apter, 1985)]] <!-- XXX: In the original document, the top part of this figure is not used; make another version of the image? --><br />
<br />
<br />
=== Other possible sequences ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Figure 2.1 shows the way in which the process of interchanging emotions and motivation ''often'' takes place. However, another "direction" may be followed. For example, a person may remain in a state of anxiety for a long time, because he or she cannot relax sufficiently. This can happen to a person who is not completely in control of (a) particular situation(s). In this case it is unlikely that after some time a person will look for a state of excitement. It is also possible that the entire sequence of emotions (the butterfly figure) in figure 2.1 rises or falls along the vertical axis (Apter 1982). This indicates that a person feels mainly well or not well respectively. The first can take place when a person has many skills, and can handle all kinds of different situations well. This person will not experience boredom in the strict sense, because the unpleasant stage of the paratelic state will soon change into exploration or into other activities that cause excitement or/and which increase the hedonic tone. When, following a period of rest and/or relaxation a person reaches "satiation", he or she will not remain in a state of boredom (unpleasant), but will soon find opportunities to perform one or another paratelic action which will be experienced as pleasant.<br />
<br />
The butterfly in the figure may be at a lower level when a person is often anxious, or when he or she is chronically bored. Referring to Apter's model this situation can be explained by an inability to reach relaxation. As this person is unable to relax sufficiently for example, owing to an absence of skills, he or she will soon become (once more) over-aroused and anxious when he or she is in an exciting situation. That is, such situations become more threatening when a person can experience fewer moments of relaxation (Apter 1982). Such a person will, therefore, sooner experience the reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In other words: a person will relatively quickly get from the state in which the situation was exciting (paratelic) into the state in which the situation becomes frightening (telic). He or she will be relatively often in stages of low hedonic tone, while the periods of pleasant tension or pleasant excitement will be experienced less often. This person, therefore, will explore for shorter periods and less often. As we shall explain further in chapter 5, such situations have serious consequences for the development of the process of learning. <br />
<br />
In our view, chronic boredom can be considered as a symptom of a situation in which mainly unpleasant moods alternate. As soon as there is satiation of the telic state, there will unconsciously be a reversal to the paratelic state. However, before arousal-searching, expansive behaviour gets going well, there will often be a reversal to the telic state. The (unconscious) fear of risky exploration has become so strong that the paratelic metamotivational condition itself has been affected and is experienced as threatening. As a result such a person changes constantly from anxiety (telic) to boredom (paratelic) and the other way round, while his or her mood does not improve in hedonic tone. The person finds it difficult to "really" relax, because he or she finds it difficult to make a "real" effort. For this reason, such a person will in general experience boredom, rather than relaxion.<br />
<br />
=== Towards a completion of Apter's theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Although Apter's theory provides more insight into the different ways in which people can react to the same, or similar situations, some questions are still left unanswered.<br />
<br />
Firstly, the Reversal theory is only descriptive. It provides no insight into the underlying dynamics of the processes described. In other words: it is not clear how and why the reversals between the two states take place. Moreover, the theory does not provide a satisfactory causal explanation for the presence of the different states and reversals.<br />
<br />
Secondly, Apter describes his model as a symmetric model. This means that reversals from telic to paratelic, and reversals from paratelic to telic can be the result of contingencies, but also of satiation. A non-symmetric model is however more likely. We will show this in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning -Cognition Model ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Lazarus and the Reversal theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In chapter 1 we have pinpointed certain gaps in Lazarus' theory. One problem is that too little attention is paid to emotional and motivational aspects of human behaviour. As a result, there is still very little known about which kind of situations are experienced as threatening and which are seen as a challenge (and vice versa), and by whom. In chapter 2 we have further discussed this in a descriptive way. We have stated that telic and paratelic states are metamotivational frames of behaviour that also explain the connection between threat and challenge. In this chapter we shall discuss this further and highlight another gap in Lazarus' theory, namely the developmental aspects of coping behaviour. The metamotivational states (telic and paratelic) will be approached from an ethological perspective; the importance of an optimal allocation of energy is emphasized. The concept of "energy" may be defined here from a psychological as well as from a physiological viewpoint. We shall discuss this further in 3.2.<br />
<br />
In chapter 2 we have also described two gaps in Apter's theory which will be filled in this chapter. Firstly, the mainly descriptive nature of Apter's theory will be given more explanatory power by focussing on the energy apects of metamotivational states. Secondly, the influence of contingencies and the influence of satiation on reversals in Van der Molen's model will be described as non-symmetric, whereas Apter describes his theory as a symmetric model.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== An open-ended learning system ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In his model ''Van der Molen'' (1983, 1984, 1985; Van der Molen, Van der Dennen, 1981) emphasizes that, basically, we have an "open-ended" learning system: "This is the ability to acquire a behavioural repertoire which is specifically tailored to the environmental situation an individual happens to live in" (Van der Molen, 1984, p. 1). The learning abilities of an individual are optimally utilized, when his or her behaviour is organised in such a way that a surplus of energy is directly invested into extending and refining his or her behavioural repertoire. From a psychological perspective, when there is a surplus of energy, there is readiness and gumption to enter new situations and to show explorative behaviour. Such behaviour may increase the survival value, particularly when certain experiences can subsequently be utilized in stressful situations and in emergencies. Therefore, skills have to be trained in situations with a high level of arousal. And situations which evoke a high level of arousal are particularly those in which risks will (have to) be taken.<br />
<br />
Thus, an open-ended learning system will provide a maximum survival value when the following conditions are fulfilled: firstly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that involve a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy, and, secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that reduce the level of arousal as soon as the suplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is an emergency.<br />
<br />
Although we will not discuss the neurophysiological aspects of human behaviour extensively in this report, it is sensible in this context to discuss the findings of Van Rooijen (1976), Archer (1978) and Laborit (1978) briefly. Their studies have shown that there is a neurophysiological "emergency-system" which is activated as soon there is a risky situation or an emergency. This system enables a person to show adequate reactions (very) promptly; alertness is temporarily increased and motor actions can be carried out very quickly. Evidence shows that long-lasting or frequent activation of this system has a negative influence on learning processes, because too much of the neural capacity will then be reserved for keeping this emergency system in action. In addition the energy supply is also heavily taxed in such situations. For this reason there will have to be a reversal to another, more relaxed state after some time which enables the person to refill the energy supply. This is only possible when there is (relatively) little physical or mental exertion. These characteristics imply a bi-stable system in which the preferred level of arousal depends on the metamotivational state (see chapter 2 and Apter 1982). In the paratelic state, i.e. when there is a surplus of energy, a person will prefer a high level of arousal. On the other hand, in the telic state, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is direct danger, the organism will seek relaxation. This will at first require energy output but the final and desired result is a lowered level of arousal. Figure 3.1 shows the reversals between the different states.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 3.1. Apter's reversal model]] <!-- XXX: There's no a. and b. in this diagram; there is in the source doc; do we care? --><br />
<br />
By relating the learning system directly to the energy available, Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) describes the way in which the paratelic and telic states alternate ideally. In the period of relaxation, energy is supplemented and acquired. When the energy supply has increased sufficiently (in other words: when there is satiation of the telic state) the individual will become bored and will, (once more) seek an exciting situation. In this state a high degree of arousal will be experienced as pleasant. However, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, there will be a reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In this way, by looking for an easier or a comforting situation or by controlling the fearful situation (i.e. after achieving relaxation), the person can replenish the energy supply. Given the tendency to look for situations which are accompanied by a high level of arousal, there will be experimentation in the paratelic state with new or otherwise arousal-increasing skills and situations. In this way the behavioural repertoire will be tested, extended and refined.<br />
<br />
If the system functions well, the telic and the paratelic states will automatically and regularly alternate. Now the second gap in Apter's theory has been filled. The explanatory principle Van der Molen adds, is that a bi-stable system of motivation contributes directly to the chances of a learning organism to survive, by using its surplus of energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
Bowlby (1977) has shown empirically that regular periods of relaxation are of crucial importance for the ability and readiness to explore new situations. In his studies he describes that a child, exploring an unknown situation, regularly returns for a moment to a trusted person (in Bowly's case the child's mother). In this way the child can relax and acquire energy for the next bout of exploration. Many types of behavioural deficiencies, such as chronic fear, can develop, when the periodic need for relaxation and reassurance cannot be met.<br />
<br />
=== Learning spirals ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} On the basis of positive and negative learning spirals, Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops. If the sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation and so on occurs often enough, this indicates that, generally speaking, there have been sufficient possibilities, whether or not self-created, to achieve relaxation in time and to replenish energy deficits. An individual will then develop an adequately functioning behavioural repertoire in which the various skills are integrated well. A person will then also be able to handel emergencies better and to relax easier and more quickly, so that after some time he or she will be able and ready again to explore, etc. This is called a ''positive learning spiral''.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.2.''' The two types of learning spirals (Van der Molen, 1984) according to which acquiring and refining the behavioural repertoire will be the result of positive learning spirals, and a rigid stereotyped way of reacting a consequence of negative learning spirals.]]<br />
<br />
However, when there are not enough moments of relaxation, too little energy can be built up with the result that the individual will explore less and will show telic behaviour more frequently. In this way the person will acquire fewer new skills and practise "old" skills less often. This is called a negative learning spiral (see figure 3.2).<br />
<br />
This model has a peculiar consequence. It predicts namely that skills tend to grow in clusters. Following Grof (1972, 1973, 1976), Van der Molen calls such clusters "clusters of condensed experience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 3.3). Grof gives the following definition of a COEX-system: "A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related phantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another".<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions related to the cluster. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) explains the reason for such a clustering of areas of experience. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested adequately, there is a positive COEX-system in which various types of skills are included. Often these skills can be applied to other, but similar and related situations, so that those situations too can be more easily controlled and managed. In this way positive experiences tend to catalize the positive experiencing of similar, comparable areas and thus cause a positive COEX-system to grow. <br />
<br />
Experiences that have been dealt with badly tend to grow in clusters too. That is, when in a particular situation there is little exploration, and as a result little practise with particular relevant skills, it is difficult to get the situation under control, and thus to relax. The likelihood that new skills will be acquired is then also very low, so that the next time the individual is in the same, or in a similar situation, he or she will more likely have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (flight or avoidance behaviour) in similar situations, which causes even less experimenting. <br />
<br />
An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of someone who does not dare to enter into contact with people anymore as a result of his or her shyness. This causes the fear for this kind of situation to grow, because the familiarity with these situations decreases continuously, and, moreover, the person is unable to adequately develop other skills for which he or she needs help from others (school assignments, for example). In this way it is likely that the individual will become caught up in a ''negative learning spiral'' in which new experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify the existing, inadequate, avoidance behaviour. It is difficult to escape from such a spiral. The most important (and necessary) condition for this is the ability to achieve relaxation which is a prerequisite for dealing with experiences and for the replenishment of energy. Only then (careful) explorations of the frightening area can begin, with the possibility that this leads to fewer negative or even to positive experiences.<br />
<br />
If a number of areas which have been dealt with succesfully, for which skills have been developed, are closely related to an area of experience that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations threaten to become frightening. Through retiring into such a refuge the necessary relaxation can then be acquired. It is important to keep in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. Positive COEX-systems, and in particular ''important'' COEX-systems, develop through a proper reprocessing and digestion of formerly negative experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of negative experiences that ''have been dealt with badly'' and have been (re-)processed and digested insufficiently. The developmental aspects which play a role in acquiring and extending coping skills and which have not further been developed by Lazarus, are thus discussed and explainedd in detail by Van der Molen.Stanislav Grof labels this organisation of our experiences and behaviour as a "Carthography of the Psyche", which can be depicted as in fig.3.3. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.3.''' Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the field of experiences (from: Van der Molen, 1984).]]<br />
<br />
=== The asymmetry of the Reversal model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we have mentioned that Apter presents his theory as a symmetric model. Van der Molen (1984) indicates that contingencies in particular cause a reversal from paratelic to telic, and that satiation is one of the primary causes of a reversal from telic to paratelic. Van der Molen places emphasis on one particular sequence, that from relaxation to boredom, from boredom to excitement, from excitement to fear, and from fear back to relaxation. The reversal from telic to paratelic behaviour is here a reversal from relaxation to boredom. <br />
<br />
According to Van der Molen, this reversal will usually be the result of satiation. The reason for this concerns energy; we have discussed at the beginning of this chapter, that the capacities of an open-ended learning system are optimally utilized if any surplus of energy is invested in gathering more experience.<br />
<br />
A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, on the other hand, is caused in particular by contingencies. With reversals from paratelic to telic, Van der Molen places emphasis on the sudden transition from excitement to fear. By looking for arousal-increasing situations in the paratelic state, risks are taken and a greater likelihood exists that a particular situation will suddenly get out of hand owing to contingencies which cause a reversal from paratelic to telic behaviour.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter we have described Van der Molen's learning model which provides us an insight into the way in which the learning system is unconsciously kept going as long as there is a regular surplus of energy. We have observed that energy levels form the basis for the telic and the paratelic states and considered the emotional and motivational aspects of coping behaviour. Moreover, the developmental aspect of coping behaviour is explicitly discussed in Van der Molen's model, in the form of descriptions of positive and negative learning spirals and the clustering of related areas of experience. The concept of positive and negative COEX-systems can also be regarded as a first initiative to roughly categorize cognitive contents. Finally, we have discussed why Van der Molen regards satiation as a prime reason for the reversals from telic to paratelic and contingencies as the main cause of reversals from paratelic to telic.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in the Energy-Learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} What is still lacking in this model, is a more detailed description of the way in which emotional and motivational states are related to ''cognitive contents''. This aspect will be addressed in the next chapter as we discuss Lewicka's antagonist model of cognitive styles.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Van der Molen's learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's discussion of the emotional and motivational aspects of the learning process. Lewicka's model (1987, for example) in which there are two antagonistic modes of cognitive information processing, provides a description of the cognitive aspects. We will show how this model supplements Van der Molen's model.<br />
<br />
Lewicka distinguishes two types of behavioural regulation, the mechanism of ''action-control'' and the mechanism of ''action-involvement'' respectively. Like Apter's theory, Lewicka's theory too states that an individual is always in one of the two regulationary modes; there are two antagonistic mechanisms of cognitive functioning which alternate in time.<br />
<br />
=== Action-control and action-involvement ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} The mechanism of action-control instigates actions, aiming at the achievement of a particular objective (comparable to the telic state). Lewicka states that there are particular "''activity-external comparison standards''" which means that the achievement of an external objective is central and that the activity itself is not the objective of the individual.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-control is controlled by a ''principle of negative feedback''; thinking of a particular standard (the objective), the individual assesses his or her situation. A discrepancy between the actual and desired states is experienced as unpleasant and causes instrumental behaviour (correcting mistakes, if any, and minimalising the discrepancy), until the objective in view has been achieved. Lewicka calls this "''controlling''": the objective regulates the behaviour of the individual.<br />
<br />
The most important function of the mechanism of action-control is to maintain the level of organisation the individual has achieved. However, if an organism is to be able to grow, he or she must be capable of creating entirely new objectives (by him or herself), for example in order to be able to adapt to changing or still unknown environmental demands. The mechanism of action control itself is therefore not sufficient. For this, the alternative or antagonist mechanism of ''action-involvement'' is essential.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement encourages the individual to take actions which are not instrumental or purposive: in fact the individual's activity is an aim in itself (comparable to the paratelic state). Although sometimes there seems to be a particular external objective, this is often random and more like an "excuse" for the activity, than that the person really tries to achieve that objective. The motivation for the activity is the activity itself.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement is controlled by a ''principle of positive feedback''. The factors that cause the behaviour and maintain it lie in the behaviour itself; this is a process of self-amplification: the behaviour intensifies itself.<br />
<br />
The function of the mechanism of action-involvement is the production of new, so far unknown, results of behaviour, or the further exploration of activities that have been tried out before. In this way the individual will not only be able to obtain more information, but also indications about promising directions of future activities. Lewicka calls this "''directing''" which means that the behavioural results themselves are guidelines for future behaviour. Since the behaviour is not directed at established goals, the activities of the individual in the action-involvement mode are often very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
Table 4.1 provides a summary in catchwords of the main differences between the two mechanisms of regulation described by Lewicka.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 4.1.''' A summary of the differences between the action-control mode and the action-involvement mode<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Control<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Involvement <br />
|-<br />
|Purposive action<br />
|Activity "for the activity"<br />
|-<br />
|Controlled by a negative feedback principle<br />
|Controlled by positive feedback principles <br />
|-<br />
|Controlling: purpose regulates the behaviour<br />
|Directing: behavioural results themselves are guidelines for sub-sequent behaviour <br />
|-<br />
|Function: maintaining the achieved level of organisation (balance)<br />
|Function: taking the individual to a higher level of organisation (development) <br />
|} <br />
<br />
Table 4.1 shows once more that there is much similarity between the mode of action-control and the telic state and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. According to both Lewicka and Apter, the motivation for activity is central: they distinguish between activity aimed at a particular external objective and activity as an "objective" in itself. The difference between Apter's and Lewicka's approaches lies in how they further work out this distinction into two modes of behaviour. Apter discusses in particular the motivational and emotional aspects concerned. Lewicka, on the other hand, discusses in particular the cognitive aspects. In our view both theories can be combined to form a more complete picture of the alternation of behavioural modes. This will be explained in the remainder of this chapter. First we will discuss what Lewicka calls evaluative standards which, according to her, are operative in the action-control mode.<br />
<br />
=== Evaluative standards of comparison in the action-control mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the mechanism of action-control there are two forms of evaluative standards of comparison: on the one hand positive standards which indicate what a person ought to do (for example particular assessment criteria an achievement has to meet), on the other hand negative standards which indicate which limits cannot be passed (for example particular social standards which indicate what types of behaviour cannot be regarded "decent"). Lewicka calls them "''standards of goodness''" and "''standards of badness''" respectively.<br />
<br />
The two types of standards are not entirely symmetric which means that a categorisation of a result as "not good" does not imply that this result is regarded as "bad" (and vice versa). There is a third category possible which is "non-substantial" which means: neither good, nor bad (see fig. 4.1). <br />
<br />
[[Image:Lewicka standards of goodness.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.1: Schematic reproduction of various categorizations of possible results'''<br /><br />
(Explanation: In the field of possible results, area A represents the results that are categorized as "good", area B the results that are regarded as "bad". The remaining possible results, area C, are of the category "non-substantial".)]]<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985) states that if certain standards of goodness are difficult to attain (for example rigid social rules of behaviour or idealised criteria for achievements), it is hard for a person to reach that standard. An example of this is a person who is in a very rigid environment, such that he or she must continuously take part in particular activities in order to be appreciated. In such situations there is hardly any opportunity for non-purposive behaviour and a reversal to the mode of action-involvement is not very likely.<br />
<br />
When there are rigid, strictly defined and narrowly limited standards of badness which means that there is a small number of categories appraised as "bad" and thus a large number of "non-substantial", a person can very easily avoid "bad" behaviour. At first this may bring about a feeling of relief, as it is very clear what is not "allowed", but this situation may eventually also lead to boredom which, according to Van der Molen's learning model, makes a reversal to the mode of action involvement more likely. An example is the story of Adam and Eve in Paradise; everything was allowed, except eating apples from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. The rest of the story we know.<br />
<br />
Within the mode of action-control the activities an individual is engaged in are either instrumental actions of ''approach'' aimed at producing results categorised as "good" by positive standards of comparison, or instrumental actions of ''avoidance'' aimed at avoiding results categorised as "bad" by negative standards of comparison. The functional conditions are ''efficiency'' and ''minimization of mistakes''; the least effort and the least costs for achieving a positive, or for avoiding a negative result, the better.<br />
<br />
=== Criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} According to Lewicka the criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode are quite different. Lewicka uses the informative contents of activities as criteria. The search for a maximum of information is then the guideline for the choice of behaviour. "A catagorisation as "good" applies to all those alternatives of behaviour that provide an individual with new information and reduce uncertainty", Lewicka states.<br />
<br />
Apparently Lewicka somewhat contradicts herself here, because in the definition of the mechanism of action-involvement she states that actions are brought about which do not aim at a particular objective. However, later on, she states, as we have described above, that the individual in the action-involvement mode aims at obtaining new information and reducing uncertainty. So apparently there is postulated an aim for a particular objective.<br />
<br />
In our view this problem can be solved when the parallel between the action-control mode and the telic state on the one hand and between the action-involvement mode and the paratelic state on the other hand is regarded more closely. As we have previously mentioned, behaviour in the action-involvement mode is maintained by factors stemming from the activity itself. It remains unclear, however, what kind of factors are involved here. Apter explains this by his assumption of striving for pleasant tension as a general motive for behaviour in the paratelic state. If this idea is accepted as a supplement to Lewicka's theory, we can say more about whether purposive behaviour does or does not exist in the mode of action-involvement.<br />
<br />
=== Proximal and ultimal purposes in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In our view, it is important to make a clear distinction between the ''proximal'' and the ''ultimal'' purposes of behaviour in the action-involvement mode. The term "proximal purpose" refers to the objective at which the person aims at the moment of the activity. Contrary to the mechanism of action-control, there is no external objective in the mechanism of action-involvement, but there is activity because of the activity itself; the (proximal) "objective" of the person is the behaviour that provides pleasant tension. The ultimal objective of similar activities corresponds with the function of Lewicka's mechanism of action-involvement: it enables the person to acquire new experiences, to learn from them and thus enhances growth which in turn means the achievement of a higher level of cognitive organisation. A person is not aware of this ultimal objective at the moment the very activities take place. When Lewicka mentions behavioural alternatives with a high informative value which are categorized as "good", this must be interpreted as "good" with regard to the ultimal objective of the mechanism of action-involvement. The criteria the person applies at the moment of the activity itself, will not have any bearing on the informative value of the activity, but on the importance of the activity for the person, that is on the possibily that it may provide pleasant tension. The ultimal advantages of action-involvement behaviour make it evolutionarily advantageous that this behavioural mode exists in which arousal-rising and pleasure in the action itself are the proximal "goals" (see Van der Molen, 1983).<br />
<br />
We can perhaps go further than Lewicka in answering the question which kind of activities have the greatest informative value. On the one hand, these are of course activities in areas of experience that are new and unknown to a person. Exploration of such areas is less likely in the action-control mode because a person then rather prefers to rely on familiar objects. New and unknown areas involve the risk of unexpected, unpleasant things happening. This leads to tension which is experienced as unpleasant in the mode of action-control. According to Van der Molen's learning model however, it is exactly unfamiliarity that produces tension which makes exploration ''inviting'' in the action-involvement mode. Activities that are closely related to areas categorized as "bad" may in the action-involvement mode also be experienced as "interesting". In the action-control mode the person tries to avoid such areas as much as possible and aims at achieving results categorized as "good". In our view "good" areas are not interesting in the action-involvement mode: they are familiar and do not create any tension. Approaching the "bad", risky areas, on the other hand, is exciting and, what is more, it has the (ultimal) advantage that the limits of these risky areas are explored and thus become more distinctly defined for the person. This will ultimately be of advantage to his or her freedom of movement: if the borders between what "is possible" and what "is not possible" are clear, this will be of advantage to the person whenever the mechanism of action-control is activated again and he or she tries to prevent "bad" results.<br />
<br />
As we have stated above, Lewicka's ideas concerning the informative content of activities can be extended and explained by adding the concepts "proximal" and "ultimal" goals. Following the informative content of activities, we shall discuss in the <br />
next paragraph in more detail how such information is processed cognitively.<br />
<br />
=== "How", "Why" and "What" questions, sufficient and necessary conditions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1987) states that there are three basic questions a person can ask: the question "''How?''", the question "''Why?''" and the question "''What?''". As an example she gives a logical implication:<br />
<br />
P ════> Q, in which P is seen as the action-premise (the condition) and Q as the action-outcome (the result). The three questions that may be asked with regard to this implication are:<br />
# ''How'' can you make Q happen?<br />
# ''Why'' did Q happen?<br />
# ''What'' will happen if P?<br />
According to Lewicka the first two questions are "closed-ended", because the result Q has already been specified. This specification can be based on a criterion of "goodness" or on a criterion of "badness". The appraisal of the expected result determines to a great extent which particular question the individual will ask in particular. The fact is that when the results have been appraised as positive, people are particularly interested in the question "how" these results may be achieved. If the results, on the other hand, have been appraised as negative, the "why"-question is especially interesting (Wong & Weiner, 1981; Weiner, 1984). Lewicka relates these questions to the concept of "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions. We will first explain what is meant by these "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions.<br />
<br />
Sufficient conditions are those conditions that have to be met to achieve a particular result. When a person wants to boil an egg for breakfast, for example, a list of sufficient conditions could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Put in the egg.<br />
# Put the pan onto the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# When the water boils, wait another four minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour off the water.<br />
<br />
When these conditions have been met, the person will indeed get his egg boiled. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg. It could be boiled in an old can on a campfire, for example. A series of sufficient conditions, therefore, indicates how a particular result can be achieved, but this does not imply that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be achieved in another way.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition that has to be met, because there is no other way in which a particular result can be achieved. The necessary condition in the example of boiling an egg could be: "Heat the egg to a temperature that is above the coagulation temperature of the egg white, until the heat has spread throughout the egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, as in fact this is unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for some time is important; otherwise it will never be boiled. Departing from the necessary conditions for a particular result, it is often possible to generate various series of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
As mentioned above, when the results have been appraised as positive, people particularly aim at finding sufficient conditions to achieve this result which means that they are particularly interested in the question: "''How'' can I make sure the result will be achieved?". So there is a strategy of "approach", aiming to achieve desirable results.<br />
<br />
When the results have been appraised as negative, on the other hand, people particularly aim at finding the necessary conditions for these results. Only if someone knows ''why'' an unpleasant result comes about, will he or she be best able to effectively avoid the necessary condition(s) for this result and thus to avoid the unpleasant result itself. This is in fact a strategy of avoidance, aimed at preventing undesirable results.<br />
<br />
There is a great difference between these two types of information processing. To find ''sufficient'' conditions for a result, a "''sufficiency-oriented method''", it is in principle sufficient to know that a particular result will come about after meeting one particular condition or combination of conditions. Then the person will be able to remember this simplistic connection and knows that meeting those conditions again will be sufficient to get the same result again. Seeking ''necessary'' conditions, a "''necessity-oriented method''" implies a greater investment of time and energy. To distil the necessary conditions from the various sufficient conditions for a particular result, more experience and skill is needed, as well as a certain degree of experimenting and the cognitive processing of acquired experiences. Only by examining several conditions separately, will it be possible to find out whether they are essential for a particular result and, if so, why. This investment of time and energy (proximal costs) has, however, some (ultimal) advantage which is the possibility to make the cognitive structure concerned more economical, sparse and logically coherent. As it becomes clear "why" a particular result occurs, it can be obtained or avoided more effectively. The large quantity of sufficient conditions is then, in fact, reduced to a smaller number of necessary conditions. From these necessary conditions, relatively strong and efficient rules can be distilled, so that an individual does not need a separate list of sufficient conditions for each result. In this way a large number of answers to the "how"-question can be replaced by a single answer to the "why"-question.<br />
<br />
=== The "what"-question in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} As we have stated, a certain amount of experimenting is needed to develop a necessity-oriented method. New, additional knowledge about the results of behaviour must be acquired. At this stage the "what"-question will be important. According to Lewicka the "what"-question is "open-ended", because there is no previously specified result. This question will in particular emerge during the exploration of novel areas; there will be experimenting with behavioural alternatives, without aiming at previously determined results. In other words: activities will be engaged in, just to investigate their effects. Referring to our learning model, it will be clear that the "what"-question will emerge in particular during the state of action-involvement (comparable to the paratelic state); experimenting is attractive in this state, because the unfamiliarity of the result will be seen as exciting and pleasant.<br />
<br />
We have to observe that the appraisal of the expected results has a significant influence on whether the person does or does not put much effort into developing a necessity-oriented method. That is to say, the interests of the person on a proximal level play an important part here which means the interests the person is aware of at the moment of the activity itself. In the action-involvement mode those interests are the achievement of pleasant tension. Exploring of and experimenting with the limits of areas categorized as "bad" or problematic, causes considerable tension: after all there is a chance that there will be a less pleasant result. Exploring areas categorized as "good" (or well processed and digested) provides hardly any tension: the only thing that may happen is that an expected pleasant result will not take place. However as the person will generally have one or more sufficiency-oriented methods for achieving desirable results, he or she can always make sure those results will be achieved, should it be necessary when an emergency arises. When a person wants to explore things, seeking (pleasant) tension, these areas are rather unattractive and his or her attention will almost automatically be attracted to the more interesting, because unfamiliar, areas that may be related to an area that has been dealt with well, but at the very least are related to the more risky areas, categorized as "bad".<br />
<br />
=== Pleasant and unpleasant results, necessary and sufficient conditions, acceptance of chances of mistakes and cognitive "bias" ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the action-involvement (paratelic) mode, attention is automatically drawn to a further exploration of the conditions of results. When the results are pleasant, the consequences for the cognitive processing system are entirely different from if the results are unpleasant. As we have stated in paragraph 4.6, working with necessary conditions is the most efficient. Acquiring "sufficient" behavioural strategies is less complicated and quicker to realise, however. To that end the "why"-question does not have to be examined intensively. Any answer to the "how"-question will do. Therefore, if an additional investment in time and energy is made, needed to grow from sufficient behavioural strategies to knowledge of necessary conditions, it will in general be invested in the first place in ''un''pleasant results, in order to determine their conditions more accurately.<br />
<br />
When examining pleasant results it is of course more efficient to know the necessary conditions, but in those cases it is less crucial, because there are fewer risks. Indeed, any sufficient conditions will meet the purpose, that is, to achieve pleasant results.<br />
<br />
There is another problem, however. In practise it is in general impossible to make accurate predictions about behavioural results. The cognitive models of reality we create are just approaches. The higher the required degree of accuracy, the more experience and information has to be invested. All cognitive models have a particular degree of uncertainty. Which uncertainties will be minimized in the first place, depends to a great extent on the nature of the expected results. Table 4.2 gives a summary of the possible antecedents and results in the case of pleasant and in the case of unpleasant results. This table is a free modification of Lewicka's (1985). To be perfectly clear, we have made a separate table for pleasant and unpleasant results respectively. However, as far as terminology is concerned, these tables differ a little from Lewicka's. The fact is that it is not always clear what Lewicka means with the terms "positive" and "negative", because she uses them in two different ways. Lewicka uses, for instance, the terms "positive outcome" and "positive hit". In the first term "positive" means: positively appraised or appreciated. For clarity's sake we have chosen the term ''pleasant'' for positively appraised results and ''unpleasant'' for negatively appraised results. Of course we have not changed terms like "positive hit" and "negative hit", because these are established terms from the disciplines of logic and mathematics.<br />
<br />
When departing from the idea that people generally try as hard as possible to avoid disappointments, the table makes clear why some specific cognitive strategies are more likely to occur in connection with some specific results than others. Each cognitive strategy of course also harbours its own chances of mistakes and "bias".<br />
<br />
If any ''unpleasant'' results can occur, a person will generally try to avoid them. ''Disappointments'' arise when there are unpredicted unpleasant results (false negative, "type II" mistake). We know that when the probability of a Type II mistake is made as small as possible, the probability of a "Type I" mistake will, as a consequence, increase (see for example Nijdam & Van Buuren, 1983). In this case a "Type I" mistake is a ''pleasant surprise'' for the individual: an unpleasant result was predicted, but it did not take place. At the level of the behaviour of the individual this means, that during the action-control mode (in which unpleasant results are actively avoided), the individual will take a large "safety margin"; not only will the area be avoided for which there are clear negative standards of appraisal, but also the areas that are closely related. The chance of a Type II-mistake reduces this, but the area that has been avoided will usually be larger than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.2.<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.2: Survey of possible mistakes in information processing, depending on the evaluative appraisal of the result <br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Unpleasant ║ H ║ non-H ║<br />
results ║ (unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║(A) ║ (C) ║<br />
║ ║ positive hit ║ false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║ Type II-mistake ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant as ║ (unpleasant, but ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║ not predicted) ║<br />
║ ║ p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║ (B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║(not unpleasant, ║(not unpleasant, ║<br />
║ does not ║although predict- ║as predicted) ║<br />
║ occur) ║ed) p(H ∩ -non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Pleasant ║ H ║non-H ║<br />
results ║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║ (A) ║(C) ║<br />
║ ║positive hit ║false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║Type II-mistake ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant as ║(pleasant, but not ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║predicted) ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║(B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║ does not ║ (not pleasant, al- ║not pleasant, ║<br />
║ occur) ║though predicted ║as predicted ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
"Necessity" of H for T: p(H|T) = A/ (A + C)<br />
"Sufficiency" of H for T: p(T|H) = A / (A + B)<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
One result of this safe strategy is, that during the action-control mode particular areas will remain unexplored and thus unfamiliar to the individual. Such large safety margins can only be rendered superfluous by a further elucidation of the necessary conditions for the unpleasant result. Its borders then become narrower, sharper and more accurately defined (see figure 4.2). In terms of figure 4.1: the acquisition of more necessity-oriented information reduces the size of the "no good" areas and increases the available behavioural manoeuvering space. On the other hand, as we have said before, vaguely defined borders provide pleasant tension in the action-involvement mode and such areas which were rather avoided in previous, action-control modes, will become more attractive and may be explored more closely.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.2: Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
When an individual may expect positive results he or she will follow quite a different strategy. A ''disappointment'' would mean here that a pleasant result is predicted, but does not take place (false positive, "Type I" mistake). The individual will try to avoid this as much as possible. Minimizing the probability of a Type I mistake implies that the probability of a Type II mistake will increase which is the chance that there will be a pleasant result, although it was not predicted; an ''unexpected surprise''. In the action-control (telic) mode the individual will probably choose for a safe strategy : starting from one or another familiar sufficient method the individual will aim at achieving the pleasant result, without taking risks. The area of behavioural options the individual then aims at is most likely to be smaller than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.3.<br />
<br />
It is clear now that adhering to a single existing sufficient method in the action-control mode limits the behavioural repetoire of the individual; he or she will rarely experiment with other strategies of behaviour than the one that is familiar and tested, for fear of not achieving the expected, pleasant result. However, in the state of action-involvement experimenting with alternative strategies is attractive. Especially close to the areas categorized as "good", the individual can always benefit from the familiar sufficient method in case of an emergency. This means that there will probably be less tension than might arise close to an area categorized as "bad". After further exploration, the "safe" area can thus be extended by supplementing more sufficient methods. Should the individual eventually succeed in generating a necessity-oriented cognitive representation of this pleasant result, even more degrees of safety, as all sufficient conditions would also be defined by implication. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.3: Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
Both with pleasant and unpleasant results, necessity-oriented cognitive models will allow the greatest freedom of movement and behavioural efficiency. The area of unpleasant results (see figure 4.2) will be smaller and the area of pleasant results (see figure 4.3) will be larger. It is clear, however, that the need to invest more energy in obtaining "necessary" cognitive connections will be strongest in the case of unpleasant results.<br />
<br />
In chapter 3 we have shown that in fact this is what really takes place. The problematical areas of experience produce most arousal (because of the possibly unpleasant results) which makes these areas more attractive in the action-involvement (paratelic) mode when there is enough energy to invest in exploration. As a consequence, in such problematical areas there will relatively quickly be enough experience and information available to achieve cognitive structures of "necessity" at a higher level of abstraction and integration.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusion ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter we have discussed how Lewicka's theory can supplement Van der Molen's learning model. The cognitive aspects of the learning process have been discussed and integrated, in order to create a more comprehensive model. We have discussed the difference between action-control and action-involvement and the parallels with the telic and paratelic states. Subsequently the evaluative criteria that are active in the action-control mode have been discussed. With regard to the evaluative criteria in the action-involvement mode it appeared that a relatively easy supplement (similarity with the paratelic state and the difference between proximal and ultimal objectives) sufficed to remove an apparent contradiction in Lewicka's theory. Finally we have discussed the way in which the evaluative appraisal of possible results determines the kind of information an individual seeks, the strategy of behaviour that will probably be chosen and the kind of cognitive mistakes that can be made in processing information.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how these theories complement each other in such a way that a dynamic model emerges that includes the most important aspects of the learning process, that describes cognitive growth and which can be utilized in many areas of research and practical application.<br />
<br />
By way of summary, table 4.3 shows the most important characteristics of the action-control and the action-involvement modes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.3: Survey of action-control and action-involvement <br />
╔═══════════════════════════════╦═════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ ACTION-CONTROL ║ ACTION-INVOLVEMENT ║<br />
╠═══════════════════════════════╬═════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ Purposive activity and ║ Activity as an "aim" in ║<br />
║ instrumental behaviour ║ itself ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Principle of negative ║ Principle of positive ║<br />
║ feedback ║ feedback ║<br />
║ "controlling" ║ "directing" ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Function: maintaining the ║ Function: achieving a ║<br />
║ level of organisation ║ higher level of organisa- ║<br />
║ ║ tion ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ In particular in an environ- ║ In particular in an envi- ║ <br />
║ ment with stringent standards ║ ronment with stringent ║<br />
║ of goodness ║ standards of badness ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Approach-strategy towards ║ Exploration when pleasant ║<br />
║ pleasant results ║ results occur less probable║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Stategy of avoidance towards ║ Exploration particularly ║<br />
║ unpleasant or unknown ║ around unfamiliar or un- ║<br />
║ results ║ pleasant results ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ For pleasant results: ║ Independent of the kind of ║<br />
║ "How?"-question, ║ results: "What?"-question ║<br />
║ For unpleasant results: ║ (exploration/experimenting)║<br />
║ "Why?"-question ║ ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Proximal and Ultimal goals ║ Proximal goal: obtaining ║<br />
║ are the same: to bring and ║ pleasant tension; Ultimal ║<br />
║ keep the environment under ║ goal: gaining entirely new ║<br />
║ control (survival and restor- ║ experiences, as a condition║<br />
║ ing the balance of energy) ║ for development ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════╩═════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
== Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will describe how one coherent model can be constructed from the theories discussed. This model describes and explains more than each theory separately. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L). The model shows how development and learning can be examined from a perspective of energy potential. The cognitive and emotional aspects that play a part in the learning processes, are also accounted for in this model. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Energy dependence of motivation and emotions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the previous chapters we have shown that there is a distinction between telic and paratelic phase. In the telic phase, the behaviour is directed by a particular goal, avoiding fear and seeking safety, for example. In the paratelic phase, on the other hand, the behaviour is a goal in itself; behaviour takes place "just for fun". Thus, in this phase tension is experienced as pleasant and exciting, while in the telic phase it is experienced as frightening and unpleasant. A condition for paratelic behaviour is a surplus of energy which can be spent on exploring and on trying out new things. Telic behaviour takes place at the moment the surplus of energy becomes exhausted or when an emergency arises.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above, makes clear that the energy dependent basis of motivation and emotion is extremely important; the motivational state of an individual depends strongly on the energy that a person has at its disposal. The consequence is a strongly dynamic character of the organization of motivation; motivation and emotion change constantly in the course of time. In the telic phase a person will try to get his or her situation under control. Bringing a situation under control will at first take energy, but once the situation is under control the individual can benefit from familiar skills which cost (relatively) little energy (see chapter 3). In this way the individual can relax and assemble new energy which can be spent in the following paratelic phase. In the telic phase rest and relaxation are aimed at. Once relaxation has been achieved and the individual has recuperated enough energy, there will be a motivational reversal; then rest is no longer regarded as pleasant, but rather as dull and boring. In this paratelic phase a high level of tension is aimed at, until a reversal to the telic state (owing to fatigue or to an emergency) occurs again and the person tries to get the situation under control in order to be able to relax subsequently. <br />
<br />
This system of reversals can be understood by regarding the utilization of energy, which is the basis of the behaviour of the individual. There have to be reversals to the telic state; a person cannot constantly show paratelic behaviour, as the energy required will be exhausted at a certain moment. Moreover, endless explorative and arousal-seeking behaviour will cause difficulties sooner or later which in turn may cause an emergency situation which in turn will ''force'' a reversal. The trigger for these types of reversals has to be sought on a very proximal level. On the other hand, the evolutionary reason for the existence of this reversal system between telic and paratelic states has to be sought at the ultimate level; that is, an organism will have the best yield in terms of survival value when the energy, gained during phases of relaxation in the telic mode, will subsequently be spent in paratelic modes for acquiring novel, additional experiences, that serve for the extension of one's own behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1984).<br />
<br />
=== Problematical and non-problematical experiences ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's model and sequences in which the telic and paratelic modes should alternate ideally. This sequence is: boredom - (explorative behaviour) - excitement - fear - (reversal to the telic state and seeking rest) - relaxation - (with eventually a reversal to the paratelic state) -boredom - etc.<br />
<br />
Should this sequence actually take place in a regular pattern, the result would be optimal; in the paratelic phase the individual explores the environment and that way he or she gains new experiences, using the skills acquired previously. When these skills prove insufficient and the situation threatens to get out of hand, there will be a reversal to the telic phase and the individual will seek control of the situation. On the one hand these periods of rest are necessary for recovery of the balance of energy and on the other hand newly acquired skills and experiences can be processed and integrated with earlier experiences during such periods of rest. This implies that after a series of reversal cycles the individual may be at a higher level of cognitive organisation than before. In this way the individual grows and learns from his or her experiences in the course of time.<br />
<br />
There will not always occur such ideal sequences of telic and paratelic phases. A person may for instance not be able to relax optimally in the telic phase. This is often the case if he or she does not have the adequate skills or coping strategies to get the situation under control. In this way the situation remains frightening, the person does not relax sufficiently and thus does not get the opportunity to gain new energy which is a condition for another paratelic phase. The situation will probably be explored less quickly (paratelic) and there will be no experimenting with skills which would enable the individual to behave adequately in this situation. And since no new experiences are acquired in that area of experience from which the person could learn, he or she will remain at a lower level of functioning and there is a high probability of accumulations and fixations of simplistic avoidance behaviour. In that way a cluster of badly mastered areas of experience may grow.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above makes clear that for the individual some specific areas of experience can be problematical, while at the same time other areas are non-problematical. Problematical areas of experience are those areas for which no, or only a few, adequate coping strategies have been developed; the area has not been dealt with well. For the non-problematical areas of experience, adequate coping strategies have indeed been created; these areas have been dealt with well. In chapter 3 (following Grof 1972, 1973), areas of experience that have been dealt with badly were called "negative COEX-systems", and areas that have been dealt with well were called "positive COEX-systems". Table 5.1 shows what these positive or negative COEX-systems imply.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 5.1.''' Characteristics of positive and negative COEX-systems<br />(Systems of COndensed EXperience)<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Negative COEX-systems<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Positive COEX-systems <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Flight/fight responses<br />
|Stay/play responses<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Behavioural rigidity<br />
|Flexibility of reactions <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Stereotyped reflexes<br />
|Creative responses <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Unskills<br />
|Skills<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Phobias and neuroses<br />
|Mastery of<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Consciousness block (unconscious repressions)<br />
|Awareness of<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Emotional labeling of experiences as pleasant and unpleasant ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we stated that it depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of a person whether he or she experiences a situation as pleasant or unpleasant. Problematical areas of experience that have not been dealt with well will cause tension. In the telic state this will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening and there is a high likelihood of avoidance behaviour. The person will seek areas of experience that have been dealt with well; in those areas the person is able to control the situation and thus to relax. In the telic state, areas that have been dealt with well can be a "refuge" which is helpful when the person gets into a frightening situation. In the paratelic phase this is of course not the case. In this phase the areas that have been dealt with well are experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant because they do not longer provide arousal. It is the problematical areas that are attractive in this phase because there can still be some experimenting and an element of risk is involved; this provides pleasant arousal (compare chapter 4).<br />
At the beginning of chapter 3 we have discussed the biological relevance of the telic and the paratelic states. From what has been stated above it becomes again clear that both phases are necessary in order to function well. In the telic state the individual is able to relax, once he or she has succeeded in getting the situation under control, and will thus be able to gain new energy and to integrate the newly gained experiences into his or her existing cognitive system. This system enables the individual to remain at a particular level of functioning. In the paratelic phase new or problematical situations (and in the telic phase situations that are experienced as fearful) will be explored and new situations can be investigated. By continuously exploring a situation that has not yet completely been digested and controlled, and by dealing with those experiences and digesting them, this situation will lose its connotation as frightening and the individual will learn which strategies are adeqate in that situation and which are not. Thus the paratelic phase is also an indispensable condition for the growth of the individual.<br />
<br />
Thus, we can state that the proximal goal of the telic phase is: seeking rest and relaxation. The ultimal goal is: maintaining a certain level of functioning. The proximal "goal" of the paratelic phase is experiencing pleasant arousal (by way of non-direct purposive behaviour). However, the ultimal goal is creating the conditions for achieving a higher level of functioning.<br />
<br />
At this point we can once more emphasize an important characteristic of the way in which the reversals from one phase to another come about. In chapter 2 we have stated that we must not hold fast to the idea of a symmetrical model. The reversals from paratelic to telic will mainly be the result of an emergency or of fatigue, while the reversals from telic to paratelic will particularly take place as a result of "satiation". In this respect Apter's theory has therefore also been supplemented.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 4 we have stated that there is much similarity between Lewicka's mode of action-control and Apter's telic state, and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. Apter emphasizes the motivational and emotional aspects of reversals in particular, while Lewicka places emphasis on the cognitive aspects. We shall now describe how the two theories can supplement each other and thus provide a more complete description of the processes involved.<br />
<br />
Lewicka mentions "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; particular standards that indicate what kind of behaviour has to be aimed at and what kind of behaviour can better be avoided (see chapter 4). Czapinski (1986, 1987) completes this with his study of the appraisal of experiences which indicates that people generally show a mild "positivity bias". This means that generally experiences have a mildly positive connotation (except when they have a specific and very strong connotation). Therefore, according to Czapinski, there is a lightly positive background in the cognitive representation of experiences in which the negative areas of experience are particularly important. Departing from these ideas, we are now able to say more about cognitive development.<br />
Figure 5.1 shows the combination of these ideas.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br /><tt>(++)</tt> areas that have been digested well<br /><tt>(--)</tt> problematic areas<br /><tt> (+)</tt> mildly positive background]]<br />
<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- + ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ + + + ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br />
(+ +) areas that have been digested well<br />
(- -) problematical areas<br />
+ mildly positive background<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
This figure strongly resembles the figure in which Van der Molen showed Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see chapter 3), but is more detailed. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, that is the areas that have not yet been properly dealt with well and digested yet (- -), will be arousal-increasing and cause tension. <br />
<br />
In the telic state the areas that have been digested well (+ +) are attractive because they are controlled in such a way, that in an emergency a state of relaxation can easily be achieved. We will refer to these areas with the term "refuges". In the paratelic state, it is particularly the areas that have not been digested properly yet which will be attractive because in that state tension is experienced as pleasant. We now make the assumption that in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, which means that those areas will be explored first, that are closer to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and for which there is a relatively high probability of an unpleasant surprise. On a proximal level only (pleasant) tension and excitement are sought. However, as a result of such explorations, the limits of the areas that have been digested badly will gradually move; as a result of positive experiences parts of the problem area are nibbled away and are bit by bit turned into areas that have been dealt with and digested well. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further. On an ultimal level the paratelic state certainly has a goal, namely the acquisition of the new experiences necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What finally happens in the optimal case on a logical-cognitive level, is that, based on the experiences gained from exploration, a comprehensive necessity-oriented method of a higher level of abstraction will be constructed out of and in place of the existing sufficiency methods (see chapter 4). One prerequisite is, however, that between the actions sufficient time and rest can be gained to digest new experiences and to integrate them. A simple example may clarify this.<br />
<br />
Imagine: John is walking in the woods. He enjoys the scenery and relaxes completely. Occasionally he climbs a fence to walk a little in the pastures or in a part of fenced woodland. Suddenly, from behind the trees a horse gallops towards him and John does not even think, but runs as fast as he can. Somehow he manages to get away and not until later does he wonder what exactly has happened. First he does not dare to go into the woods again, but after some time, when he has calmed down, it does seem exciting to him (paratelic) and he decides to stay near the fences so that he will be able to escape by climbing a fence, should this be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John explores the situation and finds out in which area of the woods the horse is and which part of the woods and which pastures he must try to avoid. The tension of walking decreases more and more because he now knows exactly where to be on his guard. So, finally, having arrived at a complete picture of the forest and the pasture schedules, the motivation to explore the woods in the paratelic state is lost. <br />
<br />
In this example John is unpleasantly surprised and is at first frightened in the woods. However, once he has explored the situation, a sufficiency-oriented method ("If I walk in the same area as I did before, a horse may gallop towards me at a given moment") will be changed into a necessary-oriented method ("Only if I climb that particular fence, will the horse gallop towards me"). As a result, John's freedom of movement has increased because it is obvious that the area to be avoided has been restricted. This is shown in figure 5.2.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.2:''' Avoidance, exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences)]]<br />
<br />
What happens is that an area of experience which is first experienced as problematical (unpleasant in the telic phase) is gradually reduced because its limits are explored (in the paratelic phase) and there may be positive experiences on that fringe. To speak in Grof's terms, the purpose of paratelic behaviour on an ultimate level is to change as many negative COEX-systems into positive COEX-sytems as possible. In other words, the target is to exchange less efficient sufficiency-oriented methods, related to experiences that have been dealt with and processed badly, for highly efficient necessity-oriented methods which are in particular related to experiences that have been digested well.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to grow in clusters. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested well, the COEX-system is a positive one in which all kinds of new skills have been acquired which can often also be applied to other, related situations. Generally, in such an area of experience the individual is in a ''positive learning spiral''. <br />
<br />
Experiences that are dealt with and processed badly, also tend to grow in clusters in a similar way; in such cases there is a fair chance that the next time the individual gets into the same, or a similar or related situation, he or she will have another problematic experience. This increases the probability of telic behaviour in similar situations, with the result that there will be less experimenting. In this way the individual will easily get into a ''negative learning spiral'' in a similar area of experience. New experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify and extend the existing, relatively inefficient behaviour. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state. <br />The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.]]<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ ++ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- + ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ + + -- ║<br />
║ -- + ║<br />
║ + ║<br />
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ <br />
'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state<br />
The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
In terms of figure 5.1 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) will remain relatively restricted and small and for the cognitive representation of the problematical areas (- -) there are relatively increasing and less efficient margins.<br />
<br />
In the case that there are no necessity-oriented methods of great precision and a high degree of abstraction, and thus relatively many methods are of the sufficiency type, the limits shown in figure 5.1 are less favourable in the telic state. The refuges of areas that are dealt with well will be limited, because the sufficiency-oriented methods are too much restricted, whereas for the areas that are dealt with badly, the safety margins are too large. Thus the individual has relatively little freedom of movement.<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system will expand increasingly, owing to an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are primarily based on methods of sufficiency. They can be generated relatively quickly but they also involve relatively large safety margins, with the consequence that a relatively great part of the area of experience will be considered as risky.<br />
<br />
It is extremely difficult to escape from such a negative learning spiral. A prerequisite for this is the ability to attain the relaxation, necessary for the digestion of the accumulated experiences. Should a number of experiences that have been dealt with and digested well, verge on an area that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as refuges, when situations become too frightening. This may then provide the required escape, safety and rest.<br />
<br />
It is now possible to relate all this to Lazarus' theory as described in chapter 1. In our view, the appraisal of a particular situation or transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of an individual. A transaction that is appraised as stressful will often be regarded as threatening in the telic state, whereas in the paratelic state it is more likely that the same transaction will be seen as a challenge. When a person is in a positive learning spiral in which positive COEX-systems are acquired and extended, and new experiences and skills are digested well, new situations are likely to be experienced as positive and regarded as challenges. That is, the individual has noticed that owing to his or her arsenal of skills, he or she is very well capable to anticipate many kinds of situations and to get them under control. Not only is this a good basis for acquiring new skills but it also allows for relaxation and the conviction that novel situations can adequately be dealt with as well. However, in the case of a negative learning spiral in which negative COEX-systems expand and the individual gets trapped in his or her own inadequate behaviour, entirely new situations will rather be seen as threatening. This increases the likelihood that the individual will hold on more tenaciously to particular - inadequate - behavioural strategies, so that it becomes increasingly likely that he or she will fail again.<br />
<br />
This makes clear that it is very difficult to make a distinction between an appraisal of the situation itself (Lazarus: ''primary appraisal'') and of one's own abilities to deal with that situation (''secondary appraisal''). These two aspects are strongly intertwined. The appraisal of a transaction always depends on previous experiences, on acquired skills, and on the metamotivational state of an individual. We have shown that this state may (sometimes quickly) change. This is called ''reappraisal''; the original appraisal of the transaction changes. According to Lazarus, such a change is caused by feedback about changes in the transaction because of actions taken by the individual, or by reconsidering the nature of the transaction. We are now able to supplement Lazarus' ideas. In our view the appraisal of a transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of the individual at that very moment. A change of this appraisal means that there has been a meta-motivational reversal to another state. Such a reversal may take place because of "contingency" (a particular event takes place) or because of "satiation" (because a person has been in one and the same state for a long time). The two causes mentioned by Lazarus can be categorized under "contingency": the transaction changes as a result of actions taken by the individual and the changing situation forces a reversal, or the interpretation of the transaction changes because of cognitive processes (thinking), which may also cause a reversal. Hence, our cognition-energy- learning model does not only supplement Lazarus' ideas, in this respect adding reversals through "satiation", but it also provides a description and an explanation of the dynamics of the underlying cognitive processes.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive mistakes ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Finally, we pinpoint and discuss a few systematic mistakes which can be made when a person cognitively processes information. Lewicka shows that the questions an individual asks, depend to a great extent on the appraisal of the possible outcome of a transaction. In the telic state (or action control mode) the individual tries at all costs to avoid unpleasant outcomes, and it then becomes very favourable and practical to have a necessity-oriented method available. If the outcome is pleasant, however, the realisation of that outcome is of primary importance; "the way in which" becomes less important and a sufficiency-oriented method generally suffices. However, this does not apply to the paratelic (action-involvement) mode.<br />
<br />
Generally, an individual tries as hard as possible to prevent disappointments (see chapter 4, table 4.2). In the case of an unpleasant outcome, a disappointment means that it has previously been predicted that a particular unpleasant result will not take place, but that it happens anyway. It is important for the individual to keep the probability of this type of mistake (type II, or "false negative") as low as possible. However, we know from logic and statistics that when the probability of one type of mistake is kept as low as possible, another type of mistake will necessarily occur more often. Thus, when the probability of a Type II-mistake is minimized, Type I-mistakes will occur more often. When a Type I-mistake, or "false positive", occurs, it is predicted that the result will be unpleasant, but this is not the case. It is now likely that this type of mistake will be taken less seriously than the previous one, because this means that there is a pleasant surprise. Therefore, relatively little attention will be paid to this. As a result, good luck is virtually ignored in a problematic area of experience whereas disappointments are regarded as extremely important.<br />
<br />
This pattern of cognitive processing takes place in particular when there are mainly telic states with a (too) low frequency of paratelic states. Not only is attention then fixed on possible negative results, but the (too) low frequency of paratelic states produces an excess of methods of sufficiency, with relatively large safety margins around the areas to be avoided, and relatively narrow limits of areas of experience that are safe and digested well (also as a result of safety margins that are wider than is strictly necessary; see figure 5.3). As a result, this pattern of experiencing and processing results in a strong (and in a sense "uncontrolled") growth of negative COEX-systems which may possibly even affect the already existing, positive COEX-systems. Should this pattern continue, then the probability of telic avoidance reactions in the area of experience concerned will become higher and the probability of paratelic exploration lower and lower. In the end, even the slightest confrontation with the area of experience concerned, even when outsiders do not consider this as threatening, will be experienced as frightening, the consequence of which will be a continued and uncontrolled growth of the negative COEX-system.<br />
<br />
=== The neurotic paradox ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} A connection with the so-called '''neurotic paradox''' is evident here. Eysenck (1979, p. 185) provides the following description of this paradox:<br />
:"In many neuroses we not only fail to observe the expected extinction of the uninforced "Conditoned Stimulus", but we find an incremental (enhancement) effect, such that the unreinforced Conditioned Stimulus actually produces more and more anxiety ("Conditioned Response") with each presentation of the Conditioned Stimulus. [...] In neuroses, [...] in the majority of cases there is some sort of insidious onset, without any single event that could be called "traumatic" even by lenient standards."<br />
<br />
Paying too much attention to disappointments and virtually ignoring good luck is one of the reasons why the neurotic behaviour persists. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) gives another reason (see also chapter 3). He explains how in the proximity of a negative COEX-system, tension increases very easily, while it is exactly in these areas that there are very few "refuges" in the form of adequate strategies of behaviour which may be utilized to keep the tension under control. In the telic state this increased tension is experienced as extremely unpleasant. What is more, the limits of an area that has been digested badly are still rather vague owing to the fact that little or no exploration has occured. The area is not clearly defined and restricted, has rather "fuzzy" boundaries, and may easily increase in size which further increases the probability of unpleasant experiences. When we bear in mind that disappointments tend to receive more attention than the occurences of good luck, it is clear that one easily becomes trapped in a negative learning spiral in which neurotic behaviour is intensified, negative experiences accumulate and little is learned from positive experiences.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Having integrated Aper's, Van der Molen's an Lewicka's studies we have been able to provide in this chapter an overall picture of the dynamics of our learning processes. Based on these various theories, a Cognition-Energy-Learning model has been developed in which the most essential aspects of the learning process are explained.<br />
<br />
First, the energy dependency of learning was discussed. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal produces the motivation for two essential aspects of learning: on the one hand, the acquisition of novel and unfamiliar experiences, and on the other hand, reserving time and energy for the structuring and processing of this experience and information. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic states thus keeps the learning process going.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematical or non-problematical. Depending on the metamotivational state a person is in, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. Problematical areas (that is to say, areas for which no adequate behavioural strategies have been developed) will be avoided as much as possible in the telic state: in the paratelic state, on the other hand, these areas can be a source of (pleasant) tension and thus be attractive for exploration. In this way the individual will be able to gain piecemeal experiences in areas that are (relatively) unfamiliar. Such experiences are a prerequisite for development to a higher level of organisation of the individual. Non-problematical areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, as they do not provide any tension and are thus considered as "boring". However, in the telic state these areas are essential for relaxation. Only if a certain degree of rest is acquired regularly, will the individual will be able to digest his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
In certain situations an ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals is impossible for a person. When such a situations lasts too long and the person cannot reach more agreeable situations, this leads to a negative learning spiral in which the individual more and more resorts to stereotyped and less efficient ways of reacting. Then it becomes increasingly more likely that the negative, problematical experiences in a particular area of experience will extend to other areas as well. For this reason we speak about the "contagiousness" of experiences. <br />
<br />
However, this contagiousness also applies to positive experiences that have been digested well and which are thus non-problematical. When an individual is in a positive learning spiral, he or she continuously acquires new skills which can also be applied in other areas of experience. In this way the likelyhood of positive experiences will generally increase. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, in the favourable and in the unfavourable sense, is applicable therefore in the first place in areas of experience that are functionally related. In the second place, the contagiousness is applicable in all areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have discussed in this chapter how the behavioural strategy a person is choosing depends on the appraisal of the possible outcome. When the outcome is pleasant, an approach strategy will be applied in the telic state to ensure the outcome will be achieved as effectively as possible. When the outcome is unpleasant, a strategy of avoidance will generally be applied. However, negative outcomes form a source of possibly pleasant tension in the paratelic state which produces the motivation to further explore them. In this way more information can be gathered and optimally processed in the course of time so that the already existing (easily obtained) '''sufficiency oriented methods''' can increasingly be replaced by a '''necessity-oriented method''' (which is more difficult to generate). This enables the individual to attain a '''higher level of cognitive organisation and efficiency''' and to function more effectively. However, should the ability to relax be absent (chronically), the person may become caught up in an accumulation of problematical experiences. This explains, for example, the often persistent growth of neuroses and phobias. The problem of the neurotic paradox, indicated by Eysenck, for example, can be easily explained when regarded from the point of view of our Cognition-Energy Learning model.<br />
<br />
The Cognition-Energy-Learning model discussed thus far describes, in the first place, the influence of the energy state of a person on his or her motivational state. That motivational state is governed by emotions. It further states that the sequence of motivational states has implications for the way experiences are cognitively represented. Considering Csapinski's studies, we can expect that the majority of the experiences which are not directly interesting, are sedimented in a vague, slightly positive cognitive background. Only the experiences with an explicit emotional "color" are represented as areas that have been digested well or as problematical areas. The advantage of such systems of representation is that, as soon as there is a surplus of energy, a person can experiment in those areas which are registered as problematical. Those areas of experience are exactly the areas which can provide most new and relevant information. Both the way in which experiences are represented (in COEX-systems) and the gradual shifts in that representation are described, and, moreover, it is clarified, how a particular representation with concomitant procedural aspects (necessity- or sufficiency-oriented methods), leads to specific types of behaviour. However, all this still concerns a very rough classification into cognitive main categories. In fact it comes down to the difference between experiences that have been processed and digested well and experiences that have not been digested well, to the difference between experiencing this as pleasant and as unpleasant and between combinations of these two opposites.<br />
<br />
The Cognitive-Energetic Learning model may also be supplemented with the influence of the quality of social interactions on the dynamic state of the learning process. This can render a considerable extension and specification of the cognitive main categories mentioned. Moreover, such an extension enables us to make predictions about the way in which social interactions may influence the growth of a person because they interfere with the way energy is invested in the learning process. However, this extension lies beyond the confines this report and will be described in another report (see Maarsingh, 1990).<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will give an example from practice of our Cognition-Energy-Learning model.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area ==<br />
<br />
=== The didactical behavioural repertoire of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter an illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning model will be given, based on experiences of teachers who have just started teaching (Romkes, 1988). This concerns exclusively inexperienced teachers who regard the learning process as problematical.<br />
<br />
The state of learning of the inexperienced teacher, apart from personality, is closely related to the extent to which he or she has been able to deal with previous experiences from educational learning situations (training) and to gain an adequate didactical behavioural repertoire. However, it is important that this repertoire of coping skills develops and and that it can be modified as soon as problems arise in the classroom. According to Vonk (1983), the problems of table 6.1 are encountered most frequently.<br />
<br />
=== The most commonly encountered problems that have to be dealt with by inexperienced teachers, in sequence of importance ===<br />
<br />
# Keeping order<br />
# Motivating pupils<br />
# Dealing with differences between pupils<br />
# Appraisal of learning performances<br />
# Relations with parents<br />
# Organisation of the class<br />
# Too few/inadequate means for teaching<br />
# Handling children with problems<br />
# Too much working pressure (lack of time)<br />
# Relations with colleagues<br />
# Teaching plans<br />
# Having command of various didactical skills<br />
# Knowledge of school regulations and customs<br />
# Determining the starting situations of pupils<br />
# Inadequate professional skills<br />
<br />
The problems mentioned in table 6.1 regularly produce a high level of arousal. A teacher will experience stress when this state of increased arousal lasts too long. The duration of stress depends on the didactical behavioural repertoire of a person. When this behavioural repertoire is inadequate, a person will be in a state of stress for a longer period of time. That is, it is difficult for such a person to achieve the phase of relaxation owing to the lack of well-controlled skills which are necessary for controlling stressful situations (see chapter 3). When such a situation (of stress) lasts too long and the stress experience is not digested well, a ''negative learning spiral'' may arise in which ''fear and avoidance behaviour'' accumulate (see chapter 5).<br />
<br />
An example of a school situation in which there is a high level of arousal is given in the following report of a lesson given by an inexperienced teacher (Wubbels en Creton 1974):<br />
:"The class enters noisily. It is cold. The pupils are jumping up and down in order to become a little warmer. You walk into the classroom and try to have the children take their seats. But before you have managed to do so, you are rummaging in your bag. A few moments later the same happens again. You tell a pupil to sit down, but before he sits down you walk back. You are in the centre in front of the class and look into the classroom. In the meantime everyone has sat down. The pupils are still shouting. You walk towards Fred, a troublemaker. You address a few pupils. It is becoming quieter now. "Will everyone take his books, please?" A number of pupils are shivering and making a noise. "I have marked the dictations and the results are very bad". They all laugh. "And what I further have to say about the dictation....", the pupils are talking again now and you have to shout very loudly to make yourself heard. You wait some time and address a few pupils: "Mark, Martin" and finish with "Do not throw them away immediately". You give everyone their work back. Everyone is shouting. "Damn I have got a D". "I have a C". "Hurray, I have a B". "And what do you have?" There are many unsatisfactory marks, many of them are D's. The pupils are indignant. Some pupils walk to your desk to complain, but you do not listen and send everyone back. A girl, who is really indignant, is sitting in front of you. For not writing a hyphen and for not writing one word as one word, you have deducted two whole points. They think it ridiculous. There is so much noise, that you can hardly make yourself heard. "Yes", you scream and turn red. They keep on protesting loudly. It is an enormous mess. You walk towards your desk and sit down demonstratively, as if you want to call it a day. "Can the ones with the insufficiency marks do the dictation again?". "No!", you shout back.<br />
<br />
This example shows that this teacher does not command those types of behaviour (coping skills) which would make the situation more manageable for her. The result is that she tries to command respect. Managing the class and not being troubled by stress become main aim in all. This is shown by her preference for an authoritarian way of dealing with the class and her rigid attitute with regard to the educational responsibility. This behaviour implies an attitude in which achieving control of the situation is central. The teacher is now mostly in the ''telic'' state and has trouble to regularly reach ''paratelic'' states.<br />
<br />
The way in which she (temporarily) achieves her goal, and is thus able to reduce her level of arousal, consists of showing aggressive or avoidance behaviour. Both agression and avoidance provide relaxation for a moment; when the teacher shouts, the class will be quiet for a moment and also when she adopts a reserved attitude and forgets her pedagogic responsibiliy for a moment, she experiences less stress for a short period of time. In both cases she has temporarily managed ''to get away'' from the threatening situation, but this situation is not ''controlled'', in other words: she has ''not developed adequate coping skills''. In the short term this avoidance behaviour is rewarding, but structurally the situation has not changed at all. As the teacher cannot relax sufficiently, her energy supply cannot easily be replenished. As a result she will be less often in the paratelic state, and so she will be unable to try the new, and (possibly) risky behaviour very frequently which could eventually lead to adopting useful new behavioural techniques and to acquiring new skills and flexibility. And it is precisely this lack of adequate skills which prevents her from controlling this situation. In such a situation there is a ''negative learning spiral'' in which behaviour becomes increasingly stereotyped and rigid (see chapter 3 and chapter 5). In such a spiral, more and more short-term solutions are found to deal with problematical situations and novel behaviour is not experimented with sufficiently. In such cases it is unlikely the behavioural repertoire will expand optimally.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive representations of problematical teaching situations of inexperienced teachers ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In a problematical teaching situation, two types of ''cognitive representation'' may arise (the remarks mentioned were reported in subsequent interviews). First: extreme and fixed negative thoughts about oneself: "I do not have sufficient command of the profession", "I am not good at organizing", "I am not good at managing children", etc. Secondly: extreme and fixed negative thoughts concerning others: "The pupils are annoying", "The colleagues are not nice", etc.<br />
<br />
From interviews with inexperienced teachers with problems it appeared that the following types of ''bias'' in the cognitive and perceptive representation of the teaching situation may occur (Romkes 1988). First: ''generalisation'', for example: 'all pupils are annoying'. This exemplifies that the teacher uses sufficient conditions, rather than necessary conditions at such a moment (see chapter 4); i.e. the teacher does not attempt to discover the exact cause of the problems, but is satisfied with simplistic and stereotyped rules of thumb. Secondly: ''deletion'', for example when one's own role is left aside: "the pupils are so annoying". In the third place: ''transformation'', when the teacher no longer notices the individual differences between pupils, and regards the class undifferentiated.<br />
<br />
These cognitive "mistakes" can also be described in terms of Lazarus' theory (see chapter 1). That is, problems with ''primary and secondary appraisal'' are concerned here and as a result a related lack of coping strategies.<br />
<br />
As far as the primary appraisal is concerned, the first instinctive appraisal of the situation is important. When the teacher is too tense in dealing with the situation, he or she will tend to use a rough and ready recipe, such as aggressive behaviour, when dealing with problems.<br />
<br />
=== Changes in the behaviour of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} It is now clear that unless the pupils do not change their behaviour, the situation will not improve unless the teacher behaves differently. According to our learning model this is only possible once she has sufficient energy surplus to reconsider the class situation and to experiment with other kinds of behaviour. In other words, the teacher has to develop other skills that enable herself to relax and/or she has to teach less frequently and to organize more breaks and time off for relaxation and recovery. In this way she will be able to invest a surplus of energy in paratelic, and thus experimental and explorative, behaviour. When a particular type of behaviour proves succesful, this can be integrated in the repertoire of skills already at her command. This may, for example, include taking the needs of pupils into account more often which may produce moments of relaxation during the lessons, both for teacher and pupils, and also time for explanations, questions, etc. For example, the supervisor could instruct the teacher to pay less attention to the pupils' command of the language, and to pay more attention to topics not directly related to the subject. This could involve conversations about experiences in the weekend, for example. Such behaviour can be rewarded in the form of good teamwork with the pupils which in turn can provide relaxation (and thus energy) for both the teacher and the pupils. As a result both teacher and pupils will be able to manifest paratelic behaviour and hence will be able to experiment in order to find the best way of teaching, and of being taught.<br />
<br />
The phase of relaxation is extremely important for replenishing energy supplies and for the integration of experiences. It is essential that the inexperienced teacher has enough moments of relaxation during, or after work. According to the learning model only through a regular alternation of the telic and the paratelic states an adequate didactic behavioural repertoire can develop.<br />
<br />
=== A positive learning spiral ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} There is a ''positive learning spiral'' (see also 3.3) when behaviour of control and manipulation (telic) and behaviour relating to challenges and exploration (paratelic), alternate. The telic state aims at achieving goals (for example to teach from a particular chapter). In the paratelic state there is space to handle the pupils differently and to try out novel approaches. When the teacher is alternately in the telic state and the paratelic state, he or she is able to gain experiences which are necessary in order to discover and elucidate the necessary conditions for negative incidents, so that these incidents can be avoided or solved more easily the next time (see chapter 4 and chapter 5). On a proximal level, paratelic behaviour consumes large amounts of energy, but the ultimal result is that it saves energy later on. The inexperienced teacher is then able to develop more adequate coping strategies which enable her to be in a state of relaxation more regularly. This makes it possible for her to replenish the energy supply more often and more thoroughly.<br />
<br />
Romkes (1988) has shown that successful teachers are not always aware of the coping strategies they use. This is not surprising when you realise that it is not necessarily desirable to act consciously or to seek the necessary conditions for negative incidents consciously as long as the teaching responsibility is met satisfactorily. If the learning process proceeds well, much of the experience and information needed for a further expansion and refinement of the behavioural repertoire is collected unvoluntarily and automatically.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} From this illustration it may be clear that the Cognition-Energy-Learning model can be applied well to situations such as teaching. The model provides insight into the way in which inexperienced teachers can become trapped in a negative learning spiral when there are too few moments of relaxation. This implies that in teaching situations, less attention should be paid to teaching the content of the subject as thoroughly as possible by drumming it in repeatedly, and that more attention should be paid to finding ways of achieving enough moments of relaxation. This relaxation is essential for replenishing the energy supply, and it is the surplus of energy that allows experimental and explorative behaviour in manifest. Such behaviour brings a flexible attitude towards the teaching situation with it. And this flexibility enables the teacher to discover which teachingstrategy (at which moment) is the most satisfactory and effective.<br />
<br />
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<br />
== Other publications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Aggressive Behavior |<br />
issue=8 | pages=233<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Psychological Abstracts |<br />
issue=69(3) | pages=4956<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
title=Reversal Theory, Learning and Self-Actualization (abstract of paper, given at the International Symposium on Reversal Theory, Powys, Wales, Sept, 1983) |<br />
periodical=Bulletin of the British Psychological Society |<br />
issue=37 |<br />
pages=46<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
contribution=Anxiety and Pleasure: Application of Reversal Theory to Learning (abstract) |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
periodical=Reversal Theory Society Newsletter |<br />
issue=1(1) | pages=20<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1986 |<br />
contribution=Reversal Theory, Learning and Psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Guidance and Counselling |<br />
issue=14(2) | pages=125-139<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognetief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model&diff=8838Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model2022-07-09T10:45:31Z<p>Baby Boy: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN - HB-91-1030-EX <br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy- -Learning -Cognition model (E.L.C.) (2)</b></big><br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/><br />
Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br/><br />
(second part)<br />
</center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
''' Introduction'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|2}} This report describes the E.L.C. (Energy-Learning - Cognition- model) which is based on a number of established psychological theories. This model is integrative in the sense that it describes different classes of behaviour, of personal insights and of experiences that are generally regarded as distinct areas of psychological research. Examples are: emotions, motivation, cognitive representation of experiences, coping behaviour and the ethological concept of the efficient allocation of energy. The importance of this model lies, therefore, firstly in the opportunity it provides to classify all those different psychological phenomena in a logically coherent and consistent way. In addition, the model provides a ''basic explanation'' of learning behaviour, as it refers back to the evolutionary basis of behaviour. In other words: it is possible to indicate ''why'' effective coping behaviour develops and also ''why'' this development may stagnate. Coping means here: behaviour that is geared to mastering a problem situation. Subsequently, the model explains on the one hand the connection between emotions and motivation and on the other hand the way in which the cognitive representation of experiences is laid down and how it gradually shifts and changes.<br />
<br />
In each chapter of this treatise, one theoretic approach of a specific phenomenon will be discussed and any lacunae, gaps or specific problems of the theory concerned, will be identified. We shall then attempt to solve these problems in the next chapter, adding an additional piece of theory. This way, four theories will be discussed, all of which show hiatuses in some specific respects.<br />
<br />
The basis of this treatise is Lazarus' classical theory. According to Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen, 1980), stress arises when a person notices that environmental requirements demand too much of his/her available resources.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states that stress situations do not necessarily have to be experienced as negative. It is, however, often the case; when a person expects that his or her abilities and resources for dealing with specific environmental requirements are insufficient, he or she will probably expect damage or loss. Such situations may be experienced as extremely threatening. On the other hand, great demand may be exerted on a person in terms of adaptability while that person still thinks he or she can handle the situation well. Such situations might be regarded as challenges, regarding the opportunity to gain advantages or more control or is affecting personal growth. Adequate reactions in such situations may then influence that person's well-being very positively. Thus, stress situations are not always experienced as negative, but depend on the interpretation by the person in question. When a person experiences stress, he or she may develop strategies to limit damage, or even profit from the situation. In literature this is called coping.<br />
<br />
With regard to the interpretation of stress situations, Lazarus (1980) states that it is a problem that too little is known about which situations are felt to be threatening or challenging, and when that happens and by whom. This hiatus can neatly be filled by Apter's Reversal theory (chapter 2). In this theory two so-called meta-motivational states are proposed. These metamotivational states determine how a person perceives a specific situation and the type of behaviour with which he of she will react to it.<br />
<br />
However, one disadvantage of Apter's theory is its descriptive nature and the fact that it does not account for a connection between the dynamics of motivation and the learning processes mentioned above.<br />
<br />
Van der Molen's learning model, described in chapter 3, does provide this connection and is thus able to explain how these learning processes are maintained. In this model the "contagious nature" of learning experiences is described too. That is, a learning experience that is badly dealt with, increases the likelihood that future learning experiences in similar areas of experience will also be badly dealt with which means that it is likely that the area concerned will stay and always will be problematical. (the reverse applies to learning experiences which are dealt with successfully). The cognitive interpretation or emotional "labelling" of similar areas of experience (for example "exciting" or "boring") always depends on a person's metamotivational condition. Van der Molen's model describes how metamotivational conditions affect learning processes. The model does not yet, however, adequately describe how these conditions influence cognitive contents.<br />
<br />
Lewicka's model of antagonistic cognitive styles (chapter 4) does discuss this aspect. In this model two mechanisms are described which are alternately active in a person (comparable to Apter's theory). Which of the two mechanisms is active at a specific moment, determines what type of information a person will seek in the first place and also determines how cognitive information will be structured.<br />
By combining and integrating the theories mentioned (chapter 5) we have been able to develop a model that not only explains the growth of coping strategies, but also explains the relation between the dynamics of emotions and motivation on the one hand and the way in which cognitive contents are effected and develop on the other hand. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (CEL).<br />
<br />
This will be exemplified with empirical information about the coping behaviour of teachers (Romkes, 1988, chapter 6).<br />
<br />
== Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter Lazarus' theory (e.g. 1980, 1984) of coping behaviour is discussed. The most important ideas of this theory are summarized and at the end of the chapter we show that the theory contains a number of gaps with regard to the process of learning and the development of coping skills. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Transactions between persons and their environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen,1980) calls his approach to stress and coping behaviour cognitive-phenomenological. Emotions and stress are regarded as products of cognitive activity, relating to the way in which a person assesses and evaluates his or her relation with the environment. Lazarus emphasizes that there is a continuous relationship between persons and their environment. On the one hand there are people with individual values, beliefs, skills, etc. On the other hand there are situations, with varying requirements, limitations and facilities. Together they form a dynamic system in which there is a continuous process of mutual influence and change. Lazarus states that there is a ''transaction'' between persons and their environment which changes (adapts / transforms) constantly in the course of time. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== The concept of appraisal: assessment of the environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In Lazarus' theory the term ''appraisal'', that is to say the cognitive assessment by a person of a (real, imaginary or expected) transaction, is central. Lazarus distinguishes between ''primary appraisal'', ''secondary appraisal'' and ''reappraisal''. "Primary appraisal" refers to the process in which a person assesses whether and how a particular transaction will influence his or her own well-being. Such assessments can take three forms, irrelevant, positive or stressful. A person considers a situation to be stressful when he or she perceives that there are situational<br />
requirements that make a great demand on his or her adaptability and on the resources he or she possesses to respond to these demands. Appraisal of a situation as stressful can be divided into sub-types:<br />
* '''damage/loss'''; for example when a partner dies, loss of physical functions, loss of self-respect.<br />
* '''threat'''; expected or feared damage or loss which has not yet materialized.<br />
* '''challenge'''; growth opportunity, acquisition of control or advantage.<br />
Lazarus states that there is too little known about when and by what kind of people a situation is felt to be threatening rather than challenging (and vice versa). However, Lazarus does provide some information about these aspects:<br />
:"A working hypothesis about the causal antecedents of threat and challenge is that the former is more likely when a person assumes that the specific environment is hostile and dangerous and that he or she lacks the resources for mastering it, while challenge arises when the environmental demands are seen as difficult, but not impossible to manage, and that drawing upon existing or acquired skills offers a genuine prospect for mastery." (in Bond and Rosen, 1980, p. 48).<br />
<br />
This leads us to the second type of transaction assessment. The above quotation not only deals with appraisal of the situation and environmental demands, but also with a person's own possibilities to react adequately. Lazarus calls the latter "secondary appraisal", i.e. appraisal of the personal and social means a person has at his or her disposal, the effectiveness of a particular strategy of behaviour in the situation, as well as the possibility that new problems will be created as a result of one's own actions. <br />
<br />
With regard to transactions in which persons and environment influence each other, we can see that primary and secondary appraisal also affect each other. A situation which was originally seen as threatening, can for example be seen as less threatening when a person realises that damage can probably be prevented by adopting a particular strategy of behaviour. Lazarus calls this "reappraisal": a change in the original appraisal of a transaction, resulting from feedback from effectuated outcomes from this transaction, as a result of the person's actions, or by a (mere) re-thinking of the nature of this transaction. So appraisal is also a dynamic process in which changes take place constantly in the course of time and in which appraisal of the situation and one's own possibilities is constantly adjusted.<br />
<br />
Finally, we must observe that appraisal does not only mean rational assessment of the transaction, but also the quality and intensity of a person's emotional feedback on the transaction. For example, it is more likely that a positive assessment of a situation will cause a positive emotional reaction, such as joy or satisfaction. It is likely that a situation that is assessed as threatening will evoke negative emotions, such as fear or anger. In such cases a person feels that he/she is unable to react adequately to the demands that he or she are facing in a specific situation. In other words, he or she feels that they are beyond his or her coping activities. Let's pay some attention to the concept of ''coping''.<br />
<br />
=== Coping ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus gives the following definition of the term coping:<br />
:"We regard coping as problem-solving efforts made by an individual when the demands he faces are highly relevant to his welfare (that is, a situation of considerable jeopardy or promise), and when these demands tax his adaptive resourses." (in Coelho, 1974, p. 250-251).<br />
<br />
Coping activities can have two functions. First, a person can try to improve the situation by changing his or her own behaviour or environment. Secondly, a person can try to control emotions evoked by stress, so that morale and social functioning will not be influenced. Lazarus calls this ''palliation'', using a temporary measure to alleviate stress, such as denying, intellectualising or avoiding negative thoughts; in this way the situation itself does not change, but the individual makes sure that he or she feels better. Thus coping activities are not always rational or realistic, but can also be very irrational, primitive or rigid. Lazarus states that both kinds of coping are important; according to him realistic problem solving and primitive defensive mechanisms are two sides of the same coin.<br />
<br />
Lazarus distinguishes four types of coping activities: <br />
<br />
(a) ''Information seeking'': investigating the characteristics of a stressful situation in order to gain the knowledge necessary to make a correct coping decision, or to be able to assess threat or damage differently. On the one hand, seeking information can form a firm basis for an individual's action, on the other hand it can make this person feel better, by rationalising or supporting a previous decision; this is called "palliation".<br />
<br />
(b) ''Direct action'': action taken by an individual to handle a stressful situation, directed towards himself or herself or at the environment, depending on environmental demands and personal goals.<br />
<br />
(c) ''Inhibition of action''; suppression of action impulses that may otherwise cause damage, for example because they are morally or socially not acceptable, or because they can cause physical damage.<br />
<br />
(d) ''Intrapsychic modes'': cognitive processes aimed at regulating emotions which arise as a result of stressful situations. As with other coping activities, they can be aimed at incidents from the past (for example the reinterpretation of a traumatic experience), or at future events (for example denying that a particular situation may become dangerous). Usually they are aimed at increasing the feeling of well-being of this individual; therefore, succesful intrapsychic coping activities may restrict the number of active attempts an individual makes to control his of her environment.<br />
<br />
Lazarus admits that his rather rough division of coping activities is a rudimentary classification system; and indeed, a number of significant aspects are lacking. For example, it does not include any details about possible coping feedback and any antecedent conditions or results of different types of coping behaviour. There is still too little known about which situations evoke which types of coping behaviour. Moreover, Lazarus states that motivational and emotional aspects of coping receive relatively little attention in psychological studies. The developmental aspects of coping behaviour are also still unclear, and according to Lazarus studies of these aspects are essential in order to be able to understand the coping process more clearly.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus has developed a clear and understandable theory with regard to certain central concepts, such as the transaction between persons and their environment, the individual's appraisal of a transaction, emotional response on this appraisal and several types of coping activities. However, it is still not clear what exactly is the nature of the processes described. Some lack of clarity remains which Lazarus himself in fact also admits.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states, for example, that it is not clear which situations are experienced as threatening and not as a challenge, and by which persons (and vice versa). In the theory little is said about what kind of factors are important for acquiring coping behaviour and how the behavioural repetoire a person has at his or her disposal to respond to environmental demands, may develop in the course of time.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how Apter's Reversal theory can provide an answer to a number of the queries mentioned above.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory ==<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to remedy Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} One of the deficiencies observed in Lazarus' theory can be remedied by supplementing it with Apter's Reversal theory. The Reversal theory provides a (descriptive) answer to the question relating to the various ways in which people react to the same, or similar, situations. The Reversal theory states that as far as human motivation is concerned people are in one of two metamotivational states. The way in which a situation is experienced depends on the state a person is in at a particular moment. The two states can be distinguished by the level of arousal that is preferred. ''Arousal'' is defined in this theory as being mentally and physically prepared for action.<br />
<br />
=== The organisation of motivation according to Apter ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} The ''Reversal theory'' has been developed by Apter and Smith (1975; see also Apter, 1984). The theory deals with the way in which people experience motives for their actions and descibes the process of changes in motivation. In this theory an individual is regarded as a complex "machine" that uses the environment for his or her own aims. This "machine" can behave according to different "programs" which determine the way in which the environment is experienced. The idea that one action can be performed with different motives is central. For example, a person may ride a bicycle, because he or she has to attend a meeting. This is a determined action. Here, riding a bicycle represents the means by which a goal can be achieved. However a person can also ride a bicycle "just" for pleasure. In this case a person acts according to the program "wanting to be active", and cycling is a goal in itself. Thus, there are two possible states in which a person can be. These states are characteristic of the way in which an act, in this case "cycling", is experienced. In the case of the meeting this act is purposive. In this situation cycling is not an act undertaken to create stress or excitement; here the aim is to fulfill a particular task. In other words: to remove the tension that is caused by being obliged to fulfill this task. In the second case cycling is an action which in itself evokes particularly pleasant excitement.<br />
<br />
For this reason the Reversal theory rejects a simplistic-homeostatic interpretation of human motivation in which there is just one optimal state of balance that individuals are seeking. This state of balance particularly refers to ''one optimal level'' of arousal. According to the homeostatic way of thinking, individuals will always try to achieve one optimal level of arousal and/or to remain at this level. However, the Reversal theory assumes that at times a low level of arousal is aimed and at other times, a high level of arousel. Therefore Apter introduces the concept of ''bi-stability''. This means, for example, that people may or may not feel fine at a low or a high level of arousal. As the examples mentioned above show, at times one's aim may simply be the performance of a particular task and the act is not meant to raise the level of arousal. At other times a person may seek excitement, in which case the same or a similar act can suddenly become exciting (arousal increasing).<br />
<br />
To illustrate these ideas we can consider a number of situations in which different levels of arousal are experienced. Generally (but not necessarily), there is a high level of arousal when a person watches an exciting film. One can imagine that this excitement can be both pleasant and unpleasant. For example, when a person has been working all day and the work was very boring, a movie picture can provide a welcome state of excitement. On the other hand, when a person has just been threatened in the street, the tension caused by the movie may be too much for him or her. In this situation a hot bath may be preferred as it is more likely to provide relaxation. Thus, there is a desire for a low level of arousal. The same hot bath may evoke boredom (in Apter's terms) in someone who has not done anything all day long. Therefore, it is important here that a particular level of arousal is not inadvertently connected with the person's well-being.<br />
<br />
These examples indicate that a person can feel good or not, depending on the level of arousal sought at that moment, in other words: depending on the metamotivational state a person is in at that moment. The level of arousal is always evoking a ''subjective experience''. In other words: an exciting experience for one person, may be boring to another.<br />
<br />
=== Bi-stability of emotions and motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We have shown that there are two possible states of preference as far as the level of arousal is concerned. Firstly, there is the state in which a person aims at a low level of arousal and performs purposive action. This state is called arousal-avoidance or the ''telic state'' (telos is Greek for goal or purpose). In this state a low level of arousal is experienced as pleasant, Apter (1982) calls this "relaxation". A high level of arousal is experienced as unpleasant and is called "fear" by Apter. Secondly, there is the state in which a person aims at a high level of arousal and shows unpurposive action. This state is called the arousal-seeking or ''paratelic state'' (literally translated from Greek, paratelic means "without aim" or "goal-less"). In this state a high level of arousal will be experienced as pleasant "excitement", whereas a low level of arousal causes an unpleasant feeling: "boredom". These two states, telic and paratelic, differ as far as the experience of purpose, time and intensity is concerned (Apter, 1982; Murgatroyd, 1978, 1983). This is shown in table 2.1.<br />
<br />
The telic or paratelic state is as it were a frame for particular behaviour (Goffman, 1975). The states mentioned refer to the way in which the motivation of behaviour is experienced. For this reason they are called ''metamotivational states''. These states determine how experiences are labelled (see table 2.2, following next page). At any moment in time a person is always in one of these two states. The period of time in which a person can be in a particular state varies from a few seconds to some days (Walters, Apter and Svebak, 1982). <br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the telic and paratelic states<br />
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ In the telic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - purposive action ║<br />
║ - imposed purposes ║<br />
║ - attempts to complete actions ║<br />
║ - secure and routine behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for experience and safety ║<br />
║ - orientation to the outside world ║<br />
║ - behaviour aimed at the future ║<br />
║ - planned activities ║<br />
║ - activities that are a means to a purpose ║<br />
║ - preference for low intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - a high level of realism ║<br />
║ - preference for a low level of arousal ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ In the paratelic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - process behaviour ║<br />
║ - avoidable and freely chosen "purposes" ║<br />
║ - attempts to extend activities and to make them continue ║<br />
║ - exploration ║<br />
║ - experimenting with behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for news and excitement ║<br />
║ - a here-and-now experience ║<br />
║ - activities that are aims in themselves ║<br />
║ - activities that are spontaneous and free ║<br />
║ - a preference for high intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - imagination and exaggeration ║<br />
║ - preference for a high level of arousal ║<br />
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Pleasant and unpleasant experiences of high and low arousal.png|framed|none|Table 2.2 The variable meaning of the experienced level of arousal]]<br />
<br />
=== The reversals to the different states ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We will now describe how a reversal from one state to another can take place. Reversals take place involuntarily, although a person may be capable of getting into a situation in which a reversal into one or another direction becomes likely. The frequency with which reversals take place differs from person to person and is, moreover, dependent on the situation a person is in (Blackmore and Murgatroyd in Apter, 1980).<br />
<br />
The Reversal theory describes several conditions that can lead to a reversal. Most important are "contingencies"; aspects of a person or of the environment change in such a way that a reversal is triggered. For example, if a particular drug is used, if a visitor arrives unexpectedly or in an emergency situation. The second condition that can lead to a reversal is called "satiation". It is assumed that a reversal becomes more likely when the period of time in which a person is in a particular metamotivational state increases. A person then becomes more sensitive to signals from the environment or from himself or herself that can lead to contingencies. The different conditions influence each other, and can make reversals more or less likely. Table 2.2 and figure 2.1 show that a reversal from one state to another changes the meaning given to the level of arousal experienced. A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, while a person experiences a high level of arousal, will result in a change from excitement to anxiety. A reversal from telic to paratelic, while a person experiences a low level of arousal, will result in a change from relaxation to boredom.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 2.1. Apter's Reversal model (from: Apter, 1985)]] <!-- XXX: In the original document, the top part of this figure is not used; make another version of the image? --><br />
<br />
<br />
=== Other possible sequences ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Figure 2.1 shows the way in which the process of interchanging emotions and motivation ''often'' takes place. However, another "direction" may be followed. For example, a person may remain in a state of anxiety for a long time, because he or she cannot relax sufficiently. This can happen to a person who is not completely in control of (a) particular situation(s). In this case it is unlikely that after some time a person will look for a state of excitement. It is also possible that the entire sequence of emotions (the butterfly figure) in figure 2.1 rises or falls along the vertical axis (Apter 1982). This indicates that a person feels mainly well or not well respectively. The first can take place when a person has many skills, and can handle all kinds of different situations well. This person will not experience boredom in the strict sense, because the unpleasant stage of the paratelic state will soon change into exploration or into other activities that cause excitement or/and which increase the hedonic tone. When, following a period of rest and/or relaxation a person reaches "satiation", he or she will not remain in a state of boredom (unpleasant), but will soon find opportunities to perform one or another paratelic action which will be experienced as pleasant.<br />
<br />
The butterfly in the figure may be at a lower level when a person is often anxious, or when he or she is chronically bored. Referring to Apter's model this situation can be explained by an inability to reach relaxation. As this person is unable to relax sufficiently for example, owing to an absence of skills, he or she will soon become (once more) over-aroused and anxious when he or she is in an exciting situation. That is, such situations become more threatening when a person can experience fewer moments of relaxation (Apter 1982). Such a person will, therefore, sooner experience the reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In other words: a person will relatively quickly get from the state in which the situation was exciting (paratelic) into the state in which the situation becomes frightening (telic). He or she will be relatively often in stages of low hedonic tone, while the periods of pleasant tension or pleasant excitement will be experienced less often. This person, therefore, will explore for shorter periods and less often. As we shall explain further in chapter 5, such situations have serious consequences for the development of the process of learning. <br />
<br />
In our view, chronic boredom can be considered as a symptom of a situation in which mainly unpleasant moods alternate. As soon as there is satiation of the telic state, there will unconsciously be a reversal to the paratelic state. However, before arousal-searching, expansive behaviour gets going well, there will often be a reversal to the telic state. The (unconscious) fear of risky exploration has become so strong that the paratelic metamotivational condition itself has been affected and is experienced as threatening. As a result such a person changes constantly from anxiety (telic) to boredom (paratelic) and the other way round, while his or her mood does not improve in hedonic tone. The person finds it difficult to "really" relax, because he or she finds it difficult to make a "real" effort. For this reason, such a person will in general experience boredom, rather than relaxion.<br />
<br />
=== Towards a completion of Apter's theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Although Apter's theory provides more insight into the different ways in which people can react to the same, or similar situations, some questions are still left unanswered.<br />
<br />
Firstly, the Reversal theory is only descriptive. It provides no insight into the underlying dynamics of the processes described. In other words: it is not clear how and why the reversals between the two states take place. Moreover, the theory does not provide a satisfactory causal explanation for the presence of the different states and reversals.<br />
<br />
Secondly, Apter describes his model as a symmetric model. This means that reversals from telic to paratelic, and reversals from paratelic to telic can be the result of contingencies, but also of satiation. A non-symmetric model is however more likely. We will show this in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning -Cognition Model ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Lazarus and the Reversal theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In chapter 1 we have pinpointed certain gaps in Lazarus' theory. One problem is that too little attention is paid to emotional and motivational aspects of human behaviour. As a result, there is still very little known about which kind of situations are experienced as threatening and which are seen as a challenge (and vice versa), and by whom. In chapter 2 we have further discussed this in a descriptive way. We have stated that telic and paratelic states are metamotivational frames of behaviour that also explain the connection between threat and challenge. In this chapter we shall discuss this further and highlight another gap in Lazarus' theory, namely the developmental aspects of coping behaviour. The metamotivational states (telic and paratelic) will be approached from an ethological perspective; the importance of an optimal allocation of energy is emphasized. The concept of "energy" may be defined here from a psychological as well as from a physiological viewpoint. We shall discuss this further in 3.2.<br />
<br />
In chapter 2 we have also described two gaps in Apter's theory which will be filled in this chapter. Firstly, the mainly descriptive nature of Apter's theory will be given more explanatory power by focussing on the energy apects of metamotivational states. Secondly, the influence of contingencies and the influence of satiation on reversals in Van der Molen's model will be described as non-symmetric, whereas Apter describes his theory as a symmetric model.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== An open-ended learning system ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In his model ''Van der Molen'' (1983, 1984, 1985; Van der Molen, Van der Dennen, 1981) emphasizes that, basically, we have an "open-ended" learning system: "This is the ability to acquire a behavioural repertoire which is specifically tailored to the environmental situation an individual happens to live in" (Van der Molen, 1984, p. 1). The learning abilities of an individual are optimally utilized, when his or her behaviour is organised in such a way that a surplus of energy is directly invested into extending and refining his or her behavioural repertoire. From a psychological perspective, when there is a surplus of energy, there is readiness and gumption to enter new situations and to show explorative behaviour. Such behaviour may increase the survival value, particularly when certain experiences can subsequently be utilized in stressful situations and in emergencies. Therefore, skills have to be trained in situations with a high level of arousal. And situations which evoke a high level of arousal are particularly those in which risks will (have to) be taken.<br />
<br />
Thus, an open-ended learning system will provide a maximum survival value when the following conditions are fulfilled: firstly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that involve a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy, and, secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that reduce the level of arousal as soon as the suplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is an emergency.<br />
<br />
Although we will not discuss the neurophysiological aspects of human behaviour extensively in this report, it is sensible in this context to discuss the findings of Van Rooijen (1976), Archer (1978) and Laborit (1978) briefly. Their studies have shown that there is a neurophysiological "emergency-system" which is activated as soon there is a risky situation or an emergency. This system enables a person to show adequate reactions (very) promptly; alertness is temporarily increased and motor actions can be carried out very quickly. Evidence shows that long-lasting or frequent activation of this system has a negative influence on learning processes, because too much of the neural capacity will then be reserved for keeping this emergency system in action. In addition the energy supply is also heavily taxed in such situations. For this reason there will have to be a reversal to another, more relaxed state after some time which enables the person to refill the energy supply. This is only possible when there is (relatively) little physical or mental exertion. These characteristics imply a bi-stable system in which the preferred level of arousal depends on the metamotivational state (see chapter 2 and Apter 1982). In the paratelic state, i.e. when there is a surplus of energy, a person will prefer a high level of arousal. On the other hand, in the telic state, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is direct danger, the organism will seek relaxation. This will at first require energy output but the final and desired result is a lowered level of arousal. Figure 3.1 shows the reversals between the different states.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 3.1. Apter's reversal model]] <!-- XXX: There's no a. and b. in this diagram; there is in the source doc; do we care? --><br />
<br />
By relating the learning system directly to the energy available, Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) describes the way in which the paratelic and telic states alternate ideally. In the period of relaxation, energy is supplemented and acquired. When the energy supply has increased sufficiently (in other words: when there is satiation of the telic state) the individual will become bored and will, (once more) seek an exciting situation. In this state a high degree of arousal will be experienced as pleasant. However, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, there will be a reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In this way, by looking for an easier or a comforting situation or by controlling the fearful situation (i.e. after achieving relaxation), the person can replenish the energy supply. Given the tendency to look for situations which are accompanied by a high level of arousal, there will be experimentation in the paratelic state with new or otherwise arousal-increasing skills and situations. In this way the behavioural repertoire will be tested, extended and refined.<br />
<br />
If the system functions well, the telic and the paratelic states will automatically and regularly alternate. Now the second gap in Apter's theory has been filled. The explanatory principle Van der Molen adds, is that a bi-stable system of motivation contributes directly to the chances of a learning organism to survive, by using its surplus of energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
Bowlby (1977) has shown empirically that regular periods of relaxation are of crucial importance for the ability and readiness to explore new situations. In his studies he describes that a child, exploring an unknown situation, regularly returns for a moment to a trusted person (in Bowly's case the child's mother). In this way the child can relax and acquire energy for the next bout of exploration. Many types of behavioural deficiencies, such as chronic fear, can develop, when the periodic need for relaxation and reassurance cannot be met.<br />
<br />
=== Learning spirals ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} On the basis of positive and negative learning spirals, Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops. If the sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation and so on occurs often enough, this indicates that, generally speaking, there have been sufficient possibilities, whether or not self-created, to achieve relaxation in time and to replenish energy deficits. An individual will then develop an adequately functioning behavioural repertoire in which the various skills are integrated well. A person will then also be able to handel emergencies better and to relax easier and more quickly, so that after some time he or she will be able and ready again to explore, etc. This is called a ''positive learning spiral''.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.2.''' The two types of learning spirals (Van der Molen, 1984) according to which acquiring and refining the behavioural repertoire will be the result of positive learning spirals, and a rigid stereotyped way of reacting a consequence of negative learning spirals.]]<br />
<br />
However, when there are not enough moments of relaxation, too little energy can be built up with the result that the individual will explore less and will show telic behaviour more frequently. In this way the person will acquire fewer new skills and practise "old" skills less often. This is called a negative learning spiral (see figure 3.2).<br />
<br />
This model has a peculiar consequence. It predicts namely that skills tend to grow in clusters. Following Grof (1972, 1973, 1976), Van der Molen calls such clusters "clusters of condensed experience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 3.3). Grof gives the following definition of a COEX-system: "A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related phantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another".<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions related to the cluster. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) explains the reason for such a clustering of areas of experience. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested adequately, there is a positive COEX-system in which various types of skills are included. Often these skills can be applied to other, but similar and related situations, so that those situations too can be more easily controlled and managed. In this way positive experiences tend to catalize the positive experiencing of similar, comparable areas and thus cause a positive COEX-system to grow. <br />
<br />
Experiences that have been dealt with badly tend to grow in clusters too. That is, when in a particular situation there is little exploration, and as a result little practise with particular relevant skills, it is difficult to get the situation under control, and thus to relax. The likelihood that new skills will be acquired is then also very low, so that the next time the individual is in the same, or in a similar situation, he or she will more likely have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (flight or avoidance behaviour) in similar situations, which causes even less experimenting. <br />
<br />
An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of someone who does not dare to enter into contact with people anymore as a result of his or her shyness. This causes the fear for this kind of situation to grow, because the familiarity with these situations decreases continuously, and, moreover, the person is unable to adequately develop other skills for which he or she needs help from others (school assignments, for example). In this way it is likely that the individual will become caught up in a ''negative learning spiral'' in which new experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify the existing, inadequate, avoidance behaviour. It is difficult to escape from such a spiral. The most important (and necessary) condition for this is the ability to achieve relaxation which is a prerequisite for dealing with experiences and for the replenishment of energy. Only then (careful) explorations of the frightening area can begin, with the possibility that this leads to fewer negative or even to positive experiences.<br />
<br />
If a number of areas which have been dealt with succesfully, for which skills have been developed, are closely related to an area of experience that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations threaten to become frightening. Through retiring into such a refuge the necessary relaxation can then be acquired. It is important to keep in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. Positive COEX-systems, and in particular ''important'' COEX-systems, develop through a proper reprocessing and digestion of formerly negative experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of negative experiences that ''have been dealt with badly'' and have been (re-)processed and digested insufficiently. The developmental aspects which play a role in acquiring and extending coping skills and which have not further been developed by Lazarus, are thus discussed and explainedd in detail by Van der Molen.Stanislav Grof labels this organisation of our experiences and behaviour as a "Carthography of the Psyche", which can be depicted as in fig.3.3. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.3.''' Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the field of experiences (from: Van der Molen, 1984).]]<br />
<br />
=== The asymmetry of the Reversal model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we have mentioned that Apter presents his theory as a symmetric model. Van der Molen (1984) indicates that contingencies in particular cause a reversal from paratelic to telic, and that satiation is one of the primary causes of a reversal from telic to paratelic. Van der Molen places emphasis on one particular sequence, that from relaxation to boredom, from boredom to excitement, from excitement to fear, and from fear back to relaxation. The reversal from telic to paratelic behaviour is here a reversal from relaxation to boredom. <br />
<br />
According to Van der Molen, this reversal will usually be the result of satiation. The reason for this concerns energy; we have discussed at the beginning of this chapter, that the capacities of an open-ended learning system are optimally utilized if any surplus of energy is invested in gathering more experience.<br />
<br />
A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, on the other hand, is caused in particular by contingencies. With reversals from paratelic to telic, Van der Molen places emphasis on the sudden transition from excitement to fear. By looking for arousal-increasing situations in the paratelic state, risks are taken and a greater likelihood exists that a particular situation will suddenly get out of hand owing to contingencies which cause a reversal from paratelic to telic behaviour.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter we have described Van der Molen's learning model which provides us an insight into the way in which the learning system is unconsciously kept going as long as there is a regular surplus of energy. We have observed that energy levels form the basis for the telic and the paratelic states and considered the emotional and motivational aspects of coping behaviour. Moreover, the developmental aspect of coping behaviour is explicitly discussed in Van der Molen's model, in the form of descriptions of positive and negative learning spirals and the clustering of related areas of experience. The concept of positive and negative COEX-systems can also be regarded as a first initiative to roughly categorize cognitive contents. Finally, we have discussed why Van der Molen regards satiation as a prime reason for the reversals from telic to paratelic and contingencies as the main cause of reversals from paratelic to telic.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in the Energy-Learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} What is still lacking in this model, is a more detailed description of the way in which emotional and motivational states are related to ''cognitive contents''. This aspect will be addressed in the next chapter as we discuss Lewicka's antagonist model of cognitive styles.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Van der Molen's learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's discussion of the emotional and motivational aspects of the learning process. Lewicka's model (1987, for example) in which there are two antagonistic modes of cognitive information processing, provides a description of the cognitive aspects. We will show how this model supplements Van der Molen's model.<br />
<br />
Lewicka distinguishes two types of behavioural regulation, the mechanism of ''action-control'' and the mechanism of ''action-involvement'' respectively. Like Apter's theory, Lewicka's theory too states that an individual is always in one of the two regulationary modes; there are two antagonistic mechanisms of cognitive functioning which alternate in time.<br />
<br />
=== Action-control and action-involvement ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} The mechanism of action-control instigates actions, aiming at the achievement of a particular objective (comparable to the telic state). Lewicka states that there are particular "''activity-external comparison standards''" which means that the achievement of an external objective is central and that the activity itself is not the objective of the individual.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-control is controlled by a ''principle of negative feedback''; thinking of a particular standard (the objective), the individual assesses his or her situation. A discrepancy between the actual and desired states is experienced as unpleasant and causes instrumental behaviour (correcting mistakes, if any, and minimalising the discrepancy), until the objective in view has been achieved. Lewicka calls this "''controlling''": the objective regulates the behaviour of the individual.<br />
<br />
The most important function of the mechanism of action-control is to maintain the level of organisation the individual has achieved. However, if an organism is to be able to grow, he or she must be capable of creating entirely new objectives (by him or herself), for example in order to be able to adapt to changing or still unknown environmental demands. The mechanism of action control itself is therefore not sufficient. For this, the alternative or antagonist mechanism of ''action-involvement'' is essential.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement encourages the individual to take actions which are not instrumental or purposive: in fact the individual's activity is an aim in itself (comparable to the paratelic state). Although sometimes there seems to be a particular external objective, this is often random and more like an "excuse" for the activity, than that the person really tries to achieve that objective. The motivation for the activity is the activity itself.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement is controlled by a ''principle of positive feedback''. The factors that cause the behaviour and maintain it lie in the behaviour itself; this is a process of self-amplification: the behaviour intensifies itself.<br />
<br />
The function of the mechanism of action-involvement is the production of new, so far unknown, results of behaviour, or the further exploration of activities that have been tried out before. In this way the individual will not only be able to obtain more information, but also indications about promising directions of future activities. Lewicka calls this "''directing''" which means that the behavioural results themselves are guidelines for future behaviour. Since the behaviour is not directed at established goals, the activities of the individual in the action-involvement mode are often very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
Table 4.1 provides a summary in catchwords of the main differences between the two mechanisms of regulation described by Lewicka.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 4.1.''' A summary of the differences between the action-control mode and the action-involvement mode<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Control<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Involvement <br />
|-<br />
|Purposive action<br />
|Activity "for the activity"<br />
|-<br />
|Controlled by a negative feedback principle<br />
|Controlled by positive feedback principles <br />
|-<br />
|Controlling: purpose regulates the behaviour<br />
|Directing: behavioural results themselves are guidelines for sub-sequent behaviour <br />
|-<br />
|Function: maintaining the achieved level of organisation (balance)<br />
|Function: taking the individual to a higher level of organisation (development) <br />
|} <br />
<br />
Table 4.1 shows once more that there is much similarity between the mode of action-control and the telic state and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. According to both Lewicka and Apter, the motivation for activity is central: they distinguish between activity aimed at a particular external objective and activity as an "objective" in itself. The difference between Apter's and Lewicka's approaches lies in how they further work out this distinction into two modes of behaviour. Apter discusses in particular the motivational and emotional aspects concerned. Lewicka, on the other hand, discusses in particular the cognitive aspects. In our view both theories can be combined to form a more complete picture of the alternation of behavioural modes. This will be explained in the remainder of this chapter. First we will discuss what Lewicka calls evaluative standards which, according to her, are operative in the action-control mode.<br />
<br />
=== Evaluative standards of comparison in the action-control mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the mechanism of action-control there are two forms of evaluative standards of comparison: on the one hand positive standards which indicate what a person ought to do (for example particular assessment criteria an achievement has to meet), on the other hand negative standards which indicate which limits cannot be passed (for example particular social standards which indicate what types of behaviour cannot be regarded "decent"). Lewicka calls them "''standards of goodness''" and "''standards of badness''" respectively.<br />
<br />
The two types of standards are not entirely symmetric which means that a categorisation of a result as "not good" does not imply that this result is regarded as "bad" (and vice versa). There is a third category possible which is "non-substantial" which means: neither good, nor bad (see fig. 4.1). <br />
<br />
[[Image:Lewicka standards of goodness.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.1: Schematic reproduction of various categorizations of possible results'''<br /><br />
(Explanation: In the field of possible results, area A represents the results that are categorized as "good", area B the results that are regarded as "bad". The remaining possible results, area C, are of the category "non-substantial".)]]<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985) states that if certain standards of goodness are difficult to attain (for example rigid social rules of behaviour or idealised criteria for achievements), it is hard for a person to reach that standard. An example of this is a person who is in a very rigid environment, such that he or she must continuously take part in particular activities in order to be appreciated. In such situations there is hardly any opportunity for non-purposive behaviour and a reversal to the mode of action-involvement is not very likely.<br />
<br />
When there are rigid, strictly defined and narrowly limited standards of badness which means that there is a small number of categories appraised as "bad" and thus a large number of "non-substantial", a person can very easily avoid "bad" behaviour. At first this may bring about a feeling of relief, as it is very clear what is not "allowed", but this situation may eventually also lead to boredom which, according to Van der Molen's learning model, makes a reversal to the mode of action involvement more likely. An example is the story of Adam and Eve in Paradise; everything was allowed, except eating apples from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. The rest of the story we know.<br />
<br />
Within the mode of action-control the activities an individual is engaged in are either instrumental actions of ''approach'' aimed at producing results categorised as "good" by positive standards of comparison, or instrumental actions of ''avoidance'' aimed at avoiding results categorised as "bad" by negative standards of comparison. The functional conditions are ''efficiency'' and ''minimization of mistakes''; the least effort and the least costs for achieving a positive, or for avoiding a negative result, the better.<br />
<br />
=== Criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} According to Lewicka the criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode are quite different. Lewicka uses the informative contents of activities as criteria. The search for a maximum of information is then the guideline for the choice of behaviour. "A catagorisation as "good" applies to all those alternatives of behaviour that provide an individual with new information and reduce uncertainty", Lewicka states.<br />
<br />
Apparently Lewicka somewhat contradicts herself here, because in the definition of the mechanism of action-involvement she states that actions are brought about which do not aim at a particular objective. However, later on, she states, as we have described above, that the individual in the action-involvement mode aims at obtaining new information and reducing uncertainty. So apparently there is postulated an aim for a particular objective.<br />
<br />
In our view this problem can be solved when the parallel between the action-control mode and the telic state on the one hand and between the action-involvement mode and the paratelic state on the other hand is regarded more closely. As we have previously mentioned, behaviour in the action-involvement mode is maintained by factors stemming from the activity itself. It remains unclear, however, what kind of factors are involved here. Apter explains this by his assumption of striving for pleasant tension as a general motive for behaviour in the paratelic state. If this idea is accepted as a supplement to Lewicka's theory, we can say more about whether purposive behaviour does or does not exist in the mode of action-involvement.<br />
<br />
=== Proximal and ultimal purposes in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In our view, it is important to make a clear distinction between the ''proximal'' and the ''ultimal'' purposes of behaviour in the action-involvement mode. The term "proximal purpose" refers to the objective at which the person aims at the moment of the activity. Contrary to the mechanism of action-control, there is no external objective in the mechanism of action-involvement, but there is activity because of the activity itself; the (proximal) "objective" of the person is the behaviour that provides pleasant tension. The ultimal objective of similar activities corresponds with the function of Lewicka's mechanism of action-involvement: it enables the person to acquire new experiences, to learn from them and thus enhances growth which in turn means the achievement of a higher level of cognitive organisation. A person is not aware of this ultimal objective at the moment the very activities take place. When Lewicka mentions behavioural alternatives with a high informative value which are categorized as "good", this must be interpreted as "good" with regard to the ultimal objective of the mechanism of action-involvement. The criteria the person applies at the moment of the activity itself, will not have any bearing on the informative value of the activity, but on the importance of the activity for the person, that is on the possibily that it may provide pleasant tension. The ultimal advantages of action-involvement behaviour make it evolutionarily advantageous that this behavioural mode exists in which arousal-rising and pleasure in the action itself are the proximal "goals" (see Van der Molen, 1983).<br />
<br />
We can perhaps go further than Lewicka in answering the question which kind of activities have the greatest informative value. On the one hand, these are of course activities in areas of experience that are new and unknown to a person. Exploration of such areas is less likely in the action-control mode because a person then rather prefers to rely on familiar objects. New and unknown areas involve the risk of unexpected, unpleasant things happening. This leads to tension which is experienced as unpleasant in the mode of action-control. According to Van der Molen's learning model however, it is exactly unfamiliarity that produces tension which makes exploration ''inviting'' in the action-involvement mode. Activities that are closely related to areas categorized as "bad" may in the action-involvement mode also be experienced as "interesting". In the action-control mode the person tries to avoid such areas as much as possible and aims at achieving results categorized as "good". In our view "good" areas are not interesting in the action-involvement mode: they are familiar and do not create any tension. Approaching the "bad", risky areas, on the other hand, is exciting and, what is more, it has the (ultimal) advantage that the limits of these risky areas are explored and thus become more distinctly defined for the person. This will ultimately be of advantage to his or her freedom of movement: if the borders between what "is possible" and what "is not possible" are clear, this will be of advantage to the person whenever the mechanism of action-control is activated again and he or she tries to prevent "bad" results.<br />
<br />
As we have stated above, Lewicka's ideas concerning the informative content of activities can be extended and explained by adding the concepts "proximal" and "ultimal" goals. Following the informative content of activities, we shall discuss in the <br />
next paragraph in more detail how such information is processed cognitively.<br />
<br />
=== "How", "Why" and "What" questions, sufficient and necessary conditions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1987) states that there are three basic questions a person can ask: the question "''How?''", the question "''Why?''" and the question "''What?''". As an example she gives a logical implication:<br />
<br />
P ════> Q, in which P is seen as the action-premise (the condition) and Q as the action-outcome (the result). The three questions that may be asked with regard to this implication are:<br />
# ''How'' can you make Q happen?<br />
# ''Why'' did Q happen?<br />
# ''What'' will happen if P?<br />
According to Lewicka the first two questions are "closed-ended", because the result Q has already been specified. This specification can be based on a criterion of "goodness" or on a criterion of "badness". The appraisal of the expected result determines to a great extent which particular question the individual will ask in particular. The fact is that when the results have been appraised as positive, people are particularly interested in the question "how" these results may be achieved. If the results, on the other hand, have been appraised as negative, the "why"-question is especially interesting (Wong & Weiner, 1981; Weiner, 1984). Lewicka relates these questions to the concept of "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions. We will first explain what is meant by these "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions.<br />
<br />
Sufficient conditions are those conditions that have to be met to achieve a particular result. When a person wants to boil an egg for breakfast, for example, a list of sufficient conditions could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Put in the egg.<br />
# Put the pan onto the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# When the water boils, wait another four minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour off the water.<br />
<br />
When these conditions have been met, the person will indeed get his egg boiled. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg. It could be boiled in an old can on a campfire, for example. A series of sufficient conditions, therefore, indicates how a particular result can be achieved, but this does not imply that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be achieved in another way.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition that has to be met, because there is no other way in which a particular result can be achieved. The necessary condition in the example of boiling an egg could be: "Heat the egg to a temperature that is above the coagulation temperature of the egg white, until the heat has spread throughout the egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, as in fact this is unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for some time is important; otherwise it will never be boiled. Departing from the necessary conditions for a particular result, it is often possible to generate various series of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
As mentioned above, when the results have been appraised as positive, people particularly aim at finding sufficient conditions to achieve this result which means that they are particularly interested in the question: "''How'' can I make sure the result will be achieved?". So there is a strategy of "approach", aiming to achieve desirable results.<br />
<br />
When the results have been appraised as negative, on the other hand, people particularly aim at finding the necessary conditions for these results. Only if someone knows ''why'' an unpleasant result comes about, will he or she be best able to effectively avoid the necessary condition(s) for this result and thus to avoid the unpleasant result itself. This is in fact a strategy of avoidance, aimed at preventing undesirable results.<br />
<br />
There is a great difference between these two types of information processing. To find ''sufficient'' conditions for a result, a "''sufficiency-oriented method''", it is in principle sufficient to know that a particular result will come about after meeting one particular condition or combination of conditions. Then the person will be able to remember this simplistic connection and knows that meeting those conditions again will be sufficient to get the same result again. Seeking ''necessary'' conditions, a "''necessity-oriented method''" implies a greater investment of time and energy. To distil the necessary conditions from the various sufficient conditions for a particular result, more experience and skill is needed, as well as a certain degree of experimenting and the cognitive processing of acquired experiences. Only by examining several conditions separately, will it be possible to find out whether they are essential for a particular result and, if so, why. This investment of time and energy (proximal costs) has, however, some (ultimal) advantage which is the possibility to make the cognitive structure concerned more economical, sparse and logically coherent. As it becomes clear "why" a particular result occurs, it can be obtained or avoided more effectively. The large quantity of sufficient conditions is then, in fact, reduced to a smaller number of necessary conditions. From these necessary conditions, relatively strong and efficient rules can be distilled, so that an individual does not need a separate list of sufficient conditions for each result. In this way a large number of answers to the "how"-question can be replaced by a single answer to the "why"-question.<br />
<br />
=== The "what"-question in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} As we have stated, a certain amount of experimenting is needed to develop a necessity-oriented method. New, additional knowledge about the results of behaviour must be acquired. At this stage the "what"-question will be important. According to Lewicka the "what"-question is "open-ended", because there is no previously specified result. This question will in particular emerge during the exploration of novel areas; there will be experimenting with behavioural alternatives, without aiming at previously determined results. In other words: activities will be engaged in, just to investigate their effects. Referring to our learning model, it will be clear that the "what"-question will emerge in particular during the state of action-involvement (comparable to the paratelic state); experimenting is attractive in this state, because the unfamiliarity of the result will be seen as exciting and pleasant.<br />
<br />
We have to observe that the appraisal of the expected results has a significant influence on whether the person does or does not put much effort into developing a necessity-oriented method. That is to say, the interests of the person on a proximal level play an important part here which means the interests the person is aware of at the moment of the activity itself. In the action-involvement mode those interests are the achievement of pleasant tension. Exploring of and experimenting with the limits of areas categorized as "bad" or problematic, causes considerable tension: after all there is a chance that there will be a less pleasant result. Exploring areas categorized as "good" (or well processed and digested) provides hardly any tension: the only thing that may happen is that an expected pleasant result will not take place. However as the person will generally have one or more sufficiency-oriented methods for achieving desirable results, he or she can always make sure those results will be achieved, should it be necessary when an emergency arises. When a person wants to explore things, seeking (pleasant) tension, these areas are rather unattractive and his or her attention will almost automatically be attracted to the more interesting, because unfamiliar, areas that may be related to an area that has been dealt with well, but at the very least are related to the more risky areas, categorized as "bad".<br />
<br />
=== Pleasant and unpleasant results, necessary and sufficient conditions, acceptance of chances of mistakes and cognitive "bias" ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the action-involvement (paratelic) mode, attention is automatically drawn to a further exploration of the conditions of results. When the results are pleasant, the consequences for the cognitive processing system are entirely different from if the results are unpleasant. As we have stated in paragraph 4.6, working with necessary conditions is the most efficient. Acquiring "sufficient" behavioural strategies is less complicated and quicker to realise, however. To that end the "why"-question does not have to be examined intensively. Any answer to the "how"-question will do. Therefore, if an additional investment in time and energy is made, needed to grow from sufficient behavioural strategies to knowledge of necessary conditions, it will in general be invested in the first place in ''un''pleasant results, in order to determine their conditions more accurately.<br />
<br />
When examining pleasant results it is of course more efficient to know the necessary conditions, but in those cases it is less crucial, because there are fewer risks. Indeed, any sufficient conditions will meet the purpose, that is, to achieve pleasant results.<br />
<br />
There is another problem, however. In practise it is in general impossible to make accurate predictions about behavioural results. The cognitive models of reality we create are just approaches. The higher the required degree of accuracy, the more experience and information has to be invested. All cognitive models have a particular degree of uncertainty. Which uncertainties will be minimized in the first place, depends to a great extent on the nature of the expected results. Table 4.2 gives a summary of the possible antecedents and results in the case of pleasant and in the case of unpleasant results. This table is a free modification of Lewicka's (1985). To be perfectly clear, we have made a separate table for pleasant and unpleasant results respectively. However, as far as terminology is concerned, these tables differ a little from Lewicka's. The fact is that it is not always clear what Lewicka means with the terms "positive" and "negative", because she uses them in two different ways. Lewicka uses, for instance, the terms "positive outcome" and "positive hit". In the first term "positive" means: positively appraised or appreciated. For clarity's sake we have chosen the term ''pleasant'' for positively appraised results and ''unpleasant'' for negatively appraised results. Of course we have not changed terms like "positive hit" and "negative hit", because these are established terms from the disciplines of logic and mathematics.<br />
<br />
When departing from the idea that people generally try as hard as possible to avoid disappointments, the table makes clear why some specific cognitive strategies are more likely to occur in connection with some specific results than others. Each cognitive strategy of course also harbours its own chances of mistakes and "bias".<br />
<br />
If any ''unpleasant'' results can occur, a person will generally try to avoid them. ''Disappointments'' arise when there are unpredicted unpleasant results (false negative, "type II" mistake). We know that when the probability of a Type II mistake is made as small as possible, the probability of a "Type I" mistake will, as a consequence, increase (see for example Nijdam & Van Buuren, 1983). In this case a "Type I" mistake is a ''pleasant surprise'' for the individual: an unpleasant result was predicted, but it did not take place. At the level of the behaviour of the individual this means, that during the action-control mode (in which unpleasant results are actively avoided), the individual will take a large "safety margin"; not only will the area be avoided for which there are clear negative standards of appraisal, but also the areas that are closely related. The chance of a Type II-mistake reduces this, but the area that has been avoided will usually be larger than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.2.<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.2: Survey of possible mistakes in information processing, depending on the evaluative appraisal of the result <br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Unpleasant ║ H ║ non-H ║<br />
results ║ (unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║(A) ║ (C) ║<br />
║ ║ positive hit ║ false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║ Type II-mistake ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant as ║ (unpleasant, but ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║ not predicted) ║<br />
║ ║ p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║ (B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║(not unpleasant, ║(not unpleasant, ║<br />
║ does not ║although predict- ║as predicted) ║<br />
║ occur) ║ed) p(H ∩ -non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Pleasant ║ H ║non-H ║<br />
results ║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║ (A) ║(C) ║<br />
║ ║positive hit ║false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║Type II-mistake ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant as ║(pleasant, but not ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║predicted) ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║(B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║ does not ║ (not pleasant, al- ║not pleasant, ║<br />
║ occur) ║though predicted ║as predicted ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
"Necessity" of H for T: p(H|T) = A/ (A + C)<br />
"Sufficiency" of H for T: p(T|H) = A / (A + B)<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
One result of this safe strategy is, that during the action-control mode particular areas will remain unexplored and thus unfamiliar to the individual. Such large safety margins can only be rendered superfluous by a further elucidation of the necessary conditions for the unpleasant result. Its borders then become narrower, sharper and more accurately defined (see figure 4.2). In terms of figure 4.1: the acquisition of more necessity-oriented information reduces the size of the "no good" areas and increases the available behavioural manoeuvering space. On the other hand, as we have said before, vaguely defined borders provide pleasant tension in the action-involvement mode and such areas which were rather avoided in previous, action-control modes, will become more attractive and may be explored more closely.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.2: Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
When an individual may expect positive results he or she will follow quite a different strategy. A ''disappointment'' would mean here that a pleasant result is predicted, but does not take place (false positive, "Type I" mistake). The individual will try to avoid this as much as possible. Minimizing the probability of a Type I mistake implies that the probability of a Type II mistake will increase which is the chance that there will be a pleasant result, although it was not predicted; an ''unexpected surprise''. In the action-control (telic) mode the individual will probably choose for a safe strategy : starting from one or another familiar sufficient method the individual will aim at achieving the pleasant result, without taking risks. The area of behavioural options the individual then aims at is most likely to be smaller than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.3.<br />
<br />
It is clear now that adhering to a single existing sufficient method in the action-control mode limits the behavioural repetoire of the individual; he or she will rarely experiment with other strategies of behaviour than the one that is familiar and tested, for fear of not achieving the expected, pleasant result. However, in the state of action-involvement experimenting with alternative strategies is attractive. Especially close to the areas categorized as "good", the individual can always benefit from the familiar sufficient method in case of an emergency. This means that there will probably be less tension than might arise close to an area categorized as "bad". After further exploration, the "safe" area can thus be extended by supplementing more sufficient methods. Should the individual eventually succeed in generating a necessity-oriented cognitive representation of this pleasant result, even more degrees of safety, as all sufficient conditions would also be defined by implication. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.3: Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
Both with pleasant and unpleasant results, necessity-oriented cognitive models will allow the greatest freedom of movement and behavioural efficiency. The area of unpleasant results (see figure 4.2) will be smaller and the area of pleasant results (see figure 4.3) will be larger. It is clear, however, that the need to invest more energy in obtaining "necessary" cognitive connections will be strongest in the case of unpleasant results.<br />
<br />
In chapter 3 we have shown that in fact this is what really takes place. The problematical areas of experience produce most arousal (because of the possibly unpleasant results) which makes these areas more attractive in the action-involvement (paratelic) mode when there is enough energy to invest in exploration. As a consequence, in such problematical areas there will relatively quickly be enough experience and information available to achieve cognitive structures of "necessity" at a higher level of abstraction and integration.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusion ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter we have discussed how Lewicka's theory can supplement Van der Molen's learning model. The cognitive aspects of the learning process have been discussed and integrated, in order to create a more comprehensive model. We have discussed the difference between action-control and action-involvement and the parallels with the telic and paratelic states. Subsequently the evaluative criteria that are active in the action-control mode have been discussed. With regard to the evaluative criteria in the action-involvement mode it appeared that a relatively easy supplement (similarity with the paratelic state and the difference between proximal and ultimal objectives) sufficed to remove an apparent contradiction in Lewicka's theory. Finally we have discussed the way in which the evaluative appraisal of possible results determines the kind of information an individual seeks, the strategy of behaviour that will probably be chosen and the kind of cognitive mistakes that can be made in processing information.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how these theories complement each other in such a way that a dynamic model emerges that includes the most important aspects of the learning process, that describes cognitive growth and which can be utilized in many areas of research and practical application.<br />
<br />
By way of summary, table 4.3 shows the most important characteristics of the action-control and the action-involvement modes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.3: Survey of action-control and action-involvement <br />
╔═══════════════════════════════╦═════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ ACTION-CONTROL ║ ACTION-INVOLVEMENT ║<br />
╠═══════════════════════════════╬═════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ Purposive activity and ║ Activity as an "aim" in ║<br />
║ instrumental behaviour ║ itself ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Principle of negative ║ Principle of positive ║<br />
║ feedback ║ feedback ║<br />
║ "controlling" ║ "directing" ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Function: maintaining the ║ Function: achieving a ║<br />
║ level of organisation ║ higher level of organisa- ║<br />
║ ║ tion ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ In particular in an environ- ║ In particular in an envi- ║ <br />
║ ment with stringent standards ║ ronment with stringent ║<br />
║ of goodness ║ standards of badness ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Approach-strategy towards ║ Exploration when pleasant ║<br />
║ pleasant results ║ results occur less probable║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Stategy of avoidance towards ║ Exploration particularly ║<br />
║ unpleasant or unknown ║ around unfamiliar or un- ║<br />
║ results ║ pleasant results ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ For pleasant results: ║ Independent of the kind of ║<br />
║ "How?"-question, ║ results: "What?"-question ║<br />
║ For unpleasant results: ║ (exploration/experimenting)║<br />
║ "Why?"-question ║ ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Proximal and Ultimal goals ║ Proximal goal: obtaining ║<br />
║ are the same: to bring and ║ pleasant tension; Ultimal ║<br />
║ keep the environment under ║ goal: gaining entirely new ║<br />
║ control (survival and restor- ║ experiences, as a condition║<br />
║ ing the balance of energy) ║ for development ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════╩═════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
== Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will describe how one coherent model can be constructed from the theories discussed. This model describes and explains more than each theory separately. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L). The model shows how development and learning can be examined from a perspective of energy potential. The cognitive and emotional aspects that play a part in the learning processes, are also accounted for in this model. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Energy dependence of motivation and emotions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the previous chapters we have shown that there is a distinction between telic and paratelic phase. In the telic phase, the behaviour is directed by a particular goal, avoiding fear and seeking safety, for example. In the paratelic phase, on the other hand, the behaviour is a goal in itself; behaviour takes place "just for fun". Thus, in this phase tension is experienced as pleasant and exciting, while in the telic phase it is experienced as frightening and unpleasant. A condition for paratelic behaviour is a surplus of energy which can be spent on exploring and on trying out new things. Telic behaviour takes place at the moment the surplus of energy becomes exhausted or when an emergency arises.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above, makes clear that the energy dependent basis of motivation and emotion is extremely important; the motivational state of an individual depends strongly on the energy that a person has at its disposal. The consequence is a strongly dynamic character of the organization of motivation; motivation and emotion change constantly in the course of time. In the telic phase a person will try to get his or her situation under control. Bringing a situation under control will at first take energy, but once the situation is under control the individual can benefit from familiar skills which cost (relatively) little energy (see chapter 3). In this way the individual can relax and assemble new energy which can be spent in the following paratelic phase. In the telic phase rest and relaxation are aimed at. Once relaxation has been achieved and the individual has recuperated enough energy, there will be a motivational reversal; then rest is no longer regarded as pleasant, but rather as dull and boring. In this paratelic phase a high level of tension is aimed at, until a reversal to the telic state (owing to fatigue or to an emergency) occurs again and the person tries to get the situation under control in order to be able to relax subsequently. <br />
<br />
This system of reversals can be understood by regarding the utilization of energy, which is the basis of the behaviour of the individual. There have to be reversals to the telic state; a person cannot constantly show paratelic behaviour, as the energy required will be exhausted at a certain moment. Moreover, endless explorative and arousal-seeking behaviour will cause difficulties sooner or later which in turn may cause an emergency situation which in turn will ''force'' a reversal. The trigger for these types of reversals has to be sought on a very proximal level. On the other hand, the evolutionary reason for the existence of this reversal system between telic and paratelic states has to be sought at the ultimate level; that is, an organism will have the best yield in terms of survival value when the energy, gained during phases of relaxation in the telic mode, will subsequently be spent in paratelic modes for acquiring novel, additional experiences, that serve for the extension of one's own behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1984).<br />
<br />
=== Problematical and non-problematical experiences ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's model and sequences in which the telic and paratelic modes should alternate ideally. This sequence is: boredom - (explorative behaviour) - excitement - fear - (reversal to the telic state and seeking rest) - relaxation - (with eventually a reversal to the paratelic state) -boredom - etc.<br />
<br />
Should this sequence actually take place in a regular pattern, the result would be optimal; in the paratelic phase the individual explores the environment and that way he or she gains new experiences, using the skills acquired previously. When these skills prove insufficient and the situation threatens to get out of hand, there will be a reversal to the telic phase and the individual will seek control of the situation. On the one hand these periods of rest are necessary for recovery of the balance of energy and on the other hand newly acquired skills and experiences can be processed and integrated with earlier experiences during such periods of rest. This implies that after a series of reversal cycles the individual may be at a higher level of cognitive organisation than before. In this way the individual grows and learns from his or her experiences in the course of time.<br />
<br />
There will not always occur such ideal sequences of telic and paratelic phases. A person may for instance not be able to relax optimally in the telic phase. This is often the case if he or she does not have the adequate skills or coping strategies to get the situation under control. In this way the situation remains frightening, the person does not relax sufficiently and thus does not get the opportunity to gain new energy which is a condition for another paratelic phase. The situation will probably be explored less quickly (paratelic) and there will be no experimenting with skills which would enable the individual to behave adequately in this situation. And since no new experiences are acquired in that area of experience from which the person could learn, he or she will remain at a lower level of functioning and there is a high probability of accumulations and fixations of simplistic avoidance behaviour. In that way a cluster of badly mastered areas of experience may grow.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above makes clear that for the individual some specific areas of experience can be problematical, while at the same time other areas are non-problematical. Problematical areas of experience are those areas for which no, or only a few, adequate coping strategies have been developed; the area has not been dealt with well. For the non-problematical areas of experience, adequate coping strategies have indeed been created; these areas have been dealt with well. In chapter 3 (following Grof 1972, 1973), areas of experience that have been dealt with badly were called "negative COEX-systems", and areas that have been dealt with well were called "positive COEX-systems". Table 5.1 shows what these positive or negative COEX-systems imply.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 5.1.''' Characteristics of positive and negative COEX-systems<br />(Systems of COndensed EXperience)<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Negative COEX-systems<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Positive COEX-systems <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Flight/fight responses<br />
|Stay/play responses<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Behavioural rigidity<br />
|Flexibility of reactions <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Stereotyped reflexes<br />
|Creative responses <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Unskills<br />
|Skills<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Phobias and neuroses<br />
|Mastery of<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Consciousness block (unconscious repressions)<br />
|Awareness of<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Emotional labeling of experiences as pleasant and unpleasant ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we stated that it depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of a person whether he or she experiences a situation as pleasant or unpleasant. Problematical areas of experience that have not been dealt with well will cause tension. In the telic state this will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening and there is a high likelihood of avoidance behaviour. The person will seek areas of experience that have been dealt with well; in those areas the person is able to control the situation and thus to relax. In the telic state, areas that have been dealt with well can be a "refuge" which is helpful when the person gets into a frightening situation. In the paratelic phase this is of course not the case. In this phase the areas that have been dealt with well are experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant because they do not longer provide arousal. It is the problematical areas that are attractive in this phase because there can still be some experimenting and an element of risk is involved; this provides pleasant arousal (compare chapter 4).<br />
At the beginning of chapter 3 we have discussed the biological relevance of the telic and the paratelic states. From what has been stated above it becomes again clear that both phases are necessary in order to function well. In the telic state the individual is able to relax, once he or she has succeeded in getting the situation under control, and will thus be able to gain new energy and to integrate the newly gained experiences into his or her existing cognitive system. This system enables the individual to remain at a particular level of functioning. In the paratelic phase new or problematical situations (and in the telic phase situations that are experienced as fearful) will be explored and new situations can be investigated. By continuously exploring a situation that has not yet completely been digested and controlled, and by dealing with those experiences and digesting them, this situation will lose its connotation as frightening and the individual will learn which strategies are adeqate in that situation and which are not. Thus the paratelic phase is also an indispensable condition for the growth of the individual.<br />
<br />
Thus, we can state that the proximal goal of the telic phase is: seeking rest and relaxation. The ultimal goal is: maintaining a certain level of functioning. The proximal "goal" of the paratelic phase is experiencing pleasant arousal (by way of non-direct purposive behaviour). However, the ultimal goal is creating the conditions for achieving a higher level of functioning.<br />
<br />
At this point we can once more emphasize an important characteristic of the way in which the reversals from one phase to another come about. In chapter 2 we have stated that we must not hold fast to the idea of a symmetrical model. The reversals from paratelic to telic will mainly be the result of an emergency or of fatigue, while the reversals from telic to paratelic will particularly take place as a result of "satiation". In this respect Apter's theory has therefore also been supplemented.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 4 we have stated that there is much similarity between Lewicka's mode of action-control and Apter's telic state, and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. Apter emphasizes the motivational and emotional aspects of reversals in particular, while Lewicka places emphasis on the cognitive aspects. We shall now describe how the two theories can supplement each other and thus provide a more complete description of the processes involved.<br />
<br />
Lewicka mentions "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; particular standards that indicate what kind of behaviour has to be aimed at and what kind of behaviour can better be avoided (see chapter 4). Czapinski (1986, 1987) completes this with his study of the appraisal of experiences which indicates that people generally show a mild "positivity bias". This means that generally experiences have a mildly positive connotation (except when they have a specific and very strong connotation). Therefore, according to Czapinski, there is a lightly positive background in the cognitive representation of experiences in which the negative areas of experience are particularly important. Departing from these ideas, we are now able to say more about cognitive development.<br />
Figure 5.1 shows the combination of these ideas.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br /><tt>(++)</tt> areas that have been digested well<br /><tt>(--)</tt> problematic areas<br /><tt> (+)</tt> mildly positive background]]<br />
<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- + ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ + + + ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br />
(+ +) areas that have been digested well<br />
(- -) problematical areas<br />
+ mildly positive background<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
This figure strongly resembles the figure in which Van der Molen showed Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see chapter 3), but is more detailed. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, that is the areas that have not yet been properly dealt with well and digested yet (- -), will be arousal-increasing and cause tension. <br />
<br />
In the telic state the areas that have been digested well (+ +) are attractive because they are controlled in such a way, that in an emergency a state of relaxation can easily be achieved. We will refer to these areas with the term "refuges". In the paratelic state, it is particularly the areas that have not been digested properly yet which will be attractive because in that state tension is experienced as pleasant. We now make the assumption that in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, which means that those areas will be explored first, that are closer to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and for which there is a relatively high probability of an unpleasant surprise. On a proximal level only (pleasant) tension and excitement are sought. However, as a result of such explorations, the limits of the areas that have been digested badly will gradually move; as a result of positive experiences parts of the problem area are nibbled away and are bit by bit turned into areas that have been dealt with and digested well. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further. On an ultimal level the paratelic state certainly has a goal, namely the acquisition of the new experiences necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What finally happens in the optimal case on a logical-cognitive level, is that, based on the experiences gained from exploration, a comprehensive necessity-oriented method of a higher level of abstraction will be constructed out of and in place of the existing sufficiency methods (see chapter 4). One prerequisite is, however, that between the actions sufficient time and rest can be gained to digest new experiences and to integrate them. A simple example may clarify this.<br />
<br />
Imagine: John is walking in the woods. He enjoys the scenery and relaxes completely. Occasionally he climbs a fence to walk a little in the pastures or in a part of fenced woodland. Suddenly, from behind the trees a horse gallops towards him and John does not even think, but runs as fast as he can. Somehow he manages to get away and not until later does he wonder what exactly has happened. First he does not dare to go into the woods again, but after some time, when he has calmed down, it does seem exciting to him (paratelic) and he decides to stay near the fences so that he will be able to escape by climbing a fence, should this be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John explores the situation and finds out in which area of the woods the horse is and which part of the woods and which pastures he must try to avoid. The tension of walking decreases more and more because he now knows exactly where to be on his guard. So, finally, having arrived at a complete picture of the forest and the pasture schedules, the motivation to explore the woods in the paratelic state is lost. <br />
<br />
In this example John is unpleasantly surprised and is at first frightened in the woods. However, once he has explored the situation, a sufficiency-oriented method ("If I walk in the same area as I did before, a horse may gallop towards me at a given moment") will be changed into a necessary-oriented method ("Only if I climb that particular fence, will the horse gallop towards me"). As a result, John's freedom of movement has increased because it is obvious that the area to be avoided has been restricted. This is shown in figure 5.2.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.2:''' Avoidance, exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences)]]<br />
<br />
What happens is that an area of experience which is first experienced as problematical (unpleasant in the telic phase) is gradually reduced because its limits are explored (in the paratelic phase) and there may be positive experiences on that fringe. To speak in Grof's terms, the purpose of paratelic behaviour on an ultimate level is to change as many negative COEX-systems into positive COEX-sytems as possible. In other words, the target is to exchange less efficient sufficiency-oriented methods, related to experiences that have been dealt with and processed badly, for highly efficient necessity-oriented methods which are in particular related to experiences that have been digested well.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to grow in clusters. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested well, the COEX-system is a positive one in which all kinds of new skills have been acquired which can often also be applied to other, related situations. Generally, in such an area of experience the individual is in a ''positive learning spiral''. <br />
<br />
Experiences that are dealt with and processed badly, also tend to grow in clusters in a similar way; in such cases there is a fair chance that the next time the individual gets into the same, or a similar or related situation, he or she will have another problematic experience. This increases the probability of telic behaviour in similar situations, with the result that there will be less experimenting. In this way the individual will easily get into a ''negative learning spiral'' in a similar area of experience. New experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify and extend the existing, relatively inefficient behaviour. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state. <br />The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.]]<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ ++ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- + ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ + + -- ║<br />
║ -- + ║<br />
║ + ║<br />
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ <br />
'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state<br />
The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
In terms of figure 5.1 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) will remain relatively restricted and small and for the cognitive representation of the problematical areas (- -) there are relatively increasing and less efficient margins.<br />
<br />
In the case that there are no necessity-oriented methods of great precision and a high degree of abstraction, and thus relatively many methods are of the sufficiency type, the limits shown in figure 5.1 are less favourable in the telic state. The refuges of areas that are dealt with well will be limited, because the sufficiency-oriented methods are too much restricted, whereas for the areas that are dealt with badly, the safety margins are too large. Thus the individual has relatively little freedom of movement.<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system will expand increasingly, owing to an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are primarily based on methods of sufficiency. They can be generated relatively quickly but they also involve relatively large safety margins, with the consequence that a relatively great part of the area of experience will be considered as risky.<br />
<br />
It is extremely difficult to escape from such a negative learning spiral. A prerequisite for this is the ability to attain the relaxation, necessary for the digestion of the accumulated experiences. Should a number of experiences that have been dealt with and digested well, verge on an area that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as refuges, when situations become too frightening. This may then provide the required escape, safety and rest.<br />
<br />
It is now possible to relate all this to Lazarus' theory as described in chapter 1. In our view, the appraisal of a particular situation or transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of an individual. A transaction that is appraised as stressful will often be regarded as threatening in the telic state, whereas in the paratelic state it is more likely that the same transaction will be seen as a challenge. When a person is in a positive learning spiral in which positive COEX-systems are acquired and extended, and new experiences and skills are digested well, new situations are likely to be experienced as positive and regarded as challenges. That is, the individual has noticed that owing to his or her arsenal of skills, he or she is very well capable to anticipate many kinds of situations and to get them under control. Not only is this a good basis for acquiring new skills but it also allows for relaxation and the conviction that novel situations can adequately be dealt with as well. However, in the case of a negative learning spiral in which negative COEX-systems expand and the individual gets trapped in his or her own inadequate behaviour, entirely new situations will rather be seen as threatening. This increases the likelihood that the individual will hold on more tenaciously to particular - inadequate - behavioural strategies, so that it becomes increasingly likely that he or she will fail again.<br />
<br />
This makes clear that it is very difficult to make a distinction between an appraisal of the situation itself (Lazarus: ''primary appraisal'') and of one's own abilities to deal with that situation (''secondary appraisal''). These two aspects are strongly intertwined. The appraisal of a transaction always depends on previous experiences, on acquired skills, and on the metamotivational state of an individual. We have shown that this state may (sometimes quickly) change. This is called ''reappraisal''; the original appraisal of the transaction changes. According to Lazarus, such a change is caused by feedback about changes in the transaction because of actions taken by the individual, or by reconsidering the nature of the transaction. We are now able to supplement Lazarus' ideas. In our view the appraisal of a transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of the individual at that very moment. A change of this appraisal means that there has been a meta-motivational reversal to another state. Such a reversal may take place because of "contingency" (a particular event takes place) or because of "satiation" (because a person has been in one and the same state for a long time). The two causes mentioned by Lazarus can be categorized under "contingency": the transaction changes as a result of actions taken by the individual and the changing situation forces a reversal, or the interpretation of the transaction changes because of cognitive processes (thinking), which may also cause a reversal. Hence, our cognition-energy- learning model does not only supplement Lazarus' ideas, in this respect adding reversals through "satiation", but it also provides a description and an explanation of the dynamics of the underlying cognitive processes.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive mistakes ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Finally, we pinpoint and discuss a few systematic mistakes which can be made when a person cognitively processes information. Lewicka shows that the questions an individual asks, depend to a great extent on the appraisal of the possible outcome of a transaction. In the telic state (or action control mode) the individual tries at all costs to avoid unpleasant outcomes, and it then becomes very favourable and practical to have a necessity-oriented method available. If the outcome is pleasant, however, the realisation of that outcome is of primary importance; "the way in which" becomes less important and a sufficiency-oriented method generally suffices. However, this does not apply to the paratelic (action-involvement) mode.<br />
<br />
Generally, an individual tries as hard as possible to prevent disappointments (see chapter 4, table 4.2). In the case of an unpleasant outcome, a disappointment means that it has previously been predicted that a particular unpleasant result will not take place, but that it happens anyway. It is important for the individual to keep the probability of this type of mistake (type II, or "false negative") as low as possible. However, we know from logic and statistics that when the probability of one type of mistake is kept as low as possible, another type of mistake will necessarily occur more often. Thus, when the probability of a Type II-mistake is minimized, Type I-mistakes will occur more often. When a Type I-mistake, or "false positive", occurs, it is predicted that the result will be unpleasant, but this is not the case. It is now likely that this type of mistake will be taken less seriously than the previous one, because this means that there is a pleasant surprise. Therefore, relatively little attention will be paid to this. As a result, good luck is virtually ignored in a problematic area of experience whereas disappointments are regarded as extremely important.<br />
<br />
This pattern of cognitive processing takes place in particular when there are mainly telic states with a (too) low frequency of paratelic states. Not only is attention then fixed on possible negative results, but the (too) low frequency of paratelic states produces an excess of methods of sufficiency, with relatively large safety margins around the areas to be avoided, and relatively narrow limits of areas of experience that are safe and digested well (also as a result of safety margins that are wider than is strictly necessary; see figure 5.3). As a result, this pattern of experiencing and processing results in a strong (and in a sense "uncontrolled") growth of negative COEX-systems which may possibly even affect the already existing, positive COEX-systems. Should this pattern continue, then the probability of telic avoidance reactions in the area of experience concerned will become higher and the probability of paratelic exploration lower and lower. In the end, even the slightest confrontation with the area of experience concerned, even when outsiders do not consider this as threatening, will be experienced as frightening, the consequence of which will be a continued and uncontrolled growth of the negative COEX-system.<br />
<br />
=== The neurotic paradox ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} A connection with the so-called '''neurotic paradox''' is evident here. Eysenck (1979, p. 185) provides the following description of this paradox:<br />
:"In many neuroses we not only fail to observe the expected extinction of the uninforced "Conditoned Stimulus", but we find an incremental (enhancement) effect, such that the unreinforced Conditioned Stimulus actually produces more and more anxiety ("Conditioned Response") with each presentation of the Conditioned Stimulus. [...] In neuroses, [...] in the majority of cases there is some sort of insidious onset, without any single event that could be called "traumatic" even by lenient standards."<br />
<br />
Paying too much attention to disappointments and virtually ignoring good luck is one of the reasons why the neurotic behaviour persists. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) gives another reason (see also chapter 3). He explains how in the proximity of a negative COEX-system, tension increases very easily, while it is exactly in these areas that there are very few "refuges" in the form of adequate strategies of behaviour which may be utilized to keep the tension under control. In the telic state this increased tension is experienced as extremely unpleasant. What is more, the limits of an area that has been digested badly are still rather vague owing to the fact that little or no exploration has occured. The area is not clearly defined and restricted, has rather "fuzzy" boundaries, and may easily increase in size which further increases the probability of unpleasant experiences. When we bear in mind that disappointments tend to receive more attention than the occurences of good luck, it is clear that one easily becomes trapped in a negative learning spiral in which neurotic behaviour is intensified, negative experiences accumulate and little is learned from positive experiences.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Having integrated Aper's, Van der Molen's an Lewicka's studies we have been able to provide in this chapter an overall picture of the dynamics of our learning processes. Based on these various theories, a Cognition-Energy-Learning model has been developed in which the most essential aspects of the learning process are explained.<br />
<br />
First, the energy dependency of learning was discussed. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal produces the motivation for two essential aspects of learning: on the one hand, the acquisition of novel and unfamiliar experiences, and on the other hand, reserving time and energy for the structuring and processing of this experience and information. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic states thus keeps the learning process going.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematical or non-problematical. Depending on the metamotivational state a person is in, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. Problematical areas (that is to say, areas for which no adequate behavioural strategies have been developed) will be avoided as much as possible in the telic state: in the paratelic state, on the other hand, these areas can be a source of (pleasant) tension and thus be attractive for exploration. In this way the individual will be able to gain piecemeal experiences in areas that are (relatively) unfamiliar. Such experiences are a prerequisite for development to a higher level of organisation of the individual. Non-problematical areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, as they do not provide any tension and are thus considered as "boring". However, in the telic state these areas are essential for relaxation. Only if a certain degree of rest is acquired regularly, will the individual will be able to digest his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
In certain situations an ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals is impossible for a person. When such a situations lasts too long and the person cannot reach more agreeable situations, this leads to a negative learning spiral in which the individual more and more resorts to stereotyped and less efficient ways of reacting. Then it becomes increasingly more likely that the negative, problematical experiences in a particular area of experience will extend to other areas as well. For this reason we speak about the "contagiousness" of experiences. <br />
<br />
However, this contagiousness also applies to positive experiences that have been digested well and which are thus non-problematical. When an individual is in a positive learning spiral, he or she continuously acquires new skills which can also be applied in other areas of experience. In this way the likelyhood of positive experiences will generally increase. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, in the favourable and in the unfavourable sense, is applicable therefore in the first place in areas of experience that are functionally related. In the second place, the contagiousness is applicable in all areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have discussed in this chapter how the behavioural strategy a person is choosing depends on the appraisal of the possible outcome. When the outcome is pleasant, an approach strategy will be applied in the telic state to ensure the outcome will be achieved as effectively as possible. When the outcome is unpleasant, a strategy of avoidance will generally be applied. However, negative outcomes form a source of possibly pleasant tension in the paratelic state which produces the motivation to further explore them. In this way more information can be gathered and optimally processed in the course of time so that the already existing (easily obtained) '''sufficiency oriented methods''' can increasingly be replaced by a '''necessity-oriented method''' (which is more difficult to generate). This enables the individual to attain a '''higher level of cognitive organisation and efficiency''' and to function more effectively. However, should the ability to relax be absent (chronically), the person may become caught up in an accumulation of problematical experiences. This explains, for example, the often persistent growth of neuroses and phobias. The problem of the neurotic paradox, indicated by Eysenck, for example, can be easily explained when regarded from the point of view of our Cognition-Energy Learning model.<br />
<br />
The Cognition-Energy-Learning model discussed thus far describes, in the first place, the influence of the energy state of a person on his or her motivational state. That motivational state is governed by emotions. It further states that the sequence of motivational states has implications for the way experiences are cognitively represented. Considering Csapinski's studies, we can expect that the majority of the experiences which are not directly interesting, are sedimented in a vague, slightly positive cognitive background. Only the experiences with an explicit emotional "color" are represented as areas that have been digested well or as problematical areas. The advantage of such systems of representation is that, as soon as there is a surplus of energy, a person can experiment in those areas which are registered as problematical. Those areas of experience are exactly the areas which can provide most new and relevant information. Both the way in which experiences are represented (in COEX-systems) and the gradual shifts in that representation are described, and, moreover, it is clarified, how a particular representation with concomitant procedural aspects (necessity- or sufficiency-oriented methods), leads to specific types of behaviour. However, all this still concerns a very rough classification into cognitive main categories. In fact it comes down to the difference between experiences that have been processed and digested well and experiences that have not been digested well, to the difference between experiencing this as pleasant and as unpleasant and between combinations of these two opposites.<br />
<br />
The Cognitive-Energetic Learning model may also be supplemented with the influence of the quality of social interactions on the dynamic state of the learning process. This can render a considerable extension and specification of the cognitive main categories mentioned. Moreover, such an extension enables us to make predictions about the way in which social interactions may influence the growth of a person because they interfere with the way energy is invested in the learning process. However, this extension lies beyond the confines this report and will be described in another report (see Maarsingh, 1990).<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will give an example from practice of our Cognition-Energy-Learning model.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area ==<br />
<br />
=== The didactical behavioural repertoire of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter an illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning model will be given, based on experiences of teachers who have just started teaching (Romkes, 1988). This concerns exclusively inexperienced teachers who regard the learning process as problematical.<br />
<br />
The state of learning of the inexperienced teacher, apart from personality, is closely related to the extent to which he or she has been able to deal with previous experiences from educational learning situations (training) and to gain an adequate didactical behavioural repertoire. However, it is important that this repertoire of coping skills develops and and that it can be modified as soon as problems arise in the classroom. According to Vonk (1983), the problems of table 6.1 are encountered most frequently.<br />
<br />
=== The most commonly encountered problems that have to be dealt with by inexperienced teachers, in sequence of importance ===<br />
<br />
# Keeping order<br />
# Motivating pupils<br />
# Dealing with differences between pupils<br />
# Appraisal of learning performances<br />
# Relations with parents<br />
# Organisation of the class<br />
# Too few/inadequate means for teaching<br />
# Handling children with problems<br />
# Too much working pressure (lack of time)<br />
# Relations with colleagues<br />
# Teaching plans<br />
# Having command of various didactical skills<br />
# Knowledge of school regulations and customs<br />
# Determining the starting situations of pupils<br />
# Inadequate professional skills<br />
<br />
The problems mentioned in table 6.1 regularly produce a high level of arousal. A teacher will experience stress when this state of increased arousal lasts too long. The duration of stress depends on the didactical behavioural repertoire of a person. When this behavioural repertoire is inadequate, a person will be in a state of stress for a longer period of time. That is, it is difficult for such a person to achieve the phase of relaxation owing to the lack of well-controlled skills which are necessary for controlling stressful situations (see chapter 3). When such a situation (of stress) lasts too long and the stress experience is not digested well, a ''negative learning spiral'' may arise in which ''fear and avoidance behaviour'' accumulate (see chapter 5).<br />
<br />
An example of a school situation in which there is a high level of arousal is given in the following report of a lesson given by an inexperienced teacher (Wubbels en Creton 1974):<br />
:"The class enters noisily. It is cold. The pupils are jumping up and down in order to become a little warmer. You walk into the classroom and try to have the children take their seats. But before you have managed to do so, you are rummaging in your bag. A few moments later the same happens again. You tell a pupil to sit down, but before he sits down you walk back. You are in the centre in front of the class and look into the classroom. In the meantime everyone has sat down. The pupils are still shouting. You walk towards Fred, a troublemaker. You address a few pupils. It is becoming quieter now. "Will everyone take his books, please?" A number of pupils are shivering and making a noise. "I have marked the dictations and the results are very bad". They all laugh. "And what I further have to say about the dictation....", the pupils are talking again now and you have to shout very loudly to make yourself heard. You wait some time and address a few pupils: "Mark, Martin" and finish with "Do not throw them away immediately". You give everyone their work back. Everyone is shouting. "Damn I have got a D". "I have a C". "Hurray, I have a B". "And what do you have?" There are many unsatisfactory marks, many of them are D's. The pupils are indignant. Some pupils walk to your desk to complain, but you do not listen and send everyone back. A girl, who is really indignant, is sitting in front of you. For not writing a hyphen and for not writing one word as one word, you have deducted two whole points. They think it ridiculous. There is so much noise, that you can hardly make yourself heard. "Yes", you scream and turn red. They keep on protesting loudly. It is an enormous mess. You walk towards your desk and sit down demonstratively, as if you want to call it a day. "Can the ones with the insufficiency marks do the dictation again?". "No!", you shout back.<br />
<br />
This example shows that this teacher does not command those types of behaviour (coping skills) which would make the situation more manageable for her. The result is that she tries to command respect. Managing the class and not being troubled by stress become main aim in all. This is shown by her preference for an authoritarian way of dealing with the class and her rigid attitute with regard to the educational responsibility. This behaviour implies an attitude in which achieving control of the situation is central. The teacher is now mostly in the ''telic'' state and has trouble to regularly reach ''paratelic'' states.<br />
<br />
The way in which she (temporarily) achieves her goal, and is thus able to reduce her level of arousal, consists of showing aggressive or avoidance behaviour. Both agression and avoidance provide relaxation for a moment; when the teacher shouts, the class will be quiet for a moment and also when she adopts a reserved attitude and forgets her pedagogic responsibiliy for a moment, she experiences less stress for a short period of time. In both cases she has temporarily managed ''to get away'' from the threatening situation, but this situation is not ''controlled'', in other words: she has ''not developed adequate coping skills''. In the short term this avoidance behaviour is rewarding, but structurally the situation has not changed at all. As the teacher cannot relax sufficiently, her energy supply cannot easily be replenished. As a result she will be less often in the paratelic state, and so she will be unable to try the new, and (possibly) risky behaviour very frequently which could eventually lead to adopting useful new behavioural techniques and to acquiring new skills and flexibility. And it is precisely this lack of adequate skills which prevents her from controlling this situation. In such a situation there is a ''negative learning spiral'' in which behaviour becomes increasingly stereotyped and rigid (see chapter 3 and chapter 5). In such a spiral, more and more short-term solutions are found to deal with problematical situations and novel behaviour is not experimented with sufficiently. In such cases it is unlikely the behavioural repertoire will expand optimally.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive representations of problematical teaching situations of inexperienced teachers ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In a problematical teaching situation, two types of ''cognitive representation'' may arise (the remarks mentioned were reported in subsequent interviews). First: extreme and fixed negative thoughts about oneself: "I do not have sufficient command of the profession", "I am not good at organizing", "I am not good at managing children", etc. Secondly: extreme and fixed negative thoughts concerning others: "The pupils are annoying", "The colleagues are not nice", etc.<br />
<br />
From interviews with inexperienced teachers with problems it appeared that the following types of ''bias'' in the cognitive and perceptive representation of the teaching situation may occur (Romkes 1988). First: ''generalisation'', for example: 'all pupils are annoying'. This exemplifies that the teacher uses sufficient conditions, rather than necessary conditions at such a moment (see chapter 4); i.e. the teacher does not attempt to discover the exact cause of the problems, but is satisfied with simplistic and stereotyped rules of thumb. Secondly: ''deletion'', for example when one's own role is left aside: "the pupils are so annoying". In the third place: ''transformation'', when the teacher no longer notices the individual differences between pupils, and regards the class undifferentiated.<br />
<br />
These cognitive "mistakes" can also be described in terms of Lazarus' theory (see chapter 1). That is, problems with ''primary and secondary appraisal'' are concerned here and as a result a related lack of coping strategies.<br />
<br />
As far as the primary appraisal is concerned, the first instinctive appraisal of the situation is important. When the teacher is too tense in dealing with the situation, he or she will tend to use a rough and ready recipe, such as aggressive behaviour, when dealing with problems.<br />
<br />
=== Changes in the behaviour of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} It is now clear that unless the pupils do not change their behaviour, the situation will not improve unless the teacher behaves differently. According to our learning model this is only possible once she has sufficient energy surplus to reconsider the class situation and to experiment with other kinds of behaviour. In other words, the teacher has to develop other skills that enable herself to relax and/or she has to teach less frequently and to organize more breaks and time off for relaxation and recovery. In this way she will be able to invest a surplus of energy in paratelic, and thus experimental and explorative, behaviour. When a particular type of behaviour proves succesful, this can be integrated in the repertoire of skills already at her command. This may, for example, include taking the needs of pupils into account more often which may produce moments of relaxation during the lessons, both for teacher and pupils, and also time for explanations, questions, etc. For example, the supervisor could instruct the teacher to pay less attention to the pupils' command of the language, and to pay more attention to topics not directly related to the subject. This could involve conversations about experiences in the weekend, for example. Such behaviour can be rewarded in the form of good teamwork with the pupils which in turn can provide relaxation (and thus energy) for both the teacher and the pupils. As a result both teacher and pupils will be able to manifest paratelic behaviour and hence will be able to experiment in order to find the best way of teaching, and of being taught.<br />
<br />
The phase of relaxation is extremely important for replenishing energy supplies and for the integration of experiences. It is essential that the inexperienced teacher has enough moments of relaxation during, or after work. According to the learning model only through a regular alternation of the telic and the paratelic states an adequate didactic behavioural repertoire can develop.<br />
<br />
=== A positive learning spiral ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} There is a ''positive learning spiral'' (see also 3.3) when behaviour of control and manipulation (telic) and behaviour relating to challenges and exploration (paratelic), alternate. The telic state aims at achieving goals (for example to teach from a particular chapter). In the paratelic state there is space to handle the pupils differently and to try out novel approaches. When the teacher is alternately in the telic state and the paratelic state, he or she is able to gain experiences which are necessary in order to discover and elucidate the necessary conditions for negative incidents, so that these incidents can be avoided or solved more easily the next time (see chapter 4 and chapter 5). On a proximal level, paratelic behaviour consumes large amounts of energy, but the ultimal result is that it saves energy later on. The inexperienced teacher is then able to develop more adequate coping strategies which enable her to be in a state of relaxation more regularly. This makes it possible for her to replenish the energy supply more often and more thoroughly.<br />
<br />
Romkes (1988) has shown that successful teachers are not always aware of the coping strategies they use. This is not surprising when you realise that it is not necessarily desirable to act consciously or to seek the necessary conditions for negative incidents consciously as long as the teaching responsibility is met satisfactorily. If the learning process proceeds well, much of the experience and information needed for a further expansion and refinement of the behavioural repertoire is collected unvoluntarily and automatically.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} From this illustration it may be clear that the Cognition-Energy-Learning model can be applied well to situations such as teaching. The model provides insight into the way in which inexperienced teachers can become trapped in a negative learning spiral when there are too few moments of relaxation. This implies that in teaching situations, less attention should be paid to teaching the content of the subject as thoroughly as possible by drumming it in repeatedly, and that more attention should be paid to finding ways of achieving enough moments of relaxation. This relaxation is essential for replenishing the energy supply, and it is the surplus of energy that allows experimental and explorative behaviour in manifest. Such behaviour brings a flexible attitude towards the teaching situation with it. And this flexibility enables the teacher to discover which teachingstrategy (at which moment) is the most satisfactory and effective.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Apter | first=M.J. |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
title=The experience of motivation. The theory of psychological reversals |<br />
place=Londen | publisher=Academic Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Apter | first1=M.J. |<br />
last2=Smith | first2=K.C.P. |<br />
chapter=Experiencing personal relationships |<br />
editor1-last=Apter | editor1-first=M.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Murgatroyd | editor2-first=D.F.S. |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: applications and development |<br />
pages=161-178 |<br />
place=Cardiff | publisher=University College Cardiff Press |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Apter | first=M.J. |<br />
year=1988 |<br />
chapter=Reversal theory as a theory of the emotions |<br />
editor1-last=Apter | editor1-first=M.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Kerr | editor2-first=J.M. |<br />
editor3-last=Cowles | editor3-first=M.P. |<br />
title=Progress in Reversal Theory |<br />
pages=43-62 |<br />
place=Amsterdam | publisher=Elsevier Science Publishers |<br />
year=1988<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Archer | first=J. |<br />
contribution=Animals under stress |<br />
periodical=Studies in Biology |<br />
issue=nr. 108 |<br />
place=London | publisher=Arnold |<br />
year=1978<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
editor1-last=Bond | editor1-first=L.A. |<br />
editor2-last=Rosen | editor2-first=J.C. |<br />
title=Competence and coping during adulthood |<br />
place=Hanover | publisher=University Press of England |<br />
year=1988<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Bowlby | first=J. |<br />
year=1977 |<br />
title=The making and breaking of affectional bonds |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Psychiatry |<br />
issue=130 | pages=201-210, 421-431<br />
}}<!-- TODO: Verify this reference --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
editor1-last=Coelho | editor1-first=G. |<br />
editor2-last=Hamburg | editor2-first=D.A. |<br />
editor3-last=Adams | editor3-first=J.E. |<br />
title=Coping and adaptation |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1974<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Czapinsky | first=J. |<br />
contribution=Interpersonal communication, informativeness of evaluations in interpersonal communication: effects of valence, extremity of evaluations and ego-involvement of evaluator |<br />
periodical=Polish Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=7 (3-4) | pages=155-164 |<br />
year=1986<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dienstbier | first1=R.A. |<br />
last2=Hillman | first2=D. |<br />
last3=Lehnhoff | first3=J. |<br />
last4=Hillman | first4=J. |<br />
last5=Valkenaar | first5=L. |<br />
contribution=An emotion-attribution approach to moral behavior: interfacing cognitive and avoidance theories of moral development |<br />
periodical=Psychological Review |<br />
pages=82, 249-315 |<br />
year=1975<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Eysenck | first=H.J. |<br />
year=1979 |<br />
title=The conditioning model of neurosis |<br />
periodical=The Behavioral and Brain Sciences |<br />
issue=2 | pages=155-199<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1972 |<br />
title=Varieties of transpersonal experiences: observations from L.S.D. psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=Journal of Transpersonal Psychology |<br />
issue=4 | pages=45-80<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1973 |<br />
title=Theoretical and empirical basis of transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy: observations from L.S.D. research |<br />
periodical=Journal of Transpersonal Psychology |<br />
issue=5 |<br />
pages=15-54<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1976 |<br />
title=Realms of the Human Unconscious. Observations from L.S.D. Research |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Dutton<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Hoffman | first=M. |<br />
contribution=The development of Empathy |<br />
editor1-last=Rushton | editor2-last=Sorrentino |<br />
title=Altruism and helping behavior |<br />
pages=41-64 |<br />
place=Hillsdale |<br />
year=1982<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Kameya | first=C.I. |<br />
title=The effect of empathy level and role-taking training upon prosocial behavior |<br />
publisher=University of Michigan |<br />
year=1976<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Laborit | first=H. |<br />
contribution=The biological and sociological mechanisms of aggression |<br />
periodical=International Social Science Journal |<br />
issue=30 (4) | pages=727-749 |<br />
year=1978<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lazarus | first=R.S. |<br />
contribution=The stress and coping paradigm |<br />
editor1-last=Bond | editor1-first=L.A. |<br />
editor2-last=Rosen | editor2-first=J.C. |<br />
title=Competence and coping during adulthood |<br />
place=Hanover |<br />
year=1980<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Lazarus | first1=R.S. |<br />
last2=Averill | first2=J. |<br />
last3=Opton | first3=E. |<br />
contribution=The psychology of coping: issues of research and assessment |<br />
editor1-last=Coelho | editor1-first=G. |<br />
editor2-last=Hamburg | editor2-first=D.A. |<br />
editor3-last=Adams | editor3-first=J.E. |<br />
title=Coping and adaptation |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1974<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Lazarus | first1=R.S. |<br />
last2=Folkman | first2=S. |<br />
title=Stress, appraisal, and coping |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Springer |<br />
year=1984<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
title=Positive- negative evaluative asymmetry and human cognitive biases (paper) |<br />
place=Helsinki |<br />
year=1985<br />
}} <!-- paper --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
title=Action involvement and action control |<br />
year=1986<br />
}} <!-- unpublished article --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
chapter=On objective and subjective anchoring of cognitive acts |<br />
editor1-last=Baker | editor1-first=W.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Mos | editor2-first=L.P. |<br />
editor3-last=Rappard | editor3-first=H.V. |<br />
editor4-last=Stam | editor4-first=H.J. |<br />
title=Recent trends in Theoretical Psychology |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1987<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
contribution=Towards a pragmatic perspective on cognition |<br />
periodical=Polish Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=3 |<br />
year=1989<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Maarsingh | first=B.M. |<br />
title=Energie en strokes, doctoraalscriptie, Groningen, Vakgroep Ontwikkelingspsychologie Rijks Universiteit Groningen, 1990<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Murgatroyd | first=S.J. |<br />
chapter=Introduction to Reversal Theory |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Nijdam |<br />
last2=Van Buuren |<br />
title=Statistiek voor de Sociale Wetenschappen, deel 2 |<br />
publisher=Samson Uitgeverij | place=Alphen aan den Rijn |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Rooijen | first=J. |<br />
title=Vlucht, en verwante begrippen in biologie en psychologie |<br />
periodical=internal report, Dept. of Ethology |<br />
place=Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Holland |<br />
year=1976<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Seiffge-Krenke | first=I. |<br />
chapter=Formen der Problem-bewaltigung bei besonders belasteten Jugendlichen |<br />
editor1-last=Olbrich | editor1-first=E. |<br />
editor2-last=Todt | editor2-first=E. |<br />
title=Probleme des Jugendalters |<br />
place=Berlijn |<br />
year=1984<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Weiner | first=B. |<br />
contribution=Spontaneous causal thinking |<br />
periodical=Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=97 | pages=74-84 |<br />
year=1985<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Wong | first1=P.T. |<br />
last2=Weiner | first2=B. |<br />
contribution=When do people ask why questions and the heuristics of attributional search |<br />
periodical=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |<br />
issue=40 |<br />
pages=650-663 |<br />
year=1981<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Other publications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Aggressive Behavior |<br />
issue=8 | pages=233<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Psychological Abstracts |<br />
issue=69(3) | pages=4956<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
title=Reversal Theory, Learning and Self-Actualization (abstract of paper, given at the International Symposium on Reversal Theory, Powys, Wales, Sept, 1983) |<br />
periodical=Bulletin of the British Psychological Society |<br />
issue=37 |<br />
pages=46<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
contribution=Anxiety and Pleasure: Application of Reversal Theory to Learning (abstract) |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
periodical=Reversal Theory Society Newsletter |<br />
issue=1(1) | pages=20<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1986 |<br />
contribution=Reversal Theory, Learning and Psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Guidance and Counselling |<br />
issue=14(2) | pages=125-139<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognetief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model&diff=8837Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model2022-07-09T10:43:10Z<p>Baby Boy: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN - HB-91-1030-EX <br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy- -Learning -Cognition model (E.L.C.) (2)</b></big><br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/><br />
Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br/><br />
(second part)<br />
</center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
''' Introduction'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|2}} This report describes the C.E.L. (Cognition-Energy-Learning model) which is based on a number of established psychological theories. This model is integrative in the sense that it describes different classes of behaviour, of personal insights and of experiences that are generally regarded as distinct areas of psychological research. Examples are: emotions, motivation, cognitive representation of experiences, coping behaviour and the ethological concept of the efficient allocation of energy. The importance of this model lies, therefore, firstly in the opportunity it provides to classify all those different psychological phenomena in a logically coherent and consistent way. In addition, the model provides a ''basic explanation'' of learning behaviour, as it refers back to the evolutionary basis of behaviour. In other words: it is possible to indicate ''why'' effective coping behaviour develops and also ''why'' this development may stagnate. Coping means here: behaviour that is geared to mastering a problem situation. Subsequently, the model explains on the one hand the connection between emotions and motivation and on the other hand the way in which the cognitive representation of experiences is laid down and how it gradually shifts and changes.<br />
<br />
In each chapter of this treatise, one theoretic approach of a specific phenomenon will be discussed and any lacunae, gaps or specific problems of the theory concerned, will be identified. We shall then attempt to solve these problems in the next chapter, adding an additional piece of theory. This way, four theories will be discussed, all of which show hiatuses in some specific respects.<br />
<br />
The basis of this treatise is Lazarus' classical theory. According to Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen, 1980), stress arises when a person notices that environmental requirements demand too much of his/her available resources.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states that stress situations do not necessarily have to be experienced as negative. It is, however, often the case; when a person expects that his or her abilities and resources for dealing with specific environmental requirements are insufficient, he or she will probably expect damage or loss. Such situations may be experienced as extremely threatening. On the other hand, great demand may be exerted on a person in terms of adaptability while that person still thinks he or she can handle the situation well. Such situations might be regarded as challenges, regarding the opportunity to gain advantages or more control or is affecting personal growth. Adequate reactions in such situations may then influence that person's well-being very positively. Thus, stress situations are not always experienced as negative, but depend on the interpretation by the person in question. When a person experiences stress, he or she may develop strategies to limit damage, or even profit from the situation. In literature this is called coping.<br />
<br />
With regard to the interpretation of stress situations, Lazarus (1980) states that it is a problem that too little is known about which situations are felt to be threatening or challenging, and when that happens and by whom. This hiatus can neatly be filled by Apter's Reversal theory (chapter 2). In this theory two so-called meta-motivational states are proposed. These metamotivational states determine how a person perceives a specific situation and the type of behaviour with which he of she will react to it.<br />
<br />
However, one disadvantage of Apter's theory is its descriptive nature and the fact that it does not account for a connection between the dynamics of motivation and the learning processes mentioned above.<br />
<br />
Van der Molen's learning model, described in chapter 3, does provide this connection and is thus able to explain how these learning processes are maintained. In this model the "contagious nature" of learning experiences is described too. That is, a learning experience that is badly dealt with, increases the likelihood that future learning experiences in similar areas of experience will also be badly dealt with which means that it is likely that the area concerned will stay and always will be problematical. (the reverse applies to learning experiences which are dealt with successfully). The cognitive interpretation or emotional "labelling" of similar areas of experience (for example "exciting" or "boring") always depends on a person's metamotivational condition. Van der Molen's model describes how metamotivational conditions affect learning processes. The model does not yet, however, adequately describe how these conditions influence cognitive contents.<br />
<br />
Lewicka's model of antagonistic cognitive styles (chapter 4) does discuss this aspect. In this model two mechanisms are described which are alternately active in a person (comparable to Apter's theory). Which of the two mechanisms is active at a specific moment, determines what type of information a person will seek in the first place and also determines how cognitive information will be structured.<br />
By combining and integrating the theories mentioned (chapter 5) we have been able to develop a model that not only explains the growth of coping strategies, but also explains the relation between the dynamics of emotions and motivation on the one hand and the way in which cognitive contents are effected and develop on the other hand. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (CEL).<br />
<br />
This will be exemplified with empirical information about the coping behaviour of teachers (Romkes, 1988, chapter 6).<br />
<br />
== Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter Lazarus' theory (e.g. 1980, 1984) of coping behaviour is discussed. The most important ideas of this theory are summarized and at the end of the chapter we show that the theory contains a number of gaps with regard to the process of learning and the development of coping skills. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Transactions between persons and their environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen,1980) calls his approach to stress and coping behaviour cognitive-phenomenological. Emotions and stress are regarded as products of cognitive activity, relating to the way in which a person assesses and evaluates his or her relation with the environment. Lazarus emphasizes that there is a continuous relationship between persons and their environment. On the one hand there are people with individual values, beliefs, skills, etc. On the other hand there are situations, with varying requirements, limitations and facilities. Together they form a dynamic system in which there is a continuous process of mutual influence and change. Lazarus states that there is a ''transaction'' between persons and their environment which changes (adapts / transforms) constantly in the course of time. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== The concept of appraisal: assessment of the environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In Lazarus' theory the term ''appraisal'', that is to say the cognitive assessment by a person of a (real, imaginary or expected) transaction, is central. Lazarus distinguishes between ''primary appraisal'', ''secondary appraisal'' and ''reappraisal''. "Primary appraisal" refers to the process in which a person assesses whether and how a particular transaction will influence his or her own well-being. Such assessments can take three forms, irrelevant, positive or stressful. A person considers a situation to be stressful when he or she perceives that there are situational<br />
requirements that make a great demand on his or her adaptability and on the resources he or she possesses to respond to these demands. Appraisal of a situation as stressful can be divided into sub-types:<br />
* '''damage/loss'''; for example when a partner dies, loss of physical functions, loss of self-respect.<br />
* '''threat'''; expected or feared damage or loss which has not yet materialized.<br />
* '''challenge'''; growth opportunity, acquisition of control or advantage.<br />
Lazarus states that there is too little known about when and by what kind of people a situation is felt to be threatening rather than challenging (and vice versa). However, Lazarus does provide some information about these aspects:<br />
:"A working hypothesis about the causal antecedents of threat and challenge is that the former is more likely when a person assumes that the specific environment is hostile and dangerous and that he or she lacks the resources for mastering it, while challenge arises when the environmental demands are seen as difficult, but not impossible to manage, and that drawing upon existing or acquired skills offers a genuine prospect for mastery." (in Bond and Rosen, 1980, p. 48).<br />
<br />
This leads us to the second type of transaction assessment. The above quotation not only deals with appraisal of the situation and environmental demands, but also with a person's own possibilities to react adequately. Lazarus calls the latter "secondary appraisal", i.e. appraisal of the personal and social means a person has at his or her disposal, the effectiveness of a particular strategy of behaviour in the situation, as well as the possibility that new problems will be created as a result of one's own actions. <br />
<br />
With regard to transactions in which persons and environment influence each other, we can see that primary and secondary appraisal also affect each other. A situation which was originally seen as threatening, can for example be seen as less threatening when a person realises that damage can probably be prevented by adopting a particular strategy of behaviour. Lazarus calls this "reappraisal": a change in the original appraisal of a transaction, resulting from feedback from effectuated outcomes from this transaction, as a result of the person's actions, or by a (mere) re-thinking of the nature of this transaction. So appraisal is also a dynamic process in which changes take place constantly in the course of time and in which appraisal of the situation and one's own possibilities is constantly adjusted.<br />
<br />
Finally, we must observe that appraisal does not only mean rational assessment of the transaction, but also the quality and intensity of a person's emotional feedback on the transaction. For example, it is more likely that a positive assessment of a situation will cause a positive emotional reaction, such as joy or satisfaction. It is likely that a situation that is assessed as threatening will evoke negative emotions, such as fear or anger. In such cases a person feels that he/she is unable to react adequately to the demands that he or she are facing in a specific situation. In other words, he or she feels that they are beyond his or her coping activities. Let's pay some attention to the concept of ''coping''.<br />
<br />
=== Coping ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus gives the following definition of the term coping:<br />
:"We regard coping as problem-solving efforts made by an individual when the demands he faces are highly relevant to his welfare (that is, a situation of considerable jeopardy or promise), and when these demands tax his adaptive resourses." (in Coelho, 1974, p. 250-251).<br />
<br />
Coping activities can have two functions. First, a person can try to improve the situation by changing his or her own behaviour or environment. Secondly, a person can try to control emotions evoked by stress, so that morale and social functioning will not be influenced. Lazarus calls this ''palliation'', using a temporary measure to alleviate stress, such as denying, intellectualising or avoiding negative thoughts; in this way the situation itself does not change, but the individual makes sure that he or she feels better. Thus coping activities are not always rational or realistic, but can also be very irrational, primitive or rigid. Lazarus states that both kinds of coping are important; according to him realistic problem solving and primitive defensive mechanisms are two sides of the same coin.<br />
<br />
Lazarus distinguishes four types of coping activities: <br />
<br />
(a) ''Information seeking'': investigating the characteristics of a stressful situation in order to gain the knowledge necessary to make a correct coping decision, or to be able to assess threat or damage differently. On the one hand, seeking information can form a firm basis for an individual's action, on the other hand it can make this person feel better, by rationalising or supporting a previous decision; this is called "palliation".<br />
<br />
(b) ''Direct action'': action taken by an individual to handle a stressful situation, directed towards himself or herself or at the environment, depending on environmental demands and personal goals.<br />
<br />
(c) ''Inhibition of action''; suppression of action impulses that may otherwise cause damage, for example because they are morally or socially not acceptable, or because they can cause physical damage.<br />
<br />
(d) ''Intrapsychic modes'': cognitive processes aimed at regulating emotions which arise as a result of stressful situations. As with other coping activities, they can be aimed at incidents from the past (for example the reinterpretation of a traumatic experience), or at future events (for example denying that a particular situation may become dangerous). Usually they are aimed at increasing the feeling of well-being of this individual; therefore, succesful intrapsychic coping activities may restrict the number of active attempts an individual makes to control his of her environment.<br />
<br />
Lazarus admits that his rather rough division of coping activities is a rudimentary classification system; and indeed, a number of significant aspects are lacking. For example, it does not include any details about possible coping feedback and any antecedent conditions or results of different types of coping behaviour. There is still too little known about which situations evoke which types of coping behaviour. Moreover, Lazarus states that motivational and emotional aspects of coping receive relatively little attention in psychological studies. The developmental aspects of coping behaviour are also still unclear, and according to Lazarus studies of these aspects are essential in order to be able to understand the coping process more clearly.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus has developed a clear and understandable theory with regard to certain central concepts, such as the transaction between persons and their environment, the individual's appraisal of a transaction, emotional response on this appraisal and several types of coping activities. However, it is still not clear what exactly is the nature of the processes described. Some lack of clarity remains which Lazarus himself in fact also admits.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states, for example, that it is not clear which situations are experienced as threatening and not as a challenge, and by which persons (and vice versa). In the theory little is said about what kind of factors are important for acquiring coping behaviour and how the behavioural repetoire a person has at his or her disposal to respond to environmental demands, may develop in the course of time.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how Apter's Reversal theory can provide an answer to a number of the queries mentioned above.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory ==<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to remedy Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} One of the deficiencies observed in Lazarus' theory can be remedied by supplementing it with Apter's Reversal theory. The Reversal theory provides a (descriptive) answer to the question relating to the various ways in which people react to the same, or similar, situations. The Reversal theory states that as far as human motivation is concerned people are in one of two metamotivational states. The way in which a situation is experienced depends on the state a person is in at a particular moment. The two states can be distinguished by the level of arousal that is preferred. ''Arousal'' is defined in this theory as being mentally and physically prepared for action.<br />
<br />
=== The organisation of motivation according to Apter ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} The ''Reversal theory'' has been developed by Apter and Smith (1975; see also Apter, 1984). The theory deals with the way in which people experience motives for their actions and descibes the process of changes in motivation. In this theory an individual is regarded as a complex "machine" that uses the environment for his or her own aims. This "machine" can behave according to different "programs" which determine the way in which the environment is experienced. The idea that one action can be performed with different motives is central. For example, a person may ride a bicycle, because he or she has to attend a meeting. This is a determined action. Here, riding a bicycle represents the means by which a goal can be achieved. However a person can also ride a bicycle "just" for pleasure. In this case a person acts according to the program "wanting to be active", and cycling is a goal in itself. Thus, there are two possible states in which a person can be. These states are characteristic of the way in which an act, in this case "cycling", is experienced. In the case of the meeting this act is purposive. In this situation cycling is not an act undertaken to create stress or excitement; here the aim is to fulfill a particular task. In other words: to remove the tension that is caused by being obliged to fulfill this task. In the second case cycling is an action which in itself evokes particularly pleasant excitement.<br />
<br />
For this reason the Reversal theory rejects a simplistic-homeostatic interpretation of human motivation in which there is just one optimal state of balance that individuals are seeking. This state of balance particularly refers to ''one optimal level'' of arousal. According to the homeostatic way of thinking, individuals will always try to achieve one optimal level of arousal and/or to remain at this level. However, the Reversal theory assumes that at times a low level of arousal is aimed and at other times, a high level of arousel. Therefore Apter introduces the concept of ''bi-stability''. This means, for example, that people may or may not feel fine at a low or a high level of arousal. As the examples mentioned above show, at times one's aim may simply be the performance of a particular task and the act is not meant to raise the level of arousal. At other times a person may seek excitement, in which case the same or a similar act can suddenly become exciting (arousal increasing).<br />
<br />
To illustrate these ideas we can consider a number of situations in which different levels of arousal are experienced. Generally (but not necessarily), there is a high level of arousal when a person watches an exciting film. One can imagine that this excitement can be both pleasant and unpleasant. For example, when a person has been working all day and the work was very boring, a movie picture can provide a welcome state of excitement. On the other hand, when a person has just been threatened in the street, the tension caused by the movie may be too much for him or her. In this situation a hot bath may be preferred as it is more likely to provide relaxation. Thus, there is a desire for a low level of arousal. The same hot bath may evoke boredom (in Apter's terms) in someone who has not done anything all day long. Therefore, it is important here that a particular level of arousal is not inadvertently connected with the person's well-being.<br />
<br />
These examples indicate that a person can feel good or not, depending on the level of arousal sought at that moment, in other words: depending on the metamotivational state a person is in at that moment. The level of arousal is always evoking a ''subjective experience''. In other words: an exciting experience for one person, may be boring to another.<br />
<br />
=== Bi-stability of emotions and motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We have shown that there are two possible states of preference as far as the level of arousal is concerned. Firstly, there is the state in which a person aims at a low level of arousal and performs purposive action. This state is called arousal-avoidance or the ''telic state'' (telos is Greek for goal or purpose). In this state a low level of arousal is experienced as pleasant, Apter (1982) calls this "relaxation". A high level of arousal is experienced as unpleasant and is called "fear" by Apter. Secondly, there is the state in which a person aims at a high level of arousal and shows unpurposive action. This state is called the arousal-seeking or ''paratelic state'' (literally translated from Greek, paratelic means "without aim" or "goal-less"). In this state a high level of arousal will be experienced as pleasant "excitement", whereas a low level of arousal causes an unpleasant feeling: "boredom". These two states, telic and paratelic, differ as far as the experience of purpose, time and intensity is concerned (Apter, 1982; Murgatroyd, 1978, 1983). This is shown in table 2.1.<br />
<br />
The telic or paratelic state is as it were a frame for particular behaviour (Goffman, 1975). The states mentioned refer to the way in which the motivation of behaviour is experienced. For this reason they are called ''metamotivational states''. These states determine how experiences are labelled (see table 2.2, following next page). At any moment in time a person is always in one of these two states. The period of time in which a person can be in a particular state varies from a few seconds to some days (Walters, Apter and Svebak, 1982). <br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the telic and paratelic states<br />
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ In the telic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - purposive action ║<br />
║ - imposed purposes ║<br />
║ - attempts to complete actions ║<br />
║ - secure and routine behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for experience and safety ║<br />
║ - orientation to the outside world ║<br />
║ - behaviour aimed at the future ║<br />
║ - planned activities ║<br />
║ - activities that are a means to a purpose ║<br />
║ - preference for low intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - a high level of realism ║<br />
║ - preference for a low level of arousal ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ In the paratelic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - process behaviour ║<br />
║ - avoidable and freely chosen "purposes" ║<br />
║ - attempts to extend activities and to make them continue ║<br />
║ - exploration ║<br />
║ - experimenting with behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for news and excitement ║<br />
║ - a here-and-now experience ║<br />
║ - activities that are aims in themselves ║<br />
║ - activities that are spontaneous and free ║<br />
║ - a preference for high intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - imagination and exaggeration ║<br />
║ - preference for a high level of arousal ║<br />
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Pleasant and unpleasant experiences of high and low arousal.png|framed|none|Table 2.2 The variable meaning of the experienced level of arousal]]<br />
<br />
=== The reversals to the different states ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We will now describe how a reversal from one state to another can take place. Reversals take place involuntarily, although a person may be capable of getting into a situation in which a reversal into one or another direction becomes likely. The frequency with which reversals take place differs from person to person and is, moreover, dependent on the situation a person is in (Blackmore and Murgatroyd in Apter, 1980).<br />
<br />
The Reversal theory describes several conditions that can lead to a reversal. Most important are "contingencies"; aspects of a person or of the environment change in such a way that a reversal is triggered. For example, if a particular drug is used, if a visitor arrives unexpectedly or in an emergency situation. The second condition that can lead to a reversal is called "satiation". It is assumed that a reversal becomes more likely when the period of time in which a person is in a particular metamotivational state increases. A person then becomes more sensitive to signals from the environment or from himself or herself that can lead to contingencies. The different conditions influence each other, and can make reversals more or less likely. Table 2.2 and figure 2.1 show that a reversal from one state to another changes the meaning given to the level of arousal experienced. A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, while a person experiences a high level of arousal, will result in a change from excitement to anxiety. A reversal from telic to paratelic, while a person experiences a low level of arousal, will result in a change from relaxation to boredom.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 2.1. Apter's Reversal model (from: Apter, 1985)]] <!-- XXX: In the original document, the top part of this figure is not used; make another version of the image? --><br />
<br />
<br />
=== Other possible sequences ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Figure 2.1 shows the way in which the process of interchanging emotions and motivation ''often'' takes place. However, another "direction" may be followed. For example, a person may remain in a state of anxiety for a long time, because he or she cannot relax sufficiently. This can happen to a person who is not completely in control of (a) particular situation(s). In this case it is unlikely that after some time a person will look for a state of excitement. It is also possible that the entire sequence of emotions (the butterfly figure) in figure 2.1 rises or falls along the vertical axis (Apter 1982). This indicates that a person feels mainly well or not well respectively. The first can take place when a person has many skills, and can handle all kinds of different situations well. This person will not experience boredom in the strict sense, because the unpleasant stage of the paratelic state will soon change into exploration or into other activities that cause excitement or/and which increase the hedonic tone. When, following a period of rest and/or relaxation a person reaches "satiation", he or she will not remain in a state of boredom (unpleasant), but will soon find opportunities to perform one or another paratelic action which will be experienced as pleasant.<br />
<br />
The butterfly in the figure may be at a lower level when a person is often anxious, or when he or she is chronically bored. Referring to Apter's model this situation can be explained by an inability to reach relaxation. As this person is unable to relax sufficiently for example, owing to an absence of skills, he or she will soon become (once more) over-aroused and anxious when he or she is in an exciting situation. That is, such situations become more threatening when a person can experience fewer moments of relaxation (Apter 1982). Such a person will, therefore, sooner experience the reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In other words: a person will relatively quickly get from the state in which the situation was exciting (paratelic) into the state in which the situation becomes frightening (telic). He or she will be relatively often in stages of low hedonic tone, while the periods of pleasant tension or pleasant excitement will be experienced less often. This person, therefore, will explore for shorter periods and less often. As we shall explain further in chapter 5, such situations have serious consequences for the development of the process of learning. <br />
<br />
In our view, chronic boredom can be considered as a symptom of a situation in which mainly unpleasant moods alternate. As soon as there is satiation of the telic state, there will unconsciously be a reversal to the paratelic state. However, before arousal-searching, expansive behaviour gets going well, there will often be a reversal to the telic state. The (unconscious) fear of risky exploration has become so strong that the paratelic metamotivational condition itself has been affected and is experienced as threatening. As a result such a person changes constantly from anxiety (telic) to boredom (paratelic) and the other way round, while his or her mood does not improve in hedonic tone. The person finds it difficult to "really" relax, because he or she finds it difficult to make a "real" effort. For this reason, such a person will in general experience boredom, rather than relaxion.<br />
<br />
=== Towards a completion of Apter's theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Although Apter's theory provides more insight into the different ways in which people can react to the same, or similar situations, some questions are still left unanswered.<br />
<br />
Firstly, the Reversal theory is only descriptive. It provides no insight into the underlying dynamics of the processes described. In other words: it is not clear how and why the reversals between the two states take place. Moreover, the theory does not provide a satisfactory causal explanation for the presence of the different states and reversals.<br />
<br />
Secondly, Apter describes his model as a symmetric model. This means that reversals from telic to paratelic, and reversals from paratelic to telic can be the result of contingencies, but also of satiation. A non-symmetric model is however more likely. We will show this in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning -Cognition Model ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Lazarus and the Reversal theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In chapter 1 we have pinpointed certain gaps in Lazarus' theory. One problem is that too little attention is paid to emotional and motivational aspects of human behaviour. As a result, there is still very little known about which kind of situations are experienced as threatening and which are seen as a challenge (and vice versa), and by whom. In chapter 2 we have further discussed this in a descriptive way. We have stated that telic and paratelic states are metamotivational frames of behaviour that also explain the connection between threat and challenge. In this chapter we shall discuss this further and highlight another gap in Lazarus' theory, namely the developmental aspects of coping behaviour. The metamotivational states (telic and paratelic) will be approached from an ethological perspective; the importance of an optimal allocation of energy is emphasized. The concept of "energy" may be defined here from a psychological as well as from a physiological viewpoint. We shall discuss this further in 3.2.<br />
<br />
In chapter 2 we have also described two gaps in Apter's theory which will be filled in this chapter. Firstly, the mainly descriptive nature of Apter's theory will be given more explanatory power by focussing on the energy apects of metamotivational states. Secondly, the influence of contingencies and the influence of satiation on reversals in Van der Molen's model will be described as non-symmetric, whereas Apter describes his theory as a symmetric model.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== An open-ended learning system ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In his model ''Van der Molen'' (1983, 1984, 1985; Van der Molen, Van der Dennen, 1981) emphasizes that, basically, we have an "open-ended" learning system: "This is the ability to acquire a behavioural repertoire which is specifically tailored to the environmental situation an individual happens to live in" (Van der Molen, 1984, p. 1). The learning abilities of an individual are optimally utilized, when his or her behaviour is organised in such a way that a surplus of energy is directly invested into extending and refining his or her behavioural repertoire. From a psychological perspective, when there is a surplus of energy, there is readiness and gumption to enter new situations and to show explorative behaviour. Such behaviour may increase the survival value, particularly when certain experiences can subsequently be utilized in stressful situations and in emergencies. Therefore, skills have to be trained in situations with a high level of arousal. And situations which evoke a high level of arousal are particularly those in which risks will (have to) be taken.<br />
<br />
Thus, an open-ended learning system will provide a maximum survival value when the following conditions are fulfilled: firstly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that involve a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy, and, secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that reduce the level of arousal as soon as the suplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is an emergency.<br />
<br />
Although we will not discuss the neurophysiological aspects of human behaviour extensively in this report, it is sensible in this context to discuss the findings of Van Rooijen (1976), Archer (1978) and Laborit (1978) briefly. Their studies have shown that there is a neurophysiological "emergency-system" which is activated as soon there is a risky situation or an emergency. This system enables a person to show adequate reactions (very) promptly; alertness is temporarily increased and motor actions can be carried out very quickly. Evidence shows that long-lasting or frequent activation of this system has a negative influence on learning processes, because too much of the neural capacity will then be reserved for keeping this emergency system in action. In addition the energy supply is also heavily taxed in such situations. For this reason there will have to be a reversal to another, more relaxed state after some time which enables the person to refill the energy supply. This is only possible when there is (relatively) little physical or mental exertion. These characteristics imply a bi-stable system in which the preferred level of arousal depends on the metamotivational state (see chapter 2 and Apter 1982). In the paratelic state, i.e. when there is a surplus of energy, a person will prefer a high level of arousal. On the other hand, in the telic state, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is direct danger, the organism will seek relaxation. This will at first require energy output but the final and desired result is a lowered level of arousal. Figure 3.1 shows the reversals between the different states.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 3.1. Apter's reversal model]] <!-- XXX: There's no a. and b. in this diagram; there is in the source doc; do we care? --><br />
<br />
By relating the learning system directly to the energy available, Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) describes the way in which the paratelic and telic states alternate ideally. In the period of relaxation, energy is supplemented and acquired. When the energy supply has increased sufficiently (in other words: when there is satiation of the telic state) the individual will become bored and will, (once more) seek an exciting situation. In this state a high degree of arousal will be experienced as pleasant. However, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, there will be a reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In this way, by looking for an easier or a comforting situation or by controlling the fearful situation (i.e. after achieving relaxation), the person can replenish the energy supply. Given the tendency to look for situations which are accompanied by a high level of arousal, there will be experimentation in the paratelic state with new or otherwise arousal-increasing skills and situations. In this way the behavioural repertoire will be tested, extended and refined.<br />
<br />
If the system functions well, the telic and the paratelic states will automatically and regularly alternate. Now the second gap in Apter's theory has been filled. The explanatory principle Van der Molen adds, is that a bi-stable system of motivation contributes directly to the chances of a learning organism to survive, by using its surplus of energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
Bowlby (1977) has shown empirically that regular periods of relaxation are of crucial importance for the ability and readiness to explore new situations. In his studies he describes that a child, exploring an unknown situation, regularly returns for a moment to a trusted person (in Bowly's case the child's mother). In this way the child can relax and acquire energy for the next bout of exploration. Many types of behavioural deficiencies, such as chronic fear, can develop, when the periodic need for relaxation and reassurance cannot be met.<br />
<br />
=== Learning spirals ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} On the basis of positive and negative learning spirals, Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops. If the sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation and so on occurs often enough, this indicates that, generally speaking, there have been sufficient possibilities, whether or not self-created, to achieve relaxation in time and to replenish energy deficits. An individual will then develop an adequately functioning behavioural repertoire in which the various skills are integrated well. A person will then also be able to handel emergencies better and to relax easier and more quickly, so that after some time he or she will be able and ready again to explore, etc. This is called a ''positive learning spiral''.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.2.''' The two types of learning spirals (Van der Molen, 1984) according to which acquiring and refining the behavioural repertoire will be the result of positive learning spirals, and a rigid stereotyped way of reacting a consequence of negative learning spirals.]]<br />
<br />
However, when there are not enough moments of relaxation, too little energy can be built up with the result that the individual will explore less and will show telic behaviour more frequently. In this way the person will acquire fewer new skills and practise "old" skills less often. This is called a negative learning spiral (see figure 3.2).<br />
<br />
This model has a peculiar consequence. It predicts namely that skills tend to grow in clusters. Following Grof (1972, 1973, 1976), Van der Molen calls such clusters "clusters of condensed experience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 3.3). Grof gives the following definition of a COEX-system: "A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related phantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another".<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions related to the cluster. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) explains the reason for such a clustering of areas of experience. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested adequately, there is a positive COEX-system in which various types of skills are included. Often these skills can be applied to other, but similar and related situations, so that those situations too can be more easily controlled and managed. In this way positive experiences tend to catalize the positive experiencing of similar, comparable areas and thus cause a positive COEX-system to grow. <br />
<br />
Experiences that have been dealt with badly tend to grow in clusters too. That is, when in a particular situation there is little exploration, and as a result little practise with particular relevant skills, it is difficult to get the situation under control, and thus to relax. The likelihood that new skills will be acquired is then also very low, so that the next time the individual is in the same, or in a similar situation, he or she will more likely have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (flight or avoidance behaviour) in similar situations, which causes even less experimenting. <br />
<br />
An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of someone who does not dare to enter into contact with people anymore as a result of his or her shyness. This causes the fear for this kind of situation to grow, because the familiarity with these situations decreases continuously, and, moreover, the person is unable to adequately develop other skills for which he or she needs help from others (school assignments, for example). In this way it is likely that the individual will become caught up in a ''negative learning spiral'' in which new experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify the existing, inadequate, avoidance behaviour. It is difficult to escape from such a spiral. The most important (and necessary) condition for this is the ability to achieve relaxation which is a prerequisite for dealing with experiences and for the replenishment of energy. Only then (careful) explorations of the frightening area can begin, with the possibility that this leads to fewer negative or even to positive experiences.<br />
<br />
If a number of areas which have been dealt with succesfully, for which skills have been developed, are closely related to an area of experience that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations threaten to become frightening. Through retiring into such a refuge the necessary relaxation can then be acquired. It is important to keep in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. Positive COEX-systems, and in particular ''important'' COEX-systems, develop through a proper reprocessing and digestion of formerly negative experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of negative experiences that ''have been dealt with badly'' and have been (re-)processed and digested insufficiently. The developmental aspects which play a role in acquiring and extending coping skills and which have not further been developed by Lazarus, are thus discussed and explainedd in detail by Van der Molen.Stanislav Grof labels this organisation of our experiences and behaviour as a "Carthography of the Psyche", which can be depicted as in fig.3.3. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.3.''' Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the field of experiences (from: Van der Molen, 1984).]]<br />
<br />
=== The asymmetry of the Reversal model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we have mentioned that Apter presents his theory as a symmetric model. Van der Molen (1984) indicates that contingencies in particular cause a reversal from paratelic to telic, and that satiation is one of the primary causes of a reversal from telic to paratelic. Van der Molen places emphasis on one particular sequence, that from relaxation to boredom, from boredom to excitement, from excitement to fear, and from fear back to relaxation. The reversal from telic to paratelic behaviour is here a reversal from relaxation to boredom. <br />
<br />
According to Van der Molen, this reversal will usually be the result of satiation. The reason for this concerns energy; we have discussed at the beginning of this chapter, that the capacities of an open-ended learning system are optimally utilized if any surplus of energy is invested in gathering more experience.<br />
<br />
A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, on the other hand, is caused in particular by contingencies. With reversals from paratelic to telic, Van der Molen places emphasis on the sudden transition from excitement to fear. By looking for arousal-increasing situations in the paratelic state, risks are taken and a greater likelihood exists that a particular situation will suddenly get out of hand owing to contingencies which cause a reversal from paratelic to telic behaviour.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter we have described Van der Molen's learning model which provides us an insight into the way in which the learning system is unconsciously kept going as long as there is a regular surplus of energy. We have observed that energy levels form the basis for the telic and the paratelic states and considered the emotional and motivational aspects of coping behaviour. Moreover, the developmental aspect of coping behaviour is explicitly discussed in Van der Molen's model, in the form of descriptions of positive and negative learning spirals and the clustering of related areas of experience. The concept of positive and negative COEX-systems can also be regarded as a first initiative to roughly categorize cognitive contents. Finally, we have discussed why Van der Molen regards satiation as a prime reason for the reversals from telic to paratelic and contingencies as the main cause of reversals from paratelic to telic.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in the Energy-Learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} What is still lacking in this model, is a more detailed description of the way in which emotional and motivational states are related to ''cognitive contents''. This aspect will be addressed in the next chapter as we discuss Lewicka's antagonist model of cognitive styles.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Van der Molen's learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's discussion of the emotional and motivational aspects of the learning process. Lewicka's model (1987, for example) in which there are two antagonistic modes of cognitive information processing, provides a description of the cognitive aspects. We will show how this model supplements Van der Molen's model.<br />
<br />
Lewicka distinguishes two types of behavioural regulation, the mechanism of ''action-control'' and the mechanism of ''action-involvement'' respectively. Like Apter's theory, Lewicka's theory too states that an individual is always in one of the two regulationary modes; there are two antagonistic mechanisms of cognitive functioning which alternate in time.<br />
<br />
=== Action-control and action-involvement ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} The mechanism of action-control instigates actions, aiming at the achievement of a particular objective (comparable to the telic state). Lewicka states that there are particular "''activity-external comparison standards''" which means that the achievement of an external objective is central and that the activity itself is not the objective of the individual.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-control is controlled by a ''principle of negative feedback''; thinking of a particular standard (the objective), the individual assesses his or her situation. A discrepancy between the actual and desired states is experienced as unpleasant and causes instrumental behaviour (correcting mistakes, if any, and minimalising the discrepancy), until the objective in view has been achieved. Lewicka calls this "''controlling''": the objective regulates the behaviour of the individual.<br />
<br />
The most important function of the mechanism of action-control is to maintain the level of organisation the individual has achieved. However, if an organism is to be able to grow, he or she must be capable of creating entirely new objectives (by him or herself), for example in order to be able to adapt to changing or still unknown environmental demands. The mechanism of action control itself is therefore not sufficient. For this, the alternative or antagonist mechanism of ''action-involvement'' is essential.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement encourages the individual to take actions which are not instrumental or purposive: in fact the individual's activity is an aim in itself (comparable to the paratelic state). Although sometimes there seems to be a particular external objective, this is often random and more like an "excuse" for the activity, than that the person really tries to achieve that objective. The motivation for the activity is the activity itself.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement is controlled by a ''principle of positive feedback''. The factors that cause the behaviour and maintain it lie in the behaviour itself; this is a process of self-amplification: the behaviour intensifies itself.<br />
<br />
The function of the mechanism of action-involvement is the production of new, so far unknown, results of behaviour, or the further exploration of activities that have been tried out before. In this way the individual will not only be able to obtain more information, but also indications about promising directions of future activities. Lewicka calls this "''directing''" which means that the behavioural results themselves are guidelines for future behaviour. Since the behaviour is not directed at established goals, the activities of the individual in the action-involvement mode are often very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
Table 4.1 provides a summary in catchwords of the main differences between the two mechanisms of regulation described by Lewicka.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 4.1.''' A summary of the differences between the action-control mode and the action-involvement mode<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Control<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Involvement <br />
|-<br />
|Purposive action<br />
|Activity "for the activity"<br />
|-<br />
|Controlled by a negative feedback principle<br />
|Controlled by positive feedback principles <br />
|-<br />
|Controlling: purpose regulates the behaviour<br />
|Directing: behavioural results themselves are guidelines for sub-sequent behaviour <br />
|-<br />
|Function: maintaining the achieved level of organisation (balance)<br />
|Function: taking the individual to a higher level of organisation (development) <br />
|} <br />
<br />
Table 4.1 shows once more that there is much similarity between the mode of action-control and the telic state and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. According to both Lewicka and Apter, the motivation for activity is central: they distinguish between activity aimed at a particular external objective and activity as an "objective" in itself. The difference between Apter's and Lewicka's approaches lies in how they further work out this distinction into two modes of behaviour. Apter discusses in particular the motivational and emotional aspects concerned. Lewicka, on the other hand, discusses in particular the cognitive aspects. In our view both theories can be combined to form a more complete picture of the alternation of behavioural modes. This will be explained in the remainder of this chapter. First we will discuss what Lewicka calls evaluative standards which, according to her, are operative in the action-control mode.<br />
<br />
=== Evaluative standards of comparison in the action-control mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the mechanism of action-control there are two forms of evaluative standards of comparison: on the one hand positive standards which indicate what a person ought to do (for example particular assessment criteria an achievement has to meet), on the other hand negative standards which indicate which limits cannot be passed (for example particular social standards which indicate what types of behaviour cannot be regarded "decent"). Lewicka calls them "''standards of goodness''" and "''standards of badness''" respectively.<br />
<br />
The two types of standards are not entirely symmetric which means that a categorisation of a result as "not good" does not imply that this result is regarded as "bad" (and vice versa). There is a third category possible which is "non-substantial" which means: neither good, nor bad (see fig. 4.1). <br />
<br />
[[Image:Lewicka standards of goodness.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.1: Schematic reproduction of various categorizations of possible results'''<br /><br />
(Explanation: In the field of possible results, area A represents the results that are categorized as "good", area B the results that are regarded as "bad". The remaining possible results, area C, are of the category "non-substantial".)]]<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985) states that if certain standards of goodness are difficult to attain (for example rigid social rules of behaviour or idealised criteria for achievements), it is hard for a person to reach that standard. An example of this is a person who is in a very rigid environment, such that he or she must continuously take part in particular activities in order to be appreciated. In such situations there is hardly any opportunity for non-purposive behaviour and a reversal to the mode of action-involvement is not very likely.<br />
<br />
When there are rigid, strictly defined and narrowly limited standards of badness which means that there is a small number of categories appraised as "bad" and thus a large number of "non-substantial", a person can very easily avoid "bad" behaviour. At first this may bring about a feeling of relief, as it is very clear what is not "allowed", but this situation may eventually also lead to boredom which, according to Van der Molen's learning model, makes a reversal to the mode of action involvement more likely. An example is the story of Adam and Eve in Paradise; everything was allowed, except eating apples from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. The rest of the story we know.<br />
<br />
Within the mode of action-control the activities an individual is engaged in are either instrumental actions of ''approach'' aimed at producing results categorised as "good" by positive standards of comparison, or instrumental actions of ''avoidance'' aimed at avoiding results categorised as "bad" by negative standards of comparison. The functional conditions are ''efficiency'' and ''minimization of mistakes''; the least effort and the least costs for achieving a positive, or for avoiding a negative result, the better.<br />
<br />
=== Criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} According to Lewicka the criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode are quite different. Lewicka uses the informative contents of activities as criteria. The search for a maximum of information is then the guideline for the choice of behaviour. "A catagorisation as "good" applies to all those alternatives of behaviour that provide an individual with new information and reduce uncertainty", Lewicka states.<br />
<br />
Apparently Lewicka somewhat contradicts herself here, because in the definition of the mechanism of action-involvement she states that actions are brought about which do not aim at a particular objective. However, later on, she states, as we have described above, that the individual in the action-involvement mode aims at obtaining new information and reducing uncertainty. So apparently there is postulated an aim for a particular objective.<br />
<br />
In our view this problem can be solved when the parallel between the action-control mode and the telic state on the one hand and between the action-involvement mode and the paratelic state on the other hand is regarded more closely. As we have previously mentioned, behaviour in the action-involvement mode is maintained by factors stemming from the activity itself. It remains unclear, however, what kind of factors are involved here. Apter explains this by his assumption of striving for pleasant tension as a general motive for behaviour in the paratelic state. If this idea is accepted as a supplement to Lewicka's theory, we can say more about whether purposive behaviour does or does not exist in the mode of action-involvement.<br />
<br />
=== Proximal and ultimal purposes in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In our view, it is important to make a clear distinction between the ''proximal'' and the ''ultimal'' purposes of behaviour in the action-involvement mode. The term "proximal purpose" refers to the objective at which the person aims at the moment of the activity. Contrary to the mechanism of action-control, there is no external objective in the mechanism of action-involvement, but there is activity because of the activity itself; the (proximal) "objective" of the person is the behaviour that provides pleasant tension. The ultimal objective of similar activities corresponds with the function of Lewicka's mechanism of action-involvement: it enables the person to acquire new experiences, to learn from them and thus enhances growth which in turn means the achievement of a higher level of cognitive organisation. A person is not aware of this ultimal objective at the moment the very activities take place. When Lewicka mentions behavioural alternatives with a high informative value which are categorized as "good", this must be interpreted as "good" with regard to the ultimal objective of the mechanism of action-involvement. The criteria the person applies at the moment of the activity itself, will not have any bearing on the informative value of the activity, but on the importance of the activity for the person, that is on the possibily that it may provide pleasant tension. The ultimal advantages of action-involvement behaviour make it evolutionarily advantageous that this behavioural mode exists in which arousal-rising and pleasure in the action itself are the proximal "goals" (see Van der Molen, 1983).<br />
<br />
We can perhaps go further than Lewicka in answering the question which kind of activities have the greatest informative value. On the one hand, these are of course activities in areas of experience that are new and unknown to a person. Exploration of such areas is less likely in the action-control mode because a person then rather prefers to rely on familiar objects. New and unknown areas involve the risk of unexpected, unpleasant things happening. This leads to tension which is experienced as unpleasant in the mode of action-control. According to Van der Molen's learning model however, it is exactly unfamiliarity that produces tension which makes exploration ''inviting'' in the action-involvement mode. Activities that are closely related to areas categorized as "bad" may in the action-involvement mode also be experienced as "interesting". In the action-control mode the person tries to avoid such areas as much as possible and aims at achieving results categorized as "good". In our view "good" areas are not interesting in the action-involvement mode: they are familiar and do not create any tension. Approaching the "bad", risky areas, on the other hand, is exciting and, what is more, it has the (ultimal) advantage that the limits of these risky areas are explored and thus become more distinctly defined for the person. This will ultimately be of advantage to his or her freedom of movement: if the borders between what "is possible" and what "is not possible" are clear, this will be of advantage to the person whenever the mechanism of action-control is activated again and he or she tries to prevent "bad" results.<br />
<br />
As we have stated above, Lewicka's ideas concerning the informative content of activities can be extended and explained by adding the concepts "proximal" and "ultimal" goals. Following the informative content of activities, we shall discuss in the <br />
next paragraph in more detail how such information is processed cognitively.<br />
<br />
=== "How", "Why" and "What" questions, sufficient and necessary conditions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1987) states that there are three basic questions a person can ask: the question "''How?''", the question "''Why?''" and the question "''What?''". As an example she gives a logical implication:<br />
<br />
P ════> Q, in which P is seen as the action-premise (the condition) and Q as the action-outcome (the result). The three questions that may be asked with regard to this implication are:<br />
# ''How'' can you make Q happen?<br />
# ''Why'' did Q happen?<br />
# ''What'' will happen if P?<br />
According to Lewicka the first two questions are "closed-ended", because the result Q has already been specified. This specification can be based on a criterion of "goodness" or on a criterion of "badness". The appraisal of the expected result determines to a great extent which particular question the individual will ask in particular. The fact is that when the results have been appraised as positive, people are particularly interested in the question "how" these results may be achieved. If the results, on the other hand, have been appraised as negative, the "why"-question is especially interesting (Wong & Weiner, 1981; Weiner, 1984). Lewicka relates these questions to the concept of "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions. We will first explain what is meant by these "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions.<br />
<br />
Sufficient conditions are those conditions that have to be met to achieve a particular result. When a person wants to boil an egg for breakfast, for example, a list of sufficient conditions could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Put in the egg.<br />
# Put the pan onto the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# When the water boils, wait another four minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour off the water.<br />
<br />
When these conditions have been met, the person will indeed get his egg boiled. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg. It could be boiled in an old can on a campfire, for example. A series of sufficient conditions, therefore, indicates how a particular result can be achieved, but this does not imply that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be achieved in another way.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition that has to be met, because there is no other way in which a particular result can be achieved. The necessary condition in the example of boiling an egg could be: "Heat the egg to a temperature that is above the coagulation temperature of the egg white, until the heat has spread throughout the egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, as in fact this is unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for some time is important; otherwise it will never be boiled. Departing from the necessary conditions for a particular result, it is often possible to generate various series of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
As mentioned above, when the results have been appraised as positive, people particularly aim at finding sufficient conditions to achieve this result which means that they are particularly interested in the question: "''How'' can I make sure the result will be achieved?". So there is a strategy of "approach", aiming to achieve desirable results.<br />
<br />
When the results have been appraised as negative, on the other hand, people particularly aim at finding the necessary conditions for these results. Only if someone knows ''why'' an unpleasant result comes about, will he or she be best able to effectively avoid the necessary condition(s) for this result and thus to avoid the unpleasant result itself. This is in fact a strategy of avoidance, aimed at preventing undesirable results.<br />
<br />
There is a great difference between these two types of information processing. To find ''sufficient'' conditions for a result, a "''sufficiency-oriented method''", it is in principle sufficient to know that a particular result will come about after meeting one particular condition or combination of conditions. Then the person will be able to remember this simplistic connection and knows that meeting those conditions again will be sufficient to get the same result again. Seeking ''necessary'' conditions, a "''necessity-oriented method''" implies a greater investment of time and energy. To distil the necessary conditions from the various sufficient conditions for a particular result, more experience and skill is needed, as well as a certain degree of experimenting and the cognitive processing of acquired experiences. Only by examining several conditions separately, will it be possible to find out whether they are essential for a particular result and, if so, why. This investment of time and energy (proximal costs) has, however, some (ultimal) advantage which is the possibility to make the cognitive structure concerned more economical, sparse and logically coherent. As it becomes clear "why" a particular result occurs, it can be obtained or avoided more effectively. The large quantity of sufficient conditions is then, in fact, reduced to a smaller number of necessary conditions. From these necessary conditions, relatively strong and efficient rules can be distilled, so that an individual does not need a separate list of sufficient conditions for each result. In this way a large number of answers to the "how"-question can be replaced by a single answer to the "why"-question.<br />
<br />
=== The "what"-question in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} As we have stated, a certain amount of experimenting is needed to develop a necessity-oriented method. New, additional knowledge about the results of behaviour must be acquired. At this stage the "what"-question will be important. According to Lewicka the "what"-question is "open-ended", because there is no previously specified result. This question will in particular emerge during the exploration of novel areas; there will be experimenting with behavioural alternatives, without aiming at previously determined results. In other words: activities will be engaged in, just to investigate their effects. Referring to our learning model, it will be clear that the "what"-question will emerge in particular during the state of action-involvement (comparable to the paratelic state); experimenting is attractive in this state, because the unfamiliarity of the result will be seen as exciting and pleasant.<br />
<br />
We have to observe that the appraisal of the expected results has a significant influence on whether the person does or does not put much effort into developing a necessity-oriented method. That is to say, the interests of the person on a proximal level play an important part here which means the interests the person is aware of at the moment of the activity itself. In the action-involvement mode those interests are the achievement of pleasant tension. Exploring of and experimenting with the limits of areas categorized as "bad" or problematic, causes considerable tension: after all there is a chance that there will be a less pleasant result. Exploring areas categorized as "good" (or well processed and digested) provides hardly any tension: the only thing that may happen is that an expected pleasant result will not take place. However as the person will generally have one or more sufficiency-oriented methods for achieving desirable results, he or she can always make sure those results will be achieved, should it be necessary when an emergency arises. When a person wants to explore things, seeking (pleasant) tension, these areas are rather unattractive and his or her attention will almost automatically be attracted to the more interesting, because unfamiliar, areas that may be related to an area that has been dealt with well, but at the very least are related to the more risky areas, categorized as "bad".<br />
<br />
=== Pleasant and unpleasant results, necessary and sufficient conditions, acceptance of chances of mistakes and cognitive "bias" ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the action-involvement (paratelic) mode, attention is automatically drawn to a further exploration of the conditions of results. When the results are pleasant, the consequences for the cognitive processing system are entirely different from if the results are unpleasant. As we have stated in paragraph 4.6, working with necessary conditions is the most efficient. Acquiring "sufficient" behavioural strategies is less complicated and quicker to realise, however. To that end the "why"-question does not have to be examined intensively. Any answer to the "how"-question will do. Therefore, if an additional investment in time and energy is made, needed to grow from sufficient behavioural strategies to knowledge of necessary conditions, it will in general be invested in the first place in ''un''pleasant results, in order to determine their conditions more accurately.<br />
<br />
When examining pleasant results it is of course more efficient to know the necessary conditions, but in those cases it is less crucial, because there are fewer risks. Indeed, any sufficient conditions will meet the purpose, that is, to achieve pleasant results.<br />
<br />
There is another problem, however. In practise it is in general impossible to make accurate predictions about behavioural results. The cognitive models of reality we create are just approaches. The higher the required degree of accuracy, the more experience and information has to be invested. All cognitive models have a particular degree of uncertainty. Which uncertainties will be minimized in the first place, depends to a great extent on the nature of the expected results. Table 4.2 gives a summary of the possible antecedents and results in the case of pleasant and in the case of unpleasant results. This table is a free modification of Lewicka's (1985). To be perfectly clear, we have made a separate table for pleasant and unpleasant results respectively. However, as far as terminology is concerned, these tables differ a little from Lewicka's. The fact is that it is not always clear what Lewicka means with the terms "positive" and "negative", because she uses them in two different ways. Lewicka uses, for instance, the terms "positive outcome" and "positive hit". In the first term "positive" means: positively appraised or appreciated. For clarity's sake we have chosen the term ''pleasant'' for positively appraised results and ''unpleasant'' for negatively appraised results. Of course we have not changed terms like "positive hit" and "negative hit", because these are established terms from the disciplines of logic and mathematics.<br />
<br />
When departing from the idea that people generally try as hard as possible to avoid disappointments, the table makes clear why some specific cognitive strategies are more likely to occur in connection with some specific results than others. Each cognitive strategy of course also harbours its own chances of mistakes and "bias".<br />
<br />
If any ''unpleasant'' results can occur, a person will generally try to avoid them. ''Disappointments'' arise when there are unpredicted unpleasant results (false negative, "type II" mistake). We know that when the probability of a Type II mistake is made as small as possible, the probability of a "Type I" mistake will, as a consequence, increase (see for example Nijdam & Van Buuren, 1983). In this case a "Type I" mistake is a ''pleasant surprise'' for the individual: an unpleasant result was predicted, but it did not take place. At the level of the behaviour of the individual this means, that during the action-control mode (in which unpleasant results are actively avoided), the individual will take a large "safety margin"; not only will the area be avoided for which there are clear negative standards of appraisal, but also the areas that are closely related. The chance of a Type II-mistake reduces this, but the area that has been avoided will usually be larger than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.2.<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.2: Survey of possible mistakes in information processing, depending on the evaluative appraisal of the result <br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Unpleasant ║ H ║ non-H ║<br />
results ║ (unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║(A) ║ (C) ║<br />
║ ║ positive hit ║ false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║ Type II-mistake ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant as ║ (unpleasant, but ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║ not predicted) ║<br />
║ ║ p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║ (B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║(not unpleasant, ║(not unpleasant, ║<br />
║ does not ║although predict- ║as predicted) ║<br />
║ occur) ║ed) p(H ∩ -non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Pleasant ║ H ║non-H ║<br />
results ║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║ (A) ║(C) ║<br />
║ ║positive hit ║false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║Type II-mistake ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant as ║(pleasant, but not ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║predicted) ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║(B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║ does not ║ (not pleasant, al- ║not pleasant, ║<br />
║ occur) ║though predicted ║as predicted ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
"Necessity" of H for T: p(H|T) = A/ (A + C)<br />
"Sufficiency" of H for T: p(T|H) = A / (A + B)<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
One result of this safe strategy is, that during the action-control mode particular areas will remain unexplored and thus unfamiliar to the individual. Such large safety margins can only be rendered superfluous by a further elucidation of the necessary conditions for the unpleasant result. Its borders then become narrower, sharper and more accurately defined (see figure 4.2). In terms of figure 4.1: the acquisition of more necessity-oriented information reduces the size of the "no good" areas and increases the available behavioural manoeuvering space. On the other hand, as we have said before, vaguely defined borders provide pleasant tension in the action-involvement mode and such areas which were rather avoided in previous, action-control modes, will become more attractive and may be explored more closely.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.2: Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
When an individual may expect positive results he or she will follow quite a different strategy. A ''disappointment'' would mean here that a pleasant result is predicted, but does not take place (false positive, "Type I" mistake). The individual will try to avoid this as much as possible. Minimizing the probability of a Type I mistake implies that the probability of a Type II mistake will increase which is the chance that there will be a pleasant result, although it was not predicted; an ''unexpected surprise''. In the action-control (telic) mode the individual will probably choose for a safe strategy : starting from one or another familiar sufficient method the individual will aim at achieving the pleasant result, without taking risks. The area of behavioural options the individual then aims at is most likely to be smaller than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.3.<br />
<br />
It is clear now that adhering to a single existing sufficient method in the action-control mode limits the behavioural repetoire of the individual; he or she will rarely experiment with other strategies of behaviour than the one that is familiar and tested, for fear of not achieving the expected, pleasant result. However, in the state of action-involvement experimenting with alternative strategies is attractive. Especially close to the areas categorized as "good", the individual can always benefit from the familiar sufficient method in case of an emergency. This means that there will probably be less tension than might arise close to an area categorized as "bad". After further exploration, the "safe" area can thus be extended by supplementing more sufficient methods. Should the individual eventually succeed in generating a necessity-oriented cognitive representation of this pleasant result, even more degrees of safety, as all sufficient conditions would also be defined by implication. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.3: Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
Both with pleasant and unpleasant results, necessity-oriented cognitive models will allow the greatest freedom of movement and behavioural efficiency. The area of unpleasant results (see figure 4.2) will be smaller and the area of pleasant results (see figure 4.3) will be larger. It is clear, however, that the need to invest more energy in obtaining "necessary" cognitive connections will be strongest in the case of unpleasant results.<br />
<br />
In chapter 3 we have shown that in fact this is what really takes place. The problematical areas of experience produce most arousal (because of the possibly unpleasant results) which makes these areas more attractive in the action-involvement (paratelic) mode when there is enough energy to invest in exploration. As a consequence, in such problematical areas there will relatively quickly be enough experience and information available to achieve cognitive structures of "necessity" at a higher level of abstraction and integration.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusion ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter we have discussed how Lewicka's theory can supplement Van der Molen's learning model. The cognitive aspects of the learning process have been discussed and integrated, in order to create a more comprehensive model. We have discussed the difference between action-control and action-involvement and the parallels with the telic and paratelic states. Subsequently the evaluative criteria that are active in the action-control mode have been discussed. With regard to the evaluative criteria in the action-involvement mode it appeared that a relatively easy supplement (similarity with the paratelic state and the difference between proximal and ultimal objectives) sufficed to remove an apparent contradiction in Lewicka's theory. Finally we have discussed the way in which the evaluative appraisal of possible results determines the kind of information an individual seeks, the strategy of behaviour that will probably be chosen and the kind of cognitive mistakes that can be made in processing information.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how these theories complement each other in such a way that a dynamic model emerges that includes the most important aspects of the learning process, that describes cognitive growth and which can be utilized in many areas of research and practical application.<br />
<br />
By way of summary, table 4.3 shows the most important characteristics of the action-control and the action-involvement modes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.3: Survey of action-control and action-involvement <br />
╔═══════════════════════════════╦═════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ ACTION-CONTROL ║ ACTION-INVOLVEMENT ║<br />
╠═══════════════════════════════╬═════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ Purposive activity and ║ Activity as an "aim" in ║<br />
║ instrumental behaviour ║ itself ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Principle of negative ║ Principle of positive ║<br />
║ feedback ║ feedback ║<br />
║ "controlling" ║ "directing" ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Function: maintaining the ║ Function: achieving a ║<br />
║ level of organisation ║ higher level of organisa- ║<br />
║ ║ tion ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ In particular in an environ- ║ In particular in an envi- ║ <br />
║ ment with stringent standards ║ ronment with stringent ║<br />
║ of goodness ║ standards of badness ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Approach-strategy towards ║ Exploration when pleasant ║<br />
║ pleasant results ║ results occur less probable║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Stategy of avoidance towards ║ Exploration particularly ║<br />
║ unpleasant or unknown ║ around unfamiliar or un- ║<br />
║ results ║ pleasant results ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ For pleasant results: ║ Independent of the kind of ║<br />
║ "How?"-question, ║ results: "What?"-question ║<br />
║ For unpleasant results: ║ (exploration/experimenting)║<br />
║ "Why?"-question ║ ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Proximal and Ultimal goals ║ Proximal goal: obtaining ║<br />
║ are the same: to bring and ║ pleasant tension; Ultimal ║<br />
║ keep the environment under ║ goal: gaining entirely new ║<br />
║ control (survival and restor- ║ experiences, as a condition║<br />
║ ing the balance of energy) ║ for development ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════╩═════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
== Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will describe how one coherent model can be constructed from the theories discussed. This model describes and explains more than each theory separately. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L). The model shows how development and learning can be examined from a perspective of energy potential. The cognitive and emotional aspects that play a part in the learning processes, are also accounted for in this model. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Energy dependence of motivation and emotions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the previous chapters we have shown that there is a distinction between telic and paratelic phase. In the telic phase, the behaviour is directed by a particular goal, avoiding fear and seeking safety, for example. In the paratelic phase, on the other hand, the behaviour is a goal in itself; behaviour takes place "just for fun". Thus, in this phase tension is experienced as pleasant and exciting, while in the telic phase it is experienced as frightening and unpleasant. A condition for paratelic behaviour is a surplus of energy which can be spent on exploring and on trying out new things. Telic behaviour takes place at the moment the surplus of energy becomes exhausted or when an emergency arises.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above, makes clear that the energy dependent basis of motivation and emotion is extremely important; the motivational state of an individual depends strongly on the energy that a person has at its disposal. The consequence is a strongly dynamic character of the organization of motivation; motivation and emotion change constantly in the course of time. In the telic phase a person will try to get his or her situation under control. Bringing a situation under control will at first take energy, but once the situation is under control the individual can benefit from familiar skills which cost (relatively) little energy (see chapter 3). In this way the individual can relax and assemble new energy which can be spent in the following paratelic phase. In the telic phase rest and relaxation are aimed at. Once relaxation has been achieved and the individual has recuperated enough energy, there will be a motivational reversal; then rest is no longer regarded as pleasant, but rather as dull and boring. In this paratelic phase a high level of tension is aimed at, until a reversal to the telic state (owing to fatigue or to an emergency) occurs again and the person tries to get the situation under control in order to be able to relax subsequently. <br />
<br />
This system of reversals can be understood by regarding the utilization of energy, which is the basis of the behaviour of the individual. There have to be reversals to the telic state; a person cannot constantly show paratelic behaviour, as the energy required will be exhausted at a certain moment. Moreover, endless explorative and arousal-seeking behaviour will cause difficulties sooner or later which in turn may cause an emergency situation which in turn will ''force'' a reversal. The trigger for these types of reversals has to be sought on a very proximal level. On the other hand, the evolutionary reason for the existence of this reversal system between telic and paratelic states has to be sought at the ultimate level; that is, an organism will have the best yield in terms of survival value when the energy, gained during phases of relaxation in the telic mode, will subsequently be spent in paratelic modes for acquiring novel, additional experiences, that serve for the extension of one's own behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1984).<br />
<br />
=== Problematical and non-problematical experiences ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's model and sequences in which the telic and paratelic modes should alternate ideally. This sequence is: boredom - (explorative behaviour) - excitement - fear - (reversal to the telic state and seeking rest) - relaxation - (with eventually a reversal to the paratelic state) -boredom - etc.<br />
<br />
Should this sequence actually take place in a regular pattern, the result would be optimal; in the paratelic phase the individual explores the environment and that way he or she gains new experiences, using the skills acquired previously. When these skills prove insufficient and the situation threatens to get out of hand, there will be a reversal to the telic phase and the individual will seek control of the situation. On the one hand these periods of rest are necessary for recovery of the balance of energy and on the other hand newly acquired skills and experiences can be processed and integrated with earlier experiences during such periods of rest. This implies that after a series of reversal cycles the individual may be at a higher level of cognitive organisation than before. In this way the individual grows and learns from his or her experiences in the course of time.<br />
<br />
There will not always occur such ideal sequences of telic and paratelic phases. A person may for instance not be able to relax optimally in the telic phase. This is often the case if he or she does not have the adequate skills or coping strategies to get the situation under control. In this way the situation remains frightening, the person does not relax sufficiently and thus does not get the opportunity to gain new energy which is a condition for another paratelic phase. The situation will probably be explored less quickly (paratelic) and there will be no experimenting with skills which would enable the individual to behave adequately in this situation. And since no new experiences are acquired in that area of experience from which the person could learn, he or she will remain at a lower level of functioning and there is a high probability of accumulations and fixations of simplistic avoidance behaviour. In that way a cluster of badly mastered areas of experience may grow.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above makes clear that for the individual some specific areas of experience can be problematical, while at the same time other areas are non-problematical. Problematical areas of experience are those areas for which no, or only a few, adequate coping strategies have been developed; the area has not been dealt with well. For the non-problematical areas of experience, adequate coping strategies have indeed been created; these areas have been dealt with well. In chapter 3 (following Grof 1972, 1973), areas of experience that have been dealt with badly were called "negative COEX-systems", and areas that have been dealt with well were called "positive COEX-systems". Table 5.1 shows what these positive or negative COEX-systems imply.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 5.1.''' Characteristics of positive and negative COEX-systems<br />(Systems of COndensed EXperience)<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Negative COEX-systems<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Positive COEX-systems <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Flight/fight responses<br />
|Stay/play responses<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Behavioural rigidity<br />
|Flexibility of reactions <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Stereotyped reflexes<br />
|Creative responses <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Unskills<br />
|Skills<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Phobias and neuroses<br />
|Mastery of<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Consciousness block (unconscious repressions)<br />
|Awareness of<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Emotional labeling of experiences as pleasant and unpleasant ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we stated that it depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of a person whether he or she experiences a situation as pleasant or unpleasant. Problematical areas of experience that have not been dealt with well will cause tension. In the telic state this will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening and there is a high likelihood of avoidance behaviour. The person will seek areas of experience that have been dealt with well; in those areas the person is able to control the situation and thus to relax. In the telic state, areas that have been dealt with well can be a "refuge" which is helpful when the person gets into a frightening situation. In the paratelic phase this is of course not the case. In this phase the areas that have been dealt with well are experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant because they do not longer provide arousal. It is the problematical areas that are attractive in this phase because there can still be some experimenting and an element of risk is involved; this provides pleasant arousal (compare chapter 4).<br />
At the beginning of chapter 3 we have discussed the biological relevance of the telic and the paratelic states. From what has been stated above it becomes again clear that both phases are necessary in order to function well. In the telic state the individual is able to relax, once he or she has succeeded in getting the situation under control, and will thus be able to gain new energy and to integrate the newly gained experiences into his or her existing cognitive system. This system enables the individual to remain at a particular level of functioning. In the paratelic phase new or problematical situations (and in the telic phase situations that are experienced as fearful) will be explored and new situations can be investigated. By continuously exploring a situation that has not yet completely been digested and controlled, and by dealing with those experiences and digesting them, this situation will lose its connotation as frightening and the individual will learn which strategies are adeqate in that situation and which are not. Thus the paratelic phase is also an indispensable condition for the growth of the individual.<br />
<br />
Thus, we can state that the proximal goal of the telic phase is: seeking rest and relaxation. The ultimal goal is: maintaining a certain level of functioning. The proximal "goal" of the paratelic phase is experiencing pleasant arousal (by way of non-direct purposive behaviour). However, the ultimal goal is creating the conditions for achieving a higher level of functioning.<br />
<br />
At this point we can once more emphasize an important characteristic of the way in which the reversals from one phase to another come about. In chapter 2 we have stated that we must not hold fast to the idea of a symmetrical model. The reversals from paratelic to telic will mainly be the result of an emergency or of fatigue, while the reversals from telic to paratelic will particularly take place as a result of "satiation". In this respect Apter's theory has therefore also been supplemented.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 4 we have stated that there is much similarity between Lewicka's mode of action-control and Apter's telic state, and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. Apter emphasizes the motivational and emotional aspects of reversals in particular, while Lewicka places emphasis on the cognitive aspects. We shall now describe how the two theories can supplement each other and thus provide a more complete description of the processes involved.<br />
<br />
Lewicka mentions "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; particular standards that indicate what kind of behaviour has to be aimed at and what kind of behaviour can better be avoided (see chapter 4). Czapinski (1986, 1987) completes this with his study of the appraisal of experiences which indicates that people generally show a mild "positivity bias". This means that generally experiences have a mildly positive connotation (except when they have a specific and very strong connotation). Therefore, according to Czapinski, there is a lightly positive background in the cognitive representation of experiences in which the negative areas of experience are particularly important. Departing from these ideas, we are now able to say more about cognitive development.<br />
Figure 5.1 shows the combination of these ideas.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br /><tt>(++)</tt> areas that have been digested well<br /><tt>(--)</tt> problematic areas<br /><tt> (+)</tt> mildly positive background]]<br />
<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- + ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ + + + ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br />
(+ +) areas that have been digested well<br />
(- -) problematical areas<br />
+ mildly positive background<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
This figure strongly resembles the figure in which Van der Molen showed Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see chapter 3), but is more detailed. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, that is the areas that have not yet been properly dealt with well and digested yet (- -), will be arousal-increasing and cause tension. <br />
<br />
In the telic state the areas that have been digested well (+ +) are attractive because they are controlled in such a way, that in an emergency a state of relaxation can easily be achieved. We will refer to these areas with the term "refuges". In the paratelic state, it is particularly the areas that have not been digested properly yet which will be attractive because in that state tension is experienced as pleasant. We now make the assumption that in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, which means that those areas will be explored first, that are closer to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and for which there is a relatively high probability of an unpleasant surprise. On a proximal level only (pleasant) tension and excitement are sought. However, as a result of such explorations, the limits of the areas that have been digested badly will gradually move; as a result of positive experiences parts of the problem area are nibbled away and are bit by bit turned into areas that have been dealt with and digested well. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further. On an ultimal level the paratelic state certainly has a goal, namely the acquisition of the new experiences necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What finally happens in the optimal case on a logical-cognitive level, is that, based on the experiences gained from exploration, a comprehensive necessity-oriented method of a higher level of abstraction will be constructed out of and in place of the existing sufficiency methods (see chapter 4). One prerequisite is, however, that between the actions sufficient time and rest can be gained to digest new experiences and to integrate them. A simple example may clarify this.<br />
<br />
Imagine: John is walking in the woods. He enjoys the scenery and relaxes completely. Occasionally he climbs a fence to walk a little in the pastures or in a part of fenced woodland. Suddenly, from behind the trees a horse gallops towards him and John does not even think, but runs as fast as he can. Somehow he manages to get away and not until later does he wonder what exactly has happened. First he does not dare to go into the woods again, but after some time, when he has calmed down, it does seem exciting to him (paratelic) and he decides to stay near the fences so that he will be able to escape by climbing a fence, should this be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John explores the situation and finds out in which area of the woods the horse is and which part of the woods and which pastures he must try to avoid. The tension of walking decreases more and more because he now knows exactly where to be on his guard. So, finally, having arrived at a complete picture of the forest and the pasture schedules, the motivation to explore the woods in the paratelic state is lost. <br />
<br />
In this example John is unpleasantly surprised and is at first frightened in the woods. However, once he has explored the situation, a sufficiency-oriented method ("If I walk in the same area as I did before, a horse may gallop towards me at a given moment") will be changed into a necessary-oriented method ("Only if I climb that particular fence, will the horse gallop towards me"). As a result, John's freedom of movement has increased because it is obvious that the area to be avoided has been restricted. This is shown in figure 5.2.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.2:''' Avoidance, exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences)]]<br />
<br />
What happens is that an area of experience which is first experienced as problematical (unpleasant in the telic phase) is gradually reduced because its limits are explored (in the paratelic phase) and there may be positive experiences on that fringe. To speak in Grof's terms, the purpose of paratelic behaviour on an ultimate level is to change as many negative COEX-systems into positive COEX-sytems as possible. In other words, the target is to exchange less efficient sufficiency-oriented methods, related to experiences that have been dealt with and processed badly, for highly efficient necessity-oriented methods which are in particular related to experiences that have been digested well.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to grow in clusters. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested well, the COEX-system is a positive one in which all kinds of new skills have been acquired which can often also be applied to other, related situations. Generally, in such an area of experience the individual is in a ''positive learning spiral''. <br />
<br />
Experiences that are dealt with and processed badly, also tend to grow in clusters in a similar way; in such cases there is a fair chance that the next time the individual gets into the same, or a similar or related situation, he or she will have another problematic experience. This increases the probability of telic behaviour in similar situations, with the result that there will be less experimenting. In this way the individual will easily get into a ''negative learning spiral'' in a similar area of experience. New experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify and extend the existing, relatively inefficient behaviour. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state. <br />The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.]]<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ ++ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- + ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ + + -- ║<br />
║ -- + ║<br />
║ + ║<br />
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ <br />
'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state<br />
The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
In terms of figure 5.1 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) will remain relatively restricted and small and for the cognitive representation of the problematical areas (- -) there are relatively increasing and less efficient margins.<br />
<br />
In the case that there are no necessity-oriented methods of great precision and a high degree of abstraction, and thus relatively many methods are of the sufficiency type, the limits shown in figure 5.1 are less favourable in the telic state. The refuges of areas that are dealt with well will be limited, because the sufficiency-oriented methods are too much restricted, whereas for the areas that are dealt with badly, the safety margins are too large. Thus the individual has relatively little freedom of movement.<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system will expand increasingly, owing to an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are primarily based on methods of sufficiency. They can be generated relatively quickly but they also involve relatively large safety margins, with the consequence that a relatively great part of the area of experience will be considered as risky.<br />
<br />
It is extremely difficult to escape from such a negative learning spiral. A prerequisite for this is the ability to attain the relaxation, necessary for the digestion of the accumulated experiences. Should a number of experiences that have been dealt with and digested well, verge on an area that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as refuges, when situations become too frightening. This may then provide the required escape, safety and rest.<br />
<br />
It is now possible to relate all this to Lazarus' theory as described in chapter 1. In our view, the appraisal of a particular situation or transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of an individual. A transaction that is appraised as stressful will often be regarded as threatening in the telic state, whereas in the paratelic state it is more likely that the same transaction will be seen as a challenge. When a person is in a positive learning spiral in which positive COEX-systems are acquired and extended, and new experiences and skills are digested well, new situations are likely to be experienced as positive and regarded as challenges. That is, the individual has noticed that owing to his or her arsenal of skills, he or she is very well capable to anticipate many kinds of situations and to get them under control. Not only is this a good basis for acquiring new skills but it also allows for relaxation and the conviction that novel situations can adequately be dealt with as well. However, in the case of a negative learning spiral in which negative COEX-systems expand and the individual gets trapped in his or her own inadequate behaviour, entirely new situations will rather be seen as threatening. This increases the likelihood that the individual will hold on more tenaciously to particular - inadequate - behavioural strategies, so that it becomes increasingly likely that he or she will fail again.<br />
<br />
This makes clear that it is very difficult to make a distinction between an appraisal of the situation itself (Lazarus: ''primary appraisal'') and of one's own abilities to deal with that situation (''secondary appraisal''). These two aspects are strongly intertwined. The appraisal of a transaction always depends on previous experiences, on acquired skills, and on the metamotivational state of an individual. We have shown that this state may (sometimes quickly) change. This is called ''reappraisal''; the original appraisal of the transaction changes. According to Lazarus, such a change is caused by feedback about changes in the transaction because of actions taken by the individual, or by reconsidering the nature of the transaction. We are now able to supplement Lazarus' ideas. In our view the appraisal of a transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of the individual at that very moment. A change of this appraisal means that there has been a meta-motivational reversal to another state. Such a reversal may take place because of "contingency" (a particular event takes place) or because of "satiation" (because a person has been in one and the same state for a long time). The two causes mentioned by Lazarus can be categorized under "contingency": the transaction changes as a result of actions taken by the individual and the changing situation forces a reversal, or the interpretation of the transaction changes because of cognitive processes (thinking), which may also cause a reversal. Hence, our cognition-energy- learning model does not only supplement Lazarus' ideas, in this respect adding reversals through "satiation", but it also provides a description and an explanation of the dynamics of the underlying cognitive processes.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive mistakes ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Finally, we pinpoint and discuss a few systematic mistakes which can be made when a person cognitively processes information. Lewicka shows that the questions an individual asks, depend to a great extent on the appraisal of the possible outcome of a transaction. In the telic state (or action control mode) the individual tries at all costs to avoid unpleasant outcomes, and it then becomes very favourable and practical to have a necessity-oriented method available. If the outcome is pleasant, however, the realisation of that outcome is of primary importance; "the way in which" becomes less important and a sufficiency-oriented method generally suffices. However, this does not apply to the paratelic (action-involvement) mode.<br />
<br />
Generally, an individual tries as hard as possible to prevent disappointments (see chapter 4, table 4.2). In the case of an unpleasant outcome, a disappointment means that it has previously been predicted that a particular unpleasant result will not take place, but that it happens anyway. It is important for the individual to keep the probability of this type of mistake (type II, or "false negative") as low as possible. However, we know from logic and statistics that when the probability of one type of mistake is kept as low as possible, another type of mistake will necessarily occur more often. Thus, when the probability of a Type II-mistake is minimized, Type I-mistakes will occur more often. When a Type I-mistake, or "false positive", occurs, it is predicted that the result will be unpleasant, but this is not the case. It is now likely that this type of mistake will be taken less seriously than the previous one, because this means that there is a pleasant surprise. Therefore, relatively little attention will be paid to this. As a result, good luck is virtually ignored in a problematic area of experience whereas disappointments are regarded as extremely important.<br />
<br />
This pattern of cognitive processing takes place in particular when there are mainly telic states with a (too) low frequency of paratelic states. Not only is attention then fixed on possible negative results, but the (too) low frequency of paratelic states produces an excess of methods of sufficiency, with relatively large safety margins around the areas to be avoided, and relatively narrow limits of areas of experience that are safe and digested well (also as a result of safety margins that are wider than is strictly necessary; see figure 5.3). As a result, this pattern of experiencing and processing results in a strong (and in a sense "uncontrolled") growth of negative COEX-systems which may possibly even affect the already existing, positive COEX-systems. Should this pattern continue, then the probability of telic avoidance reactions in the area of experience concerned will become higher and the probability of paratelic exploration lower and lower. In the end, even the slightest confrontation with the area of experience concerned, even when outsiders do not consider this as threatening, will be experienced as frightening, the consequence of which will be a continued and uncontrolled growth of the negative COEX-system.<br />
<br />
=== The neurotic paradox ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} A connection with the so-called '''neurotic paradox''' is evident here. Eysenck (1979, p. 185) provides the following description of this paradox:<br />
:"In many neuroses we not only fail to observe the expected extinction of the uninforced "Conditoned Stimulus", but we find an incremental (enhancement) effect, such that the unreinforced Conditioned Stimulus actually produces more and more anxiety ("Conditioned Response") with each presentation of the Conditioned Stimulus. [...] In neuroses, [...] in the majority of cases there is some sort of insidious onset, without any single event that could be called "traumatic" even by lenient standards."<br />
<br />
Paying too much attention to disappointments and virtually ignoring good luck is one of the reasons why the neurotic behaviour persists. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) gives another reason (see also chapter 3). He explains how in the proximity of a negative COEX-system, tension increases very easily, while it is exactly in these areas that there are very few "refuges" in the form of adequate strategies of behaviour which may be utilized to keep the tension under control. In the telic state this increased tension is experienced as extremely unpleasant. What is more, the limits of an area that has been digested badly are still rather vague owing to the fact that little or no exploration has occured. The area is not clearly defined and restricted, has rather "fuzzy" boundaries, and may easily increase in size which further increases the probability of unpleasant experiences. When we bear in mind that disappointments tend to receive more attention than the occurences of good luck, it is clear that one easily becomes trapped in a negative learning spiral in which neurotic behaviour is intensified, negative experiences accumulate and little is learned from positive experiences.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Having integrated Aper's, Van der Molen's an Lewicka's studies we have been able to provide in this chapter an overall picture of the dynamics of our learning processes. Based on these various theories, a Cognition-Energy-Learning model has been developed in which the most essential aspects of the learning process are explained.<br />
<br />
First, the energy dependency of learning was discussed. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal produces the motivation for two essential aspects of learning: on the one hand, the acquisition of novel and unfamiliar experiences, and on the other hand, reserving time and energy for the structuring and processing of this experience and information. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic states thus keeps the learning process going.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematical or non-problematical. Depending on the metamotivational state a person is in, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. Problematical areas (that is to say, areas for which no adequate behavioural strategies have been developed) will be avoided as much as possible in the telic state: in the paratelic state, on the other hand, these areas can be a source of (pleasant) tension and thus be attractive for exploration. In this way the individual will be able to gain piecemeal experiences in areas that are (relatively) unfamiliar. Such experiences are a prerequisite for development to a higher level of organisation of the individual. Non-problematical areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, as they do not provide any tension and are thus considered as "boring". However, in the telic state these areas are essential for relaxation. Only if a certain degree of rest is acquired regularly, will the individual will be able to digest his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
In certain situations an ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals is impossible for a person. When such a situations lasts too long and the person cannot reach more agreeable situations, this leads to a negative learning spiral in which the individual more and more resorts to stereotyped and less efficient ways of reacting. Then it becomes increasingly more likely that the negative, problematical experiences in a particular area of experience will extend to other areas as well. For this reason we speak about the "contagiousness" of experiences. <br />
<br />
However, this contagiousness also applies to positive experiences that have been digested well and which are thus non-problematical. When an individual is in a positive learning spiral, he or she continuously acquires new skills which can also be applied in other areas of experience. In this way the likelyhood of positive experiences will generally increase. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, in the favourable and in the unfavourable sense, is applicable therefore in the first place in areas of experience that are functionally related. In the second place, the contagiousness is applicable in all areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have discussed in this chapter how the behavioural strategy a person is choosing depends on the appraisal of the possible outcome. When the outcome is pleasant, an approach strategy will be applied in the telic state to ensure the outcome will be achieved as effectively as possible. When the outcome is unpleasant, a strategy of avoidance will generally be applied. However, negative outcomes form a source of possibly pleasant tension in the paratelic state which produces the motivation to further explore them. In this way more information can be gathered and optimally processed in the course of time so that the already existing (easily obtained) '''sufficiency oriented methods''' can increasingly be replaced by a '''necessity-oriented method''' (which is more difficult to generate). This enables the individual to attain a '''higher level of cognitive organisation and efficiency''' and to function more effectively. However, should the ability to relax be absent (chronically), the person may become caught up in an accumulation of problematical experiences. This explains, for example, the often persistent growth of neuroses and phobias. The problem of the neurotic paradox, indicated by Eysenck, for example, can be easily explained when regarded from the point of view of our Cognition-Energy Learning model.<br />
<br />
The Cognition-Energy-Learning model discussed thus far describes, in the first place, the influence of the energy state of a person on his or her motivational state. That motivational state is governed by emotions. It further states that the sequence of motivational states has implications for the way experiences are cognitively represented. Considering Csapinski's studies, we can expect that the majority of the experiences which are not directly interesting, are sedimented in a vague, slightly positive cognitive background. Only the experiences with an explicit emotional "color" are represented as areas that have been digested well or as problematical areas. The advantage of such systems of representation is that, as soon as there is a surplus of energy, a person can experiment in those areas which are registered as problematical. Those areas of experience are exactly the areas which can provide most new and relevant information. Both the way in which experiences are represented (in COEX-systems) and the gradual shifts in that representation are described, and, moreover, it is clarified, how a particular representation with concomitant procedural aspects (necessity- or sufficiency-oriented methods), leads to specific types of behaviour. However, all this still concerns a very rough classification into cognitive main categories. In fact it comes down to the difference between experiences that have been processed and digested well and experiences that have not been digested well, to the difference between experiencing this as pleasant and as unpleasant and between combinations of these two opposites.<br />
<br />
The Cognitive-Energetic Learning model may also be supplemented with the influence of the quality of social interactions on the dynamic state of the learning process. This can render a considerable extension and specification of the cognitive main categories mentioned. Moreover, such an extension enables us to make predictions about the way in which social interactions may influence the growth of a person because they interfere with the way energy is invested in the learning process. However, this extension lies beyond the confines this report and will be described in another report (see Maarsingh, 1990).<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will give an example from practice of our Cognition-Energy-Learning model.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area ==<br />
<br />
=== The didactical behavioural repertoire of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter an illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning model will be given, based on experiences of teachers who have just started teaching (Romkes, 1988). This concerns exclusively inexperienced teachers who regard the learning process as problematical.<br />
<br />
The state of learning of the inexperienced teacher, apart from personality, is closely related to the extent to which he or she has been able to deal with previous experiences from educational learning situations (training) and to gain an adequate didactical behavioural repertoire. However, it is important that this repertoire of coping skills develops and and that it can be modified as soon as problems arise in the classroom. According to Vonk (1983), the problems of table 6.1 are encountered most frequently.<br />
<br />
=== The most commonly encountered problems that have to be dealt with by inexperienced teachers, in sequence of importance ===<br />
<br />
# Keeping order<br />
# Motivating pupils<br />
# Dealing with differences between pupils<br />
# Appraisal of learning performances<br />
# Relations with parents<br />
# Organisation of the class<br />
# Too few/inadequate means for teaching<br />
# Handling children with problems<br />
# Too much working pressure (lack of time)<br />
# Relations with colleagues<br />
# Teaching plans<br />
# Having command of various didactical skills<br />
# Knowledge of school regulations and customs<br />
# Determining the starting situations of pupils<br />
# Inadequate professional skills<br />
<br />
The problems mentioned in table 6.1 regularly produce a high level of arousal. A teacher will experience stress when this state of increased arousal lasts too long. The duration of stress depends on the didactical behavioural repertoire of a person. When this behavioural repertoire is inadequate, a person will be in a state of stress for a longer period of time. That is, it is difficult for such a person to achieve the phase of relaxation owing to the lack of well-controlled skills which are necessary for controlling stressful situations (see chapter 3). When such a situation (of stress) lasts too long and the stress experience is not digested well, a ''negative learning spiral'' may arise in which ''fear and avoidance behaviour'' accumulate (see chapter 5).<br />
<br />
An example of a school situation in which there is a high level of arousal is given in the following report of a lesson given by an inexperienced teacher (Wubbels en Creton 1974):<br />
:"The class enters noisily. It is cold. The pupils are jumping up and down in order to become a little warmer. You walk into the classroom and try to have the children take their seats. But before you have managed to do so, you are rummaging in your bag. A few moments later the same happens again. You tell a pupil to sit down, but before he sits down you walk back. You are in the centre in front of the class and look into the classroom. In the meantime everyone has sat down. The pupils are still shouting. You walk towards Fred, a troublemaker. You address a few pupils. It is becoming quieter now. "Will everyone take his books, please?" A number of pupils are shivering and making a noise. "I have marked the dictations and the results are very bad". They all laugh. "And what I further have to say about the dictation....", the pupils are talking again now and you have to shout very loudly to make yourself heard. You wait some time and address a few pupils: "Mark, Martin" and finish with "Do not throw them away immediately". You give everyone their work back. Everyone is shouting. "Damn I have got a D". "I have a C". "Hurray, I have a B". "And what do you have?" There are many unsatisfactory marks, many of them are D's. The pupils are indignant. Some pupils walk to your desk to complain, but you do not listen and send everyone back. A girl, who is really indignant, is sitting in front of you. For not writing a hyphen and for not writing one word as one word, you have deducted two whole points. They think it ridiculous. There is so much noise, that you can hardly make yourself heard. "Yes", you scream and turn red. They keep on protesting loudly. It is an enormous mess. You walk towards your desk and sit down demonstratively, as if you want to call it a day. "Can the ones with the insufficiency marks do the dictation again?". "No!", you shout back.<br />
<br />
This example shows that this teacher does not command those types of behaviour (coping skills) which would make the situation more manageable for her. The result is that she tries to command respect. Managing the class and not being troubled by stress become main aim in all. This is shown by her preference for an authoritarian way of dealing with the class and her rigid attitute with regard to the educational responsibility. This behaviour implies an attitude in which achieving control of the situation is central. The teacher is now mostly in the ''telic'' state and has trouble to regularly reach ''paratelic'' states.<br />
<br />
The way in which she (temporarily) achieves her goal, and is thus able to reduce her level of arousal, consists of showing aggressive or avoidance behaviour. Both agression and avoidance provide relaxation for a moment; when the teacher shouts, the class will be quiet for a moment and also when she adopts a reserved attitude and forgets her pedagogic responsibiliy for a moment, she experiences less stress for a short period of time. In both cases she has temporarily managed ''to get away'' from the threatening situation, but this situation is not ''controlled'', in other words: she has ''not developed adequate coping skills''. In the short term this avoidance behaviour is rewarding, but structurally the situation has not changed at all. As the teacher cannot relax sufficiently, her energy supply cannot easily be replenished. As a result she will be less often in the paratelic state, and so she will be unable to try the new, and (possibly) risky behaviour very frequently which could eventually lead to adopting useful new behavioural techniques and to acquiring new skills and flexibility. And it is precisely this lack of adequate skills which prevents her from controlling this situation. In such a situation there is a ''negative learning spiral'' in which behaviour becomes increasingly stereotyped and rigid (see chapter 3 and chapter 5). In such a spiral, more and more short-term solutions are found to deal with problematical situations and novel behaviour is not experimented with sufficiently. In such cases it is unlikely the behavioural repertoire will expand optimally.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive representations of problematical teaching situations of inexperienced teachers ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In a problematical teaching situation, two types of ''cognitive representation'' may arise (the remarks mentioned were reported in subsequent interviews). First: extreme and fixed negative thoughts about oneself: "I do not have sufficient command of the profession", "I am not good at organizing", "I am not good at managing children", etc. Secondly: extreme and fixed negative thoughts concerning others: "The pupils are annoying", "The colleagues are not nice", etc.<br />
<br />
From interviews with inexperienced teachers with problems it appeared that the following types of ''bias'' in the cognitive and perceptive representation of the teaching situation may occur (Romkes 1988). First: ''generalisation'', for example: 'all pupils are annoying'. This exemplifies that the teacher uses sufficient conditions, rather than necessary conditions at such a moment (see chapter 4); i.e. the teacher does not attempt to discover the exact cause of the problems, but is satisfied with simplistic and stereotyped rules of thumb. Secondly: ''deletion'', for example when one's own role is left aside: "the pupils are so annoying". In the third place: ''transformation'', when the teacher no longer notices the individual differences between pupils, and regards the class undifferentiated.<br />
<br />
These cognitive "mistakes" can also be described in terms of Lazarus' theory (see chapter 1). That is, problems with ''primary and secondary appraisal'' are concerned here and as a result a related lack of coping strategies.<br />
<br />
As far as the primary appraisal is concerned, the first instinctive appraisal of the situation is important. When the teacher is too tense in dealing with the situation, he or she will tend to use a rough and ready recipe, such as aggressive behaviour, when dealing with problems.<br />
<br />
=== Changes in the behaviour of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} It is now clear that unless the pupils do not change their behaviour, the situation will not improve unless the teacher behaves differently. According to our learning model this is only possible once she has sufficient energy surplus to reconsider the class situation and to experiment with other kinds of behaviour. In other words, the teacher has to develop other skills that enable herself to relax and/or she has to teach less frequently and to organize more breaks and time off for relaxation and recovery. In this way she will be able to invest a surplus of energy in paratelic, and thus experimental and explorative, behaviour. When a particular type of behaviour proves succesful, this can be integrated in the repertoire of skills already at her command. This may, for example, include taking the needs of pupils into account more often which may produce moments of relaxation during the lessons, both for teacher and pupils, and also time for explanations, questions, etc. For example, the supervisor could instruct the teacher to pay less attention to the pupils' command of the language, and to pay more attention to topics not directly related to the subject. This could involve conversations about experiences in the weekend, for example. Such behaviour can be rewarded in the form of good teamwork with the pupils which in turn can provide relaxation (and thus energy) for both the teacher and the pupils. As a result both teacher and pupils will be able to manifest paratelic behaviour and hence will be able to experiment in order to find the best way of teaching, and of being taught.<br />
<br />
The phase of relaxation is extremely important for replenishing energy supplies and for the integration of experiences. It is essential that the inexperienced teacher has enough moments of relaxation during, or after work. According to the learning model only through a regular alternation of the telic and the paratelic states an adequate didactic behavioural repertoire can develop.<br />
<br />
=== A positive learning spiral ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} There is a ''positive learning spiral'' (see also 3.3) when behaviour of control and manipulation (telic) and behaviour relating to challenges and exploration (paratelic), alternate. The telic state aims at achieving goals (for example to teach from a particular chapter). In the paratelic state there is space to handle the pupils differently and to try out novel approaches. When the teacher is alternately in the telic state and the paratelic state, he or she is able to gain experiences which are necessary in order to discover and elucidate the necessary conditions for negative incidents, so that these incidents can be avoided or solved more easily the next time (see chapter 4 and chapter 5). On a proximal level, paratelic behaviour consumes large amounts of energy, but the ultimal result is that it saves energy later on. The inexperienced teacher is then able to develop more adequate coping strategies which enable her to be in a state of relaxation more regularly. This makes it possible for her to replenish the energy supply more often and more thoroughly.<br />
<br />
Romkes (1988) has shown that successful teachers are not always aware of the coping strategies they use. This is not surprising when you realise that it is not necessarily desirable to act consciously or to seek the necessary conditions for negative incidents consciously as long as the teaching responsibility is met satisfactorily. If the learning process proceeds well, much of the experience and information needed for a further expansion and refinement of the behavioural repertoire is collected unvoluntarily and automatically.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} From this illustration it may be clear that the Cognition-Energy-Learning model can be applied well to situations such as teaching. The model provides insight into the way in which inexperienced teachers can become trapped in a negative learning spiral when there are too few moments of relaxation. This implies that in teaching situations, less attention should be paid to teaching the content of the subject as thoroughly as possible by drumming it in repeatedly, and that more attention should be paid to finding ways of achieving enough moments of relaxation. This relaxation is essential for replenishing the energy supply, and it is the surplus of energy that allows experimental and explorative behaviour in manifest. Such behaviour brings a flexible attitude towards the teaching situation with it. And this flexibility enables the teacher to discover which teachingstrategy (at which moment) is the most satisfactory and effective.<br />
<br />
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<br />
== Other publications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Aggressive Behavior |<br />
issue=8 | pages=233<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Psychological Abstracts |<br />
issue=69(3) | pages=4956<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
title=Reversal Theory, Learning and Self-Actualization (abstract of paper, given at the International Symposium on Reversal Theory, Powys, Wales, Sept, 1983) |<br />
periodical=Bulletin of the British Psychological Society |<br />
issue=37 |<br />
pages=46<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
contribution=Anxiety and Pleasure: Application of Reversal Theory to Learning (abstract) |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
periodical=Reversal Theory Society Newsletter |<br />
issue=1(1) | pages=20<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1986 |<br />
contribution=Reversal Theory, Learning and Psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Guidance and Counselling |<br />
issue=14(2) | pages=125-139<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognetief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8836A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2022-07-09T09:26:29Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.5]Ten issues to take into account */</p>
<hr />
<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
<br />
(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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<br />
Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
<br />
Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
<br />
What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
<br />
The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
<br />
*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quickly scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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<br />
Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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<br />
Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
<br><br />
Among evolutionary biologists a common point of discussion and diagreement is the relevance of "group selection mechanisms. Often, the very existence of group selection effects is denied as being relevant. Taking into account however the present role of large scale organizations and military and political interactions it would seem that effects of group selection have become primary drivers in our existance and should therefore be taken seriously.<br />
'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
<br><br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
<br />
1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
<br />
2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
<br> <br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[['''1.5''']]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of the 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
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((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8835A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2022-07-09T09:25:35Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.5]Ten issues to take into account */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quickly scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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Among evolutionary biologists a common point of discussion and diagreement is the relevance of "group selection mechanisms. Often, the very existence of group selection effects is denied as being relevant. Taking into account however the present role of large scale organizations and military and political interactions it would seem that effects of group selection have become primary drivers in our existance and should therefore be taken seriously.<br />
'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[['''1.5''']]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
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<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
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<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
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((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
<br />
In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
<br />
So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
<br />
Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
<br />
Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
<br />
"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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<br />
Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Your support''' ==<br />
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You can copy this Wiki. This will prevent any party that feels threatened through it contents, from effectively destroying it. Copies will exist all over the place and the information gathered here cannot be undone any more. For copying instructions, '''click''' [[Omega_Research:Site_support#Copy this wiki (our version of 'CopyRight')|'''''here''''']].<br />
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You can send us a tax deductible donation. (Click [[Omega Research:Site support|'''''here''''']]) Your donation will be used to improve and spread the contents of this Wiki and to support the scientific research behind it.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8834A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2022-07-09T07:12:46Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 1.3summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quickly scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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Among evolutionary biologists a common point of discussion and diagreement is the relevance of "group selection mechanisms. Often, the very existence of group selection effects is denied as being relevant. Taking into account however the present role of large scale organizations and military and political interactions it would seem that effects of group selection have become primary drivers in our existance and should therefore be taken seriously.<br />
'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[[1.5]]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
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((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8833A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2022-07-09T06:21:45Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 1.1.2For your efficiency and comfort */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quickly scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[[1.5]]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
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<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
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<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
<br />
((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
<br />
In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
<br />
Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
<br />
In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
<br />
So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
<br />
Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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<br />
Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Your support''' ==<br />
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You can copy this Wiki. This will prevent any party that feels threatened through it contents, from effectively destroying it. Copies will exist all over the place and the information gathered here cannot be undone any more. For copying instructions, '''click''' [[Omega_Research:Site_support#Copy this wiki (our version of 'CopyRight')|'''''here''''']].<br />
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You can send us a tax deductible donation. (Click [[Omega Research:Site support|'''''here''''']]) Your donation will be used to improve and spread the contents of this Wiki and to support the scientific research behind it.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
<br><br />
'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8832Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:34:05Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
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<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
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Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
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We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
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'''[[1.5]]''''''''' '''Ten issues to take into account''' '''''''''<br />
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More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
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'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
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'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
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That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
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This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
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== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
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Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
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'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
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For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
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Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
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Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
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For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8831Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:29:13Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
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Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
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We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
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'''[[1.5]]''''''''''''Ten issues to take into account''''''''''''<br />
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More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
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'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
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'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
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For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
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Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
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Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8830Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:25:30Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
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Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''[[1.5]]'''''''''Ten issues to take into account'''''''''<br />
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More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
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'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
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Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
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* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
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For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8829Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:24:36Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
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Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
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We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
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'''[[1.5]]''''''Ten issues to take into account''''''<br />
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More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
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'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
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That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
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This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
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== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
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Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
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'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
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For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
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Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
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Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
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* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8828Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:21:05Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''[[1.5]]'''Ten issues to take into account'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
<br />
[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
<br />
Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
<br />
* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8827Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T05:18:53Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [1.4]summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
<br />
= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''[[1.5Ten issues to take into account'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
<br />
[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
<br />
== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
<br />
Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
<br />
However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
<br />
* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8826Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T04:55:23Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.2]summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
<br />
= '''[[[1.4]]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about, in just 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
<br />
[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
<br />
== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
<br />
Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
<br />
However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
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For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8825Point Omega (summary)2022-07-09T04:52:36Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[1.3.]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
<br />
= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
<br />
[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
<br />
== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
<br />
Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
<br />
However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
<br />
* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8824Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-11T09:39:42Z<p>Baby Boy: /* The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens */</p>
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<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
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</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
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==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
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On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
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But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
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[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
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[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
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The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
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Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
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Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
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This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
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And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
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: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
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In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
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==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
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This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
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=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
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==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
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As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
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{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
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The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
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From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
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The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
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Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
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There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
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Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
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=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
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- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
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- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
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What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
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And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
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- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
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- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
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It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
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These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
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- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
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- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species. |It can therefore be concluded that the controversial finding of Abraham Maslow, in that most specimens of Homo Sapiens are under-performers or "non-self-actualizers does make sense after all and does not need to be considered an evolutionary anomaly. It all does make sense after all, be it in a - for us - rather unpleasant way.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. So, intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species and squids. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in that specific crucial field of self-awareness !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. For Power Structures it pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8823Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-11T09:28:49Z<p>Baby Boy: /* The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
<br />
If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
<br />
- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
<br />
Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
<br />
In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
<br />
=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
<br />
Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
<br />
While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
<br />
The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
<br />
So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
<br />
Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
<br />
==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
<br />
Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
<br />
Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
<br />
A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
<br />
==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
<br />
==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
<br />
Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
<br />
We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
<br />
=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
<br />
Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
<br />
Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
<br />
[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
<br />
Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species. |It can therefore be concluded that the controversial finding of Abraham Maslow, in that most specimens of Homo Sapiens are under-performers or "non-self-actualizers does make sense after all and does not need to be considered an evolutionary anomaly. It all does make sense after all, be it in a - for us - rather unpleasant way.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. So, intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species and squids. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8822Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-11T09:27:14Z<p>Baby Boy: /* The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
<br />
If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
<br />
- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
<br />
Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
<br />
In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
<br />
=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
<br />
Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
<br />
While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
<br />
Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
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On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
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But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
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[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
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<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
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The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
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Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
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Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
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This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
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And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
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: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
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In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
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==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
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<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
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=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
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==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
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As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
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{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
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The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
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From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
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The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
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Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
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There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
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Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
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=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
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- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
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- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
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These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
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- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
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- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
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- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
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However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
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=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
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=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
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In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species. |It can therefore be concluded that the controversial finding of Abraham Maslow, in that most specimens of Homo Sapiens are under-performers or "non-self-actualizers does make sense after all and does not need to be considered an evolutionary anomaly. It all does make sense after all, be it in a - for us - rather unpleasant way.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
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- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
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Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
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- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
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- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
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- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
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- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. So, intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
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ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8821Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-09T20:01:55Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures */</p>
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<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
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</center><br />
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=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
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[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
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[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
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[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
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What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
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This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
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Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
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Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
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Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
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Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
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(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
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=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
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On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
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But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
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[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
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<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
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The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
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Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
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Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
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This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
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And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
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: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
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In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
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==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
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This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
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=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
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==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
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As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
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{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
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The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
<br />
Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
<br />
We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
<br />
=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
<br />
Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
<br />
Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
<br />
[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
<br />
Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species. |It can therefore be concluded that the controversial finding of Abraham Maslow, in that most specimens of Homo Sapiens are under-performers or "non-self-actualizers does make sense after all and does not need to be considered an evolutionary anomaly. It all does make sense after all, be it in a - for us - rather unpleasant way.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8820Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-09T19:36:49Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model) */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
<br />
If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
<br />
- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
<br />
Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
<br />
In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
<br />
=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
<br />
Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
<br />
While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
<br />
The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
<br />
So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
<br />
Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
<br />
==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
<br />
Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
<br />
Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
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What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
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And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
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- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
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These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
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- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
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- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
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However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
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=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
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=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
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And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
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- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8819Why a Point Omega transition ?2022-05-09T19:31:54Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
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What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
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This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
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Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
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Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
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Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
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Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
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(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
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=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
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==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (ELC = Energy-Learning -Cognition model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This ELC is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
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On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
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But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
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[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
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[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
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The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
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Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
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Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
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This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
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And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
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: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
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In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
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==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
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This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
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=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
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==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
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As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
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{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
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The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
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From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
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The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
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Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
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There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
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Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
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=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
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- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
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- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8818Point Omega (summary)2022-05-07T16:31:24Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[0.7.1]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
<br />
= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
<br />
[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
<br />
== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
<br />
Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
<br />
However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
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That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
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For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8817Point Omega (summary)2022-05-07T16:30:41Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[0.7.1]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg|here]]<br />
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= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
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'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
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This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
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== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
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'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
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For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
<br />
* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8816Point Omega (summary)2022-05-07T16:29:47Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[0.7.1]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[ https://youtu.be/1Xy8qU9RKkg |here]]<br />
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= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
<br />
The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
<br />
However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
<br />
Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
<br />
(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
<br />
* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8815Point Omega (summary)2022-05-07T16:27:35Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
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<div>= '''[[[0.7.1]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xy8qU9RKkg| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
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{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
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'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
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'''Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
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= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
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== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
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The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
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Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
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The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
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For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
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“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
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== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
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Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
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An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
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Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Point_Omega_(summary)&diff=8814Point Omega (summary)2021-11-29T06:56:59Z<p>Baby Boy: /* [0.7.1]summary, 20 lines */</p>
<hr />
<div>= '''[[[0.7.1]]]'''summary, 20 lines =<br />
{{Level|1}} Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An increased intelligence emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. This could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that congenital Self-Blindness. It is argued here that this is a prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. Agriculture made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, evolution at the meme level took over the lead from evolution at the gene level. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and primordial innate impulses and on the other hand the "recent" meme level demands of modern agricultural, political and military structures. We could call this "Evolutionary Jet-Lag".<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level power structures have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays gradually losing their strength. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, understanding will emerge of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
Intelligence will then deploy more fully and it will end up understanding itself. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift to the conscious evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
We have labeled this shift as the "Point Omega" transition. For an introductory interview see:<br />
[[ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcXkUzqtIy4Bgkthttps://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcXkUzqtIy4BgktRv2| here]]<br />
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= '''[[[0.7.2]]]'''summary, 2 pages (On the treshold of change) =<br />
'''Self-Blindness'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} <br />
On this Wiki it is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an increased intelligence somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the usual [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom]](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) Self-Blindness. So, what happened is that from the time the species Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting some 2.000.000 years ago.<br />
<br />
'''The agricultural revolution'''<br />
<br />
More recently, only some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of agriculture. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made military defense, a high level of organisation and longer term planning, necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|evolution at the meme level took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along.<br />
<br />
'''Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
<br />
Thus, selection processes between competing power structures nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is "group selection" to the extreme. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our primordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses and on the other hand the demands and requirements of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|"evolutionary jet-lag" from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
<br />
'''Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of carriers, us humans, that can easily be manipulated and programmed. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by increased economic and military pushing power of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|self actualisation]](***) has become the exception rather than the rule, which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals.<br />
<br />
'''Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: 1) an innate [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Self-Blindness]](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; 2) high average neurotic states and stress levels because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses and modern requirements from meme level power structures; this mismatch arose since some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago; 3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather sorry state of Homo sapiens, but simultaneously points at unsuspected human potentials. <br />
<br />
'''Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising power structures, are nowadays gradually losing their influence and power. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including an explosion of free intellectual capacity.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn lead to an understanding of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, intelligence will understand itself, which future point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the gradual evolution of humanity to more and more consciousness, will shift to conscious evolution, which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
Some futurologists nowadays also point out that mankind is facing a major transition into a totally new situation. Some of these futurologists are labeled as "singularitarians". Ray Kurzweil (2005) is one of the most important writers on this subject. His book "The Singularity is near" (2005, Viking Press) has caught worldwide attention. His postulate of a nearing Point of Singularity overlaps greatly with the idea of a Point Omega Transition as defended on this Wiki.<br />
<br />
= '''[[0.7.3]''']summary in 5 pages =<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
{{Level|1}} This 5 page summary and the data it refers to consist of only scientific data, devoid of and often contrary to popular beliefs. Wishful thinking is eliminated wherever it is traced. All data presented are derived from scientific research and can be traced and checked by anybody interested. The novelty about it is in the unusual combination of facts and data from different disciplines, rendering an overall picture of the human condition with quite unexpected perspectives. The prediction of a Point Omega transition that can materialize in a relatively short period of time, results from simple and clean thinking. The only speculative part is the quantification of timing; when can it / will it happen ?<br />
<br />
This summary consists of four parts.<br />
# The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our '''intelligent capacities''' are effectively '''blocked regarding''' our '''personal and social functioning'''. It will be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence (no matter how peculiar and contradictory this sounds). We will explore the consequences of this phenomenon, in the past as well as for the (near) future.<br />
# The second part is about how the '''dynamics of our emotions and motivations''' are organized. We will deal only with the most elementary of these motivational dynamics. I will present the basics of '''“Reversal Theory”''' (developed by Apter and Smith) and explain how this theory explains the basics of our learning process and why this is important to be aware of.<br />
# What controls our lives at present? Human autonomy is an illusion. Instead, highly '''impersonal power structures''' are '''in charge'''. This development started with the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago. Since then we gradually ended up in a situation where humans only do have any value insofar as they are suitable carriers of “memes”, belonging to winning power structures. However, this millennia old state of affairs has become highly unstable lately, leading us to discussion item 4.<br />
# On the probability of a '''Point Omega transition''', possibly within the near future.<br />
<br />
== 1) Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} We can put a man on the moon, we can dive to the bottom of the deepest oceans, we have produced Hydrogen bombs, we can annihilate the whole of the human world population within one day, but we cannot think clearly in front of a mirror. How strange !<br />
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The human species is peculiarly unable to think clearly about its own behaviour. Our intelligent capacities are effectively blocked regarding our personal and social functioning. It can be argued that this specific blindness, a blindness which started to develop some half million to two million years ago, is a prerequisite for the evolution of high intelligence. Social and personal blindness is a prerequisite for the evolution of intelligence, any intelligence, beyond a certain level. <br />
<br />
Social and personal blindness is culturally supported by massive and multidimensional organized ignorance and superstition. It can easily be shown experimentally that human beings are quite unawares of the way they socially interact and how their capacity to understand matters is effectively blocked to give ample space to original and primordial social reflexes.<br />
<br />
The reason, why in such matters intellectual capacities are blocked in favor of original, primordial reflexes, is stemming from the functional conflict between proximal and ultimal causes of behaviour. I will explain why this is so, and what are its consequences. <br />
In short, it means that ultimal reasons for behaviour, the evolutionary usefulness of behaviour, are not the same as the short-term reasons why we behave like we do. We derive feelings of satisfaction from obeying emotional drives and instincts successfully, drinking, eating, sleeping, sex, exploration, etc. These instincts are organized in such a way that, ultimally, they serve procreational purposes. <br />
<br />
Intelligence may / might be used to find – easier - shortcuts to short term satisfaction. However, such shortcuts are quite likely to outflank the collateral behavioural effects of those primordial instincts, collaterals that serve procreational purposes, for which reasons those instincts were evolutionarily selected for in the first place. Intelligence, applied on our own behaviour, therefore quickly leads to sterile behaviour, no matter how satisfactory from a personal emotional (very proximal) point of view. <br />
For that reason awareness blocks for the own behaviour '''had''' to develop, parallel to the development of superior intelligent capacities. Otherwise the latter never could have evolved further than a certain, not dangerous, level.<br />
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However, from an evolutionary point of view, it is also unavoidable that at some point in time the paradox of a high intelligence, paired to not understanding oneself, becomes technically too unstable to continue. <br />
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[[File:Cartoon-paddestoelwolk.jpg|right]]<br />
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<br />
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Point Omega (term of Teilhard de Chardin) is when the present system collapses, when collective ignorance cannot be maintained any longer and understanding of self and social relationships starts to spread like a prairie fire, releasing at the same time unparalleled amounts of energy, boosting in turn this process itself. It will function as a sort of chain reaction resulting in an explosion of awareness and clarity.<br />
<br />
The presently ruling awareness blocks for one’s own behaviour, one’s emotions and motivations, imply that human beings are in particular blind to how they interact socially.<br />
For more on this phenomenon of “Social-Role Blindness” and for exploring some ''examples of how this works'' and what are its consequences for the present as well as for the future, click [[The biological instability of social equilibria|here]]'''(***)''' .<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Some of the consequences of Self Blindness:'''<br/><br />
Present:<br />
* Socially, we act like animals, especially where things matter very much.<br />
* Nepotism<br />
* Tribalism<br />
* Fears continue and are not understood. Thus human beings are more easily locked up in neurotic systems permanently.<br />
Implications for the future:<br />
* Breaking awareness / intelligence blocks is of crucial importance.<br />
* Awareness of the own personal motivations opens strategic moves for change and escape from neurotic imprisonment.<br />
* This awareness and the breaking of the intelligence blocks is crucial antidote against the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
For more, click here: [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social Role Blindness]]'''(***)'''.<br />
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== 2) Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. Still, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. It seems that humanity largely lost its ability to learn by playing. The [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|CEL (Cognition-Energy-Learning model)(*)]], based on Reversal Theory, explains how this works in detail and this Wiki elsewhere deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to learn by playing in the natural way and what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation. <br />
<br />
“Reversal Theory" (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples. [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|click: Reversal Theory(***)]]<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, consciousness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been the normal state of affairs. Our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to help consolidate that innate blindness. <br />
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Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another.<br />
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Before diving into the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|details of Reversal Theory(***)]] it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of clear evolutionary reasons, that are resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself and for all mechanisms involved.<br />
<br />
== 3) Impersonal power structures ruling our world ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|1}} Since the agricultural revolution, since over 10.000 years ago, human evolution switched to another level and took a novel course. Evolution up to that point basically was an affair of competing '''gene''' structures, in humans just as in any other living creatures; the familiar Darwinian stuff. From that time on however, power structures ('''meme'''-structures) took over. This means that, essentially, meme-structures (term of Dawkins) started to compete more strongly with each other in a struggle for survival. The major evolutionary forces, working on mankind, from that time on also operated on the level of '''memes'''. <br />
The evolution of memes runs much faster than the evolution of genes. The classical evolution of genes is lagging behind, now responding to the requirements imposed by the evolving meme structures. As a consequence, the genes humans carry in their bodies, have become just subsidiary to those goals. We have to be suitable meme carriers in the first place. <br />
From being merely gene’s survival machines, we have become the pawns of power structures as well.<br />
From the time of the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, up till this moment, it has been in the interest of the power structures in charge to keep us humans in a perpetual state of neurosis and stress. Neuroticism renders a lower than optimal useful output, but this lower output per individual is more than compensated by increased pushing power and retaliation force of the meme structures in charge. Besides, the neurotic state also enhances controllability and malleability of masses, which is an important advantage for the power structures. The collective neurotic state is characterized among other things by a high average fear level and as a consequence over-dominance of the [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|telic meta-motivational state]] '''(***)''', which in turn hampers healthy developmental processes in the individual. (For more details click [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|here]] '''(***)''')<br />
<br />
Because meme-selection occurs much faster than gene-selection, there is a time squeeze involved. We humans, as the only carriers of those meme-structures, find ourselves at the interface between the ancient gene-evolution and the novel meme-evolution. We humans therefore get the full load of that time squeeze, our gene-evolution lagging behind our meme-evolution, with all the internal and external frictions involved (see also [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|here]] '''(**)''').<br />
<br />
An easy way to explain the human situation is by utilizing terms from computer technology. <br />
We human beings, with our intelligence and learning capacity, are the carriers of information, of memes. The suitability for that task is determined in the first place by our genes. The genes make our hardware so to speak. We are the PC’s. The memes we carry, are the software. We humans contain flesh and soul, hardware and software. We are subject to evolutionary forces at two levels, the old evolution of hardware and the new, much faster, evolution of software.<br />
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However, there are good reasons to assume that this [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|state of mass neurosis and slavery regarding the power structures in control]] '''(**)''', has become highly unstable lately, leading us to issue number 4, Point Omega and mass enlightenment.<br />
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(To return to the Guided Tour click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki#In_summary_.....|here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
<br />
== 4) Point Omega / Mass enlightenment ==<br />
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{{Level|1}} There are reasons why we can predict that the old scheme will collapse and enlightenment (once more) will spread (and this time will win for good).<br />
<br />
Analysis of the usual state of affairs and the evolutionary selection mechanisms keeping us there, renders a number of insights (and reasons for optimism):<br />
* The '''information explosion'''. Power structures derive much of their power from information gaps. Information privileges are breaking down these days. Also, unpopular power actions are increasingly more difficult to hide. Secrecy schemes are evaporating all over the world.<br />
* Power structures derive great advantages from ignorance and superstition, making their meme carriers / subjects more malleable and manageable. The information explosion renders a strong democratization of information. '''Ignorance is''' therefore increasingly '''more difficult to induce and to maintain.''' Structures of superstition, like religions and such, are rapidly losing their stability and influence.<br />
* Like neuroticism, '''self-actualization is also very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the Internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a small (escapee) minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
* '''Birth control''' is inducing more and more children being born wanted with parents who are ready to bring them up successfully in more harmonious situations. This increases the percentage of children growing up with sufficient basic security. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-actualization and thus of enlightenment.<br />
* Two other genetic mechanisms will be discussed each of which is quickly losing its age-old function and evolutionary purpose. That way some cornerstones are taken out of the foundation of the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
* .. One of these is the effect of selection forces against self-will and creativity in any type of organization.<br />
<br />
* .. Another one is the disastrous effect of genetic pollution wherever there is a relatively even distribution of wealth and reproductive capacities. <br />
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* Both of these primordial causes for periodic catastrophes and disaster always thwarted any attempt to establish schemes for larger scale self-actualization and made them inherently unstable in time. '''Scientific understanding''' of these genetic and social mechanisms can take also these stings out of human evolutionary existence, freeing the way for a stabilization of massive self-actualization and enlightenment. <br />
* There are a number of threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution, there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species largely or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction, etc. etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case, due to the innate blocks preventing awareness of and preventing clear thinking about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge and will undermine their blinding schemes.<br />
* Etc.<br />
**********......................... plaatje ravage na oorlogsgeweld / + plaatje van kerbomexplosie<br />
Plaatje van ravage na de bommen op Hiroshima en Nagasaki ...............<br />
...........................<br />
............................<br />
In order to compensate for the changes as mentioned above, the power structures in charge would need to step up selection forces to make their meme carriers even more reliable then before. That would mean: more blindness for the own behaviour than before, more neurotic and thus more malleable then before, less intelligent then before, etc. However, many of the changes as mentioned above, occur in such a rapidly increasing speed, that there simply is not enough time any more for the selection pressure to change the properties of us meme carriers quickly enough to secure the safety and evolutionary success of the meme-power-structures. The whole of the meme structures is rapidly slipping towards a point of no return, where the meme world will inescapably start "to understand itself". <br />
<br />
Whereas it is difficult to estimate what type of time schedule follows from the above insights, the conclusion is that in a not too far future the all pervading power of the meme structures in charge will be overruled and that the subsequent neurotic and subservient state of the human species will also end and be replaced by mass enlightenment, which has been mankind’s primordial potential to start with. The natural state of enlightenment is where we come from, be it without the awareness at that time of all our behavioural mechanisms, behavioural reflexes, that took us for a (rough) ride during the last 10.000 or 20.000 years, since before the agricultural revolution. Becoming aware, and with our present day technological tool box, we finally can reclaim our long lost right to lead complete lives, and we can take the evolutionary lead ourselves. And besides, ................... we have no choice.<br />
<br />
Speaking about mass enlightenment we should clarify one common misconception. We do not mean to claim that after passing Point Omega mankind will enter in a stable state of eternal "happiness". Happiness is a very relative concept. In the Canadian philosopher Tennesson's words: "happiness is for the pigs". We are designed to feel and become aware of differences. Steady states tend to slip out of conscious awareness. Feeling happy therefore refers to a change in mood. Thinking of it as a steady state to be sought after is therefore a delusion. What will be mankind's condition after point omega, as is the condition of present day enlightened persons, is a state in which the rather continuous emotional and motivational friction, caused and fueled by the functional discrepancies between P-Feelings and N-demands, has been overcome, has disappeared. As is discussed [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|elsewhere]] in more detail, P-feelings, "Primordial" feelings, stem from our primordial evolutionary heritage, representing our most basic feelings, preferences and tendencies. N-demands, "New" demands, stem from the relatively recent, less than 10.000 years old, complex social power structures we live in since the agricultural revolution. After Point Omega we will not so much "feel" more happy, we will "only" be more happy from an objective point of view (which we do not feel). In particular, the functional friction and stress between the P-feelings and the N-demands will be reduced by a basic and thorough understanding of how it all works, an awareness that will take us humans "off the hook". <br />
<br />
That's all. Whereas it will not be felt so much, it is sufficiently worthwhile to rejoice! It will affect our real behaviour, not our subjective, delusionary perception of it.<br />
<br />
For returning to the "Guided Tour of this Wiki" click [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In_summary_......|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
Ray Kurzweil, in his 2005 book "The Singularity is near (when humans transcend biology)"also argues that humanity is at the brink of a major transition, which will completely change our life and society. Adherents of this reasoning by Ray Kurzweil are often labeled as "singularitarians".Kurzweil's "singularity" is highly congruent with Point Omega as described on this Wiki.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model_(1)&diff=8813Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)2021-11-29T06:37:46Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN HB-91-1029-EX (first part)<br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.)</b></big><br/><br />
on the Bistable Organization of Motivation and its Effect on Cognitive Development<br />
<br />
by<br />
<br />
Bernard B. Maarsingh<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
Popko P. van der Molen<br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/>Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<big><strong>Table of Contents</strong></big><br />
<br />
[[#1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability|1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability]]<br/><br />
[[#2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation|2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation]]<br/><br />
[[#3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals|3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals]]<br/><br />
[[#4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level|4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level]]<br/><br />
[[#5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience|5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience]]<br/><br />
[[#6. Cognitive Development|6. Cognitive Development]]<br/><br />
[[#7. Summary and Conclusions|7. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
<br />
[[#References|References]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== 1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} One of the most widespread concepts in psychology is "homeostasis" or synonimous words such as equilibrium and stability. The word homeostasis originates from the physiologist Cannon ([[#CITEREFCannon1932|1932]]) who used it to describe a range of physical systems whereby body temperature, respiration frequency, or the illumination of the retina {{Harv|Lakke|1985}} are maintained at a constant level. In psychology, we encounter this concept in a diversity of areas, for example in the work of Pavlov, where he writes about the equilibrium between the systems of the organism and external conditions {{Harv|Ban|1964}}; in Jung ([[#CITEREFJung1954|1954]]) in his compensation theory of personality; in Lewin ([[#CITEREFLewin1951|1951]]) where he writes about the "quasi-stationary equilibria" in group processes and in Piaget when he describes the cognitive development of the child. Also in theories on motivation the homeostasis concept is often utilized. Examples are Freud's "pleasure principle" and "reality principle" which are focussed on excitation or tension reduction and even in Butler ([[#CITEREFButler1953|1953]], [[#CITEREFButler1954|1954]], [[#CITEREFButler1957|1957]]) who advocated a "curiosity drive", in Montgomery ([[#CITEREFMontgomery1953|1953]]) who proposed an "exploratory drive" and in Myers and Miller ([[#CITEREFMyersMiller1954|1954]]) who even postulated a "boredom drive". The end product of behaviour, even if an attempt is made to explain explorative behaviour, is in fact still considered to be a reduction of the drive to a lower preferred level. More recently, Buck's motivation theory ([[#CITEREFBuck1985|1985]]) has attracted attention. Buck adopts White's non-homeostatic concept and subsequently moulds it back into a homeostatic framework. This is the concept of "effectance motivation" (see [[#CITEREFWever1989|Wever, 1989]], unpublished, for a survey). Other examples stem from the research on whether or not altruistically motivated behaviour occurs at all. Piliavin and Piliavin ([[#CITEREFPiliavinPiliavin1973|1973]]) and Piliavin et al. ([[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1981]], [[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1982]]) consider altruistic behaviour to be pro-social behaviour which is focussed on reducing one's own aversive arousal as a result of having seen somebody else "suffer". Variations on the same theme originate from Hornstein ([[#CITEREFHornstein1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1978|1978]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1982|1982]]), Reykovski ([[#CITEREFReykovski1982|1982]]) and Lerner ([[#CITEREFLerner1970|1970]]). Batson ([[#CITEREFBatson1987|1987]], [[#CITEREFBatson1988|1988]]) ends two of his articles, on whether altruistically motivated behaviour does or does not occur, with:<br />
<br />
:"More and more it appears that motivation to help, evoked by feeling empathy, is at least partly altruistic. If it is, then psychologists will have to make some fundamental changes in their perceptions of human motivation and, indeed, of human nature" {{Harv|Batson|Dyck|Randall Brandt|Batson|1988|pp=75-76}}<br />
<br />
Apter and Smith ([[#CITEREFApterSmith1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979a|1979a]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979b|1979b]]) and Apter ([[#CITEREFApter1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApter1982|1982]], [[#CITEREFApter1988|1988]]), on the other hand, propose a bi-stable explanation of motivation in their reversal theory. A bi-stable system is a system in which there are two levels of preference with a given variable {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The Cognition-Energy-Learning -Cognition model (ELC: van der Molen, Stoelhorst, Van Dijk, Maarsingh) is based on the reversal theory in relation to the concept of bi-stability of motivation.<br />
<br />
=== 2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the ELC two arguments are given to underpin the concept of bi-stability: an ethological and a phenomenological argument.<br />
<br />
The first argument was originally formulated by Van der Molen (1977, 1983, 1985) and revolves around the idea that one of the most recent evolutionary developments is the open-ended learning system. This is a learning system by which a behavioural repertoire develops which is especially appropriate to the situation or surroundings in which the individual incidentally happens to live. The capacity to develop such a behavioural repertoire is only utilized optimally when supplies and shortages in the energy balance are treated in a very specific way. This means that behaviour should be organized in such a way that a surplus of energy is immediately invested in the extension and refining of this repertoire. Adjustments in the repertoire will be especially meaningful when those adjustments offer a higher probability of survival in emergency situations and in situations which are very stressful. This means, however, that one has to practice in situations which engender a high level of arousal, for such situations are exactly the situations in which risks have to be taken. But taking risks which afterwards turn out to be too great can have unpleasant consequences. Also, situations which are (too) stressful for a long period of time, can be harmful to the individual. Thus, apart from the necessity to practice with difficult situations, it is also of the utmost importance that the individual has, with regularity, the possibility to escape from threat and danger and to settle down.<br />
<br />
An open learning system will contribute maximally to survival when the following two conditions are met: - firstly, there should be a tendency to seek situations which give rise to a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy and - secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations which reduce the arousal as soon as the energy supply is exhausted or in cases of emergency.<br />
<br />
The second argument which is used by the CEL has a phenomenological nature and is borrowed from Apter and Smith (e.g. Apter, 1982). These authors indicate that a specific level of arousal can be experienced in two different ways. They mention as examples of situations which cause a high level of arousal: having to wait at the dentist while worrying about the condition of your teeth, or watching an exciting movie and feeling thrilled. Situations with a low level of arousal are: waiting for the bus while you have nothing to do and are bored stiff, or sitting in a nice warm tub after a hard day's work and enjoying a pleasant relaxation. What distinguishes these four situations is, in the first place, the level of arousal and, in the second place, the extent to which a person feels comfortable or not, in other words, the hedonic tone. Apter and Smith generalized such phenomenological occurrences and elaborated them into their reversal theory. One of the fundamental postulates in their theory is:<br />
<br />
: "... that certain psychological processes, especially certain motivational and emotional processes, exhibit bi-stability rather than homeostasis (i.e. uni-stability). Switching from one stable state to the other in a bi-stable system can be referred to as a "reversal" and may be brought about by a number of different factors." (Apter and Smith, 1979)<br />
<br />
Both arguments, the one phenomological and the other ethological in character, plead for a bipolar organization of behaviour, as described in the ELC.<br />
<br />
=== 3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Both states of the bi-stable system in the CEL, following Apter and Smith, are called metamotivational states. They can be seen as "frames of mind" which determine the general phenomenological characteristics of motivation at a certain moment in time: in other words, the individual interprets his own motives in one of two ways. Because states are not motives in themselves but rather organize the motivation, they are called metamotivational states.<br />
<br />
Both metamotivational states indicate a level of preference as to the variable "level of arousal" or "tension". They are called "telic" and "paratelic", derived from the Greek word "telos" which means goal. In the telic state the individual is serious minded, tries to avoid high arousal and wants to plan and structure the future as much as possible {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The phenomenological characteristics of the paraletic state are, in short: to carry out behaviour for the behaviour itself or for the excitement and sensation which this behaviour arouses {{Harv|Apter|1979}}, e.g., impulsiveness, fickle or frivolous behaviour and searching for arousal because it is pleasant in itself {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. (See table 1.1 for a more elaborate summary of the telic and paratelic state.)<br />
<br />
The CEL not only postulates, following reversal theory, a complex "control adjustment system" {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981|p=185}}, but also indicates that the relation between arousal and other variables, such as being full of fear or being full of fun, is much more complex than was generally assumed. This is because, as described above, arousal in the paratelic state is experienced as being exciting and pleasant, and in the telic state as being frightening, unpleasant and as something which has to be avoided. (In table 1.2 this relation between the two metamotivational states and the level of arousal is summarized again.) <br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Summary of the telic and paratelic states.png|framed|none|Table 1.1: Summary of the Telic and Paratelic States (from {{Harvnb|Apter|1982|p=52}}).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Table 1.2: Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.]]<br />
<br />
<br />
In the last paragraph, a statement by Apter (1979, page 405) was quoted which, among other things, dealt with the "reversals", or changes, from one stable state into the other, that occur with a certain regularity {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. These reversals can occur under a variety of conditions {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}, but will especially take place when: (a) the individual gets frustrated in one state, or (b) the individual gets satiated in the other state (Van der Molen et al., 1991)<!-- TODO -->. The former (a) takes place in particular in the paratelic state in which the organism seeks tension and accordingly takes risks. Taking risks implies that unexpected things and unforeseen contingencies may happen which can lead to a telic state. Because of the fact that in such a state the person searches for tension or arousal, satiation will not very often be the cause of a reversal. However, a reversal by satiation may occur when the supply of energy gets exhausted (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985;<!-- TODO --> see also {{Harv|Van der Molen|Stoelhorst|Van Dijk|Maarsingh|1991}}. The reversal from the telic to the paratelic state will more often be caused by satiation, because at a certain moment in time the energy supply is replenished to the extent that the search for situations which offer arousal may continue (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985)<!-- TODO -->.<br />
<br />
In the CEL model of Van der Molen et al (1991)<!-- TODO --> the energy dependent basis of motivation is an important explanation for such an interaction between level of arousal and metamotivational state and the reversal from one state into the other.<br />
<br />
=== 4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences at the Proximal and at the Ultimal Level ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In contrast to most psychological approaches, the concept "allocation of energy" is very important in ethology. Strategies and tactics (e.g. to find food) of various animals are analyzed in the light of the hypothesis: " ... behavioral control mechanisms are designed to maximize the rate of net energy gain" {{Harv|Daly|Wilson|1983|p=39}}.<br />
To illustrate the concept we will give two examples to indicate what the term means in ethology.<br />
Tits are small birds which are found often in wooded areas in Europe and North-America. These birds remain in the same area the entire year and they breed there in summer. In winter it is hard to find larvae because they are well hidden and irregularly spread. So the tits must have a special strategy which makes finding food as efficient as possible. It seems to be the case that they use a "giving-up time" decision-rule. This means that they look for food only during a specific period of time at a specific place and if by then they have not found anything yet, they give up and look for another place. Krebs et al. (1974) have shown by means of experiments and calculations that this strategy produces the maximal number of food-units within a specific period of time compared to other strategies, such as, for example, examining a pine-cone during a pre-set period of time, or starting to look elsewhere, having found a fixed number of larvae.<br />
<br />
This is an example in which a number of strategies for collecting food are compared on the basis of their efficiency, and in which the animal appeared to use the most efficient method; the animal allocated energy as efficiently as possible. The next example is completely different, but corresponds with the former in using energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
The hermit-crab lives in "discarded" snail-shells and looks for a new house when she grows too large for her current house. If the crab succeeds, she continues to grow. But if the crab does not succeed to find a larger house, she stops her own growth, for a house is necessary in order not to be caught by predators. The energy which normally is put in the growth, now is used to mature sexually. Instead of putting energy in the growth, the crab puts it in reproduction {{Harv|Bertness|1981}}.<br />
Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) and Van der Molen et al. (1991) assume that the motivation with specialized learning-animals (human beings), is steering behaviour in such a way that the energy spent is actually utilized in an optimal way. This means that arousal inducing situations will be sought as soon as there is a surplus of energy and that the situation will, if possible, be controlled as soon as the supply threatens to be exhausted (see pp. 4, 5, and 6). <br />
<br />
The question which now arises is: what are the implications of an energy-efficient learning system? In the first place, it can be said that the energy which is invested in experimenting with new and exciting situations is no longer available for other activities (such as eating). So only when there is a surplus of energy i.e. when there are no other urgent outstanding needs to be fulfilled, can investments be made in learning. This learning should produce long-term results in terms of survival or reproduction (see for instance {{Harvnb|Dawkins|1976}}. When the system results in a more exact, more efficient and more economical representation of the surroundings, especially concerning relevant situations, it contributes to a higher survival value. A side effect of such a learning-system is that eventually energy and time will be available for activities other than those considered to be essential necessities of life. This is so because the surroundings have been mapped out in such a way (cognitively) that one responds to the specific situation in the right way at the right time.<br />
<br />
When we add the ethological argument used by Van der Molen to the phenomenological argument which was used by Apter (see pp 4, 5, 6), we can draw an important conclusion regarding "cause" and "function" of behaviour (Tinbergen, 1963, 1968). By "cause" Tinbergen means the proximal causes and goals of behaviour and by "function" he means the ultimate causes and effects.<br />
<br />
The paratelic state results, in the long term, in a surplus of experience (especially in important areas) which in the end is settled down into a refined and extended behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985). <br />
In the short term, the main goal is to have fun doing things which are exciting (see for instance Apter, 1976 or 1982). So the behaviour is, at the proximal level, aimed at the principle: just do what is exciting. The effect at the ultimate level of such behaviour (an extended and refined behavioural repertoire) seems to play no part in the proximal motivation of such behaviour. In our view, this is a logical consequence of the observation that learning competes with other activities (e.g. eating) and so should be inviting at the proximal level.<br />
<br />
Batson et al. (1987, 1988) also ascertain the importance of the distinction between proximal and ultimate results when they study the motivation of altruistic behaviour. From a number of very well organized experiments Batson concludes that altruistic behaviour indeed also appears to exist when the proximal goal of the behaviour is examined and not only the long term results.<br />
Now that a clear distinction between proximal and ultimate results and goals has been indicated to be of crucial importance, it seems logical to ask in more detail how exactly learning progresses.<br />
<br />
=== 5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In figure 1.1 both the metamotivational states and the reversals from one state to the other are represented graphically. The sequence, shown in this figure (fear - relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear, etc) is important for the learning process. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversals between telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.1. A commonly occurring Motivational Sequence.]]<br />
<br />
Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops by way of positive and negative learning spirals. If the indicated sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation - etc. can be completed often enough, it means that generally speaking there have been sufficient opportunities to achieve relaxation timely and to replenish the energy supply. In this way an individual will develop a behavioural repertoire which functions adequately and in which the various skills have been well consolidated and integrated.<br />
<br />
As a consequence, the person is (better) able to deal with emergencies and to relax more quickly and effectively, with the result that after some period of time he or she is able again to explore, etc. We label this a positive learning spiral.<br />
<br />
If, however, the person does not succeed in finding enough moments of relaxation, he or she can replenish his/her energy less often. The individual will then be in the paratelic state less often and consequently will explore less and exhibit telic behaviour more frequently. This results in the person acquiring fewer new skills and practicing "old" skills less often. And being less skillful subsequently lessens the chances of further moments of relaxation. Thus a negative learning spiral develops (figure 1.2).<br />
<br />
According to this model, skills have the tendency to grow in clusters. Van der Molen calls such clusters, after Grof (1972, 1973, 1976) "clusters of COndensed EXperience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 1.3). Grof defines a COEX-system as follows: <br />
:"A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related fantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another."<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions connected with the cluster. The reason for such clustering of areas of experience is explained by Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985). When certain situations have been explored regularly and the experiences have been processed well, we can speak of a positive COEX-system in which various skills have been incorporated. Such skills can often also be applied in other, comparable situations, so that these too, can turn out to be controllable and manageable. In this way positive experiences can extend to related areas of experience and thus stimulate a positive COEX-system to grow. Poorly processed experiences also have the tendency to grow in clusters. When, in a given situation, there is little exploration and consequently little practice with certain relevant skills, it is more difficult to control that situation if needed, and subsequently it is also more difficult to relax and settle down after solving the problems at hand.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|Figure 1.2 Two possible learning spirals {{Harv|Molen, van der|1984}} in which the development and refining of the behavioural repertoire is the result of positive learning spirals, and in which a rigid and stereotyped way of reacting will be the outcome of negative learning spirals]]<br />
<br />
This implies a high probability that only few new skills will be learnt, so that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar situation, he will, most likely, have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (i.e. behaviour for escaping and avoiding) in such situations, resulting in even less experimenting. An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of somebody who, as a result of his or her shyness, no longer dares to appear in public. By doing so, the fear for such kind of situations will grow, because the familiarity with those situations will diminish, and the person can not properly develop other skills for which he or she needs the help of others in a group context (for instance school tasks). In this way the individual easily ends up in a negative learning spiral in which new experiences are no longer utilised to learn, but rather to strengthen the existing, inadequate avoidance behaviours. Breaking out of such a spiral is very difficult. The most important (and most necessary) condition for this is the ability to acquire relaxation and rest whenever needed, which is necessary for the processing of experiences and replenishing the energy resources. If a number of well-processed areas in which there are well-controlled skills, are in some way related to badly processed areas of experience, those well-processed areas of experience can sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations become too frightening. Such refuges serve to provide the necessary opportunities for relaxation.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|Figure 1.3 Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the total area of experiences (from: {{Harv|van der Molen|1984}}.]]<br />
<br />
Here it is important to bear in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. It can also be a matter of a positive end result, i.e. the ''good processing'' of negative, unpleasant, experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of ''badly processed'' unpleasant experiences.<br />
<br />
The term unpleasant can easily lead to misunderstanding. The experiences were unpleasant at that time, but after a while the negative COEX-system may be experienced as intriguing, i.e. when the person is in the paratelic state, precisely because of the arousal elevating characteristics of such a COEX-system. Positive areas of experience are then experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant, for they no longer produce excitement.<br />
<br />
In the telic state, of course, the situation is reversed. The positive areas of experience will be sought, whereas the negative areas of experience will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening. <br />
<br />
This difference in the way in which positive and negative COEX-systems are faced, has interesting implications for cognitive development.<br />
<br />
=== 6. Cognitive Development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) speaks of "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; certain standards indicating what kind of behaviour should be pursued and what kind of behaviour should be avoided. Czapinski (1982, 1985, 1986, and 1987) extends this with his research on the judgement of experiences, from which it is evident that, generally speaking, people have a slight "positivity bias". This means that experiences generally acquire a slightly positive emotional value rather than a zero or neutral value (except when they have a specific and very strong emotional value). According to Czapinski one can speak in the cognitive representation of the experiences of a slightly positive background field, against which the negative areas of experience especially stand out. Using these concepts, we can now say more about cognitive development. (see figure 1.4).<br />
<br />
This figure resembles the figure which van der Molen used to depict Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see the previous paragraph), but is now further specified. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, i.e. the areas which have not yet been properly processed and digested (- -), will raise the level of arousal and be accompanied by tension.<br />
In the telic state, the well processed areas (+ +) are attractive, because they are controllable in such a way that in the case of an emergency a state of rest can easily be achieved. For such areas we therefore have chosen the term "refuge". In the paratelic state, the not yet well processed areas will be particularly attractive, because the tension they afford will be experienced as pleasant. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.4: Cognitive representation of areas of experience.]]<br />
<br />
We assume the following: in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, i.e. exploration will occur in those areas that are closest to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and where there is a relatively high chance of an arousal inducing (and thus also possibly unpleasant) experience. At the proximal level, if things go well, it is however simply a matter of (pleasant) tension and excitement. A consequence of such an exploration then is that the borders of the badly processed areas start to shift; as a result of the positive experiences, parts of the problem area are "nibbled away" and gradually change into well-processed areas. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further.<br />
At the ultimate level we may in a way speak of a "goal" of the paratelic state, namely, "striving after" and gaining new experiences which are necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What then happens on the logical-cognitive level? Following the line of argumentation, the experiences should be represented in such a way that the organism acquires precise, relevant and economical schemes of the surroundings (otherwise the gain from the energy spent would not be maximized). Lewicka (1985, 1987, and 1989) concludes that we can say more about this when we make a distinction between sufficient and necessary conditions. Sufficient conditions are conditions which have to be fulfilled in order to attain a certain result. When for instance, somebody wants to boil an egg for his breakfast, a sufficient condition could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Place the egg into the pan.<br />
# Put the pan on the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# Once the water is boiling, wait for 4 more minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour the water away.<br />
<br />
When these conditions are met, the person will indeed get his boiled egg. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg: it could also for instance be boiled in an old can over a camp-fire or in a micro-wave. A (series of) sufficient condition(s) indicate(s) how a certain result can be obtained, but this does not mean that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be obtained.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition which hás to be fulfilled; without that condition a certain result cannot possibly be obtained. A necessary condition in the example of boiling of an egg could be: "heat the egg to a temperature above the coagulation temperature of the white of the egg, just long enough for the heat to penetrate the whole egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, it is in fact unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for a certain period of time is relevant; otherwise it never never will become "boiled". Given the necessary condition(s) for a certain result it is often possible to lay down a varied number of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) subsequently speaks of "necessity-oriented" and "sufficiency-oriented" procedures (behavioural strategies / -recipes). In the CEL these procedures are treated as a number of "recipes" for behaviour, belonging to a certain COEX-system which are based on sufficient or on necessary conditions. The recipes which are based on conditions (necessity-oriented procedures) are related in particular to those areas of experience which are mapped out thoroughly. The recipes which are based on sufficient conditions (sufficiency-oriented procedures) are conceptually simpler, but in general less economical, because in general more instructions and recipes are then needed and they are less well (causally and logically) integrated (see Van der Molen et al. 1991).<br />
<br />
What happens eventually at the logical-cognitive level in the optimal case is that, starting from the experiences that exploration has yielded, an all-encompassing necessity-oriented recipe of a higher abstraction level is generated out of the initially acquired sufficiency-recipes. For this to happen it is a prerequisite that there is enough time and relaxation between such situations for the processing and integration of the new experiences. A simple example will clarify this: <br />
Imagine John is walking in a forest. He enjoys the surroundings and is completely relaxed. Every now and then he climbs a fence to walk through the pastures or through a piece of fenced-in woodland. Suddenly a horse gallops towards him from out of the wood and without thinking John starts running. Somehow he can escape and not until later he asks himself what exactly has happened. First he hesitates to enter the forest again, but after a while when he has settled down again it seems to him quite exciting (paratelically) and he resolves to constantly stay close to the fences, so that he can escape quickly should that be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John re-investigates the situation and finds out in which area of the forest the horse is and which area of the forest and which pastures he must try to avoid. Eventually, the excitement of walking is diminished, because he exactly knows where he has to be careful and why. The motivation during the paratelic phase - to explore the forest - eventually disappears because he knows it all. It has become too familiar.<br />
<br />
In this example, John is unpleasantly surprised and at first reacts frightened upon the entire forest. But by exploring the situation a sufficiency-oriented recipe ("If I walk in the forest, a horse may gallop towards me at any given moment in time") is converted into a necessity-oriented recipe ("Only if I climb that particular fence can the horse gallop towards me"). The consequence hereof is also that John's freedom of movement has increased, for the area to be avoided is clearly reduced. This is represented in figure 1.5.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.5 Avoidance, exploration, and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences).]]<br />
<br />
An area of experience which is first experienced as problematic (unpleasant in the telic phase), gradually reduces in size, as its borders are explored (in the paratelic states) and positive experiences in that marginal area may occur. At the ultimate level the aim of the paratelic behaviour is, to speak in Grof's terms, to convert as many negative COEX-systems as possible into positive ones. In other words, the aim is, among other things, to convert less efficient sufficiency-oriented recipes, connected to badly processed experiences, into highly efficient necessity-oriented recipes which are are in particular connected to well-processed and digested experiences. This means that the representations of the surroundings become more efficient and more economical.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to result in well processed and badly processed clusters. When certain situations have been explored often enough and the experiences have been well-processed, we speak of a positive COEX-system in which skills have been learned that are applicable in different, but comparable or related situations. In such an area of experience the individual can more easily establish positive learning spirals. In a similar way badly processed experiences also tend to grow in clusters; there is a strong likelihood that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar or related situation, he will experience it as problematic. This raises the probability of telic behaviour in such situations, with the result that less exploration and experimentation will take place. In this way the individual gets caught up in a negative learning spiral in such areas of experience; new experiences cannot be used for learning, but only for strengthening and extending the existing, relatively inefficient behavioural strategies. In terms of figure 1.4 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) remain relatively limited and small and that for the cognitive representation of the problem areas (- -) relatively broader and less efficient margins are maintained.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.6 Safety margins in the telic state. Explanation: the dotted lines indicate the direction in which the circumference of the COEX-systems changes in the case of an unfavourable direction of the learning process.]]<br />
<br />
Should necessity-oriented recipes of high precision and a high level of abstraction be absent, and relatively many sufficiency-recipes be used instead, the indicated borders in figure 1.4 are less favourable during the telic state. The refuges of well-processed areas are small because of the overly simple, badly generalizable and thus limitedly useful sufficiency-recipes, whereas for the badly processed areas, excessive safety margins are maintained. The individual's freedom of movement is then relatively limited (see figure 1.6).<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system may gradually extend via an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are principally based on sufficiency recipes. These can be generated relatively quickly, but they are also accompanied by relatively large safety margins, with the result that a relatively large area of experience is considered to be risky and scary.<br />
<br />
=== 7. Summary and Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter about the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (CEL), which explains the most essential aspects of the learning process, two arguments have been put forward to support the bi-stable character of motivation. One argument refers in particular to the ultimal effect of an open-ended learning system: the accumulation of a refined and extensive behavioural repertoire. The second argument was purely phenomenological and refers to the fact that the bi-stable character of motivations indeed is reflected in the personal experience of the individual.<br />
<br />
Subsequently, the energy dependent basis of learning was discussed. The concept of energy allocation was illustrated using a number of examples from ethology which then were applied to the CEL model. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal provides two essential parts of the process of learning: on the one hand the acquisition of new and novel experiences, on the other hand the reserving of time and energy for structuring and processing this experiential knowledge. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic state guarantees that the learning process continues, every time when time as well as energy are available for other matters than for the primary necessities of life. This system thus guarantees that no surplus energy is waisted, but is utilized to increase survival value.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematic or non-problematic. Depending on the meta-motivational state of an individual, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. In the telic state problematic areas (for which no adequate behavioural strategies exist yet) will be avoided as much as possible: in the paratelic state, however, they can be a source of (then pleasant) tension and arousal and can thus be attractive to explore. In this way the individual can gain some measure of experience in areas which are (relatively) unknown. And such experiences are a prerequisite for the development of the individual to higher levels of behavioural organization. Non-problematic areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, for they do not produce arousal and are thus considered to be "boring". In the telic state however, these areas are essential for the individual in order to be able to retreat to "common ground" and to relax. Only when a certain amount of rest can be achieved regularly is the individual able to process his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
There are circumstances in which it is impossible for the ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals to occur, because they are too demanding. If such circumstances last too long, this will lead to the establishment of a negative learning spiral which will force the individual into stereotyped and inefficient ways of responding. <br />
<br />
<br />
The likelihood that the negative, problematic experiences within a certain area will spread to other areas will then increase. Hence the term, the "contagiousness" of experiences. This contagiousness of experiences also applies to the positive, well processed and consequently non-problematic experiences. In a positive learning spiral, the individual continually learns new skills which can sometimes be applied to other areas of experience. In this way, the likelihood of having positive experiences increases. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, both in the positive and the negative direction, primarily manifests in areas of experience than are functionally related. However, the principle of contagiousness manifests also in all other areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter, the CEL-model will be expanded to include two other metamotivational states, namely social contacts and the emotions arising from them. By incorporating these two states, it is possible to describe and explain how the quality of social relationships influences the learning process.<br />
<br />
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editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
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contribution=Exploration behavior as a function of 'similarity' of stimulus situations |<br />
periodical=Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology |<br />
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contribution=A new perspective on crises counselling |<br />
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year=1981<br />
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contribution=Failure to find a learned drive based on hunger; evidence for learning motivated by 'exploration' |<br />
periodical=Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology |<br />
issue=47 |<br />
pages=428-436 |<br />
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title=Development through life: A psychological approach |<br />
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year=1979<br />
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year=1980<br />
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last2=Piliavin | first2=I.M. |<br />
title=The good samaritan: Why does he help? |<br />
place=University of Winconsin-Madison |<br />
publisher=Unpublished manuscript |<br />
year=1973<br />
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last4=Clark | first4=R.D. |<br />
title=Emergency intervention |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Academic Press |<br />
year=1981<br />
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year=1981<br />
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chapter=Ego development and the interpersonal relationships |<br />
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title=Humanistic psychology, new frontiers |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Gardner Press |<br />
year=1977<br />
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contribution=Life stress, social support, and psychological vulnerability: Epidemiological considerations |<br />
periodical=Journal of Community Psychology |<br />
issue=10 |<br />
pages=341-362 |<br />
year=1983<br />
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chapter=Social support and psychological well-being: theoretical possibilities |<br />
editor1-last=Sarason | editor1-first=I.G. |<br />
editor2-last=Sarason | editor2-first=B.R. |<br />
title=Social Support: Theory, Research and Applications |<br />
place=Dordrecht | publisher=Martnus Nijhoff Publishers |<br />
year=1985<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Tinbergen | first=N. |<br />
contribution=On aims and methods of ethology |<br />
periodical=Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie |<br />
issue=20 | pages=410-433 |<br />
year=1963<br />
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last=Tinbergen | first=N. |<br />
contribution=On war and peace in animals and man |<br />
periodical=Science |<br />
issue=160 | pages=1411-1418 |<br />
year=1968<br />
}}<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Trivers | first=R.L. |<br />
contribution=The evolution of reciprocal altruism |<br />
periodical=Quarterly Review of Biology |<br />
issue=46 | pages=35-37 |<br />
year=1971<br />
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last=Turner | first=R.J. |<br />
chapter=Direct, indirect, and moderating effects of social support upon psychological distress and associated conditions |<br />
editor-last=Kaplan | editor-first=H.B. |<br />
title=Psychological stress: trends in theory and research |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Academic Press |<br />
year=1983<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Wever | first=D. |<br />
title=Biopsychologische aspecten van gemotiveerd gedrag |<br />
publisher=Ongepubliceerd |<br />
place=Rijks Universiteit Groningen |<br />
year=1989<br />
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<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=White | first=R.W. |<br />
contribution=Motivation considered: The concept of competence |<br />
periodical=Psychological Review |<br />
issue=66 | pages=297-333 |<br />
year=1959<br />
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<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Williams | first=G.C. |<br />
title=Adaptation and natural selection |<br />
place=Princeton, N.J. | publisher=Princeton University Press |<br />
year=1966<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Wynne-Edwards | first=V.C. |<br />
title=Animal dispersion in relation to social behaviour |<br />
place=Edinsburgh | publisher=Oliver and Boyd |<br />
year=1962<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognitief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model_(1)&diff=8812Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)2021-11-29T06:25:33Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 7. Summary and Conclusions */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN HB-91-1029-EX (first part)<br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.)</b></big><br/><br />
on the Bistable Organization of Motivation and its Effect on Cognitive Development<br />
<br />
by<br />
<br />
Bernard B. Maarsingh<br />
<br />
and<br />
<br />
Popko P. van der Molen<br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/>Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<big><strong>Table of Contents</strong></big><br />
<br />
[[#1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability|1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability]]<br/><br />
[[#2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation|2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation]]<br/><br />
[[#3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals|3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals]]<br/><br />
[[#4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level|4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level]]<br/><br />
[[#5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience|5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience]]<br/><br />
[[#6. Cognitive Development|6. Cognitive Development]]<br/><br />
[[#7. Summary and Conclusions|7. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
<br />
[[#References|References]]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== 1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} One of the most widespread concepts in psychology is "homeostasis" or synonimous words such as equilibrium and stability. The word homeostasis originates from the physiologist Cannon ([[#CITEREFCannon1932|1932]]) who used it to describe a range of physical systems whereby body temperature, respiration frequency, or the illumination of the retina {{Harv|Lakke|1985}} are maintained at a constant level. In psychology, we encounter this concept in a diversity of areas, for example in the work of Pavlov, where he writes about the equilibrium between the systems of the organism and external conditions {{Harv|Ban|1964}}; in Jung ([[#CITEREFJung1954|1954]]) in his compensation theory of personality; in Lewin ([[#CITEREFLewin1951|1951]]) where he writes about the "quasi-stationary equilibria" in group processes and in Piaget when he describes the cognitive development of the child. Also in theories on motivation the homeostasis concept is often utilized. Examples are Freud's "pleasure principle" and "reality principle" which are focussed on excitation or tension reduction and even in Butler ([[#CITEREFButler1953|1953]], [[#CITEREFButler1954|1954]], [[#CITEREFButler1957|1957]]) who advocated a "curiosity drive", in Montgomery ([[#CITEREFMontgomery1953|1953]]) who proposed an "exploratory drive" and in Myers and Miller ([[#CITEREFMyersMiller1954|1954]]) who even postulated a "boredom drive". The end product of behaviour, even if an attempt is made to explain explorative behaviour, is in fact still considered to be a reduction of the drive to a lower preferred level. More recently, Buck's motivation theory ([[#CITEREFBuck1985|1985]]) has attracted attention. Buck adopts White's non-homeostatic concept and subsequently moulds it back into a homeostatic framework. This is the concept of "effectance motivation" (see [[#CITEREFWever1989|Wever, 1989]], unpublished, for a survey). Other examples stem from the research on whether or not altruistically motivated behaviour occurs at all. Piliavin and Piliavin ([[#CITEREFPiliavinPiliavin1973|1973]]) and Piliavin et al. ([[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1981]], [[#CITEREFPiliavinDovidioGaertnerClark1981|1982]]) consider altruistic behaviour to be pro-social behaviour which is focussed on reducing one's own aversive arousal as a result of having seen somebody else "suffer". Variations on the same theme originate from Hornstein ([[#CITEREFHornstein1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1978|1978]], [[#CITEREFHornstein1982|1982]]), Reykovski ([[#CITEREFReykovski1982|1982]]) and Lerner ([[#CITEREFLerner1970|1970]]). Batson ([[#CITEREFBatson1987|1987]], [[#CITEREFBatson1988|1988]]) ends two of his articles, on whether altruistically motivated behaviour does or does not occur, with:<br />
<br />
:"More and more it appears that motivation to help, evoked by feeling empathy, is at least partly altruistic. If it is, then psychologists will have to make some fundamental changes in their perceptions of human motivation and, indeed, of human nature" {{Harv|Batson|Dyck|Randall Brandt|Batson|1988|pp=75-76}}<br />
<br />
Apter and Smith ([[#CITEREFApterSmith1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979a|1979a]], [[#CITEREFApterSmith1979b|1979b]]) and Apter ([[#CITEREFApter1976|1976]], [[#CITEREFApter1982|1982]], [[#CITEREFApter1988|1988]]), on the other hand, propose a bi-stable explanation of motivation in their reversal theory. A bi-stable system is a system in which there are two levels of preference with a given variable {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The Cognition-Energy-Learning -Cognition model (ELC: van der Molen, Stoelhorst, Van Dijk, Maarsingh) is based on the reversal theory in relation to the concept of bi-stability of motivation.<br />
<br />
=== 2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the ELC two arguments are given to underpin the concept of bi-stability: an ethological and a phenomenological argument.<br />
<br />
The first argument was originally formulated by Van der Molen (1977, 1983, 1985) and revolves around the idea that one of the most recent evolutionary developments is the open-ended learning system. This is a learning system by which a behavioural repertoire develops which is especially appropriate to the situation or surroundings in which the individual incidentally happens to live. The capacity to develop such a behavioural repertoire is only utilized optimally when supplies and shortages in the energy balance are treated in a very specific way. This means that behaviour should be organized in such a way that a surplus of energy is immediately invested in the extension and refining of this repertoire. Adjustments in the repertoire will be especially meaningful when those adjustments offer a higher probability of survival in emergency situations and in situations which are very stressful. This means, however, that one has to practice in situations which engender a high level of arousal, for such situations are exactly the situations in which risks have to be taken. But taking risks which afterwards turn out to be too great can have unpleasant consequences. Also, situations which are (too) stressful for a long period of time, can be harmful to the individual. Thus, apart from the necessity to practice with difficult situations, it is also of the utmost importance that the individual has, with regularity, the possibility to escape from threat and danger and to settle down.<br />
<br />
An open learning system will contribute maximally to survival when the following two conditions are met: - firstly, there should be a tendency to seek situations which give rise to a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy and - secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations which reduce the arousal as soon as the energy supply is exhausted or in cases of emergency.<br />
<br />
The second argument which is used by the CEL has a phenomenological nature and is borrowed from Apter and Smith (e.g. Apter, 1982). These authors indicate that a specific level of arousal can be experienced in two different ways. They mention as examples of situations which cause a high level of arousal: having to wait at the dentist while worrying about the condition of your teeth, or watching an exciting movie and feeling thrilled. Situations with a low level of arousal are: waiting for the bus while you have nothing to do and are bored stiff, or sitting in a nice warm tub after a hard day's work and enjoying a pleasant relaxation. What distinguishes these four situations is, in the first place, the level of arousal and, in the second place, the extent to which a person feels comfortable or not, in other words, the hedonic tone. Apter and Smith generalized such phenomenological occurrences and elaborated them into their reversal theory. One of the fundamental postulates in their theory is:<br />
<br />
: "... that certain psychological processes, especially certain motivational and emotional processes, exhibit bi-stability rather than homeostasis (i.e. uni-stability). Switching from one stable state to the other in a bi-stable system can be referred to as a "reversal" and may be brought about by a number of different factors." (Apter and Smith, 1979)<br />
<br />
Both arguments, the one phenomological and the other ethological in character, plead for a bipolar organization of behaviour, as described in the ELC.<br />
<br />
=== 3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Both states of the bi-stable system in the CEL, following Apter and Smith, are called metamotivational states. They can be seen as "frames of mind" which determine the general phenomenological characteristics of motivation at a certain moment in time: in other words, the individual interprets his own motives in one of two ways. Because states are not motives in themselves but rather organize the motivation, they are called metamotivational states.<br />
<br />
Both metamotivational states indicate a level of preference as to the variable "level of arousal" or "tension". They are called "telic" and "paratelic", derived from the Greek word "telos" which means goal. In the telic state the individual is serious minded, tries to avoid high arousal and wants to plan and structure the future as much as possible {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. The phenomenological characteristics of the paraletic state are, in short: to carry out behaviour for the behaviour itself or for the excitement and sensation which this behaviour arouses {{Harv|Apter|1979}}, e.g., impulsiveness, fickle or frivolous behaviour and searching for arousal because it is pleasant in itself {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. (See table 1.1 for a more elaborate summary of the telic and paratelic state.)<br />
<br />
The CEL not only postulates, following reversal theory, a complex "control adjustment system" {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981|p=185}}, but also indicates that the relation between arousal and other variables, such as being full of fear or being full of fun, is much more complex than was generally assumed. This is because, as described above, arousal in the paratelic state is experienced as being exciting and pleasant, and in the telic state as being frightening, unpleasant and as something which has to be avoided. (In table 1.2 this relation between the two metamotivational states and the level of arousal is summarized again.) <br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Summary of the telic and paratelic states.png|framed|none|Table 1.1: Summary of the Telic and Paratelic States (from {{Harvnb|Apter|1982|p=52}}).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Table 1.2: Experience of arousal in telic and paratelic state.]]<br />
<br />
<br />
In the last paragraph, a statement by Apter (1979, page 405) was quoted which, among other things, dealt with the "reversals", or changes, from one stable state into the other, that occur with a certain regularity {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}. These reversals can occur under a variety of conditions {{Harv|Murgatroyd|1981}}, but will especially take place when: (a) the individual gets frustrated in one state, or (b) the individual gets satiated in the other state (Van der Molen et al., 1991)<!-- TODO -->. The former (a) takes place in particular in the paratelic state in which the organism seeks tension and accordingly takes risks. Taking risks implies that unexpected things and unforeseen contingencies may happen which can lead to a telic state. Because of the fact that in such a state the person searches for tension or arousal, satiation will not very often be the cause of a reversal. However, a reversal by satiation may occur when the supply of energy gets exhausted (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985;<!-- TODO --> see also {{Harv|Van der Molen|Stoelhorst|Van Dijk|Maarsingh|1991}}. The reversal from the telic to the paratelic state will more often be caused by satiation, because at a certain moment in time the energy supply is replenished to the extent that the search for situations which offer arousal may continue (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985)<!-- TODO -->.<br />
<br />
In the CEL model of Van der Molen et al (1991)<!-- TODO --> the energy dependent basis of motivation is an important explanation for such an interaction between level of arousal and metamotivational state and the reversal from one state into the other.<br />
<br />
=== 4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences at the Proximal and at the Ultimal Level ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In contrast to most psychological approaches, the concept "allocation of energy" is very important in ethology. Strategies and tactics (e.g. to find food) of various animals are analyzed in the light of the hypothesis: " ... behavioral control mechanisms are designed to maximize the rate of net energy gain" {{Harv|Daly|Wilson|1983|p=39}}.<br />
To illustrate the concept we will give two examples to indicate what the term means in ethology.<br />
Tits are small birds which are found often in wooded areas in Europe and North-America. These birds remain in the same area the entire year and they breed there in summer. In winter it is hard to find larvae because they are well hidden and irregularly spread. So the tits must have a special strategy which makes finding food as efficient as possible. It seems to be the case that they use a "giving-up time" decision-rule. This means that they look for food only during a specific period of time at a specific place and if by then they have not found anything yet, they give up and look for another place. Krebs et al. (1974) have shown by means of experiments and calculations that this strategy produces the maximal number of food-units within a specific period of time compared to other strategies, such as, for example, examining a pine-cone during a pre-set period of time, or starting to look elsewhere, having found a fixed number of larvae.<br />
<br />
This is an example in which a number of strategies for collecting food are compared on the basis of their efficiency, and in which the animal appeared to use the most efficient method; the animal allocated energy as efficiently as possible. The next example is completely different, but corresponds with the former in using energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
The hermit-crab lives in "discarded" snail-shells and looks for a new house when she grows too large for her current house. If the crab succeeds, she continues to grow. But if the crab does not succeed to find a larger house, she stops her own growth, for a house is necessary in order not to be caught by predators. The energy which normally is put in the growth, now is used to mature sexually. Instead of putting energy in the growth, the crab puts it in reproduction {{Harv|Bertness|1981}}.<br />
Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) and Van der Molen et al. (1991) assume that the motivation with specialized learning-animals (human beings), is steering behaviour in such a way that the energy spent is actually utilized in an optimal way. This means that arousal inducing situations will be sought as soon as there is a surplus of energy and that the situation will, if possible, be controlled as soon as the supply threatens to be exhausted (see pp. 4, 5, and 6). <br />
<br />
The question which now arises is: what are the implications of an energy-efficient learning system? In the first place, it can be said that the energy which is invested in experimenting with new and exciting situations is no longer available for other activities (such as eating). So only when there is a surplus of energy i.e. when there are no other urgent outstanding needs to be fulfilled, can investments be made in learning. This learning should produce long-term results in terms of survival or reproduction (see for instance {{Harvnb|Dawkins|1976}}. When the system results in a more exact, more efficient and more economical representation of the surroundings, especially concerning relevant situations, it contributes to a higher survival value. A side effect of such a learning-system is that eventually energy and time will be available for activities other than those considered to be essential necessities of life. This is so because the surroundings have been mapped out in such a way (cognitively) that one responds to the specific situation in the right way at the right time.<br />
<br />
When we add the ethological argument used by Van der Molen to the phenomenological argument which was used by Apter (see pp 4, 5, 6), we can draw an important conclusion regarding "cause" and "function" of behaviour (Tinbergen, 1963, 1968). By "cause" Tinbergen means the proximal causes and goals of behaviour and by "function" he means the ultimate causes and effects.<br />
<br />
The paratelic state results, in the long term, in a surplus of experience (especially in important areas) which in the end is settled down into a refined and extended behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1983, 1984, 1985). <br />
In the short term, the main goal is to have fun doing things which are exciting (see for instance Apter, 1976 or 1982). So the behaviour is, at the proximal level, aimed at the principle: just do what is exciting. The effect at the ultimate level of such behaviour (an extended and refined behavioural repertoire) seems to play no part in the proximal motivation of such behaviour. In our view, this is a logical consequence of the observation that learning competes with other activities (e.g. eating) and so should be inviting at the proximal level.<br />
<br />
Batson et al. (1987, 1988) also ascertain the importance of the distinction between proximal and ultimate results when they study the motivation of altruistic behaviour. From a number of very well organized experiments Batson concludes that altruistic behaviour indeed also appears to exist when the proximal goal of the behaviour is examined and not only the long term results.<br />
Now that a clear distinction between proximal and ultimate results and goals has been indicated to be of crucial importance, it seems logical to ask in more detail how exactly learning progresses.<br />
<br />
=== 5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In figure 1.1 both the metamotivational states and the reversals from one state to the other are represented graphically. The sequence, shown in this figure (fear - relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear, etc) is important for the learning process. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversals between telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.1. A commonly occurring Motivational Sequence.]]<br />
<br />
Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops by way of positive and negative learning spirals. If the indicated sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation - etc. can be completed often enough, it means that generally speaking there have been sufficient opportunities to achieve relaxation timely and to replenish the energy supply. In this way an individual will develop a behavioural repertoire which functions adequately and in which the various skills have been well consolidated and integrated.<br />
<br />
As a consequence, the person is (better) able to deal with emergencies and to relax more quickly and effectively, with the result that after some period of time he or she is able again to explore, etc. We label this a positive learning spiral.<br />
<br />
If, however, the person does not succeed in finding enough moments of relaxation, he or she can replenish his/her energy less often. The individual will then be in the paratelic state less often and consequently will explore less and exhibit telic behaviour more frequently. This results in the person acquiring fewer new skills and practicing "old" skills less often. And being less skillful subsequently lessens the chances of further moments of relaxation. Thus a negative learning spiral develops (figure 1.2).<br />
<br />
According to this model, skills have the tendency to grow in clusters. Van der Molen calls such clusters, after Grof (1972, 1973, 1976) "clusters of COndensed EXperience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 1.3). Grof defines a COEX-system as follows: <br />
:"A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related fantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another."<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions connected with the cluster. The reason for such clustering of areas of experience is explained by Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985). When certain situations have been explored regularly and the experiences have been processed well, we can speak of a positive COEX-system in which various skills have been incorporated. Such skills can often also be applied in other, comparable situations, so that these too, can turn out to be controllable and manageable. In this way positive experiences can extend to related areas of experience and thus stimulate a positive COEX-system to grow. Poorly processed experiences also have the tendency to grow in clusters. When, in a given situation, there is little exploration and consequently little practice with certain relevant skills, it is more difficult to control that situation if needed, and subsequently it is also more difficult to relax and settle down after solving the problems at hand.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|Figure 1.2 Two possible learning spirals {{Harv|Molen, van der|1984}} in which the development and refining of the behavioural repertoire is the result of positive learning spirals, and in which a rigid and stereotyped way of reacting will be the outcome of negative learning spirals]]<br />
<br />
This implies a high probability that only few new skills will be learnt, so that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar situation, he will, most likely, have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (i.e. behaviour for escaping and avoiding) in such situations, resulting in even less experimenting. An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of somebody who, as a result of his or her shyness, no longer dares to appear in public. By doing so, the fear for such kind of situations will grow, because the familiarity with those situations will diminish, and the person can not properly develop other skills for which he or she needs the help of others in a group context (for instance school tasks). In this way the individual easily ends up in a negative learning spiral in which new experiences are no longer utilised to learn, but rather to strengthen the existing, inadequate avoidance behaviours. Breaking out of such a spiral is very difficult. The most important (and most necessary) condition for this is the ability to acquire relaxation and rest whenever needed, which is necessary for the processing of experiences and replenishing the energy resources. If a number of well-processed areas in which there are well-controlled skills, are in some way related to badly processed areas of experience, those well-processed areas of experience can sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations become too frightening. Such refuges serve to provide the necessary opportunities for relaxation.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|Figure 1.3 Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the total area of experiences (from: {{Harv|van der Molen|1984}}.]]<br />
<br />
Here it is important to bear in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. It can also be a matter of a positive end result, i.e. the ''good processing'' of negative, unpleasant, experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of ''badly processed'' unpleasant experiences.<br />
<br />
The term unpleasant can easily lead to misunderstanding. The experiences were unpleasant at that time, but after a while the negative COEX-system may be experienced as intriguing, i.e. when the person is in the paratelic state, precisely because of the arousal elevating characteristics of such a COEX-system. Positive areas of experience are then experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant, for they no longer produce excitement.<br />
<br />
In the telic state, of course, the situation is reversed. The positive areas of experience will be sought, whereas the negative areas of experience will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening. <br />
<br />
This difference in the way in which positive and negative COEX-systems are faced, has interesting implications for cognitive development.<br />
<br />
=== 6. Cognitive Development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) speaks of "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; certain standards indicating what kind of behaviour should be pursued and what kind of behaviour should be avoided. Czapinski (1982, 1985, 1986, and 1987) extends this with his research on the judgement of experiences, from which it is evident that, generally speaking, people have a slight "positivity bias". This means that experiences generally acquire a slightly positive emotional value rather than a zero or neutral value (except when they have a specific and very strong emotional value). According to Czapinski one can speak in the cognitive representation of the experiences of a slightly positive background field, against which the negative areas of experience especially stand out. Using these concepts, we can now say more about cognitive development. (see figure 1.4).<br />
<br />
This figure resembles the figure which van der Molen used to depict Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see the previous paragraph), but is now further specified. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, i.e. the areas which have not yet been properly processed and digested (- -), will raise the level of arousal and be accompanied by tension.<br />
In the telic state, the well processed areas (+ +) are attractive, because they are controllable in such a way that in the case of an emergency a state of rest can easily be achieved. For such areas we therefore have chosen the term "refuge". In the paratelic state, the not yet well processed areas will be particularly attractive, because the tension they afford will be experienced as pleasant. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.4: Cognitive representation of areas of experience.]]<br />
<br />
We assume the following: in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, i.e. exploration will occur in those areas that are closest to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and where there is a relatively high chance of an arousal inducing (and thus also possibly unpleasant) experience. At the proximal level, if things go well, it is however simply a matter of (pleasant) tension and excitement. A consequence of such an exploration then is that the borders of the badly processed areas start to shift; as a result of the positive experiences, parts of the problem area are "nibbled away" and gradually change into well-processed areas. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further.<br />
At the ultimate level we may in a way speak of a "goal" of the paratelic state, namely, "striving after" and gaining new experiences which are necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What then happens on the logical-cognitive level? Following the line of argumentation, the experiences should be represented in such a way that the organism acquires precise, relevant and economical schemes of the surroundings (otherwise the gain from the energy spent would not be maximized). Lewicka (1985, 1987, and 1989) concludes that we can say more about this when we make a distinction between sufficient and necessary conditions. Sufficient conditions are conditions which have to be fulfilled in order to attain a certain result. When for instance, somebody wants to boil an egg for his breakfast, a sufficient condition could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Place the egg into the pan.<br />
# Put the pan on the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# Once the water is boiling, wait for 4 more minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour the water away.<br />
<br />
When these conditions are met, the person will indeed get his boiled egg. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg: it could also for instance be boiled in an old can over a camp-fire or in a micro-wave. A (series of) sufficient condition(s) indicate(s) how a certain result can be obtained, but this does not mean that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be obtained.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition which hás to be fulfilled; without that condition a certain result cannot possibly be obtained. A necessary condition in the example of boiling of an egg could be: "heat the egg to a temperature above the coagulation temperature of the white of the egg, just long enough for the heat to penetrate the whole egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, it is in fact unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for a certain period of time is relevant; otherwise it never never will become "boiled". Given the necessary condition(s) for a certain result it is often possible to lay down a varied number of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989) subsequently speaks of "necessity-oriented" and "sufficiency-oriented" procedures (behavioural strategies / -recipes). In the CEL these procedures are treated as a number of "recipes" for behaviour, belonging to a certain COEX-system which are based on sufficient or on necessary conditions. The recipes which are based on conditions (necessity-oriented procedures) are related in particular to those areas of experience which are mapped out thoroughly. The recipes which are based on sufficient conditions (sufficiency-oriented procedures) are conceptually simpler, but in general less economical, because in general more instructions and recipes are then needed and they are less well (causally and logically) integrated (see Van der Molen et al. 1991).<br />
<br />
What happens eventually at the logical-cognitive level in the optimal case is that, starting from the experiences that exploration has yielded, an all-encompassing necessity-oriented recipe of a higher abstraction level is generated out of the initially acquired sufficiency-recipes. For this to happen it is a prerequisite that there is enough time and relaxation between such situations for the processing and integration of the new experiences. A simple example will clarify this: <br />
Imagine John is walking in a forest. He enjoys the surroundings and is completely relaxed. Every now and then he climbs a fence to walk through the pastures or through a piece of fenced-in woodland. Suddenly a horse gallops towards him from out of the wood and without thinking John starts running. Somehow he can escape and not until later he asks himself what exactly has happened. First he hesitates to enter the forest again, but after a while when he has settled down again it seems to him quite exciting (paratelically) and he resolves to constantly stay close to the fences, so that he can escape quickly should that be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John re-investigates the situation and finds out in which area of the forest the horse is and which area of the forest and which pastures he must try to avoid. Eventually, the excitement of walking is diminished, because he exactly knows where he has to be careful and why. The motivation during the paratelic phase - to explore the forest - eventually disappears because he knows it all. It has become too familiar.<br />
<br />
In this example, John is unpleasantly surprised and at first reacts frightened upon the entire forest. But by exploring the situation a sufficiency-oriented recipe ("If I walk in the forest, a horse may gallop towards me at any given moment in time") is converted into a necessity-oriented recipe ("Only if I climb that particular fence can the horse gallop towards me"). The consequence hereof is also that John's freedom of movement has increased, for the area to be avoided is clearly reduced. This is represented in figure 1.5.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 1.5 Avoidance, exploration, and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences).]]<br />
<br />
An area of experience which is first experienced as problematic (unpleasant in the telic phase), gradually reduces in size, as its borders are explored (in the paratelic states) and positive experiences in that marginal area may occur. At the ultimate level the aim of the paratelic behaviour is, to speak in Grof's terms, to convert as many negative COEX-systems as possible into positive ones. In other words, the aim is, among other things, to convert less efficient sufficiency-oriented recipes, connected to badly processed experiences, into highly efficient necessity-oriented recipes which are are in particular connected to well-processed and digested experiences. This means that the representations of the surroundings become more efficient and more economical.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to result in well processed and badly processed clusters. When certain situations have been explored often enough and the experiences have been well-processed, we speak of a positive COEX-system in which skills have been learned that are applicable in different, but comparable or related situations. In such an area of experience the individual can more easily establish positive learning spirals. In a similar way badly processed experiences also tend to grow in clusters; there is a strong likelihood that the next time the individual finds himself in the same, or a similar or related situation, he will experience it as problematic. This raises the probability of telic behaviour in such situations, with the result that less exploration and experimentation will take place. In this way the individual gets caught up in a negative learning spiral in such areas of experience; new experiences cannot be used for learning, but only for strengthening and extending the existing, relatively inefficient behavioural strategies. In terms of figure 1.4 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) remain relatively limited and small and that for the cognitive representation of the problem areas (- -) relatively broader and less efficient margins are maintained.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|Figure 1.6 Safety margins in the telic state. Explanation: the dotted lines indicate the direction in which the circumference of the COEX-systems changes in the case of an unfavourable direction of the learning process.]]<br />
<br />
Should necessity-oriented recipes of high precision and a high level of abstraction be absent, and relatively many sufficiency-recipes be used instead, the indicated borders in figure 1.4 are less favourable during the telic state. The refuges of well-processed areas are small because of the overly simple, badly generalizable and thus limitedly useful sufficiency-recipes, whereas for the badly processed areas, excessive safety margins are maintained. The individual's freedom of movement is then relatively limited (see figure 1.6).<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system may gradually extend via an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are principally based on sufficiency recipes. These can be generated relatively quickly, but they are also accompanied by relatively large safety margins, with the result that a relatively large area of experience is considered to be risky and scary.<br />
<br />
=== 7. Summary and Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter about the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (CEL), which explains the most essential aspects of the learning process, two arguments have been put forward to support the bi-stable character of motivation. One argument refers in particular to the ultimal effect of an open-ended learning system: the accumulation of a refined and extensive behavioural repertoire. The second argument was purely phenomenological and refers to the fact that the bi-stable character of motivations indeed is reflected in the personal experience of the individual.<br />
<br />
Subsequently, the energy dependent basis of learning was discussed. The concept of energy allocation was illustrated using a number of examples from ethology which then were applied to the CEL model. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal provides two essential parts of the process of learning: on the one hand the acquisition of new and novel experiences, on the other hand the reserving of time and energy for structuring and processing this experiential knowledge. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic state guarantees that the learning process continues, every time when time as well as energy are available for other matters than for the primary necessities of life. This system thus guarantees that no surplus energy is waisted, but is utilized to increase survival value.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematic or non-problematic. Depending on the meta-motivational state of an individual, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. In the telic state problematic areas (for which no adequate behavioural strategies exist yet) will be avoided as much as possible: in the paratelic state, however, they can be a source of (then pleasant) tension and arousal and can thus be attractive to explore. In this way the individual can gain some measure of experience in areas which are (relatively) unknown. And such experiences are a prerequisite for the development of the individual to higher levels of behavioural organization. Non-problematic areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, for they do not produce arousal and are thus considered to be "boring". In the telic state however, these areas are essential for the individual in order to be able to retreat to "common ground" and to relax. Only when a certain amount of rest can be achieved regularly is the individual able to process his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
There are circumstances in which it is impossible for the ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals to occur, because they are too demanding. If such circumstances last too long, this will lead to the establishment of a negative learning spiral which will force the individual into stereotyped and inefficient ways of responding. <br />
<br />
<br />
The likelihood that the negative, problematic experiences within a certain area will spread to other areas will then increase. Hence the term, the "contagiousness" of experiences. This contagiousness of experiences also applies to the positive, well processed and consequently non-problematic experiences. In a positive learning spiral, the individual continually learns new skills which can sometimes be applied to other areas of experience. In this way, the likelihood of having positive experiences increases. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, both in the positive and the negative direction, primarily manifests in areas of experience than are functionally related. However, the principle of contagiousness manifests also in all other areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter, the CEL-model will be expanded to include two other metamotivational states, namely social contacts and the emotions arising from them. By incorporating these two states, it is possible to describe and explain how the quality of social relationships influences the learning process.<br />
<br />
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year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
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editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
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pages=103-116 |<br />
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contribution=A new perspective on crises counselling |<br />
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periodical=Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology |<br />
issue=47 |<br />
pages=428-436 |<br />
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last2=Newman | first2=P.R. |<br />
title=Development through life: A psychological approach |<br />
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last2=Carpay | first2=J.A.M. |<br />
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last2=Piliavin | first2=I.M. |<br />
title=The good samaritan: Why does he help? |<br />
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publisher=Unpublished manuscript |<br />
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title=Emergency intervention |<br />
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year=1981<br />
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last=Shapiro | first=H.L. |<br />
title=Man, culture, and society |<br />
place=London; New York | publisher=Oxford University Press |<br />
year=1981<br />
}}<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Swensen | first=L.H. |<br />
chapter=Ego development and the interpersonal relationships |<br />
editor-last=Nevill | editor-first=D.D. |<br />
title=Humanistic psychology, new frontiers |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Gardner Press |<br />
year=1977<br />
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contribution=Life stress, social support, and psychological vulnerability: Epidemiological considerations |<br />
periodical=Journal of Community Psychology |<br />
issue=10 |<br />
pages=341-362 |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Thoits | first=P.A. |<br />
chapter=Social support and psychological well-being: theoretical possibilities |<br />
editor1-last=Sarason | editor1-first=I.G. |<br />
editor2-last=Sarason | editor2-first=B.R. |<br />
title=Social Support: Theory, Research and Applications |<br />
place=Dordrecht | publisher=Martnus Nijhoff Publishers |<br />
year=1985<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Tinbergen | first=N. |<br />
contribution=On aims and methods of ethology |<br />
periodical=Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie |<br />
issue=20 | pages=410-433 |<br />
year=1963<br />
}}<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last=Tinbergen | first=N. |<br />
contribution=On war and peace in animals and man |<br />
periodical=Science |<br />
issue=160 | pages=1411-1418 |<br />
year=1968<br />
}}<br />
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last=Trivers | first=R.L. |<br />
contribution=The evolution of reciprocal altruism |<br />
periodical=Quarterly Review of Biology |<br />
issue=46 | pages=35-37 |<br />
year=1971<br />
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last=Turner | first=R.J. |<br />
chapter=Direct, indirect, and moderating effects of social support upon psychological distress and associated conditions |<br />
editor-last=Kaplan | editor-first=H.B. |<br />
title=Psychological stress: trends in theory and research |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Academic Press |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
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last=Wever | first=D. |<br />
title=Biopsychologische aspecten van gemotiveerd gedrag |<br />
publisher=Ongepubliceerd |<br />
place=Rijks Universiteit Groningen |<br />
year=1989<br />
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contribution=Motivation considered: The concept of competence |<br />
periodical=Psychological Review |<br />
issue=66 | pages=297-333 |<br />
year=1959<br />
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last=Williams | first=G.C. |<br />
title=Adaptation and natural selection |<br />
place=Princeton, N.J. | publisher=Princeton University Press |<br />
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last=Wynne-Edwards | first=V.C. |<br />
title=Animal dispersion in relation to social behaviour |<br />
place=Edinsburgh | publisher=Oliver and Boyd |<br />
year=1962<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
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{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognetief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Directives_for_after_Point_Omega&diff=8811Directives for after Point Omega2021-11-17T13:47:48Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Introduction */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
'''(*)''' This paper was written at the request of Victor Koekkoek. Reading the other materials on this Wiki, he was missing a clear summary of what are the implications of all this novel information for those who carry responsibility for how society is ran and guided.<br />
In other words: What are the implications for the intelligent part of our leaders ?<br />
And he was right. For most people the materials on this Wiki are too difficult to grasp. Most people are only capable of thinking what the majority of the herd is thinking. We are social animals after all. Most people are not curious enough and not intelligent enough to address the issues that really matter. And that holds a fortiori in this period of time, when much of the information, presented here, has not yet found its way to the pool of common knowledge and wisdom.<br />
<br />
Therefore this paper is written as an aid for that part of our leaders that have the capacity to grasp the essence of the issues as presented on this Wiki and that have the gumption to think "out of the box", trying to figure out the best guidance for human society.<br />
<br />
After discussing the implications for the different realms of society, this paper will end with a listing of suggested priorities for any persons who find themselves in positions of responsibility.<br />
<br />
This chapter, "Directives for after Point Omega", is placed after "A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki" and after "Why a Point Omega transition ?". <br />
The reason is that for understanding this way of summarizing of the situation of mankind, one needs to have understood the basics of several notions that these days are not yet part of our cultural heritage and common awareness, but that are nevertheless indispensable for assessing the most important dangers, options and opportunities that humanity is faced with these days.<br />
Without knowing the facts, there is no useful assessment possible.<br />
<br />
In short, this Wiki communicates bits of information that already have each become available in different, specific circles of specialists, but that have not yet reached the status of common knowledge, but that we nevertheless consider here as indispensable for a proper understanding.<br />
<br />
Some of the bits and pieces of information that we need here, have in previous years already been published by ourselves, separately in scientific papers, each of which is dealing with one of those specific fields of interest and research. In such cases it is indicated in the chapters in question. But these pieces of information are at best known to the limited circle of specialists in those specific separate scientific research fields, and not to the public at large.<br />
<br />
Other pieces of information have not yet been published in scientific papers, but are nevertheless based on thorough research.<br />
<br />
Still other contributions on this Wiki consist of general discussions about combining various of such bits and pieces of information and about investigating what emerges from such a combining of different fields of research.<br />
All these bits and pieces are needed in order to come to a comprehensible total picture of the present human situation. None of the presented issues can be missed, or the complete picture will fail to emerge.<br />
<br />
For the above reasons it is indispensable to already have taken notice of most of these separate issues, dealt with in the various papers on this Wiki, in order to be able to grasp what led us to the conclusions and advices as formulated in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
In case a reader wishes to first take notice of the advices and the directives below, before having grasped the details of all the different issues in question as dealt with in one of the other articles on this Wiki, we have added in the text below links to where for each separate issue additional explanation can be found.<br />
<br />
What the reader should at least be familiar with before continuing to read the below, is what is meant with the term "Point Omega transition" ([[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|see e.g. here]](*) and [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|here]](*)).<br />
<br />
In case the reader has read and digested the chapter "[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki(*)]]" and has taken notice of the underlying argumentation in the chapters referred to there, it should be possible to also grasp the message in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
== Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Right now, in the beginning of the 21st century AD, we are living in a period in which the greater ideological movements have lost most of their appeal. <br />
<br />
All great religions suffer from believers moving towards a secularized position, stopping to behave like meek sheep. Disbelief and denial of superstition rule the day. <br />
<br />
Not only the great religions lose their influence and control over their people, also the greater political idealistic systems encounter more and more critique and scepticism. The communist system has lost the cold war competition and thus lost most of its credibility. But also the capitalist system is encountering more and more scepticism from its citizens, who recognize the obvious shortcomings of blind capitalism that follows the basic principles of the survival of the fittest in an economic sense. Many feel that this competitive system does not support its people well enough and that in the capitalist societies, and not only there, the majority of "losers" in the competitive societal structure are locked into a more or less hopeless struggle for survival. They may survive, or at least many of them, but hardly with any hopes for a pleasant future for themselves or at least for their offspring.<br />
<br />
More and more people resent society treating them like slaves without any prospect for liberation or an otherwise agreeable life. And that also holds for the western "democratic" and "enlightened" societies, not only for those "backward" societies elsewhere in the world, that are widely recognized as repressive, dictatorial and totalitarian, suffering from unpredictable arbitrariness and cruelty.<br />
People in modern society apparently have lost their perspective for a better, future, society. This makes a sense of ever more openly confessed hopelessness gradually spread among the populations of the civilized world. The fairy tales are being exposed as such and nothing comes forward to fill the gap.<br />
<br />
There seems to be a growing need for a perspective that can give hope for a brighter future, a perspective that can survive the scrutiny of seasoned disbelievers, a perspective that cannot be put aside as another fairy tale, a perspective that is not anchored in badly tested political ideals or in superstitions, but a perspective that is firmly anchored in scientific knowledge. Such a perspective is increasingly sought after, but it is generally felt that it is alas nowhere in sight.<br />
<br />
This Wiki is dedicated to showing that, despite this ever more widely felt hopelessness, such a novel perspective is very well possible and in fact that the total of available data suggests that an enormous shift in human perspective is at hand, called here the [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega transition.]] <br />
And that once the Point Omega transition has started, the sought after perspective will present itself automatically and unavoidably. This perspective will fill the gap and it will bring purpose where now hopelessness rules [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|(see here'''(*)''' for a description of the Point Omega concept)]].<br />
<br />
After Point Omega namely, humanity finds itself in a totally novel situation. We will have left the millennia long era in which consciousness has gradually been evolving up to this Point Omega and instead we will have entered the situation of "conscious evolution", the beginning of which is basically what Point Omega is all about.<br />
Many of the rules and laws, regulating societies before Point Omega, will become superfluous or counter-productive and will vanish as a consequence. Most of these limiting rules and laws, needed in the customary societal situation(s), dictating our behavioural possibilities and impossibilities, will lose their function and their necessity. <br />
<br />
This reduction of repressive forces will release enormous amounts of energy in all participants, energy that can forthwith be spent on more useful, more creative and more productive goals than merely keeping each other in check, or winning all sorts of - now dysfunctional and obsolete - competitions for survival.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that, according to us, there is now a new perspective emerging, a perspective that will be firmly anchored in scientific research and a perspective that perfectly makes sense in view of everything we scientifically know for sure, a perspective that also will help us overcome the neuroticizing and utterly unpleasant power structures that have ruled the existence of Homo sapiens for about 10.000 years. Those crippling and utterly unpleasant power structures have ruled our existence for all that time and that situation is now coming to an end. Homo sapiens will take over the lead over its own existence and over its own evolution as well. Once these new options and possibilities will start spreading, human society will gradually absorb this new perspective and in the end there will not be any lack of "purpose" left. <br />
<br />
Having sorted out in this Wiki most theoretical issues that we need to know in order to assess our situation properly and correctly, we can now come to a listing of what is awaiting us, which options we do have and which options do not exist or otherwise are "no go" areas and what would be the most clever issues to work on, in order to make our coming transition as smooth as possible.<br />
<br />
Before starting with a listing of useful directives as given [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#Priorities_for_an_action_list|further below]], it seems useful to first rehearse the most important findings of the research reported elsewhere on this Wiki, findings that we will have to take into account when ruminating how our future will going to be shaped. With each of these findings a link is given to where on this Wiki more information can be found about each specific issue.<br />
<br />
== New facts we need to take into account ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)'''<br />
<br />
* Human beings have strikingly little capacity to understand their own or each other's behaviour. As a consequence human beings behave essentially like other Apes behave, no matter their intellectual pretense. We can call this phenomenon [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*).<br />
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* At the cognitive level Human beings utilize an important tool to consolidate that Self-Blindness, which is the '''Good-Bad''' polarity. Good-Bad differences refer not to any real behavioural differences, although people tend to think that they do. But in reality good-bad differences refer to different likings or appreciations from the side of the onlooker or "judge" that serve to stabilize existing ideas (prejudices) of one person about the other. The Good-Bad dimension therefore stabilizes social relationships while preventing (effectively shielding off) any understanding of the real social mechanisms involved. It helps ascertain that human beings keep acting socially to a large extent like other Great Apes. And the latter is crucial for the continuation of procreation and evolutionary success. Until this moment in our evolution this [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_illusory_aspects_of_the_Positive.2Fnegative_or_Good.2FBad_dimension|illusory Good-Bad tool]](**) was an indispensable attribute for mankind's survival.<br />
<br />
* '''Self-Blindness''' has evolved in Homo sapiens as a consequence of, or rather as '''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|a condition for higher intelligence]]'''(*).<br />
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* Much later, beginning with the agricultural revolution, since the period of 10.000 years ago till 5.000 years ago, Human evolution was taken over by an evolution on the level of "memes" or of "software". The latter evolution moves at a much higher speed than the traditional level of DNA or "hardware" evolution. The evolution of the hardware (Genes, DNA-based) is therefore lagging behind as compared to the evolution of the "software" (Memes, Culture). But, since we humans are carriers of both genes ánd memes, this causes motivational friction in individuals of Homo sapiens, which friction is structural. We call this friction the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|'''"Evolutionary Jet Lag"''']](**).<br />
<br />
* '''Agriculture needs power structures''' at the cultural level (software-level). As mentioned above, these power structures in fact have taken over the lead in Human evolution. As carriers of the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|power structure]] "memes"(**), human individuals tend to be pushed into a state of mild or harsh slavery, as compared to their primordial natural tendencies. <br />
<br />
* Power structures have evolved in such a way, that they developed a myriad of tricks to subdue and control their carriers. One of the most elementary tricks is to [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''neuroticize their human carriers''']](*). Whereas this customary neurotization strongly reduces the capacity of human individuals for realizing their full innate behavioural repertoires, it improves their maleability and adaptation to slavery. Power structures need large masses of malleable work slaves and military ("cannon fodder" these days). Power structures compete with one another at such levels, and that determines the direction of our evolution.<br />
<br />
* Self-Blindness has always prevented humanity to understand the most basic elements of the fundamentals of our behaviour, to the extent that we even do not have daily used words for the most essential basic elements of our own behaviour. That way the '''mechanisms of [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]`'''(***) have for instance always escaped our attention and stayed hidden, in spite of the fact that these mechanisms are the very cornerstones of any behaviour in species with an open ended capacity for learning, and therefore in particular in us humans.<br />
<br />
* '''Repair of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Blindness]](*) for our own [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]'''(***) harbours untold opportunities to open completely novel and more mature and wholesome avenues of regulation and support of us human beings. It opens up the road for intelligently looking at ourselves as well as looking at each other.<br />
<br />
* Behavioural differences between individuals in socially living species are partly based on genetics. One of these congenital personality dimensions is "'''differences in adaptiveness versus creative innovation", also to be labeled as "Social versus Self-Willed"'''. [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria_(abstract)|'''Involuntary and automatic selection forces within social structures''']](**) are causing automatic shifts in average genetic make up of the group members. That results in a limited life span of any social structure of socially living mammals, including in human societies and other social human structures. Depending on the level of social organization that mechanism leads to turn-over catastrophes like e.g. in rodents periodic migration waves and e.g. in us humans "bankruptcy", "revolution", "genocide" and similar phenomena. Whereas this mechanism throughout the ages always has made any stable social structure in also human societies impossible, the mechanism doesn't need to cause much concern at this moment in time. Once Conscious Evolution has been started up, the sting can be taken out of this primordial mechanism and it can consciously be replaced by more agreeable mechanisms.<br />
<br />
* Another mechanism with a genetic basis that until now has always been kept hidden from awareness, by means of taboo-structures, is [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''genetic pollution''']](**). That mechanism in itself has always already been enough to make any stable social organization impossible to survive for long. Genetic pollution has always been a sufficient extra reason to make (peaceful) social organizations collapse in due time. For thousands of years it has been one of the main reasons why complex civilizations would only have limited life spans and would invariably end in catastrophical collapse. But also this mechanism does not need to fill us with much concern. Even while this mechanism is still beyond our collective awareness at this moment in time and still keeps triggering the collapse of all large civilizational structures in the usual way, the start of Conscious Evolution will easily and automatically make this problem of [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|genetic pollution]](**) be tackled successfully in the slipstream of events.<br />
<br />
== From fact-finding to courses of action == <br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Thus we memorized above the most important novel facts that we have to take into account for understanding the present human situation properly. These facts, that were either unknown or that were out of the focus of our attention, we now do need to be aware of in order to be able to design our future course, for the options that we have, and for the actions that we may decide to take as a consequence.<br />
These novel bits of extra information, the formerly unknown facts and the already known facts that were not in the focus of our attention, together with a number of generally well known facts that already were part of our cultural heritage, [[Why a Point Omega transition ?|led us to the conclusion(*)]] that we are at the brink of a major transition in the evolution of mankind, which transition point we labeled as Point Omega.<br />
<br />
Having become aware of the above mentioned novel bits of information, we can now start to discuss a number of issues that each will play a completely different role in our existence, once we will have moved from the pre-Point-Omega condition to the post-Point-Omega situation. For it is mankind's moving through the transition of Point Omega that will change the role and the importance of each of the discussed phenomena. Below, we will now first discuss a number of such key issues one by one, viewing each issue from both perspectives, the actual, pre-Point-Omega perspective and the coming post-Point-Omega perspective.<br />
<br />
One general consideration that we should keep in mind while trying to find our way, is that '''scientific thinking will replace traditional superstitions'''. But, that is what will happen at the surface. Below the surface, within ourselves, as part of our system of feelings, emotions and motivations, it is that '''curiosity will''' increasingly '''replace fear''' as the all-determining factor in our lives. That is what the over-all picture of the theory of Point Omega predicts. That is what can be derived from the detailed knowledge as is presented elsewhere on this Wiki. The all pervading neuroticising structure of the old society will more and more give way to the emergence of curiosity and creative impulses. And since those differences are very [[Energy_and_Strokes#10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagious]], those changes will happen with the increasing speed of a chain reaction and with an unexpected rapidness. <br />
<br />
In the below, non exhaustive, listing, some issues are presented, in the form of rules that will apply, others in the form of well known, but until now badly understood or difficult to realize admonitions, each of which issues will get a completely new reality value in the new situation. Each consideration in this listing leads to a course of action. We will now present here in the below chapters 12 such courses of action. And at the end we will summarize the suggested courses of action in a listing of priorities. That listing may be an indication for us where we now had best put most of our attention and energy.<br />
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12 considerations:<br />
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- [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account|Democratization of education]]<br />
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-[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account%7CDemocratization of Information|]]<br />
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- Procreating consciously<br />
<br />
- Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes<br />
<br />
- Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness<br />
<br />
- What about Religion <br />
<br />
- Curbing destruction of the environment<br />
<br />
- Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way<br />
<br />
- Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness<br />
<br />
- Treating others as you would like to be treated yourself<br />
<br />
- How to deal with hopeless cases ?<br />
<br />
- Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence<br />
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== Democratization of education ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The first issue is about the optimization of educational opportunities. <br />
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Power structures lean among other things on an information privilege. Youngsters from privileged classes enjoy more opportunities for study and for personal development than do youngsters from the working class. This situation does have a number of advantages for the structures in power. It stabilizes the position of power of the persons manning the power structure control positions, keeping control positions "in the family". Privileged wealth is one of the driving stimuli to keep this pattern going. <br />
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For society as a whole there is however also a strong disadvantage to this education privilege. That is that enormous quantities of talent are continuously being wasted, because stemming from the working and other lower classes of society. A society can potentially win vast advantages when exploiting all potential to the full, which can be achieved by making education levels just depend on individual potential and talent and not on the incidental wealth of the family of the persons in question.<br />
<br />
In some countries the availability of education for those who are capable is to some extent democratized. In those countries, now still a minority, the learning potential of the population is exploited to a much higher degree than what is usually the case. After Point Omega we may expect that this tendency to democratize education will further be perfected world wide.<br />
The results will be two-fold. First of all expensive education resources will not any more be wasted on stupid or less gifted members of the privileged classes. Those resources can then be utilized more effectively.<br />
In the second place almost all innate potential in the whole population can be utilized, where now only a fraction of that potential is coming to bloom.<br />
<br />
Comparing the percentage of potential until now being realized world wide with what would potentially be realized afterPointOmega, leads to the conclusion that this education issue will be one of the major power sources for a stabilization of Point Omega developments. Just this one of the many basic changes around Point Omega does in itself already have the potential to change our world beyond recognition.<br />
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== Transparency ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The second issue is about transparency.<br />
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Transparency is a key issue in the transition to the post-Point-Omega world. Transparency combines with honesty, but not with counterfeit and fraud. Powerstructures heavily lean on information advantages and on keeping the ruled masses unaware of what is really going on. The more ignorant the subdued masses, the easier it is to keep exercising power over them. Power structures in general prefer to keep information privileges in place. Transparency often is poison to their power games and (hidden) ruling techniques.<br />
<br />
However, these days, because of technical developments, we are experiencing an information explosion and with that an explosion of accessibility of information. One of the implications is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult for power structures to maintain their information privileges and communication advantages. Knowledge is democraticized unstoppably and the customary information privileges are crumbling down. <br />
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In the old days, up till this moment in time, information privileges were the "normal" state of affairs. Everybody is used to it and customarily takes it for granted.<br />
In the new era however, transparency will be valued more than the holding upright of the power structures of the day. People will prefer to do away with all that.<br />
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There is also another, different side to this coin. That is the side of "privacy". People in general are very much attached to their privacy. People in general fear "thought control" by the powers in charge and wish to defend their last areas of privacy left to them. People wish to keep their most personal thoughts and feelings hidden from other people. They want to defend their freedom of thinking and feeling differently from what they perceive as the "ideal" that society is trying to impose. The result is that people do not wish transparency regarding their personal selves. They do not wish that other people can read their thoughts.<br />
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However, these are reactions and reflexes that are anchored firmly in the old situation.<br />
The old situation is a situation of struggle and strife. A situation where competition is present in every corner and fold of society. <br />
No matter how far a human society has advanced in establishing a "just" and "fair" societal structure, every societal structure before Point Omega needed to harbor a certain degree of "survival of the fittest" principles in order not to loose the quality of its carriers, us humans, too rapidly by genetic pollution and random drift. These are principles that never have been articulated clearly, in fact they were in general "taboo", but nevertheless in reality they always have been a prerequisite and a strict condition, because of the demands of the struggle for survival between the different competing power structures in the human world. <br />
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Therefore, in practice, only societal structures that kept incorporated certain degrees of competition and "survival of the fittest" within their population and within their structures, could win in the evolutionary battle for survival, a battle basically carried out on software level. But that battle clearly was / is felt in the personal lives of us, individual carriers, also. And that hurts !<br />
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In the new situation however, the old evolutionary requirements will have been replaced by the new principles of "conscious evolution". And these new principles make the primordial requirements of competition and strife superfluous. That holds not only for the evolutionary survival struggle between the different power structures, but also for the evolutionary struggle and competition between individuals within the same power structure or culture, between the carriers of the same power structure, between neighbours, between even family. No need for competition any more after Point Omega. Its evolutionary usefulness and necessity will have become obsolete. <br />
That also implies that the need for secrecy, for cheating and for fraud is large and by becoming obsolete. <br />
<br />
The struggle for survival by all sorts of competition used to lean heavily on the cleverness of individuals, on their capacity to be just a little more clever than their individual competitors. In the old structures huge seas of energy and effort used to be invested in attempts to be more "clever" than the other, and unavoidably that always implied attempts for cheating and fraud, especially if not detected. This principle is so basic to human society, that we don't notice how much these mechanisms rule our lives and how much energy they take. Of course it is true that any society, small or large, is anchored in regulations about which behaviours are permitted and which are not and in more or less effective measures to force its citizens to stick to those rules and laws. Still, within such law systems, people try to outflank each other in "cleverness" and they naturally search for the boundaries of what they can socially and legally get away with. <br />
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In short, in the old system the individuals cannot help but be subjected to the all-overruling demand to compete and to excel in comparison with their fellow citizens and unavoidably also often would try to cheat and defraud the others if they could get away with it. One needed to be almost "holy" to no fall for such pressures. And holiness was rare by definition. In practice, one could simply not avoid to join in those aspects of the rat race. A liking for transparency did not fit in those situations.<br />
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After Point Omega the situation is however quite different, also in that respect. If the deeply felt need for being better at cheating and defrauding falls away because the need for it has become obsolete, incredibly vast amount of energy and attention are spared and can be invested in more agreeable and more pleasant issues. In fact, we are talking here about ''the major part of all our energy spent.''<br />
<br />
After Point Omega there will be felt much less need for privacy and secrecy, because the danger of being unmasked and the need for winning in such competitions of cheating and fraud doesn't play such an important role any longer. That has become irrelevant. People will not be concerned any longer if others can look into their inner thoughts and feelings. They don't fear to lose important competitions by too much "transparency" any longer. They couldn't care less.<br />
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This does have important implications for governments and other leaders of society. <br />
'''Transparency''' can safely be a basic target and goal with less concern for unwanted transparency in the feelings and likings of the individuals. They don't have much to hide any longer anyway.<br />
<br />
Transparency ? Yes !<br />
<br />
Privacy ? Who cares any longer ? And for what obsolete reasons ?<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the results of transparency is that power structures are losing their information privileges and thus lose an important tool for keeping their citizens / carriers subdued and in slavery, mild or harsh. That relaxation of repression tools will diminish also the selection pressures in favour of sociability and compliance and against individualism, self-will and creativity. As explained in detail [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Selection_within_human_social_structures|elsewhere on this Wiki(***)]], the relaxation of that selection pressure will take the power away from the cyclic processes that cause turn-overs, bankruptcies, revolutions and genocides. <br />
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Social selection cycles and '''social catastrophes''' will as a consequence become '''easier to handle''' and can be redirected. This side effect of transparency should provide an extra reason for governments and other authorities to stimulate such transparency where possible.<br />
<br />
== Procreating consciously ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The third issue is about procreation.<br />
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There is no need to receive children with handicaps, nor to produce them. Parents, and also governments with all their guidance potential, have a responsibility towards newborn life. '''Every newborn is entitled to be wished for and to be received with joy and love'''. This includes the parental care for the quality of the new life, also in the planning phase. Medical and biological knowledge and skills make suffering from innate defects large and by unnecessary from Point Omega on.<br />
<br />
This principle will automatically put an end to overpopulation. [http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies Statistics show] that the percentage of children, born unwanted, is such that if that category will end, numbers will rapidly decrease. In a not too far future after Point Omega it will be difficult to imagine for the people from that time, that in the past our present overpopulation was such a grand problem and that people were quite prepared to live with a couple of thousand people per square kilometer. What we today consider as "usual" population densities will then be regarded as a nightmare from the past.<br />
<br />
Technically speaking, there will be no need to restrict the number of children, permitted per parent, by force. Chinese methods are, or will soon be, superfluous. Helping parents to avoid unwished for children, will already be enough to reduce the average reproduction rate to below 2,0 per woman. Governments had better spend their energy in counter-effecting the tendency of "the most stupid people reproducing fastest".<br />
<br />
Whereas knowledge about the effects of '''genetic pollution''' is not at the core of our present day cultural heritage, it used to be a more common concern just a couple of generations ago. Among other things by the misdemeanour of the Nazis these notions have been put away in taboo sections of our present day culture. <br />
The above considerations as derived from the information presented on this Wiki (see for instance [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|here (#5)(**))]] lead however to the conclusion that, in spite of the Nazi-inspired taboo on population genetic thinking on humans, we should effectively address our genetic make up and start to prevent genetic pollution from automatically undermining any attempts to establish lasting fair and civilized societies. <br />
<br />
We wish to point out here that in that respect we do not need to foster any fears as installed in us by what happened in the Third Reich. We now do have all technological tools at our fingertips to help people avoid unwanted genetic defects in their offspring. And since the average human being can easily be brought to the point of paying attention to these genetic issues and act accordingly, there is basically no need whatsoever to exert strong pressures from above to enforce a genetic police system. Where it appears possible to seduce people for instance to buy the useless foods that they daily purchase in great quantities, it should be no problem at all to seduce them to follow a healthy management of their own offspring. The level of advertisement needed to achieve that is probably less intensive than the advertisement needed to make them continuously buy unwholesome quantities of junk food.<br />
All that is needed is a better level of awareness at all levels of society, breaking this specific veil of organized ignorance and superstition.<br />
<br />
To put it bluntly, humankind can only survive if it addresses effectively not only the unhampered growth of numbers, that is causing the destruction of the world’s ecological heritage, but also the effects of genetic pollution and deterioration, that would unavoidably cause the collapse of any serious attempt to establish a really civilized human community, as it has always done, throughout the history of mankind.<br />
All the necessary know how is now available. '''We just need to change focus, breaking taboos and ignorance and embrace awareness'''.<br />
<br />
Our civilization is getting global. Let’s take the war producing population genetic sting out, before it destroys us all. We cannot afford to have complete morons sit at the red buttons, which is what unavoidably happens more and more when ever increasing “genetic loads” are smothering any further possibility for adequate and intelligent action.<br />
<br />
The stark truth is that most of us do behave as, and have been trained to behave as complete morons, adapted with force, under penalty of being ostracized, to systems of collective superstition, blindness and ignorance that block any tendency to come to our senses and take adequate, responsible decisions.<br />
<br />
It is '''time to wake up'''. Further delay will become more and more “homo-cidal” to us all.<br />
<br />
Let us consider shortly what we may expect on the level of human population genetics after we have "woken up".<br />
What will happen after Point Omega ?<br />
<br />
Increased awareness of our genetic endowment, an increased general level of sober thinking and a strongly improved set of medical tools to assist us in family planning will result in an ever larger percentage of the population procreating consciously and voluntarily. That will increase the frequency couples are utilising genetic counseling for optimal procreational results.<br />
In the USA we have seen already a steady increase during the last decades of the use of genetic counseling. And these tendencies are spreading towards Europe and other wealthy regions as well.<br />
<br />
Governments can easily induce more use of medical techniques for enhancing the quality of the offspring. Therefore it is '''not needed''' at all '''to use''' much government '''pressure and force'''. Nazi-like measures are not needed at all. Modern advertisement techniques are effective enough to help trigger such '''rational procreational methods to spread among the population widely'''.<br />
<br />
The modern techniques of birth control enable parents to choose the proper time for procreation. These techniques are spreading rapidly all over the world. This has two very important consequences. One is that conscious procreation will stop the growth of overpopulation. If all unwanted children would not get born, the world population would stop to grow and the present overpopulation would come to a halt. <br />
The second consequence is that the genetic counseling going with a more conscious procreation would decrease levels of genetic load and pollution.<br />
<br />
These effects will come automatically and unavoidably, simply because they have become possible and people like to profit themselves from their advantages. We may expect that contemporary taboos that are still blocking such developments, will gradually but shortly lose their power over us.<br />
<br />
There will be more different effects on the population genetic level that we may expect to emerge after Point Omega. But the above examples will suffice to indicate the trend to be expected.<br />
<br />
== Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The fourth issue is dealing with our illusions about "Good" and "Bad".<br />
<br />
The ability to avoid being trapped by the tendency to indulge in Positive versus Negative Evaluation is likely to be a prerequisite for manipulating [[The biological instability of social equilibria|population- and group-cycles]] at will. And since human population- and group-dynamics tend to be worked out nowadays at the level of economic strangling techniques, genocide and (nuclear) war, the skill of controlling such population-dynamic forces would seem to be a prerequisite for man's survival.<br />
<br />
The positive-negative dimension, Good versus Bad, does not relate to actual behaviour. Still, people think it does. This phenomenon is one of the most striking examples of man's innate Blindness for the Self. The Good-Bad dimension is a very effective veil for hiding human behavioural reality from awareness. One of the mechanisms is the built in time bomb within every social structure, making sure that the life span of any social structure is only limited and in the end causing catastrophic turn over events like break down through ossification, bankruptcies, revolutions, genocides, political collapse, etc. For the people involved these catastrophic events are highly unpleasant and problematic, but the (historical) biological and evolutionary advantages have been amply explained [[The biological instability of social equilibria|elsewhere on this Wiki.]](***) The evolutionary usefulness of these built in catastrophes is clear.<br />
<br />
The proximate mechanism fueling these cyclic selection mechanisms is the involuntary selection pressure within each organizational structure in favour of the genetic roots of docility, sociablity and adaptiveness and against innovative creativity and individualism. These forces of attraction and repulsion work out on the cognitive level through the illusory [[Good_and_Bad,_an_illusory_dimension_as_the_cornerstone_of_human_personality|notions of Good and Bad]]. The Good-Bad dimension thus motors the cyclic turn over mechanisms and the periodic emergence of social catastrophes.<br />
Until now, these social cyclic turn-over mechanisms are practically unknown, let alone their effects and implications.<br />
<br />
For all practical reasons, after Point Omega it is not necessary to focus on the working of those cyclic catastrophes. It will be sufficient to focus attention on the knowledge of Good and Bad, that is, on the illusory character of it. Once awareness will be spreading about this one particular aspect of humanity's Self-Blindness, the attachment to utilizing this illusory polarity as the most important personality dimension, the all overriding power of these good-bad reflexes in social relations will diminish and gradually lose its influence in human social life. And that is in particular of crucial importance on the level of politics and governmental decision making.<br />
<br />
Viewed from a point of view from before Point Omega (which is "now"), this option, this possibility to collectively overcome the devastating effects of this aspect of our Self-Blindness, the blinding effects of the utilization of the Good-Bad dimension, is rather difficult to grasp. If not conceptually too complicated for most people, it certainly is a bridge too far emotionally to ask from people to not follow the primordial dictates of the blind forces of social attraction and repulsion, that have steered their / our behaviour since the beginning of time.<br />
<br />
However, viewed from our situation áfter the Point Omega transition, it will be increasingly easy for increasing numbers of people to overcome these primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion and to consciously choose more fruitful ways to interact. And this change will also be subject to positive feed back mechanisms that will make it progressively easier for people to adopt novel ways to interact, once certain critical numbers have been reached.<br />
<br />
In short, it will pay off for governments to enhance scientific knowledge about the Good-Bad concepts and to stimulate people to find alternative and more fruitful ways to interact with one another. Such ways will be counter-intuitive at first, but gradually people will get used to it, especially after it becomes more and more clear what bounties can be expected at the other side of the divide, after having passed the boundary of the knowledge of Good and Bad.<br />
<br />
If you understand how (illusory) Good-Bad reflexes work, you automatically stop to "judge" people.<br />
<br />
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7, verse 1&2.)<br />
<br />
== Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Self-Blindness has been a steady trait of Homo sapiens since a couple of million years, that is, from the time the intelligence of our ancestors started to rise. A high intelligence cannot be an ESS without a special provision that blocks the application of intelligent faculties to the own behaviour. The latter is the strong and striking Self-Blindness that is such a peculiar feature of our own species.<br />
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The above discussed compulsive human tendency to make use of Good-Bad differences in judgments is just one of the many forms in which Self-Blindness appears.<br />
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In the psychological research literature one can find a vast amount of issues that show specific human blindnesses in certain (other) fields of functioning.<br />
Even on Wikipedia one can find a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases list of cognitive biases](*), each of which biases is another expression of the striking Blindness for the Self of Homo sapiens (see also [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|here]](*) for a chapter on this Wiki that is dedicated to these Self-Blindness phenomena).<br />
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Since Self-Blindness is one of the main ingredients for the structures that keep humanity bound in slavery and neuroticism, it is of great importance, and very urgent at that, that we collectively try as quickly and as effectively as we can, to come to grips with this typically human behavioural bias. If we wish to create a more agreeable world, we do have to take this hurdle. There is no escape from that necessity. In the above mentioned chapter on this Wiki it is argued that we should start a research discipline that is fully dedicated to create clarity and scientific insight in these aspects of Self-Blindness. In [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|that chapter]](**) it is suggested to label such a research discipline as "Amathology" or "the science of ignorance".<br />
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It may sound outrageous at first sight to advertise such a research discipline, but it is not meant as a joke. In fact this should be considered as one of the most important issues for putting extra energy, time and attention, if we wish to stimulate a smooth transition into the post-Point-Omega world. <br />
Seriously dealing with the human Self-Blindness should therefore be considered as one of the major differences between the pre-Point-Omega condition and the post-Point-Omega situation. In fact, starting up research disciplines on Amathology could be labeled as a significant characteristic of the post-Point-Omega era.<br />
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== What about Religion ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The sixth issue to pay attention to here is religion.<br />
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Religion is one of the areas of life where great differences will occur between the pre-Point-Omega situation and the post-Point-Omega situation. In the realm of religions great changes will inescapably occur. One of the reasons is that religions deal with peoples attitude towards life and towards society and towards fellow citizens and at the same time religions play a major, and often hidden, role in keeping people under control. Apart from being a rescue and a life vest for the struggling populace, religions in general also play a major role as tools for power structures. This dual role contributes to the confusion that religiously oriented subjects tend to suffer from. And this confusion is one of the corner stones of power structures in charge, for maintaining control.<br />
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Because of these central functions in human life, religions will change in appearance and in function once all major aspects of human life are changing with the Point Omega transition.<br />
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Briefly summarized, we can recognize 4 central characteristics of religions:<br />
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1) Religions represent an important information source for its adherents; religions also function as a support system for people in need; and religions function also as networks for social communication and social relationships; and finally, religions provide a channel for spiritual experiences, god-consciousness and related levels of awareness. These aspects together are the information and support sides of religions.<br />
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2) A totally different function is that religions are also functioning as tools for suppression, installing fears and superstitions in their carriers / subjects.<br />
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3) Religions also serve as a sort of life vests for neurotic and fearful people. And since the vast majority of people falls in that class of people, the life-vest function of religion has always been, and still is, crucial.<br />
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4) The above 3 functions may seem contradictory in many respects, and basically, they are. Religions always seem to create inextricable tangles of inexplicable complexities, that nevertheless manage to bind people within their believe systems. The pictures of the world and of peoples own existence may seem inextricably complex, but as such these pictures and views, as provided by religious beliefs, represent an ESS structure ( Evolutionarily Stable Strategies) for the power structures in place. <br />
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All these 4 aspects of religion will change tremendously during the shift towards Point Omega.<br />
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So, religions play a central role in keeping communal world views in place and at the same time in keeping their carriers (us) bound in a strong dependence of the local power structures in question. Neuroticism and dependency of the masses is strongly defended and given shape by means of all the fairy tales and lies that religions keep in place (see [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''here''(**)]] for more explanation about the way power structures utilize organized ignorance, superstition and fear for maintaining their power over their carriers - subjects). Packages of superstition, ignorance and neuroticizing belief systems may be disadvantageous to their personal carriers, but they evolved and always existed because of their evolutionary survival value at the communal level. And by that we mean survival value on the level of software, the level of "memes", the leading level for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, many philosophers (and prophets) consider science as conducted properly and soberly, as a means to liberation. "Seek ye the truth, and the truth will make you free", as the saying goes, a saying that can also already be found in the Bible. In that sense such philosophers mean to indicate science as juxtaposed to religious superstition, ignorance and belief-systems.<br />
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What can be expected to happen after Point Omega in this respect is a further secularization of society, in the sense that superstitious beliefs and structured ignorance will stop controlling society as they did in the past. The world will more and more choose for science where science appears to conflict with religious traditions and blindness for the truth, and especially with religious taboos against looking at ourselves soberly. In that sense science will work as a liberating force.<br />
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Another effect we may expect from this secularization and increasing awareness of all the workings within ourselves is a cleaning up of all aspects, mentioned under point 1) above. <br />
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Our world views, our support systems for the needy, our social networks, and also our spiritual life, will all be cleaned from taboo structures and other irrational blocks, from fear inducing old habits, from illogical inexplicabilities, from structured and forcefully imposed ignorance.<br />
And such a clean up will unleash untold and unexpected quantities of personal energy in all people involved, taking away the myriads of energy consuming tricks with which the power systems always kept us subjugated in neuroticizing structured slavery and ignorance. And the synergy between all these individual clean ups will cause an exponential increase of human potential and communal energy. It will verily motor the Point Omega transition. (For an [[Energy and Strokes|explanation of the mechanisms underlying such synergies, see here]](***).)<br />
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So, yes, the religion-related changes will be crucially important aspects of the new era and of the transition thereto.<br />
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Also, these changes will not be the end of spirituality and personal salvation, for authentic spirituality is not dependent of superstition and fairy tales. On the contrary, ending superstition, institutionalized ignorance and repression systems, will open up the road to a massive revival of genuine spirituality.<br />
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From the above we may conclude to a number of focusing points for governments to pay attention to and to invest in, like:<br />
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- Discourage superstitions that are blocking science or blocking truth.<br />
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- No worldly power should be allotted to systems of fairy tales and superstitions.<br />
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- Protect secularization tendencies.<br />
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- Protect authentic spiritual revival movements from persecution by old established repressive religious traditions. (The latter have in general become mixed with repressive power structures.)<br />
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For deciding how to deal with the differences between religious affairs before Point Omega and religious affairs after Point Omega, it is useful to take one step back and consider the evolutionary necessities that have formed these characteristics of human life and that determine and will keep determining our options, options in personal behaviour, options in political management, and options in philosophical and ideological attitudes, including religions.<br />
As explained in more detail in the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|''article on this Wiki about human Self-Blindness'']](*), a higher intelligence could only evolve in humans by virtue of specific built in blindnesses for our own and each other's behaviours. Human evolution has been a competition between increasing intelligence and concomitantly needed Self-Blindness needed for preventing that evolving intelligence from biting in its own tail, blocking further successful procreation and spreading of a higher intelligence through the population. As pointed out above and in [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''other articles on this Wiki'']](**), religion is a major tool to keep sufficient Self-Blindness operational for allowing higher levels of freely applicable intelligence to evolve.<br />
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== Co-evolution of High Intelligence and Self-Blindness, the example of the Jews ==<br />
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'''(**)''' With respect to the above, which was the sixth issue we discuss here, it should be of interest to pay attention to one of the oldest grand religions on earth, the jewish believe system. That belief system already exists for over 3.000 years and has well survived until this day. That is a very exceptional feat. Most religions in the world have been in operation only locally and only for a limited period of time. In general such local religions were very ethnocentric and self-serving. <br />
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What strikes the interested onlooker is that the jewish tribe enjoys a higher than usual average intelligence, while at the same time the religious prescriptions are more numerous and more restrictive for daily life, than is usually the case with other religions. What also strikes the attention is that the jewish race has survived quite a number of (forced) mass-migrations out of their home-territory and returning later, not loosing their ancestral religious culture. This cultural survival is not customary in most other religious systems. Tribes and races tend to disappear and or to dissolve in other peoples and tribes, their local belief systems disappearing with them.<br />
When investigating the relationship between the evolution of intelligence in the human species and the theoretical [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|prerequisite of Self-Blindness to make a high intelligence possible]](*), the case of the apparently successful jewish race could be utilized as a test example. <br />
There are a number of other striking features to the jewish people. We mention here the holocaust-like historical events, that have plagued the jews repeatedly, in fact for thousands of years, every time without the jews disappearing completely from the scene, as is more customary with other tribes and creeds in the world of Homo sapiens. Another feature of jewry is that they have moved through a number of population-cycle events as described in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|''another article on this Wiki(***), consisting of a paper that was also presented in 1987 in Jeruzalem at a conference of the ESS (European Sociobiological Society)'']]. <br />
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The effects of genetic pollution and of extreme selection effects in favour of sociability and against creativity and innovation, as one would expect in most social structures, be it tribes, races or local cultures, evidently have been circumvented in the case of the jews, probably by how their history was shaped. In view of the theory in the above mentioned article the conflict between jews and palestinians is also determined to a high degree by the facts that the palestinians historically are a typical "residue"-population whereas the jews are typical migrated newcomers. Historically such relationships are a guarantee of disaster for or a complete disappearance of the "residue-population". In that light, it is remarkable and maybe a characteristic of this era, that the palestinian people are still present there and tolerated as a distinct population-entity.<br />
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Irrespective of these latter considerations, the fact is that the jewish tribe or race combines a higher than average intelligence with a higher than average religious pressure on personal and social life. Also, it can easily be recognized that also theír religious system, as any other religious system, is an extra barrier to understanding of the own behaviour or of understanding the behaviour of human beings in general.<br />
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Looking at Jewry, just from the surface, it immediately strikes the eye that these people have just recently gone through an unbelievably harsh racist ordeal, losing literally millions of their kin at the hands of the Nazi nationalists.<br />
We should not forget that the genocide that happened in the Third Reich was nothing more than what in earlier times of human history, and even before that, was what ordinarily happened between competing tribal entities. Genocidal and territorial "final solutions" were the rule rather than the exception. The Third Reich was just a larger scale and more "industrialized" version of an ancient pattern. Now, some 80 years later, we find that the Germans in general are deeply ashamed that "they", that theír folk, allowed such stark collective blindness to take the lead. The Nazi's considered the Jews as foreigners, as another tribe or race, which makes genocide easier, but history shows us that such a racial component is not even necessary for committing monstrous and massive killings of people, even of one's own kin. Carrying other than the preferred ideas or believes may be sufficient to be exterminated on a massive scale. We have seen that recently happen in quite a number of occasions, like e.g., the Stalinist purges, killing tens of millions of the Russian's own people, Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward, costing the lives of also tens of millions of people, The Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, also taking the lifes of a high percentage of the own people, simply because they were suspected of not carrying the right political ideas and ideals, etc. <br />
So, ethnocentric aspects may facilitate massive killings, but they are in no way a condition for these atrocities to occur. They just make genocides and the like a little more probable.<br />
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In the case of the Jews, one would expect that, having suffered such an ordeal just recently, they themselves would nót fall for the automatisms of racism and ethnocentric territoriality.<br />
Present history shows us however that that expectation is far too optimistic. Even while a large part of the nations in the world are questioning the Jewish territorial and ethnocentric internal aggression, against people who lived there first, the Israëli nevertheless still give the impression that they "stick to their guns" and that they carry on with the usurpation at hand.<br />
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Taking another step back and looking at what is happening today in the "holy land" through the eyes of an unprepared onlooker, we cannot but be flabbergasted by the enormity of what at the surface seems to appear as a jewish blindness for reality. <br />
We wish to point out here that this is a good example of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|evolutionary necessity of Self-Blindness in cases of an evolving higher intelligence]](**).<br />
No doubt that the Jews are one of the most intelligent tribes on earth. No doubt also, that hey demonstrate collective Self-Blindness in an incredibly clear and obvious way. The least we can say is that what happens to the Jews today, is alas in line with what is predicted from the pages of this Wiki. Viewed from the perspective of the [[The biological instability of social equilibria|above mentioned Jerusalem paper (1987)]](***) a newly arrived invading group (the jews from the diaspora) has to deal with a resident "residue" population (the palestinians) and naturally encounters difficulties in dealing with the in Homo sapiens customary tendencies of subjugation or genocide of the resident residue population. In view of the recent history of the jews themselves and of the complete world community looking over their shoulders, novel and "better" solutions are sought to solve the emerged political conflicts, but better (novel) solutions cannot easily be found.<br />
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As a comment in the margin we could add here that we may hope that the Israëli will shortly manage to learn to keep thinking soberly in front of a mirror, the mirror e.g., of the opinion of the rest of the world. If they would manage to do just that, that would verily be a novelty. <br />
Because ...........................<br />
we outsiders may easily conclude that the jews in the "holy land" appear to be crazy racists, having lost their minds, but what the jews are showing there is the result of primordial social reflexes that are the endowment of us all, of all the people in the world.<br />
Let's hope that they shortly learn how to keep their intellect working in front of the mirror, how to conquer the typical Blindness for the Self that has been the characteristic of us since Homo sapiens started to differ from its hominid ancestors.<br />
The Jews have not much time left.<br />
The proliferation of nuclear weapons on both sides makes survival of a jewish ethnocentric and territorial state ever more unstable, if not impossible. It looks like time is running out. They either come to their senses quickly, or some competitor group might obtain nuclear weapons and wipe Israël off the map.<br />
If that terrible thing would happen, that would no doubt be an extra impulse for the rest of the world to analyse what has happened and what are the basic mechanisms leading to such types of disasters. And that would facilitate and boost a rise in Self-awareness, not only about what is happening to the Jews right now, but about how these mechanisms are working in literally all tribes and races on earth. And that in turn would facilitate the Point Omega transition.<br />
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An alternative to such a disaster would be the Israëli coming to their senses, starting to understand themselves at last and explaining to the world how it all works. In that case they could take the lead in the coming explosion of (self-)awareness. That would fit in their self-assigned role of a "chosen People".<br />
For the world at large will learn from their mouths, or they will learn from their graves. <br />
Let's hope that the first option will prevail for the Israëli people.<br />
Time is almost up.<br />
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The Jewish (seemingly) ethnocentric creed can thus serve as an example illustrating the customary evolutionary need for Self-Blindness in our species.<br />
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When considering and discussing governmental measures to be taken for the benefit of the human species for after Point Omega, it would therefore seem useful to also consider such measures in comparison with and in relationship with the jewish creed as an example. The history and the shaping of that tribe can serve as a valuable reference point and bench mark.<br />
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== Curbing destruction of the environment ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The seventh issue is about biodiversity and our pretended stewardship.<br />
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As we have seen, present day human evolution is primarily determined by the survival struggle between meme level power structures. And these power structures are dragging the much slower gene level evolution of mankind along. <br />
Competing power structures basically have no "interest" in the environment. They are only interested in spreading their software as well as possible among as many carriers as possible (us). The ecological environment is only important in as far as that environment should be able to keep the power structure's carriers alive. Of course there is no conscious "intent" in the power structures, but from the outside, at the surface, it looks like that to us, onlookers. The survival struggle looks like there is intent involved, but of course it just is an automatic process, the process of evolutionary changes.<br />
So, for the power structures in charge ecological values and biodiversity are only interesting in as far as they enhance the more effective spreading of "their" culture, their memes among us humans. <br />
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Before Point Omega, including the moment of "now", the real competition for resources is between the power structures in charge. And money is power, so if more money can be made in a short time at the cost of some extra environmental damage, the environment is in bad shape. Even if good stewardship would render more long term profit, then still, higher short term profits are generally preferred, even if the long term environmental damage is high and thus the long term profits lower than would be possible with more rational methods. Because of the short term higher profits environmental destruction has been going on since mankind has learned to manipulate its environment. Agriculture has been reducing the carrying capacity of the environment consistently since almost 10.000 years. Some people may think that environmental damage is a recent phenomenon, but that is not the case. The damage may proceed faster these days then in earlier times, but for instance the process of desertification has already taken its toll since thousands of years. For instance, in some North African regions, that used to serve as granaries for the Roman empire, the desert is now practically reaching to the sea. Another example is the sorry ecological state of the löss plateau in China, the source region of the yellow river, This highly fertile löss area is where the Han Chinese originated from, but in recent centuries the area only could support a minor percentage of the people it could support in more ancient times. The reason has merely been short sighted short term profit making by conforming to habits of overgrazing and subsequently losing fertile soil. <br />
Similar agricultural mis-use of soils occurred everywhere in the world. In fact there is more man-made desert on this planet than there is agricultural land.<br />
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Since the blind competition struggle for resources between power structures was the leading factor in our evolution, the environmental price being paid locally did not play an important role. As long as the carriers of the power structures in question would not survive less than the carriers of competitor power structures, the environmental effects could safely be neglected and ignored. We can now formulate that even more precisely. As long as the struggle between power structures determines our lives, and that is still the case completely, it is practically impossible to prevent biodiversity from further dwindling away.<br />
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After Point Omega however, we will enter the phase of conscious evolution, which will take the sting out of the all overruling influence of the power structures. The ancient penalties on the level of success and procreation, that had to be paid if one's own power structure would not win, do not apply any more. After Point Omega we will enjoy freedom from the old procreational dictates and laws, that used to make rebellion against the interests of the power structures a risky and often fatal affair.<br />
After Point Omega we can safely reverse the wave of ecological destruction that has plagued mother earth for such a long time already.<br />
In our modern age of tool making and technical innovations we can then choose to use all those technical tools for "creating more biodiversity" rather than reduce it. It just needs some awareness of what has been going on and how we could do it better. And once we have come around to calculating the long term financial profits of good stewardship, we can in principle easily stimulate decisions to improve biodiversity, rather than reduce it. <br />
All the modern tools and technical possibilities can equally well be applied for the better instead of only for the worse.<br />
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Modern ecological methods that can replace the ancient agricultural habits, go by various names: "Permaculture", "Natuurbouw" (Nature construction), "Ecological Stewardship", "Sustainability", etc. <br />
These more rational ecologically-friendly agricultural methods and land-management methods, methods of controlled landscaping, are nowadays spreading rapidly all over the world.<br />
Still, the all pervading influence of big money serves as a powerful engine for ecological destruction. Financially, it still pays off on the short term to continue to accept destruction as collateral damage of making more money in the short term.<br />
Until these days that destructive effect of the way power structures express themselves cannot easily be countered lastingly, because in the end the question is always which power structure was able to win from which other power structure, wielding its resources, including money, for spreading itself maximally. And the ecological collateral damage was always of minor importance in comparison to the survival and supremacy of the power structure in charge.<br />
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However, once we will have entered the phase of conscious evolution, the usual evolutionary penalties will lose their previously all pervading power and influence, making it possible for mankind to conscientiously choose its own course of action, which course of action then may very well be a course that optimizes biodiversity on earth instead of destroying it in the slipstream of the blind battle for survival between the impersonal powers structures.<br />
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What governments could do for example to speed up the turning around of ecological destruction is to wield taxes as a means to help steer the behaviour of their people in more environment-friendly and wholesome directions. After Point Omega governments will get increasingly more space to introduce such methods. And their populaces will simply demand it, being aware of what is at stake.<br />
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== Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness ==<br />
'''(*)''' The eighth issue is about happiness, illusory or not, or about what comes most close to it.<br />
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As described in other articles on this Wiki (see e.g. [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|here]]), lasting happiness is something people tend to strive after, but in reality it does not exist. As the Canadian philosofer Tennessen used to say: "happiness is for the pigs". And indeed, once a person starts to understand how our behaviour works, the illusion of the possibility to eventually reach a state of lasting and stable happiness will have vanished. The notion of happiness is a valid phenomenon in our own personal, day to day, minute to minute, system, in that it indicates a direction in which we wish to go at any one given moment in time. The difference between happiness and unhappiness makes us move. And the items or situations that are thought to make us happy or unhappy, are the things we move away from (unhappiness) and things we move towards (happiness). We move from what we dislike towards what we do like. Any living being that is not a plant but a moving entity does have such perceptions or it would stop moving.<br />
So, the feeling or sensation of happiness simply is implied by being an animal and not a plant.<br />
But, even if some steady state of happiness does not exist in reality, it is pointed out [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|elsewhere on this Wiki]](***) that it is nevertheless very well possible to reach states of well functioning and personal growth as opposed to states of disfunctioning and stagnant learning processes. Happiness may be illusory, but "well functioning" certainly is a real thing, that can be measured and that can be strived after and eventually be obtained successfully.<br />
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In the small Himalaya country of Bhutan they do not have a ministry of economic affairs that is trying to maximize the gross national product, but they have instead a ministry that has the task to maximize the gross national happiness.<br />
In the same vein most people in the world are striving continuously on a personal level to improve their situation and to seek happiness.<br />
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Knowing what we now know about our behaviour as laid down on this Wiki, we, Homo sapiens, can become aware that we are not plants, but animals, that we are `movers`, that we move from `A` to `B`, from unpleasant to pleasant, from unhappiness towards happiness.<br />
Being constantly on the move, our awareness includes the point where we come from, `A` as much as the point we are moving towards, `B`. So, basically each person can be aware of both happiness and-or unhappiness, just depending on whether the attention is reaching forward or reaching backward. In principle it is technically speaking quite simple to make that switch from looking backward to looking forward, but nevertheless people in general feel either the pain of the situation to move away from, or the pleasure of the situation preferred, giving the illusion that one is either in state `A` or in state `B`, while in reality one is always connected to both, while moving. This very basic fact of human life can serve as an example of to what extent we are blind for our own behaviour. <br />
People mostly need so called `wise men` to be reminded of the above truth, instead of really understanding all that automatically right from the start.<br />
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Tennessen´s statement `happiness is for the pigs` means to illustrate the illusory aspect of states of happiness. That is the subjective side of the story. <br />
From the objective side however we can discriminate very well between states of well functioning and states of bad functioning, between states of expanding and processing experience successfully and states of a faltering learning process and a stagnant development. And whereas that latter distinction is not the same as happiness versus unhappiness, it is functionally related with happiness / unhappiness and it is very real and nòt illusory.<br />
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That is why on this Wiki we have paid attention to states of well-functioning versus states of mal-functioning, states of optimal development versus states of stagnation and neurotization. This distinction is not only very real, it is an important issue in the present day state of Homo sapiens.<br />
[[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5.2_Growth_of_Skills_versus_Growth_of_Unskills|Elsewhere on this Wiki (see e.g., here)]](*), the basic mechanisms of learning and the processing of experiences is described. There the basic mechanisms of motivational end emotional reversals is discussed and the importance of a proper rhythm between the two is explained.<br />
Since we are not plants but animals, we are "movers" and therefore switches between feeling happy and feeling unhappy alternate. That's what makes us move. <br />
In cases where the rhythm of telic / paratelic switches are optimal, also an optimal learning process will result. In cases where the telic /paratelic switches are far from optimal, usually with too few paratelic states, a cumulation of avoidance reflexes occurs and from that the formation of so called "negative COEX-systems" (a label introduced by Stanislas Grof; i.e. Systems of COndensed EXperience).<br />
In the ideal case an optimal rhythm of telic and paratelic switches occurs and that results in the formation of many "positive COEX-systems". Such positive COEX-systems consist of areas of experience where the experiences in question have been processed sufficiently and have as a result been integrated in areas of "mastery". That route leads to the actualization of many potentials that were/are present in the person in question. A proper rhythm leads to Self-actualization and an improper rhythm leads to neuroticism and truncated behaviour patterns.<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag before Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' As explained in other articles (see [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|e.g. here]](*)) the power structures that have ruled human societies for almost 10.000 years now derive advantages from inducing to some degree neurotization in their carriers, us humans. They are in need of fearful compliance and that state can easier be induced in ailing neurotics than in well functioning self-actualizers.<br />
Another characteristic of the situation before Point Omega is the continuous and structural mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands (see [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|here'''(**)''']] for further explanation). We labeled the source of that mismatch as "evolutionary Jet-Lag". And that mismatch in turn also does have a strongly neuroticizing effect.<br />
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These two effects together result in Homo "sapiens" nowadays functioning quite sub-optimally. We are on average neurotic, truncated, fear-driven failures as compared with "what every individual could have been".<br />
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The evolution of "memes" is running on a different time scale than does the biological DNA-based evolution. Since both memes and genes have us humans as their carriers, we humans are the ones who suffer from the Jet-Lag between the gene-evolution and the meme-evolution.<br />
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All in all this emotional friction from that Jet-Lag brings us mainly pain and bad feelings.<br />
Seen from that point, Homo sapiens after all does have a severe unhappiness-problem. That is, the present state of mankind is characterized by neurotic, truncated behaviour and a very low frequency of Self-Actualizers. However, this does not imply that subjectively we feel rather unhappy on average. Because we are saddled with a strong Self-Blindness, we are not aware of our relative malfunctioning. Our point of reference is ourselves and our very myopic way of looking at things, precludes us becoming aware of the difference between "what is" and "what could be", especially in ourselves. <br />
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Humanity is in a very bad state for already many thousands of years, but as individuals we have no clue as to this situation. We cannot see. For us, this horrible state is "normalcy".<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag after Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' After Point Omega Humanity will resort to conscious evolution and that will inter alii result in taking the sting out of that evolutionary mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands. We will more and more direct the N-demands ourselves and create matches between the consciously designed N-demands and our primordial P-feelings.<br />
Until this moment in time, this phase in our evolution, there would be a high penalty on not yielding to current, traditional, N-demands. However, that evolutionary penalty will be suspended by the introduction of conscious evolution.<br />
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So, what will happen after Point Omega is this: Conscious Evolution ---> Consciously dealing (and successfully) with evolutionary Jet-Lag ---> less pressure from N-demands that are not fitting with our primordial P-feelings ---> more Self-Actualization ---> more "happiness" in an objective way, i.e. more Well-Functioning (but this does not imply a higher level of subjective happiness, because that is a technical impossibility).<br />
<br />
The mechanisms described here offer distinct options for governments to ease the escape from the all influential control over us by the power structures in charge. Governments may choose to help spread awareness of the unpleasantness of the demands by the power structures. That would make it easier for people to gather the necessary courage to make a stand and choose more wholesome courses of action, increasing their psychological health and well-being structurally. And, apart from that, governments can choose to actively take a host of other measures for reducing mass neuroticism, now that they understand the working of the underlying mechanisms. And that will result in freeing enormous quantities of human energy and resources. It does not need much further explanation to understand that such developments will result in a chain reaction of mass-self-actualization, fueling and speeding up the Point Omega transition at large.<br />
<br />
== Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The ninth issue is about how we behave towards one another.<br />
<br />
As pointed out in the article [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|about Reversal Theory on this Wiki(***)]], that is dealing with the antagonist motivational states Telic and Paratelic and the alternations between the two, our behavioural system is designed to make optimum use of acquired experiences and to make us automatically search for those experiences that would optimally fit as a useful addition to already acquired experiences and skills. That way the system makes optimal use of any surplus of energy, investing it automatically in exactly those places and situations that fit best to expand the systems of condensed experience [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|(COEX systems)(***)]] that have already been acquired and already are available. On the one hand this mechanism results in better chances to successfully expand the behavioural repertoire in cases where the individual in question has already learned quite a bit and is on average well balanced. This is a positive feed back system within the individual behavioural system. The more skills already acquired, the easier it is to acquire further growth.<br />
<br />
Between people, at the level of social interaction, a similar effect can be recognized. A positive attitude from one person to the other (we can label that as "strokes") does enhance better chances for the receiving person to find relaxation when needed and subsequently to establish or maintain an optimal rhythm of telic / paratelic reversals. That way there exist also very strong positive feed back loops between people, that finally result in a high contagiousness of psychological health.<br />
<br />
If one would seek for methods to enhance a healthy psychological development of as many people as possible, a good strategy would be to treat individual people as supportive and as positively as possible. Such treatment, abundant with "strokes", helps the receiver of such an attitude to reach or maintain optimal telic / paratelic alternations and thus an optimal learning cycle. <br />
<br />
"Treating others as one would like to be treated oneself" an admonition which is familiar to e.g. Christians and Buddhists, would therefore be a logical strategy when striving to create a more ideal society. And obviously, the usefulness of that principle has already been recognized by seeers and prophets since a very long time.<br />
<br />
<br />
This principle also pertains to behaviour towards other species than only to the human race itself. Self actualization brings forth automatically a raised compassion with all forms of life, because in that state of mind there is more emotional space available, in whichever direction. This involuntarily results in "good stewardship" over nature, also an old Christian (and also Buddhist) ideal.<br />
<br />
However, until now there have always been very strong evolutionary principles and laws that are at variance with the above mentioned ideal. Evolution cannot proceed without a continuous competition between individuals, resulting in that only the most "fit" will contribute proportionally to the next generations. Without such a selection pressure, a certain species, or a certain sub-population thereof, will soon crumble down and perish from genetic load and pollution after selection pressure has been suspended for some generations.<br />
Creating a "socialist, fair and just" society may work for a little while, but it is basically at variance with the above basic laws of evolution and thus of survival. <br />
In that sense a fair and just society at best is postponement of selection pressure, or rather, that has always been the case until now.<br />
Some philosophers therefore say: "Civilization is a conspiracy against evolution". <br />
And necessarily, such conspiracies always were only short lasting.<br />
<br />
Every time a civilization would crumble down under the pressures of resumed natural selection mechanisms, times would be hard again on all inhabitants and disaster, mayhem, wholesale rape, economic strangling techniques and other misery, up to and including genocide would reign again for some period of time. Such periods of time would allow for selection pressures to recoup lost terrain again and also typically would enhance a reshuffling of gene pools, causing hybrid vigour to help boost the genetic quality of the left over populations surviving the period of disasters. ([[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|See here for more explanation about the effects of genetic load.]](***)<br />
<br />
'''Compassion after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' However, after Point Omega the blind forces of the evolutionary laws that rule all life, including our own, will be enriched in the case of Homo sapiens by "conscious evolution". In fact, by introducing conscious evolution, humanity can take the sting out of the customary selection pressures that until this moment in time always have made "fair and just" societies intrinsically unstable.<br />
<br />
What this means is that after Point Omega finally the above mentioned ideal of "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" can be introduced to stay. The usual danger of becoming unstable after a limited amount of time, because of genetic deterioration, can now be countered by "conscious evolution". <br />
<br />
The changes coming with the Point Omega transition may imply that religions will disappear, at least the vast majority of (superstitious) varieties thereof. But on the other hand the state of affairs that prophets would sometimes label as the "kingdom of God", meaning a really fair and just society, may at last be realized in a stable and evolutionarily viable way.<br />
<br />
When the admonitions "love your neighbors like yourself" and "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" rule, the result will be: more Strokes --> easier to attain relaxation when being in a Telic State --> better Rhythm of Telic/Paratelic reversals --> Better Processing of experiences --> Better Learning results --> more Self-Actualization --> Mass Enlightenment --> catalysation of Point Omega shift --> Chain Reaction character of Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
== How to deal with hopeless cases ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The tenth issue is about how to deal with the complete failures, the people that fill us with disgust and hate.<br />
<br />
From the previous paragraph it follows that it is a good advice to treat others as one would like to be treated oneself. As stated, this is the old christian admonition, that also can be found in numerous other widely spread cultures and traditions. It can be considered a useful prop to enhance the emergence or rather catalysation of the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
One could however counter that there are vast numbers of individuals that cannot reasonably be considered as even potentially useful for society and for their fellow men. Many criminals, psychopaths, etc., do not evoke any other reactions than aversive aggression and disgust. For many of such individuals the conclusion is almost inevitable that such persons better were dead, for the benefit of their fellow men as well as for themselves. <br />
<br />
From a practical point of view, such a radical defensive attitude regarding these failed persons may be advisable or at least very seductive.<br />
However, there are by now very good scientific and political reasons why also towards such acknowledged failures, such absolutely hopeless individuals, it is of crucial importance to also treat such disgusting individuals in the way as described above. <br />
<br />
That is because once the above is the official attitude, every individual "knows" that he will be accepted "as he/she is". And that awareness will stop most of the basic fears as ordinarily used to be, and still are, installed by the ruling power structures. <br />
And that new, novel situation will stop the internal personal feed back loops that always were stabilizing neuroticism. It can be calculated that this is a relatively cheap and easy way to install change of course. And the beneficial effects at the social level will simply be tremendous. A very stable and thorough relaxation will enter the minds and hearts of such "hopeless" persons. And that will have enormous effects on the citizens around, because of the great contagiousness of relaxation and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The advice to governments should therefore be to assume responsibility for making clear that all people, simply because they were born, are entitled to acceptance and support if needed, of course within reasonable boundaries. <br />
<br />
In the pre-Point-Omega situation such measures could not be carried through without penalty. Population genetic laws would make sure that then genetic load would increase too much and sooner or later the social structure would collapse under the pressure of genetic pollution, not being able any longer to come up to the competitive challenges from other power structures with a less polluted gene pool. <br />
In other words: social stress, competition, struggle and suffering are needed to exert enough selection pressure on the population to realize some degree of selection pressure enabling the power structures in question to not loose its carriers in the competition for survival.<br />
<br />
However, in the "after Point Omega" situation we will have conscious evolution replacing the natural struggle between power structures over the backs of their carriers, us people. Conscious evolution takes care of preventing genetic (over-)load, of preventing the ordinary social selection cycles and other mechanisms with which mother nature always kept our innate qualities at the required level. The "natural" methods of mother nature invariably come with struggle and strife and pain for the individuals in question. Circumventing that misery always was self-defeating because of the basic demands from the inescapable laws of evolution.<br />
But, once conscious evolution is in place, the usual penalties are suspended and society can safely install the luxury of accepting every human being born, thus removing all serious basic fears. <br />
<br />
The chain reaction that such a novel situation will trigger is assumedly of such a magnitude, that the proposed measures will produce revenues of a completely different order than what the costs amounted to.<br />
The bottom line is to organize that we all need to assume responsibility for one another, which attitude is further discussed in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The eleventh issue is about a new foundation for human social relationships.<br />
<br />
One of the basic characteristics for after Point Omega is that every human being should be guaranteed a relatively stress-free life. Such a situation is already the ideal of many societies and political systems. However, more often than not, such striving appears to be quite difficult to bring into practice, especially for the long term. And besides, many societies do not embrace such a principle at all. <br />
Until this moment in history principles of "survival of the fittest" and the "struggle for life" have dominated the situation. And such principles were very necessary in order to maintain a certain required level of genetic selection pressure. Without such selection pressures genetic pollution and degeneration would quickly put an end to any societies' survival.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega however, "conscious evolution" will have taken over and therefore the stress of selection struggles will have become superfluous. The consequence of this change in evolutionary demands is that there finally will be (evolutionary) space for fair and just societies to be continued without end. Genetic pollution and social selection cycles can be countered with ease and the usual life span limitations of social structures can be by-passed.<br />
<br />
The implication of such a novel situation is that we may set aside and overcome primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion without in the end suffering the thereby speeded up life cycle end, and the total collapse of the social structures in question. And that in turn implies that our very strong tendency to indulge in black/white or bad/good thinking regarding other people, will have lost its evolutionary "usefulness". We can now safely open our eyes to reality, to how we are put together, to how we have evolved, to what our options are, and which traditional options have become superfluous "no-go areas".<br />
<br />
Having bypassed the ordinary needs for evolutionary selection pressures in our society and our social relations, we can at last safely refrain from denouncing adversaries, from scapegoating, from black/white thinking, etc. We can safely "love our neighbor like ourselves" without paying in the end the concomitant evolutionary penalty for it.<br />
<br />
Even more, because we will have entered a situation where conscious evolution has taken over and that being in a democratic context, we are basically all together responsible for every human being that is being born on this earth. A situation will develop, where large and by humanity together decides how procreation will be given shape.<br />
Ultimately, that implies that '''everybody basically is co-responsible for every other human being that has been born'''. And that may be considered as one of the '''basic rules''' of the human world '''after Point Omega'''.<br />
<br />
Conscious evolution has not yet been started up and it will probably take quite a number of generations before that state of affairs will have been consolidated.<br />
In the mean time however we can already get used to thinking along those lines. That will help to support individuals that have problems in functioning smoothly and properly. Many of such problem-people may need to be firmly controlled or even locked up in order to avoid them causing harm to other people, but if we remember that we all together are responsible for their very existence, it is easier to maintain a supportive attitude. As argued [[Energy and Strokes|in the article about "strokes"(***)]], handing out "strokes" is the best medicine to help people regain proper rhythms of telic/paratelic reversals and thus regain growth towards fulfillment of their best innate capacities. Self-actualizers are more pleasant company than overstressed neurotics. And every "stroke" helps to bring that better option about. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, increasingly more strokes will come back to us in a process of social interaction which is, from a technical point of view, basically a process of positive feed back loops. And because of the technical characteristics of positive feed back loops, this will cause a chain reaction of strongly increasing mutual social support. And that, in turn, will diminish neuroticizing structures beyond a critical point, making space for a more broadly occurring actualization of human potentials to an unprecedented extent. And, because of the technical consequences of the positive feed back loops involved, these changes will increasingly gain speed until the majority of mankind wil all of a sudden be "taken by surprise" (but in a positive sense).<br />
<br />
These are the considerations why we need to assume responsibility for every human being in existence, and act accordingly. It is about time.<br />
<br />
It is clear that this general attitude of mutually assured respect and support is strikingly different from the pre-Omega condition of unlimited competition on all levels, ethnocentric cramps and reflexes, racism and genocide. <br />
This new attitude of accepting responsibility for and giving support to also the less privileged of our fellow human beings, up and including "the hopeless cases", the hardened criminals, and the plain idiots and simpletons, that attitude is an emotional cornerstone of the post-Point Omega world order. <br />
Before Point Omega we hardly could afford such an attitude, because of the evolutionary penalties involved, but from now on that attitude will fully pay off on all levels and that to an unprecedented degree.<br />
The classical evolutionary penalties and disadvantages of "being soft" on misfits and other hopeless cases will cease to exert their disruptive effects. These disadvantages will be bypassed effectively by "conscious evolution".<br />
<br />
== Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way ==<br />
'''(*)''' The twelfth and final issue to be addressed here is about our attitude to "work".<br />
<br />
Our relationship with work is another area of human life where great changes can be expected with the Point Omega transition.<br />
Work can be experienced in very different ways. Work can be an activity through which we manage to be an accepted member of society, being useful to the community through our (professional) "work".<br />
Work can also be felt as a social obligation, something the person in question does not want, but does not dare to challenge in order to avoid being expelled or ostracized. In order to be accepted and stay accepted, one has to do his fair bit of the toil.<br />
In more extreme cases, one simply is forced to do some sort of work. That may be forced labour in a prisoner-type of setting or, more subtle, being forced to do labour against one's will because the social pressure and control mechanisms are felt as inescapably strong and permanently overwhelming.<br />
In such situations one cannot formally be labeled as a prisoner or a slave, but the emotional experience is coming close to that.<br />
<br />
At the other side of the spectrum one finds those persons who have managed to make money with their hobby, or at least with something that they like to do. In those cases, what people already prefer to do by themselves, is accepted by society as something that is generally considered a useful contribution.<br />
<br />
Ideally, parents wish to bring up their children in such a way that they can master one or other skill that is considered useful for society and is being paid for, while the kids in question like to perform that specific type of (professional) skill.<br />
Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. In the latter cases, the children in question end up in some sort of jobs that they don't really like, but that they keep performing in order to make some money and survive, trying to forget that they are basically living in some sort of harsh or gentle slavery.<br />
<br />
Basically, on average we live in states of mild or harsh slavery and the extent to which we manage to like our "jobs" differs greatly. The more we like our "job", the less we feel enslaved.<br />
<br />
One of the specific factors that tends to make work less pleasurable for us humans, is the factor of the rat-race. Successful societies in general have incorporated in their social systems structures that induce competition between people doing similar work. Our capitalist system is but one example in which organizations strive to get the necessary work done in the most efficient and profitable way. Workers are under continuous pressure to perform better and often it is quite difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work pressure and personal needs for relaxation and recovery. In such cases the slavery-aspect is felt more strongly.<br />
Seen from the point of view of the power structures ruling our societies and lives, it doesn't matter so much if a majority of the people works under such pressure that they do not manage any more to maintain proper emotional balances and as a consequence end up as fearful neurotics. The useful output per neurotic person may be less than optimal, but the power structure can manipulate neurotic workers easier than they can manipulate self-actualizers. Neurotics have much more fear-handling-points that can be utilized by the power structures in charge. The useful output per person may then be lower, but the malleability of the neurotic herds is much better. They can be better employed to man the production lines and the military battle units, doing as they are told.<br />
<br />
One more factor we need to keep in mind about work is that mankind is suffering from evolutionary Jet-Lag. This means that the requirements that are demanded by the power structures are often at variance with our primordial emotional preferences and tendencies. There is a misfit between our primordial P-feelings and the N-needs. And it is especially in "work" where we feel that squeeze hurting. Much work that is required by the power structures, only gets done by way of force, either harsh or subtle.<br />
<br />
If we look at human history, we can recognize that during the last millennia we have been moving from very clear cut slavery structures, being a cornerstone of society, to less total suppression and slavery in which the slave-aspect is more and more hidden and less painful. Since in the latest centuries technical machinery has been developed to replace simple manual labour, society does not need any more such high percentages of slaves in order to be successful. In particular stupid and mindless work is done more and more by machines. And besides, those machines can produce way more products in less time and against lower costs than what was possible before.<br />
<br />
In fact we have entered a situation of affluence and that situation is not going to disappear. On the contrary, in the present time we are testimony of an explosive increase of efficiency and that gives an enormous boost to the world wide "wealth" of us humans. The present development of computers and communication tools is multiplying the effects of the industrial revolution and our wealth will keep increasing accordingly.<br />
<br />
Seen from that point of view, from the exploding increase in wealth, the millennia old rat race and the millennia old enslavement of people have become basically superfluous. <br />
In principle, society could start to utilize other, different, ways to win the competition with other power structures. After Point Omega the playing field changes thoroughly and more agreeable methods can become the winning formulae.<br />
<br />
'''Work after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega the percentage of neurotics will decrease, making it more difficult for power structures to utilize the age old methods to rule by fear. It becomes increasingly more viable to seduce people to do useful things by being transparent and by simply paying more for unpleasant jobs. If fear doesn't work any more, the remuneration needs to go up in case it is different from work that is intrinsically pleasant to do.<br />
After Point Omega the balance between telic and paratelic states and their alternations will improve, with a higher frequency of paratelic states, in turn resulting in better growth and development of the individuals, which in turn results in a higher percentage of Self-actualizers.<br />
<br />
Point Omega basically is the "run away" increase in optimal telic-paratelic reversal frequencies. The contagiousness of proper personal growth will fuel the typical Point Omega changes leading, among other things, to a radically different work attitude. <br />
People will more often stop accepting slave positions and will more and more demand "meaningful" work. And "meaningful" is in principle more in line with our [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|P-feelings]](**).<br />
So, the evolutionary Jet-Lag will stop to make our work situations miserable. The dirty, boring, tedious, heavy, difficult work that cannot be done by some efficient machinery, simply will have to be paid better in order to be in balance with the new situation. <br />
<br />
Evolution works through competition between conspecifics. We humans have to compete with fellow human beings, either within our own group or tribe or competing with other people in a more far away group or society. Evolution proceeds because the winners contribute more to the next generation than do the losers, losers in whichever sense of the word. Men may theorize about fair societal structures in which aggressive competition is harnessed and cooperative friendliness reigns. But, as we mentioned above, civilization can in a sense be regarded as a conspiracy against evolution. No matter how clever a fair and just society had been designed, sooner or later such a society would collapse and selection pressures would recover lost terrain by launching the citizens of the former fair society into chaos, turmoil and destruction.<br />
Competition as we know it in our societies can be hard, in the sense that one's life depends on the outcome, but also it can take the form of a rather "sportive" competition. In such cases winning the competition is striven after, but one's life does not directly depend on the outcome.<br />
In such cases it is rather like in sport. One works hard to win, but basically it remains a game.<br />
<br />
What we may expect after Point Omega is that competition will not disappear from work and social life, but that the ongoing competitions get a more "sportive" flavour.<br />
We then work ourselves right until our limits, but we do it for fun, not out of fear and desperation. <br />
<br />
Since after Point Omega work will be more like a game, giving enjoyment to the "worker", rather than stress and fear, and since we all will have to take responsibility for literally every human being on this planet, base pay comes in sight. It can be calculated that granting every person in society a base pay, no matter what the person in question is contributing, an enormous shift in general attitude will occur in most people. The pressure is off and relaxation is always within reach. As pointed out [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|elsewhere on this Wiki]](*), easier relaxation will trigger better learning processes and subsequently will bring about an ever higher percentage of Self-Actualizers. <br />
<br />
Until this moment in time "work" used to be in most cases very much a "re-active" activity, full of fears and concerns. After Point Omega work will have a more "pro-active" flavour. People will work rather "for the hell of it", rather than out of fear to drop out or to perish financially.<br />
Work and play will be better compatible and pleasure in work will become the rule, rather than the exception. And as pointed out above, if, in such a fear-free society the dirty, hard or unpleasant work is refused by most people, a better pay for the jobs in question will do the trick.<br />
<br />
This development will be amplified by the advance of technology. Ever more necessary work is delegated to machinery and robots. People can enjoy more leisure. This will stimulate the "pro-active" working attitude over the traditional "re-active" attitudes. For an eloquent discourse on this development, refer e.g., to [[Further_reading#Livingston2016|Livingston (2016)]].<br />
<br />
== Priorities for an action list ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)'''<br />
After the above 12 paragraphs we may draw the conclusion that:<br />
<br />
- After Point Omega many issues and many problems will have to be treated in a different way than before.<br />
<br />
1. - Some of these changes in attitude will follow suit automatically and involuntarily. In those cases no extra pressure is needed to steer the changes in the right direction. Such changes therefore do not need to be put high on the list of priorities, that is, the priority list of where we should invest extra attention, energy and time. These changes may in some cases be quite crucial for mankind in the new situation and they may play a central role in the shifting towards the Past-Point-Omega state of affairs. But still, these issues end up low on the priority list, because they will also come about without extra purposeful action from our side or from the side of the authorities.<br />
<br />
2. - Some changes can be boosted and sped up from outside rather easily. Where that is the case, it pays off for that reason to give these changes an extra "boost" and the issue may for that reason be put higher on the priority list. There, extra effort will pay off. <br />
<br />
3. - Some of the changes, related to the emergence of Point Omega, are already on the list, in the sense that people already pay attention and try to spread the changes in question as broadly as they can. An example is "freedom of speech". In many parts of the modern world the importance of this change is recognized, but in many other countries freedom of speech is still a utopian dream. These issues are certainly of importance. Still, they do not need to be put high on this priority list, because, evidently, they already are getting attention, time and energy.<br />
<br />
With these three criteria in mind we now can, as examples, order a non-exhaustive listing of priorities and recommended actions for governments and individuals. With every item, every change, we will give an indication of why the item has been put higher or lower on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''1) Amathology'''.<br />
Spending time and money studying the mechanisms of human Blindness for the Self is crucial for dealing with the changes needed for moving through the Point Omega transitions. Awareness of and knowledge about these mechanisms of Self-Blindness are fundamental for the Past Point Omega world. However, for purely technical reasons we should expect that people and institutions will not automatically put energy and time and money in that type of research, no matter how important it is. For most people these issues just "don't feel right". Therefore this item is put high on the priorities list. Extra effort on this issue will pay off exponentially. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''2) Transparency'''.<br />
One of the major tools for power structures to maintain their control over their subjects is that the officers "in charge" enjoy broad information privileges. They "know more" than their subjects and keep their people that way in a permanent state of helplessness, which, by the way, these subjects consider as "normal".<br />
<br />
In contrast, democratic ways of cooperation need to be anchored in sufficient information levels for the people who are part of the democracy. Otherwise, no educated opinions can be formed. <br />
In our modern world, and especially recently, transparency has increasingly become a hot item and the target of introducing and improving transparency on many levels is part of most modern societies.<br />
In spite of all this already existing attention, we still put transparency high on this priority-list, because it is something that can easily be improved and steered by governments and other large organizations. By putting energy in the further improvement of transparency on all levels, the transition to the post Point Omega situation can considerably be facilitated. Transparency is a main characteristic of the "new world" and it will pay off to increase the emphasis it is already receiving. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''3) Legal innovations for "taking responsibility"'''.<br />
Taking responsibility by everybody, for everybody else's existence, is a new concept for most people. It is not or hardly supported by already existing traditions and culture. It goes counter to traditions of competition and of holding failing people responsible for their failures to "have made it". Still, this novel type of responsibility - by all for all - will have a tremendous impact on the feelings of well-being of the majority of mankind. It will give every individual a feeling of "being OK" and "being accepted". It will take away the feeling of failure and the neuroticizing fear to be ostracized or held personally responsible for failure. By positive feed back loops in our behavioural system such a removal of imposed feelings of inadequacy will free enormous amounts of positively spent energy. <br />
This admonition to accept responsibility for literally everybody will have tremendous effects on the peace of mind and the peace of heart of our fellow human beings. Knowing the mechanisms of the contagiousness of well-being and of emotional equilibrium and personal growth it is clear that "Taking Responsibility" is very important for the transition to the other side of Point Omega. <br />
Because of its importance and because it is difficult for individual people to switch to this new attitude, we have put this issue high on the list of priorities. Attention and energy being spent on this issue will most likely be very well spent and that is why we have put this issue also close to the top.<br />
<br />
Once the idea of "together taking responsibility for every human being alive" has been accepted as a useful tool to (re)form our world, this principle has to be embedded in new legislation that can help to establish and propagate the global support for "everybody". First of all the authorities should recognize the importance of this "support of all by all". And one of the most effective - lastingly effective - methods for authorities to boost this principle is legislation itself.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''4) Psychological sciences'''.<br />
Giving shape to the post-Point-Omega world will be supported by an increase in scientific research efforts. In our rapidly developing and changing world, new techniques emerge and are actively sought in all fields of human functioning.<br />
Whereas technical scientific developments traditionally used to get much attention and financing and will automatically receive such attention in the future, we have good reasons to advise for a shift in emphasis into the direction of research in the fields of psychology, sociology and ethology. The Omega-shift implies that humanity will enter into another level of understanding of our own behaviour. One of the tenets defended on this Wiki is that the level of knowledge about our own behavioural system, our emotions and motivations is still very limited and at places almost non-existent. Large gaps in our understanding of these matters need to be filled in urgently. Many of these gaps in our knowledge have traditionally been maintained by complex systems of taboos and contemporary superstitions. <br />
After Point Omega we will need to pay extra attention to for instance the following fields in psychological research: <br />
<br />
-- Good-Bad reflexes and their biological functions; <br />
<br />
-- Reversal Theory, dealing with the dynamics of our emotional and motivational system; <br />
<br />
-- Automatic selection pressures in the social plane on the dimension of Adaption-Innovation and the resulting periodic catastrophes in social structures; <br />
<br />
-- Amathology or the research on human blindness for the own behaviour and its biological function.<br />
<br />
Whereas not being exhaustive, these issues should be in the front of our future scientific research efforts.<br />
As pointed out in many papers on this Wiki, human misery is finally and solidly anchored in ignorance about exactly these fields of psychological functioning. Spending attention, time and energy here, certainly will pay off.<br />
<br />
For that reason this focus point is placed rather high on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''5) Military authority for the UN'''.<br />
At this moment in time, it is becoming more and more likely that at some stage a group of deranged idiots will be able to lay their hands on nuclear retaliation instruments. If that would happen, humanity will be in bad shape. For instance, Islamic fanatics have flown 2 airplanes into the New York twin towers. Imagine what would happen in case such fanatic morons would get control over nuclear missiles. Such disaster would most likely trigger the immediate allocation of more military power in the hands of the UN "government", in order to be able to prevent such idiocies from happening again. However, it seems much better strategy to arrange such decisive military power to the UN level before the above may happen. Until now, people don't seem to feel the urgency to put more effective power in UN hands. But that is a sorry example of shortsightedness, that might cost many millions of us their lives unnecessarily.<br />
Since this issue is likely to be taken seriously too late, and because of the price humanity would have to pay for the sorry consequences, this issue is also put high on this priority list. <br />
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These days there are quite a number of political states of whom we would not like to know nuclear hitting power in their hands. Examples from the recent past or the present are for instance: ISIS, North Korea, the Ayatolla state in Iran, Zimbabwe, Ruanda's genocide, Pol Pot in Cambodia, etc., etc., etc. <br />
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'''6) UN-power guaranteeing the right to political self-determination for all populations and sub-populations'''.<br />
Self-determination will come about for all people in the world without any doubt at some point in time. Developments that can be expected after Point Omega will bring that about inevitably. <br />
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Until this moment in time, until this moment in our evolution, differential procreation of tribes and races and other (sub-)populations was inevitable and necessary for the gradual evolution of novel characteristics of Homo sapiens, for the progress of evolution. And selection processes on that level of operation come with genocide, large scale war, economic strangling techniques and other misery producing events. These events may always have been unpleasant, or rather terrible, properties of human life, but they were basically and in principle unavoidable because of the evolutionary dictates of differential fitness of different tribes, races or genetic sub-groups of people.<br />
Only when the ordinary automatic evolutionary pressures have been bypassed by a different (and more effective) mechanisms, can we hope to have conquered the above mentioned eternal sources of human misery and pain, pains that are basically the same as the pains of any species in evolution, but that in the case of Homo sapiens tend to occur at a larger scale and more at distinct intervals (wars) instead of continuously.<br />
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After the introduction of "conscious evolution", after Point Omega, the evolutionary forces leading to all those forms of suffering will be bypassed and principles of self-determination will become a possibility that is not unstable any more. So, after Point Omega we may expect that principles of self-determination will automatically become the rule rather than the temporary exceptions.<br />
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However, it pays off to put extra energy and attention in this development and speed that process up where possible, because of the dangers for mankind stemming from the present situation in many countries, where self-determination is still a far away dream and violent revolutions are lurking below the surface. The sooner we can install a generally applicable right to self-determination, the sooner those - really great - dangers will be brought under control. <br />
In the new situation every local population will be entitled to collectively decide how much autonomy is preferred against which decrease of efficiency of size or decrease of governmental expertise. <br />
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Recent examples of where such issues are under discussion or, less ideal, should be under discussion, are for instance: Scotland versus the UK; the UK versus the EU; the Krim versus Ukraina or Russia; East Ukraina versus Ukraina or Russia; East-Timor versus Indonesia; Papua New Guinea versus Indonesia; Catalunia versus Spain; Western Sahara versus Marocco; Southern Sudan versus Sudan; Darfur versus Sudan; etc.; etc.; etc., almost without end.<br />
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'''7) Create better opportunity for mothers to care sufficiently for their babies'''.<br />
One of the most effective ways to improve chances for young children to grow up to be mature and capable individuals is to enable mothers of neonatives to spend enough time and attention to their newborns and in the first years after birth. There are ample scientific research data that show the large effects of proper maternal care on the development of the newborns. Also, various articles on this Wiki explain how this developmental effect comes about.<br />
Whereas in the future there will be no doubt more space, time and room for mothers to care for their newborns in an optimal way, we still need to emphasize here the usefulness of paying more attention to these long term developmental effects of good maternal care. On the one hand there will be created more and more opportunity for mothers to give their birthlings an optimal start. On the other hand, we can catalyze these changes tremendously by putting still more attention and energy in these changes.<br />
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Therefore this issue should get relatively much priority. It will happen anyway, but events can be much optimized by now already speeding up this particular change as much as possible. (A scientific analysis of these effects can for instance be found in the work of [[Further_reading#Bowlby1969|Bowlby]](1969) and of [[Further_reading#Bettelheim1969|Bruno Bettelheim]](1969), where he describes the large scale failures in 20th century kibbutses regarding the early upbringing of babies.)<br />
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'''8) Tax reforms world wide'''.<br />
Taxes are a relatively easy way to help steer the behaviour of large masses of people in the right direction. An environment tax would make it more expensive for people to purchase or apply environment-unfriendly articles and products. Price differences can easily bring people to make better choices on a daily basis. This method could reduce pollution considerably and could equally improve the protection of biodiversity. Likewise a junk-food tax could help to make people buy less unhealthy fodder (then more expensive) and instead buy more healthy (cheap) alternatives. This would improve the average well-being of people and simultaneously reduce costs of medical care.<br />
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At this level benefits can also be obtained by making better international agreements on preventing tax-evasion. That would improve the possibilities for governments to collect fair levels of taxes from all citizens concerned, including the bigger international companies who nowadays often do not need to pay their fair share. Fair taxes for internationals would greatly reduce the tax levels for ordinary citizens, this to the benefit of all. And once the big companies pay their fair share of taxes, the environmental components of the taxes will finally have a strong effect on the reduction of pollution and the improvement of biodiversity. <br />
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These tax issues already do have increasing lots of attention, but still it would pay off greatly to put extra energy in these reforms, because the powers that resist such reforms are traditionally very strong and the effects of these tax reforms will have immediate beneficial effects on the whole of society. Also, it will enhance people's confidence in the authorities if they manage to realize a broad tax-equality.<br />
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'''9) Eugenics'''.<br />
One main characteristic of the transition Point Omega is finishing the era of evolving gradually towards higher levels of consciousness and entering a new era, a new phase in human history, the era of Conscious Evolution.<br />
That new situation implies the conscious utilization of Eugenics and all its techniques involved.<br />
Homo sapiens ''cannot survive'' without taking its ow evolution consciously in its own hands. It is therefore of crucial importance now and in the near future.<br />
<br />
One of the novel tools involved in dealing with eugenics is Eugenic Mapping. The improvement of these techniques is a major tool for conscious evolution. On the one hand we mention it here, because it is not something that will automatically be taken on by governments. At this moment in time this matter is still hidden safely behind walls of taboos and superstition. On the other hand, eugenic mapping will gradually but inescapably be boosted by public demand. People will increasingly demand to enjoy all the advantages of genetic screening and other measures to produce offspring that is as healthy and as capable as possible. It can therefore be put at a relatively low position on the list of priorities, because in due time this issue will get sufficient attention anyway. The public at large simply will demand it.<br />
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'''10) Sexual liberation of women'''.<br />
The inequality between the sexes is a primordial given. Apart from cultural habits our biological past has caused difference between the average investments in newborns by mothers and the average investments by the fathers. This difference between the sexes has always been causing certain basic frictions. These differences in focus and in where the main concerns are located in each of the sexes, evidently has been an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy, ESS, throughout our evolution. <br />
However, in the coming era of conscious evolution it will be of crucial importance that women will increasingly be in command of their own bellies, about their own offspring and if possible, the fatherhood involved. Genetic pollution, which is one of the major classic obstacles for a long lasting and stable peaceful human society, will have to be tackled with a range of novel approaches. And more say for women about their own pregnancy is one of those indispensable novel attitudes. <br />
This beneficial effect of women's sexual emancipation on the reduction of genetic pollution is the reason why we have included this issue here on the list of priorities.<br />
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'''11) Make biological fathers pay for their offspring'''. <br />
As a pair to the above item is the priority of making men pay for the offspring they have sired in a biological sense. Medical techniques to assess fatherhood without a doubt are now available everywhere and they will increasingly be applied to back up claims of young mothers to share the burden of parenthood with the biological fathers. This tendency is already on the increase in most places of the world. That we still mention it here is because this will put a break on the tendency of men to "knock up" women with child without coming up with marital assistance.<br />
And that shift will be in favour of fathers who are capable of giving parental support and this shift will be an increasing hindrance to the fatherhood of incompetents. Making biological fathers pay their fair share in parental efforts is an extra brake on genetic pollution and moreover it helps to provide newborns with a good start. And that will improve the likelihood of positive learning cycles and optimal courses of development with all the resulting positive spin offs involved. And that, in turn, will help to make the Point Omega transition more likely to occurr.<br />
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'''12) Pollution'''.<br />
Pollution too, needs to come to an end shortly. We presently tend to regard the fight against pollution as crucial for human well-being. And that is quite right. However, the pollution problems will automatically be tackled more vigorously and more effectively once Point Omega has been passed. Most individual people and also their governments are increasingly aware that pollution needs to stop and that human well being can be raised that way. Pollution can therefore safely be put somewhat low on the priority list. We'll effectively deal with it anyway.<br />
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'''13) Overpopulation'''.<br />
Alleviation of present day suffering of our whole planet through over-exploitation, fueled by millions of tonnes of superfluous human flesh, is very urgent and one of the major features of the new time. Still, this item ends up rather low on the priorities list, because a systematic and lasting reduction of human numbers will inevitably and automatically happen anyway, and that without draconian pressures from above. <br />
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'''14) Secularization'''.<br />
We have put this item low on the list because doing away with superstition and religious fear will score high with many people already anyway.<br />
Giving shape to the world after Point Omega does not need spiritual awareness to disappear. What it does need is that superstitions and collective fears do not keep dominating individual and group behaviour. Organized religions normally played a crucial role in maintaining power structures by inducing and regulating fears in their people. What will be left in the future of present day religions is at best a kind of spiritual awareness and feeling of unity, that is denuded from all the traditionally concomitant fears and unwholesome taboos, that served the power structures rather than the individual welfare of the believers. Anyway, putting religions back in their proper place, where they do "good" and no "harm", will continue to happen automatically and unavoidably.<br />
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'''15) Ecology.'''<br />
For evoking sensible and rational action with respect to the global ecological hot issues, the best and also lasting approach is to broaden the education packages about ecology for our young people in the schools. The more people are aware of the ecological imbedding of Homo sapiens, the more our ecological heritage will be protected and improved upon. The more emphasis we put on the issues of ecology, the better we will take care of our biological heritage.<br />
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A movement that already is gaining more and more influence at the level of ecological values, is "Permaculture". The Permaculture methodology guides land owners in the direction of producing useful goods, foods and raw materials, while at the same time improving and not exhausting the local ecological carrying capacity. This new method about how to deal with our world originated in Australia and has since its beginning kept spreading over the world at an ever expanding pace.<br />
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A similar striving is included in what we call the "Sicirec Formula", a form of "controlled landscaping" applied in plantation forestry, but equally well applicable in any other exploitation of land for whichever purpose, be it forestry, agriculture, industry or urban planning. That formula emphasizes that crucial for preserving biodiversity is the strategy to keep a certain percentage of the land involved in a state of its climax vegetation, together with its climax animal life, spatially intertwined with areas for rational productivity. The latter may refer to forms of Permaculture, but less ideal patterns of utilization will also work out well within the Sicirec Formula.<br />
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Boosting the world wide utilization of these new ecological principles, can and will have a tremendous impact of the well being of the world as a whole and thus on our own well being.<br />
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Still, we put this issue relatively low on our priority list, simply because these issues will be tackled with more and more vigor and purpose anyway already. <br />
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'''16) Technical sciences'''.<br />
Boosting scientific developments is not surprisingly of crucial importance for shaping the world after Point Omega. This holds for psychological and related sciences, as mentioned above, but also for technical sciences. <br />
That this item shows relatively low on the list of priorities is due to the fact that rather automatically sufficient energy, time and money will be invested in these developments. There is hardly an extra boost needed.<br />
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<br />
'''17) Medical Sciences'''.<br />
Equally, Medical Sciences have been put in a low position on the priority list. <br />
Apart from what people generally think about the reasons why medical care and medical knowledge are so important, we wish to point out one crucial effect of good medical care that is of importance for how the transition to the era of conscious evolution will come about.<br />
Good medical care namely, makes longevity of our species increase. And that in turn implies that decision making will increasingly be in the hands of older and more experienced people. And that in turn is equal to saying that less decision making will be left to inexperienced youngsters who have not yet learned to deal with their testosterone boosted social reflexes or the female equivalents of it in a prudent way. For instance, male inclinations towards group aggression and female brainless procreational impulses will have lower chances to run out of hand. This beneficial collateral effect of longevity will be one of the major ingredients of the after Point Omega society.<br />
Anyway, Medical Sciences will automatically receive sufficient support from society and therefore a high place on this priority list is not needed.<br />
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== Relax .......... we can afford it now ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The main tenet on this Wiki is that we are now entering the shift of human society into Point Omega, and beyond.<br />
Indications are that humanity has already entered the accelerating phase in this transition and that we are already beyond the "point of no return".<br />
What is certain, according to the information on this Wiki, is that Point Omega will happen, sooner or later, automatically and unavoidably, simply because that is how human behaviour has been organized and has evolved up to this point. And yes, we think that we already have entered the predicted accelerating phase. That this is not generally recognized already is mainly due to the fact that human awareness very strongly is hindered by myopic effects, making it almost impossible for humans to see the broad and complete picture. Our personal horizons are very narrow indeed, for both genetic (genes .....)and cultural reasons (memes .....). <br />
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From the contributions on this Wiki one might deduce that this Omega Transition, being of more influence and importance than the agricultural revolution, and bringing untold changes and advantages to the whole of mankind, is very much worth fighting for. And of course, this is very much true. Of all possible targets and goals, helping Point Omega to proceed appears to be the most useful possible, rightly deserving all our best efforts.<br />
Having listed in the above chapter the priorities that we could handle to make our choices about what to do first and what second, we could embrace the attitude of "let's not waste any time, but go for it right away with all power available". The conclusion does emerge that such is the best thing to do, with all energy available. We seem not to have time to waste, because ''we really still do have to do a thing or two !''<br />
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However, this motivation also would tie in perfectly with the pre-Point-Omega general attitude of "telic dominance" and the customary out-of-balance "goal directedness". And this tencency is very seductive indeed.<br />
But, what in fact would facilitate the necessary shifts towards Point Omega best is more relaxation of all participants involved. <br />
So, our message should rather be: ...... RELAX. Allow yourself personally the time to come back into balance, into emotional and motivational balance. Only then the paratelic states will emerge more frequently and only thus you will be able to correctly perceive the situations at hand and choose prudently the most effective ways to proceed and contribute from here.<br />
Only when anchored in a proper telic/patatelic emotional and motivational balance, a person can grow into great enough strength and capacities to make a difference for the whole of society at all. <br />
So, RELAX ........, we can afford it now.<br />
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Looking at the world-wide situation of humanity, we are basically in a very comfortable position.<br />
We have unprecedented amounts of energy at our disposal.<br />
We are producing plenty of food to feed the whole world populations, be it that we still don't manage to distribute it effectively enough.<br />
We are living in the middle of an avalanche of technological innovations, making life proceedingly easier.<br />
Basically, this is an era of plenty, no matter what problems the newspapers present to us each day.<br />
So, what we can do, what we can afford to do, is just STOP !<br />
RELAX ........ <br />
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We can afford it now, at last. So, let's enjoy it !<br />
And besides, that way we best boost an increasing frequency of paratelic states in as many people as possible. The articles on this Wiki have explained how that contagiousness works. And the restoration of mankind's emotional and motivational balance is the most important trick of all. And it is our birthright. <br />
No feelings of guilt for laziness needed.<br />
The theory explains how paratelic states will automatically emerge sooner or later, once relaxation has done its job. <br />
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So, give it a chance. That's what the world really needs at this moment in time: your and everybody's paratelic states, in sufficient frequencies. Don't worry, ''relax, and a thing or two will happen to you'' ! . . . . . and especially . . . . . to us ''all''.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Directives_for_after_Point_Omega&diff=8810Directives for after Point Omega2021-11-17T13:42:16Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Introduction */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
'''(*)''' This paper was written at the request of Victor Koekkoek. Reading the other materials on this Wiki, he was missing a clear summary of what are the implications of all this novel information for those who carry responsibility for how society is ran and guided.<br />
In other words: What are the implications for the intelligent part of our leaders ?<br />
And he was right. For most people the materials on this Wiki are too difficult to grasp. Most people are only capable of thinking what the majority of the herd is thinking. We are social animals after all. Most people are not curious enough and not intelligent enough to address the issues that really matter. And that holds a fortiori in this period of time, when much of the information, presented here, has not yet found its way to the pool of common knowledge and wisdom.<br />
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Therefore this paper is written as an aid for that part of our leaders that have the capacity to grasp the essence of the issues as presented on this Wiki and that have the gumption to think "out of the box", trying to figure out the best guidance for human society.<br />
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After discussing the implications for the different realms of society, this paper will end with a listing of suggested priorities for any persons who find themselves in positions of responsibility.<br />
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This chapter, "Directives for after Point Omega", is placed after "A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki" and after "Why a Point Omega transition ?". <br />
The reason is that for understanding this way of summarizing of the situation of mankind, one needs to have understood the basics of several notions that these days are not yet part of our cultural heritage and common awareness, but that are nevertheless indispensable for assessing the most important dangers, options and opportunities that humanity is faced with these days.<br />
Without knowing the facts, there is no useful assessment possible.<br />
<br />
In short, this Wiki communicates information that already has become available in different, specific circles of specialists, but that has not yet reached the status of common knowledge and that we nevertheless consider here as indispensable for a proper understanding.<br />
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Some of the bits and pieces of information that we need here, have in previous years already been published separately in scientific papers, each of which is dealing with one of those specific fields of interest and research. In such cases it is indicated in the chapters in question. But these pieces of information are at best known to the limited circle of specialists in those specific scientific research fields, and not to the public at large.<br />
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Other pieces of information have not yet been published in scientific papers, but are nevertheless based on thorough research.<br />
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Still other contributions consist of general discussions about combining various of such bits and pieces of information and about investigating what emerges from such a combining of different fields of research.<br />
All these bits and pieces are needed in order to come to a comprehensible total picture of the present human situation. None of the presented issues can be missed, or the complete picture will fail to emerge.<br />
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For the above reasons it is indispensable to already have taken notice of most of these separate issues, dealt with in the various other papers on this Wiki, in order to be able to grasp what led us to the conclusions and advices as formulated in the paragraphs below.<br />
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In case a reader wishes to first take notice of the advices and the directives below, before having grasped the details of all the different issues in question as dealt with in one of the other articles on this Wiki, we have added in the text below links to where for each separate issue additional explanation can be found.<br />
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What the reader should at least be familiar with before continuing to read the below, is what is meant with the term "Point Omega transition" ([[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|see e.g. here]](*) and [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|here]](*)).<br />
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In case the reader has read and digested the chapter "[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki(*)]]" and has taken notice of the underlying argumentation in the chapters referred to there, it should be possible to also grasp the message in the paragraphs below.<br />
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== Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Right now, in the beginning of the 21st century AD, we are living in a period in which the greater ideological movements have lost most of their appeal. <br />
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All great religions suffer from believers moving towards a secularized position, stopping to behave like meek sheep. Disbelief and denial of superstition rule the day. <br />
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Not only the great religions lose their influence and control over their people, also the greater political idealistic systems encounter more and more critique and scepticism. The communist system has lost the cold war competition and thus lost most of its credibility. But also the capitalist system is encountering more and more scepticism from its citizens, who recognize the obvious shortcomings of blind capitalism that follows the basic principles of the survival of the fittest in an economic sense. Many feel that this competitive system does not support its people well enough and that in the capitalist societies, and not only there, the majority of "losers" in the competitive societal structure are locked into a more or less hopeless struggle for survival. They may survive, or at least many of them, but hardly with any hopes for a pleasant future for themselves or at least for their offspring.<br />
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More and more people resent society treating them like slaves without any prospect for liberation or an otherwise agreeable life. And that also holds for the western "democratic" and "enlightened" societies, not only for those "backward" societies elsewhere in the world, that are widely recognized as repressive, dictatorial and totalitarian, suffering from unpredictable arbitrariness and cruelty.<br />
People in modern society apparently have lost their perspective for a better, future, society. This makes a sense of ever more openly confessed hopelessness gradually spread among the populations of the civilized world. The fairy tales are being exposed as such and nothing comes forward to fill the gap.<br />
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There seems to be a growing need for a perspective that can give hope for a brighter future, a perspective that can survive the scrutiny of seasoned disbelievers, a perspective that cannot be put aside as another fairy tale, a perspective that is not anchored in badly tested political ideals or in superstitions, but a perspective that is firmly anchored in scientific knowledge. Such a perspective is increasingly sought after, but it is generally felt that it is alas nowhere in sight.<br />
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This Wiki is dedicated to showing that, despite this ever more widely felt hopelessness, such a novel perspective is very well possible and in fact that the total of available data suggests that an enormous shift in human perspective is at hand, called here the [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega transition.]] <br />
And that once the Point Omega transition has started, the sought after perspective will present itself automatically and unavoidably. This perspective will fill the gap and it will bring purpose where now hopelessness rules [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|(see here'''(*)''' for a description of the Point Omega concept)]].<br />
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After Point Omega namely, humanity finds itself in a totally novel situation. We will have left the millennia long era in which consciousness has gradually been evolving up to this Point Omega and instead we will have entered the situation of "conscious evolution", the beginning of which is basically what Point Omega is all about.<br />
Many of the rules and laws, regulating societies before Point Omega, will become superfluous or counter-productive and will vanish as a consequence. Most of these limiting rules and laws, needed in the customary societal situation(s), dictating our behavioural possibilities and impossibilities, will lose their function and their necessity. <br />
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This reduction of repressive forces will release enormous amounts of energy in all participants, energy that can forthwith be spent on more useful, more creative and more productive goals than merely keeping each other in check, or winning all sorts of - now dysfunctional and obsolete - competitions for survival.<br />
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The bottom line is that, according to us, there is now a new perspective emerging, a perspective that will be firmly anchored in scientific research and a perspective that perfectly makes sense in view of everything we scientifically know for sure, a perspective that also will help us overcome the neuroticizing and utterly unpleasant power structures that have ruled the existence of Homo sapiens for about 10.000 years. Those crippling and utterly unpleasant power structures have ruled our existence for all that time and that situation is now coming to an end. Homo sapiens will take over the lead over its own existence and over its own evolution as well. Once these new options and possibilities will start spreading, human society will gradually absorb this new perspective and in the end there will not be any lack of "purpose" left. <br />
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Having sorted out in this Wiki most theoretical issues that we need to know in order to assess our situation properly and correctly, we can now come to a listing of what is awaiting us, which options we do have and which options do not exist or otherwise are "no go" areas and what would be the most clever issues to work on, in order to make our coming transition as smooth as possible.<br />
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Before starting with a listing of useful directives as given [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#Priorities_for_an_action_list|further below]], it seems useful to first rehearse the most important findings of the research reported elsewhere on this Wiki, findings that we will have to take into account when ruminating how our future will going to be shaped. With each of these findings a link is given to where on this Wiki more information can be found about each specific issue.<br />
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== New facts we need to take into account ==<br />
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'''(**)'''<br />
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* Human beings have strikingly little capacity to understand their own or each other's behaviour. As a consequence human beings behave essentially like other Apes behave, no matter their intellectual pretense. We can call this phenomenon [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*).<br />
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* At the cognitive level Human beings utilize an important tool to consolidate that Self-Blindness, which is the '''Good-Bad''' polarity. Good-Bad differences refer not to any real behavioural differences, although people tend to think that they do. But in reality good-bad differences refer to different likings or appreciations from the side of the onlooker or "judge" that serve to stabilize existing ideas (prejudices) of one person about the other. The Good-Bad dimension therefore stabilizes social relationships while preventing (effectively shielding off) any understanding of the real social mechanisms involved. It helps ascertain that human beings keep acting socially to a large extent like other Great Apes. And the latter is crucial for the continuation of procreation and evolutionary success. Until this moment in our evolution this [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_illusory_aspects_of_the_Positive.2Fnegative_or_Good.2FBad_dimension|illusory Good-Bad tool]](**) was an indispensable attribute for mankind's survival.<br />
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* '''Self-Blindness''' has evolved in Homo sapiens as a consequence of, or rather as '''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|a condition for higher intelligence]]'''(*).<br />
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* Much later, beginning with the agricultural revolution, since the period of 10.000 years ago till 5.000 years ago, Human evolution was taken over by an evolution on the level of "memes" or of "software". The latter evolution moves at a much higher speed than the traditional level of DNA or "hardware" evolution. The evolution of the hardware (Genes, DNA-based) is therefore lagging behind as compared to the evolution of the "software" (Memes, Culture). But, since we humans are carriers of both genes ánd memes, this causes motivational friction in individuals of Homo sapiens, which friction is structural. We call this friction the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|'''"Evolutionary Jet Lag"''']](**).<br />
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* '''Agriculture needs power structures''' at the cultural level (software-level). As mentioned above, these power structures in fact have taken over the lead in Human evolution. As carriers of the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|power structure]] "memes"(**), human individuals tend to be pushed into a state of mild or harsh slavery, as compared to their primordial natural tendencies. <br />
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* Power structures have evolved in such a way, that they developed a myriad of tricks to subdue and control their carriers. One of the most elementary tricks is to [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''neuroticize their human carriers''']](*). Whereas this customary neurotization strongly reduces the capacity of human individuals for realizing their full innate behavioural repertoires, it improves their maleability and adaptation to slavery. Power structures need large masses of malleable work slaves and military ("cannon fodder" these days). Power structures compete with one another at such levels, and that determines the direction of our evolution.<br />
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* Self-Blindness has always prevented humanity to understand the most basic elements of the fundamentals of our behaviour, to the extent that we even do not have daily used words for the most essential basic elements of our own behaviour. That way the '''mechanisms of [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]`'''(***) have for instance always escaped our attention and stayed hidden, in spite of the fact that these mechanisms are the very cornerstones of any behaviour in species with an open ended capacity for learning, and therefore in particular in us humans.<br />
<br />
* '''Repair of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Blindness]](*) for our own [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]'''(***) harbours untold opportunities to open completely novel and more mature and wholesome avenues of regulation and support of us human beings. It opens up the road for intelligently looking at ourselves as well as looking at each other.<br />
<br />
* Behavioural differences between individuals in socially living species are partly based on genetics. One of these congenital personality dimensions is "'''differences in adaptiveness versus creative innovation", also to be labeled as "Social versus Self-Willed"'''. [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria_(abstract)|'''Involuntary and automatic selection forces within social structures''']](**) are causing automatic shifts in average genetic make up of the group members. That results in a limited life span of any social structure of socially living mammals, including in human societies and other social human structures. Depending on the level of social organization that mechanism leads to turn-over catastrophes like e.g. in rodents periodic migration waves and e.g. in us humans "bankruptcy", "revolution", "genocide" and similar phenomena. Whereas this mechanism throughout the ages always has made any stable social structure in also human societies impossible, the mechanism doesn't need to cause much concern at this moment in time. Once Conscious Evolution has been started up, the sting can be taken out of this primordial mechanism and it can consciously be replaced by more agreeable mechanisms.<br />
<br />
* Another mechanism with a genetic basis that until now has always been kept hidden from awareness, by means of taboo-structures, is [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''genetic pollution''']](**). That mechanism in itself has always already been enough to make any stable social organization impossible to survive for long. Genetic pollution has always been a sufficient extra reason to make (peaceful) social organizations collapse in due time. For thousands of years it has been one of the main reasons why complex civilizations would only have limited life spans and would invariably end in catastrophical collapse. But also this mechanism does not need to fill us with much concern. Even while this mechanism is still beyond our collective awareness at this moment in time and still keeps triggering the collapse of all large civilizational structures in the usual way, the start of Conscious Evolution will easily and automatically make this problem of [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|genetic pollution]](**) be tackled successfully in the slipstream of events.<br />
<br />
== From fact-finding to courses of action == <br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Thus we memorized above the most important novel facts that we have to take into account for understanding the present human situation properly. These facts, that were either unknown or that were out of the focus of our attention, we now do need to be aware of in order to be able to design our future course, for the options that we have, and for the actions that we may decide to take as a consequence.<br />
These novel bits of extra information, the formerly unknown facts and the already known facts that were not in the focus of our attention, together with a number of generally well known facts that already were part of our cultural heritage, [[Why a Point Omega transition ?|led us to the conclusion(*)]] that we are at the brink of a major transition in the evolution of mankind, which transition point we labeled as Point Omega.<br />
<br />
Having become aware of the above mentioned novel bits of information, we can now start to discuss a number of issues that each will play a completely different role in our existence, once we will have moved from the pre-Point-Omega condition to the post-Point-Omega situation. For it is mankind's moving through the transition of Point Omega that will change the role and the importance of each of the discussed phenomena. Below, we will now first discuss a number of such key issues one by one, viewing each issue from both perspectives, the actual, pre-Point-Omega perspective and the coming post-Point-Omega perspective.<br />
<br />
One general consideration that we should keep in mind while trying to find our way, is that '''scientific thinking will replace traditional superstitions'''. But, that is what will happen at the surface. Below the surface, within ourselves, as part of our system of feelings, emotions and motivations, it is that '''curiosity will''' increasingly '''replace fear''' as the all-determining factor in our lives. That is what the over-all picture of the theory of Point Omega predicts. That is what can be derived from the detailed knowledge as is presented elsewhere on this Wiki. The all pervading neuroticising structure of the old society will more and more give way to the emergence of curiosity and creative impulses. And since those differences are very [[Energy_and_Strokes#10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagious]], those changes will happen with the increasing speed of a chain reaction and with an unexpected rapidness. <br />
<br />
In the below, non exhaustive, listing, some issues are presented, in the form of rules that will apply, others in the form of well known, but until now badly understood or difficult to realize admonitions, each of which issues will get a completely new reality value in the new situation. Each consideration in this listing leads to a course of action. We will now present here in the below chapters 12 such courses of action. And at the end we will summarize the suggested courses of action in a listing of priorities. That listing may be an indication for us where we now had best put most of our attention and energy.<br />
<br />
12 considerations:<br />
<br />
- [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account|Democratization of education]]<br />
<br />
-[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account%7CDemocratization of Information|]]<br />
<br />
- Procreating consciously<br />
<br />
- Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes<br />
<br />
- Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness<br />
<br />
- What about Religion <br />
<br />
- Curbing destruction of the environment<br />
<br />
- Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way<br />
<br />
- Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness<br />
<br />
- Treating others as you would like to be treated yourself<br />
<br />
- How to deal with hopeless cases ?<br />
<br />
- Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence<br />
<br />
== Democratization of education ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The first issue is about the optimization of educational opportunities. <br />
<br />
Power structures lean among other things on an information privilege. Youngsters from privileged classes enjoy more opportunities for study and for personal development than do youngsters from the working class. This situation does have a number of advantages for the structures in power. It stabilizes the position of power of the persons manning the power structure control positions, keeping control positions "in the family". Privileged wealth is one of the driving stimuli to keep this pattern going. <br />
<br />
For society as a whole there is however also a strong disadvantage to this education privilege. That is that enormous quantities of talent are continuously being wasted, because stemming from the working and other lower classes of society. A society can potentially win vast advantages when exploiting all potential to the full, which can be achieved by making education levels just depend on individual potential and talent and not on the incidental wealth of the family of the persons in question.<br />
<br />
In some countries the availability of education for those who are capable is to some extent democratized. In those countries, now still a minority, the learning potential of the population is exploited to a much higher degree than what is usually the case. After Point Omega we may expect that this tendency to democratize education will further be perfected world wide.<br />
The results will be two-fold. First of all expensive education resources will not any more be wasted on stupid or less gifted members of the privileged classes. Those resources can then be utilized more effectively.<br />
In the second place almost all innate potential in the whole population can be utilized, where now only a fraction of that potential is coming to bloom.<br />
<br />
Comparing the percentage of potential until now being realized world wide with what would potentially be realized afterPointOmega, leads to the conclusion that this education issue will be one of the major power sources for a stabilization of Point Omega developments. Just this one of the many basic changes around Point Omega does in itself already have the potential to change our world beyond recognition.<br />
<br />
== Transparency ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The second issue is about transparency.<br />
<br />
Transparency is a key issue in the transition to the post-Point-Omega world. Transparency combines with honesty, but not with counterfeit and fraud. Powerstructures heavily lean on information advantages and on keeping the ruled masses unaware of what is really going on. The more ignorant the subdued masses, the easier it is to keep exercising power over them. Power structures in general prefer to keep information privileges in place. Transparency often is poison to their power games and (hidden) ruling techniques.<br />
<br />
However, these days, because of technical developments, we are experiencing an information explosion and with that an explosion of accessibility of information. One of the implications is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult for power structures to maintain their information privileges and communication advantages. Knowledge is democraticized unstoppably and the customary information privileges are crumbling down. <br />
<br />
In the old days, up till this moment in time, information privileges were the "normal" state of affairs. Everybody is used to it and customarily takes it for granted.<br />
In the new era however, transparency will be valued more than the holding upright of the power structures of the day. People will prefer to do away with all that.<br />
<br />
There is also another, different side to this coin. That is the side of "privacy". People in general are very much attached to their privacy. People in general fear "thought control" by the powers in charge and wish to defend their last areas of privacy left to them. People wish to keep their most personal thoughts and feelings hidden from other people. They want to defend their freedom of thinking and feeling differently from what they perceive as the "ideal" that society is trying to impose. The result is that people do not wish transparency regarding their personal selves. They do not wish that other people can read their thoughts.<br />
<br />
However, these are reactions and reflexes that are anchored firmly in the old situation.<br />
The old situation is a situation of struggle and strife. A situation where competition is present in every corner and fold of society. <br />
No matter how far a human society has advanced in establishing a "just" and "fair" societal structure, every societal structure before Point Omega needed to harbor a certain degree of "survival of the fittest" principles in order not to loose the quality of its carriers, us humans, too rapidly by genetic pollution and random drift. These are principles that never have been articulated clearly, in fact they were in general "taboo", but nevertheless in reality they always have been a prerequisite and a strict condition, because of the demands of the struggle for survival between the different competing power structures in the human world. <br />
<br />
Therefore, in practice, only societal structures that kept incorporated certain degrees of competition and "survival of the fittest" within their population and within their structures, could win in the evolutionary battle for survival, a battle basically carried out on software level. But that battle clearly was / is felt in the personal lives of us, individual carriers, also. And that hurts !<br />
<br />
In the new situation however, the old evolutionary requirements will have been replaced by the new principles of "conscious evolution". And these new principles make the primordial requirements of competition and strife superfluous. That holds not only for the evolutionary survival struggle between the different power structures, but also for the evolutionary struggle and competition between individuals within the same power structure or culture, between the carriers of the same power structure, between neighbours, between even family. No need for competition any more after Point Omega. Its evolutionary usefulness and necessity will have become obsolete. <br />
That also implies that the need for secrecy, for cheating and for fraud is large and by becoming obsolete. <br />
<br />
The struggle for survival by all sorts of competition used to lean heavily on the cleverness of individuals, on their capacity to be just a little more clever than their individual competitors. In the old structures huge seas of energy and effort used to be invested in attempts to be more "clever" than the other, and unavoidably that always implied attempts for cheating and fraud, especially if not detected. This principle is so basic to human society, that we don't notice how much these mechanisms rule our lives and how much energy they take. Of course it is true that any society, small or large, is anchored in regulations about which behaviours are permitted and which are not and in more or less effective measures to force its citizens to stick to those rules and laws. Still, within such law systems, people try to outflank each other in "cleverness" and they naturally search for the boundaries of what they can socially and legally get away with. <br />
<br />
In short, in the old system the individuals cannot help but be subjected to the all-overruling demand to compete and to excel in comparison with their fellow citizens and unavoidably also often would try to cheat and defraud the others if they could get away with it. One needed to be almost "holy" to no fall for such pressures. And holiness was rare by definition. In practice, one could simply not avoid to join in those aspects of the rat race. A liking for transparency did not fit in those situations.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega the situation is however quite different, also in that respect. If the deeply felt need for being better at cheating and defrauding falls away because the need for it has become obsolete, incredibly vast amount of energy and attention are spared and can be invested in more agreeable and more pleasant issues. In fact, we are talking here about ''the major part of all our energy spent.''<br />
<br />
After Point Omega there will be felt much less need for privacy and secrecy, because the danger of being unmasked and the need for winning in such competitions of cheating and fraud doesn't play such an important role any longer. That has become irrelevant. People will not be concerned any longer if others can look into their inner thoughts and feelings. They don't fear to lose important competitions by too much "transparency" any longer. They couldn't care less.<br />
<br />
This does have important implications for governments and other leaders of society. <br />
'''Transparency''' can safely be a basic target and goal with less concern for unwanted transparency in the feelings and likings of the individuals. They don't have much to hide any longer anyway.<br />
<br />
Transparency ? Yes !<br />
<br />
Privacy ? Who cares any longer ? And for what obsolete reasons ?<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the results of transparency is that power structures are losing their information privileges and thus lose an important tool for keeping their citizens / carriers subdued and in slavery, mild or harsh. That relaxation of repression tools will diminish also the selection pressures in favour of sociability and compliance and against individualism, self-will and creativity. As explained in detail [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Selection_within_human_social_structures|elsewhere on this Wiki(***)]], the relaxation of that selection pressure will take the power away from the cyclic processes that cause turn-overs, bankruptcies, revolutions and genocides. <br />
<br />
Social selection cycles and '''social catastrophes''' will as a consequence become '''easier to handle''' and can be redirected. This side effect of transparency should provide an extra reason for governments and other authorities to stimulate such transparency where possible.<br />
<br />
== Procreating consciously ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The third issue is about procreation.<br />
<br />
There is no need to receive children with handicaps, nor to produce them. Parents, and also governments with all their guidance potential, have a responsibility towards newborn life. '''Every newborn is entitled to be wished for and to be received with joy and love'''. This includes the parental care for the quality of the new life, also in the planning phase. Medical and biological knowledge and skills make suffering from innate defects large and by unnecessary from Point Omega on.<br />
<br />
This principle will automatically put an end to overpopulation. [http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies Statistics show] that the percentage of children, born unwanted, is such that if that category will end, numbers will rapidly decrease. In a not too far future after Point Omega it will be difficult to imagine for the people from that time, that in the past our present overpopulation was such a grand problem and that people were quite prepared to live with a couple of thousand people per square kilometer. What we today consider as "usual" population densities will then be regarded as a nightmare from the past.<br />
<br />
Technically speaking, there will be no need to restrict the number of children, permitted per parent, by force. Chinese methods are, or will soon be, superfluous. Helping parents to avoid unwished for children, will already be enough to reduce the average reproduction rate to below 2,0 per woman. Governments had better spend their energy in counter-effecting the tendency of "the most stupid people reproducing fastest".<br />
<br />
Whereas knowledge about the effects of '''genetic pollution''' is not at the core of our present day cultural heritage, it used to be a more common concern just a couple of generations ago. Among other things by the misdemeanour of the Nazis these notions have been put away in taboo sections of our present day culture. <br />
The above considerations as derived from the information presented on this Wiki (see for instance [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|here (#5)(**))]] lead however to the conclusion that, in spite of the Nazi-inspired taboo on population genetic thinking on humans, we should effectively address our genetic make up and start to prevent genetic pollution from automatically undermining any attempts to establish lasting fair and civilized societies. <br />
<br />
We wish to point out here that in that respect we do not need to foster any fears as installed in us by what happened in the Third Reich. We now do have all technological tools at our fingertips to help people avoid unwanted genetic defects in their offspring. And since the average human being can easily be brought to the point of paying attention to these genetic issues and act accordingly, there is basically no need whatsoever to exert strong pressures from above to enforce a genetic police system. Where it appears possible to seduce people for instance to buy the useless foods that they daily purchase in great quantities, it should be no problem at all to seduce them to follow a healthy management of their own offspring. The level of advertisement needed to achieve that is probably less intensive than the advertisement needed to make them continuously buy unwholesome quantities of junk food.<br />
All that is needed is a better level of awareness at all levels of society, breaking this specific veil of organized ignorance and superstition.<br />
<br />
To put it bluntly, humankind can only survive if it addresses effectively not only the unhampered growth of numbers, that is causing the destruction of the world’s ecological heritage, but also the effects of genetic pollution and deterioration, that would unavoidably cause the collapse of any serious attempt to establish a really civilized human community, as it has always done, throughout the history of mankind.<br />
All the necessary know how is now available. '''We just need to change focus, breaking taboos and ignorance and embrace awareness'''.<br />
<br />
Our civilization is getting global. Let’s take the war producing population genetic sting out, before it destroys us all. We cannot afford to have complete morons sit at the red buttons, which is what unavoidably happens more and more when ever increasing “genetic loads” are smothering any further possibility for adequate and intelligent action.<br />
<br />
The stark truth is that most of us do behave as, and have been trained to behave as complete morons, adapted with force, under penalty of being ostracized, to systems of collective superstition, blindness and ignorance that block any tendency to come to our senses and take adequate, responsible decisions.<br />
<br />
It is '''time to wake up'''. Further delay will become more and more “homo-cidal” to us all.<br />
<br />
Let us consider shortly what we may expect on the level of human population genetics after we have "woken up".<br />
What will happen after Point Omega ?<br />
<br />
Increased awareness of our genetic endowment, an increased general level of sober thinking and a strongly improved set of medical tools to assist us in family planning will result in an ever larger percentage of the population procreating consciously and voluntarily. That will increase the frequency couples are utilising genetic counseling for optimal procreational results.<br />
In the USA we have seen already a steady increase during the last decades of the use of genetic counseling. And these tendencies are spreading towards Europe and other wealthy regions as well.<br />
<br />
Governments can easily induce more use of medical techniques for enhancing the quality of the offspring. Therefore it is '''not needed''' at all '''to use''' much government '''pressure and force'''. Nazi-like measures are not needed at all. Modern advertisement techniques are effective enough to help trigger such '''rational procreational methods to spread among the population widely'''.<br />
<br />
The modern techniques of birth control enable parents to choose the proper time for procreation. These techniques are spreading rapidly all over the world. This has two very important consequences. One is that conscious procreation will stop the growth of overpopulation. If all unwanted children would not get born, the world population would stop to grow and the present overpopulation would come to a halt. <br />
The second consequence is that the genetic counseling going with a more conscious procreation would decrease levels of genetic load and pollution.<br />
<br />
These effects will come automatically and unavoidably, simply because they have become possible and people like to profit themselves from their advantages. We may expect that contemporary taboos that are still blocking such developments, will gradually but shortly lose their power over us.<br />
<br />
There will be more different effects on the population genetic level that we may expect to emerge after Point Omega. But the above examples will suffice to indicate the trend to be expected.<br />
<br />
== Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The fourth issue is dealing with our illusions about "Good" and "Bad".<br />
<br />
The ability to avoid being trapped by the tendency to indulge in Positive versus Negative Evaluation is likely to be a prerequisite for manipulating [[The biological instability of social equilibria|population- and group-cycles]] at will. And since human population- and group-dynamics tend to be worked out nowadays at the level of economic strangling techniques, genocide and (nuclear) war, the skill of controlling such population-dynamic forces would seem to be a prerequisite for man's survival.<br />
<br />
The positive-negative dimension, Good versus Bad, does not relate to actual behaviour. Still, people think it does. This phenomenon is one of the most striking examples of man's innate Blindness for the Self. The Good-Bad dimension is a very effective veil for hiding human behavioural reality from awareness. One of the mechanisms is the built in time bomb within every social structure, making sure that the life span of any social structure is only limited and in the end causing catastrophic turn over events like break down through ossification, bankruptcies, revolutions, genocides, political collapse, etc. For the people involved these catastrophic events are highly unpleasant and problematic, but the (historical) biological and evolutionary advantages have been amply explained [[The biological instability of social equilibria|elsewhere on this Wiki.]](***) The evolutionary usefulness of these built in catastrophes is clear.<br />
<br />
The proximate mechanism fueling these cyclic selection mechanisms is the involuntary selection pressure within each organizational structure in favour of the genetic roots of docility, sociablity and adaptiveness and against innovative creativity and individualism. These forces of attraction and repulsion work out on the cognitive level through the illusory [[Good_and_Bad,_an_illusory_dimension_as_the_cornerstone_of_human_personality|notions of Good and Bad]]. The Good-Bad dimension thus motors the cyclic turn over mechanisms and the periodic emergence of social catastrophes.<br />
Until now, these social cyclic turn-over mechanisms are practically unknown, let alone their effects and implications.<br />
<br />
For all practical reasons, after Point Omega it is not necessary to focus on the working of those cyclic catastrophes. It will be sufficient to focus attention on the knowledge of Good and Bad, that is, on the illusory character of it. Once awareness will be spreading about this one particular aspect of humanity's Self-Blindness, the attachment to utilizing this illusory polarity as the most important personality dimension, the all overriding power of these good-bad reflexes in social relations will diminish and gradually lose its influence in human social life. And that is in particular of crucial importance on the level of politics and governmental decision making.<br />
<br />
Viewed from a point of view from before Point Omega (which is "now"), this option, this possibility to collectively overcome the devastating effects of this aspect of our Self-Blindness, the blinding effects of the utilization of the Good-Bad dimension, is rather difficult to grasp. If not conceptually too complicated for most people, it certainly is a bridge too far emotionally to ask from people to not follow the primordial dictates of the blind forces of social attraction and repulsion, that have steered their / our behaviour since the beginning of time.<br />
<br />
However, viewed from our situation áfter the Point Omega transition, it will be increasingly easy for increasing numbers of people to overcome these primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion and to consciously choose more fruitful ways to interact. And this change will also be subject to positive feed back mechanisms that will make it progressively easier for people to adopt novel ways to interact, once certain critical numbers have been reached.<br />
<br />
In short, it will pay off for governments to enhance scientific knowledge about the Good-Bad concepts and to stimulate people to find alternative and more fruitful ways to interact with one another. Such ways will be counter-intuitive at first, but gradually people will get used to it, especially after it becomes more and more clear what bounties can be expected at the other side of the divide, after having passed the boundary of the knowledge of Good and Bad.<br />
<br />
If you understand how (illusory) Good-Bad reflexes work, you automatically stop to "judge" people.<br />
<br />
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7, verse 1&2.)<br />
<br />
== Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Self-Blindness has been a steady trait of Homo sapiens since a couple of million years, that is, from the time the intelligence of our ancestors started to rise. A high intelligence cannot be an ESS without a special provision that blocks the application of intelligent faculties to the own behaviour. The latter is the strong and striking Self-Blindness that is such a peculiar feature of our own species.<br />
<br />
The above discussed compulsive human tendency to make use of Good-Bad differences in judgments is just one of the many forms in which Self-Blindness appears.<br />
<br />
In the psychological research literature one can find a vast amount of issues that show specific human blindnesses in certain (other) fields of functioning.<br />
Even on Wikipedia one can find a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases list of cognitive biases](*), each of which biases is another expression of the striking Blindness for the Self of Homo sapiens (see also [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|here]](*) for a chapter on this Wiki that is dedicated to these Self-Blindness phenomena).<br />
<br />
Since Self-Blindness is one of the main ingredients for the structures that keep humanity bound in slavery and neuroticism, it is of great importance, and very urgent at that, that we collectively try as quickly and as effectively as we can, to come to grips with this typically human behavioural bias. If we wish to create a more agreeable world, we do have to take this hurdle. There is no escape from that necessity. In the above mentioned chapter on this Wiki it is argued that we should start a research discipline that is fully dedicated to create clarity and scientific insight in these aspects of Self-Blindness. In [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|that chapter]](**) it is suggested to label such a research discipline as "Amathology" or "the science of ignorance".<br />
<br />
It may sound outrageous at first sight to advertise such a research discipline, but it is not meant as a joke. In fact this should be considered as one of the most important issues for putting extra energy, time and attention, if we wish to stimulate a smooth transition into the post-Point-Omega world. <br />
Seriously dealing with the human Self-Blindness should therefore be considered as one of the major differences between the pre-Point-Omega condition and the post-Point-Omega situation. In fact, starting up research disciplines on Amathology could be labeled as a significant characteristic of the post-Point-Omega era.<br />
<br />
== What about Religion ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The sixth issue to pay attention to here is religion.<br />
<br />
Religion is one of the areas of life where great differences will occur between the pre-Point-Omega situation and the post-Point-Omega situation. In the realm of religions great changes will inescapably occur. One of the reasons is that religions deal with peoples attitude towards life and towards society and towards fellow citizens and at the same time religions play a major, and often hidden, role in keeping people under control. Apart from being a rescue and a life vest for the struggling populace, religions in general also play a major role as tools for power structures. This dual role contributes to the confusion that religiously oriented subjects tend to suffer from. And this confusion is one of the corner stones of power structures in charge, for maintaining control.<br />
<br />
Because of these central functions in human life, religions will change in appearance and in function once all major aspects of human life are changing with the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
Briefly summarized, we can recognize 4 central characteristics of religions:<br />
<br />
1) Religions represent an important information source for its adherents; religions also function as a support system for people in need; and religions function also as networks for social communication and social relationships; and finally, religions provide a channel for spiritual experiences, god-consciousness and related levels of awareness. These aspects together are the information and support sides of religions.<br />
<br />
2) A totally different function is that religions are also functioning as tools for suppression, installing fears and superstitions in their carriers / subjects.<br />
<br />
3) Religions also serve as a sort of life vests for neurotic and fearful people. And since the vast majority of people falls in that class of people, the life-vest function of religion has always been, and still is, crucial.<br />
<br />
4) The above 3 functions may seem contradictory in many respects, and basically, they are. Religions always seem to create inextricable tangles of inexplicable complexities, that nevertheless manage to bind people within their believe systems. The pictures of the world and of peoples own existence may seem inextricably complex, but as such these pictures and views, as provided by religious beliefs, represent an ESS structure ( Evolutionarily Stable Strategies) for the power structures in place. <br />
<br />
<br />
All these 4 aspects of religion will change tremendously during the shift towards Point Omega.<br />
<br />
So, religions play a central role in keeping communal world views in place and at the same time in keeping their carriers (us) bound in a strong dependence of the local power structures in question. Neuroticism and dependency of the masses is strongly defended and given shape by means of all the fairy tales and lies that religions keep in place (see [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''here''(**)]] for more explanation about the way power structures utilize organized ignorance, superstition and fear for maintaining their power over their carriers - subjects). Packages of superstition, ignorance and neuroticizing belief systems may be disadvantageous to their personal carriers, but they evolved and always existed because of their evolutionary survival value at the communal level. And by that we mean survival value on the level of software, the level of "memes", the leading level for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, many philosophers (and prophets) consider science as conducted properly and soberly, as a means to liberation. "Seek ye the truth, and the truth will make you free", as the saying goes, a saying that can also already be found in the Bible. In that sense such philosophers mean to indicate science as juxtaposed to religious superstition, ignorance and belief-systems.<br />
<br />
What can be expected to happen after Point Omega in this respect is a further secularization of society, in the sense that superstitious beliefs and structured ignorance will stop controlling society as they did in the past. The world will more and more choose for science where science appears to conflict with religious traditions and blindness for the truth, and especially with religious taboos against looking at ourselves soberly. In that sense science will work as a liberating force.<br />
<br />
Another effect we may expect from this secularization and increasing awareness of all the workings within ourselves is a cleaning up of all aspects, mentioned under point 1) above. <br />
<br />
Our world views, our support systems for the needy, our social networks, and also our spiritual life, will all be cleaned from taboo structures and other irrational blocks, from fear inducing old habits, from illogical inexplicabilities, from structured and forcefully imposed ignorance.<br />
And such a clean up will unleash untold and unexpected quantities of personal energy in all people involved, taking away the myriads of energy consuming tricks with which the power systems always kept us subjugated in neuroticizing structured slavery and ignorance. And the synergy between all these individual clean ups will cause an exponential increase of human potential and communal energy. It will verily motor the Point Omega transition. (For an [[Energy and Strokes|explanation of the mechanisms underlying such synergies, see here]](***).)<br />
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So, yes, the religion-related changes will be crucially important aspects of the new era and of the transition thereto.<br />
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Also, these changes will not be the end of spirituality and personal salvation, for authentic spirituality is not dependent of superstition and fairy tales. On the contrary, ending superstition, institutionalized ignorance and repression systems, will open up the road to a massive revival of genuine spirituality.<br />
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From the above we may conclude to a number of focusing points for governments to pay attention to and to invest in, like:<br />
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- Discourage superstitions that are blocking science or blocking truth.<br />
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- No worldly power should be allotted to systems of fairy tales and superstitions.<br />
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- Protect secularization tendencies.<br />
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- Protect authentic spiritual revival movements from persecution by old established repressive religious traditions. (The latter have in general become mixed with repressive power structures.)<br />
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For deciding how to deal with the differences between religious affairs before Point Omega and religious affairs after Point Omega, it is useful to take one step back and consider the evolutionary necessities that have formed these characteristics of human life and that determine and will keep determining our options, options in personal behaviour, options in political management, and options in philosophical and ideological attitudes, including religions.<br />
As explained in more detail in the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|''article on this Wiki about human Self-Blindness'']](*), a higher intelligence could only evolve in humans by virtue of specific built in blindnesses for our own and each other's behaviours. Human evolution has been a competition between increasing intelligence and concomitantly needed Self-Blindness needed for preventing that evolving intelligence from biting in its own tail, blocking further successful procreation and spreading of a higher intelligence through the population. As pointed out above and in [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''other articles on this Wiki'']](**), religion is a major tool to keep sufficient Self-Blindness operational for allowing higher levels of freely applicable intelligence to evolve.<br />
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== Co-evolution of High Intelligence and Self-Blindness, the example of the Jews ==<br />
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'''(**)''' With respect to the above, which was the sixth issue we discuss here, it should be of interest to pay attention to one of the oldest grand religions on earth, the jewish believe system. That belief system already exists for over 3.000 years and has well survived until this day. That is a very exceptional feat. Most religions in the world have been in operation only locally and only for a limited period of time. In general such local religions were very ethnocentric and self-serving. <br />
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What strikes the interested onlooker is that the jewish tribe enjoys a higher than usual average intelligence, while at the same time the religious prescriptions are more numerous and more restrictive for daily life, than is usually the case with other religions. What also strikes the attention is that the jewish race has survived quite a number of (forced) mass-migrations out of their home-territory and returning later, not loosing their ancestral religious culture. This cultural survival is not customary in most other religious systems. Tribes and races tend to disappear and or to dissolve in other peoples and tribes, their local belief systems disappearing with them.<br />
When investigating the relationship between the evolution of intelligence in the human species and the theoretical [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|prerequisite of Self-Blindness to make a high intelligence possible]](*), the case of the apparently successful jewish race could be utilized as a test example. <br />
There are a number of other striking features to the jewish people. We mention here the holocaust-like historical events, that have plagued the jews repeatedly, in fact for thousands of years, every time without the jews disappearing completely from the scene, as is more customary with other tribes and creeds in the world of Homo sapiens. Another feature of jewry is that they have moved through a number of population-cycle events as described in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|''another article on this Wiki(***), consisting of a paper that was also presented in 1987 in Jeruzalem at a conference of the ESS (European Sociobiological Society)'']]. <br />
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The effects of genetic pollution and of extreme selection effects in favour of sociability and against creativity and innovation, as one would expect in most social structures, be it tribes, races or local cultures, evidently have been circumvented in the case of the jews, probably by how their history was shaped. In view of the theory in the above mentioned article the conflict between jews and palestinians is also determined to a high degree by the facts that the palestinians historically are a typical "residue"-population whereas the jews are typical migrated newcomers. Historically such relationships are a guarantee of disaster for or a complete disappearance of the "residue-population". In that light, it is remarkable and maybe a characteristic of this era, that the palestinian people are still present there and tolerated as a distinct population-entity.<br />
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Irrespective of these latter considerations, the fact is that the jewish tribe or race combines a higher than average intelligence with a higher than average religious pressure on personal and social life. Also, it can easily be recognized that also theír religious system, as any other religious system, is an extra barrier to understanding of the own behaviour or of understanding the behaviour of human beings in general.<br />
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Looking at Jewry, just from the surface, it immediately strikes the eye that these people have just recently gone through an unbelievably harsh racist ordeal, losing literally millions of their kin at the hands of the Nazi nationalists.<br />
We should not forget that the genocide that happened in the Third Reich was nothing more than what in earlier times of human history, and even before that, was what ordinarily happened between competing tribal entities. Genocidal and territorial "final solutions" were the rule rather than the exception. The Third Reich was just a larger scale and more "industrialized" version of an ancient pattern. Now, some 80 years later, we find that the Germans in general are deeply ashamed that "they", that theír folk, allowed such stark collective blindness to take the lead. The Nazi's considered the Jews as foreigners, as another tribe or race, which makes genocide easier, but history shows us that such a racial component is not even necessary for committing monstrous and massive killings of people, even of one's own kin. Carrying other than the preferred ideas or believes may be sufficient to be exterminated on a massive scale. We have seen that recently happen in quite a number of occasions, like e.g., the Stalinist purges, killing tens of millions of the Russian's own people, Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward, costing the lives of also tens of millions of people, The Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, also taking the lifes of a high percentage of the own people, simply because they were suspected of not carrying the right political ideas and ideals, etc. <br />
So, ethnocentric aspects may facilitate massive killings, but they are in no way a condition for these atrocities to occur. They just make genocides and the like a little more probable.<br />
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In the case of the Jews, one would expect that, having suffered such an ordeal just recently, they themselves would nót fall for the automatisms of racism and ethnocentric territoriality.<br />
Present history shows us however that that expectation is far too optimistic. Even while a large part of the nations in the world are questioning the Jewish territorial and ethnocentric internal aggression, against people who lived there first, the Israëli nevertheless still give the impression that they "stick to their guns" and that they carry on with the usurpation at hand.<br />
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Taking another step back and looking at what is happening today in the "holy land" through the eyes of an unprepared onlooker, we cannot but be flabbergasted by the enormity of what at the surface seems to appear as a jewish blindness for reality. <br />
We wish to point out here that this is a good example of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|evolutionary necessity of Self-Blindness in cases of an evolving higher intelligence]](**).<br />
No doubt that the Jews are one of the most intelligent tribes on earth. No doubt also, that hey demonstrate collective Self-Blindness in an incredibly clear and obvious way. The least we can say is that what happens to the Jews today, is alas in line with what is predicted from the pages of this Wiki. Viewed from the perspective of the [[The biological instability of social equilibria|above mentioned Jerusalem paper (1987)]](***) a newly arrived invading group (the jews from the diaspora) has to deal with a resident "residue" population (the palestinians) and naturally encounters difficulties in dealing with the in Homo sapiens customary tendencies of subjugation or genocide of the resident residue population. In view of the recent history of the jews themselves and of the complete world community looking over their shoulders, novel and "better" solutions are sought to solve the emerged political conflicts, but better (novel) solutions cannot easily be found.<br />
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As a comment in the margin we could add here that we may hope that the Israëli will shortly manage to learn to keep thinking soberly in front of a mirror, the mirror e.g., of the opinion of the rest of the world. If they would manage to do just that, that would verily be a novelty. <br />
Because ...........................<br />
we outsiders may easily conclude that the jews in the "holy land" appear to be crazy racists, having lost their minds, but what the jews are showing there is the result of primordial social reflexes that are the endowment of us all, of all the people in the world.<br />
Let's hope that they shortly learn how to keep their intellect working in front of the mirror, how to conquer the typical Blindness for the Self that has been the characteristic of us since Homo sapiens started to differ from its hominid ancestors.<br />
The Jews have not much time left.<br />
The proliferation of nuclear weapons on both sides makes survival of a jewish ethnocentric and territorial state ever more unstable, if not impossible. It looks like time is running out. They either come to their senses quickly, or some competitor group might obtain nuclear weapons and wipe Israël off the map.<br />
If that terrible thing would happen, that would no doubt be an extra impulse for the rest of the world to analyse what has happened and what are the basic mechanisms leading to such types of disasters. And that would facilitate and boost a rise in Self-awareness, not only about what is happening to the Jews right now, but about how these mechanisms are working in literally all tribes and races on earth. And that in turn would facilitate the Point Omega transition.<br />
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An alternative to such a disaster would be the Israëli coming to their senses, starting to understand themselves at last and explaining to the world how it all works. In that case they could take the lead in the coming explosion of (self-)awareness. That would fit in their self-assigned role of a "chosen People".<br />
For the world at large will learn from their mouths, or they will learn from their graves. <br />
Let's hope that the first option will prevail for the Israëli people.<br />
Time is almost up.<br />
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The Jewish (seemingly) ethnocentric creed can thus serve as an example illustrating the customary evolutionary need for Self-Blindness in our species.<br />
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When considering and discussing governmental measures to be taken for the benefit of the human species for after Point Omega, it would therefore seem useful to also consider such measures in comparison with and in relationship with the jewish creed as an example. The history and the shaping of that tribe can serve as a valuable reference point and bench mark.<br />
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== Curbing destruction of the environment ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The seventh issue is about biodiversity and our pretended stewardship.<br />
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As we have seen, present day human evolution is primarily determined by the survival struggle between meme level power structures. And these power structures are dragging the much slower gene level evolution of mankind along. <br />
Competing power structures basically have no "interest" in the environment. They are only interested in spreading their software as well as possible among as many carriers as possible (us). The ecological environment is only important in as far as that environment should be able to keep the power structure's carriers alive. Of course there is no conscious "intent" in the power structures, but from the outside, at the surface, it looks like that to us, onlookers. The survival struggle looks like there is intent involved, but of course it just is an automatic process, the process of evolutionary changes.<br />
So, for the power structures in charge ecological values and biodiversity are only interesting in as far as they enhance the more effective spreading of "their" culture, their memes among us humans. <br />
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Before Point Omega, including the moment of "now", the real competition for resources is between the power structures in charge. And money is power, so if more money can be made in a short time at the cost of some extra environmental damage, the environment is in bad shape. Even if good stewardship would render more long term profit, then still, higher short term profits are generally preferred, even if the long term environmental damage is high and thus the long term profits lower than would be possible with more rational methods. Because of the short term higher profits environmental destruction has been going on since mankind has learned to manipulate its environment. Agriculture has been reducing the carrying capacity of the environment consistently since almost 10.000 years. Some people may think that environmental damage is a recent phenomenon, but that is not the case. The damage may proceed faster these days then in earlier times, but for instance the process of desertification has already taken its toll since thousands of years. For instance, in some North African regions, that used to serve as granaries for the Roman empire, the desert is now practically reaching to the sea. Another example is the sorry ecological state of the löss plateau in China, the source region of the yellow river, This highly fertile löss area is where the Han Chinese originated from, but in recent centuries the area only could support a minor percentage of the people it could support in more ancient times. The reason has merely been short sighted short term profit making by conforming to habits of overgrazing and subsequently losing fertile soil. <br />
Similar agricultural mis-use of soils occurred everywhere in the world. In fact there is more man-made desert on this planet than there is agricultural land.<br />
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Since the blind competition struggle for resources between power structures was the leading factor in our evolution, the environmental price being paid locally did not play an important role. As long as the carriers of the power structures in question would not survive less than the carriers of competitor power structures, the environmental effects could safely be neglected and ignored. We can now formulate that even more precisely. As long as the struggle between power structures determines our lives, and that is still the case completely, it is practically impossible to prevent biodiversity from further dwindling away.<br />
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After Point Omega however, we will enter the phase of conscious evolution, which will take the sting out of the all overruling influence of the power structures. The ancient penalties on the level of success and procreation, that had to be paid if one's own power structure would not win, do not apply any more. After Point Omega we will enjoy freedom from the old procreational dictates and laws, that used to make rebellion against the interests of the power structures a risky and often fatal affair.<br />
After Point Omega we can safely reverse the wave of ecological destruction that has plagued mother earth for such a long time already.<br />
In our modern age of tool making and technical innovations we can then choose to use all those technical tools for "creating more biodiversity" rather than reduce it. It just needs some awareness of what has been going on and how we could do it better. And once we have come around to calculating the long term financial profits of good stewardship, we can in principle easily stimulate decisions to improve biodiversity, rather than reduce it. <br />
All the modern tools and technical possibilities can equally well be applied for the better instead of only for the worse.<br />
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Modern ecological methods that can replace the ancient agricultural habits, go by various names: "Permaculture", "Natuurbouw" (Nature construction), "Ecological Stewardship", "Sustainability", etc. <br />
These more rational ecologically-friendly agricultural methods and land-management methods, methods of controlled landscaping, are nowadays spreading rapidly all over the world.<br />
Still, the all pervading influence of big money serves as a powerful engine for ecological destruction. Financially, it still pays off on the short term to continue to accept destruction as collateral damage of making more money in the short term.<br />
Until these days that destructive effect of the way power structures express themselves cannot easily be countered lastingly, because in the end the question is always which power structure was able to win from which other power structure, wielding its resources, including money, for spreading itself maximally. And the ecological collateral damage was always of minor importance in comparison to the survival and supremacy of the power structure in charge.<br />
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However, once we will have entered the phase of conscious evolution, the usual evolutionary penalties will lose their previously all pervading power and influence, making it possible for mankind to conscientiously choose its own course of action, which course of action then may very well be a course that optimizes biodiversity on earth instead of destroying it in the slipstream of the blind battle for survival between the impersonal powers structures.<br />
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What governments could do for example to speed up the turning around of ecological destruction is to wield taxes as a means to help steer the behaviour of their people in more environment-friendly and wholesome directions. After Point Omega governments will get increasingly more space to introduce such methods. And their populaces will simply demand it, being aware of what is at stake.<br />
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== Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness ==<br />
'''(*)''' The eighth issue is about happiness, illusory or not, or about what comes most close to it.<br />
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As described in other articles on this Wiki (see e.g. [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|here]]), lasting happiness is something people tend to strive after, but in reality it does not exist. As the Canadian philosofer Tennessen used to say: "happiness is for the pigs". And indeed, once a person starts to understand how our behaviour works, the illusion of the possibility to eventually reach a state of lasting and stable happiness will have vanished. The notion of happiness is a valid phenomenon in our own personal, day to day, minute to minute, system, in that it indicates a direction in which we wish to go at any one given moment in time. The difference between happiness and unhappiness makes us move. And the items or situations that are thought to make us happy or unhappy, are the things we move away from (unhappiness) and things we move towards (happiness). We move from what we dislike towards what we do like. Any living being that is not a plant but a moving entity does have such perceptions or it would stop moving.<br />
So, the feeling or sensation of happiness simply is implied by being an animal and not a plant.<br />
But, even if some steady state of happiness does not exist in reality, it is pointed out [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|elsewhere on this Wiki]](***) that it is nevertheless very well possible to reach states of well functioning and personal growth as opposed to states of disfunctioning and stagnant learning processes. Happiness may be illusory, but "well functioning" certainly is a real thing, that can be measured and that can be strived after and eventually be obtained successfully.<br />
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In the small Himalaya country of Bhutan they do not have a ministry of economic affairs that is trying to maximize the gross national product, but they have instead a ministry that has the task to maximize the gross national happiness.<br />
In the same vein most people in the world are striving continuously on a personal level to improve their situation and to seek happiness.<br />
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Knowing what we now know about our behaviour as laid down on this Wiki, we, Homo sapiens, can become aware that we are not plants, but animals, that we are `movers`, that we move from `A` to `B`, from unpleasant to pleasant, from unhappiness towards happiness.<br />
Being constantly on the move, our awareness includes the point where we come from, `A` as much as the point we are moving towards, `B`. So, basically each person can be aware of both happiness and-or unhappiness, just depending on whether the attention is reaching forward or reaching backward. In principle it is technically speaking quite simple to make that switch from looking backward to looking forward, but nevertheless people in general feel either the pain of the situation to move away from, or the pleasure of the situation preferred, giving the illusion that one is either in state `A` or in state `B`, while in reality one is always connected to both, while moving. This very basic fact of human life can serve as an example of to what extent we are blind for our own behaviour. <br />
People mostly need so called `wise men` to be reminded of the above truth, instead of really understanding all that automatically right from the start.<br />
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Tennessen´s statement `happiness is for the pigs` means to illustrate the illusory aspect of states of happiness. That is the subjective side of the story. <br />
From the objective side however we can discriminate very well between states of well functioning and states of bad functioning, between states of expanding and processing experience successfully and states of a faltering learning process and a stagnant development. And whereas that latter distinction is not the same as happiness versus unhappiness, it is functionally related with happiness / unhappiness and it is very real and nòt illusory.<br />
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That is why on this Wiki we have paid attention to states of well-functioning versus states of mal-functioning, states of optimal development versus states of stagnation and neurotization. This distinction is not only very real, it is an important issue in the present day state of Homo sapiens.<br />
[[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5.2_Growth_of_Skills_versus_Growth_of_Unskills|Elsewhere on this Wiki (see e.g., here)]](*), the basic mechanisms of learning and the processing of experiences is described. There the basic mechanisms of motivational end emotional reversals is discussed and the importance of a proper rhythm between the two is explained.<br />
Since we are not plants but animals, we are "movers" and therefore switches between feeling happy and feeling unhappy alternate. That's what makes us move. <br />
In cases where the rhythm of telic / paratelic switches are optimal, also an optimal learning process will result. In cases where the telic /paratelic switches are far from optimal, usually with too few paratelic states, a cumulation of avoidance reflexes occurs and from that the formation of so called "negative COEX-systems" (a label introduced by Stanislas Grof; i.e. Systems of COndensed EXperience).<br />
In the ideal case an optimal rhythm of telic and paratelic switches occurs and that results in the formation of many "positive COEX-systems". Such positive COEX-systems consist of areas of experience where the experiences in question have been processed sufficiently and have as a result been integrated in areas of "mastery". That route leads to the actualization of many potentials that were/are present in the person in question. A proper rhythm leads to Self-actualization and an improper rhythm leads to neuroticism and truncated behaviour patterns.<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag before Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' As explained in other articles (see [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|e.g. here]](*)) the power structures that have ruled human societies for almost 10.000 years now derive advantages from inducing to some degree neurotization in their carriers, us humans. They are in need of fearful compliance and that state can easier be induced in ailing neurotics than in well functioning self-actualizers.<br />
Another characteristic of the situation before Point Omega is the continuous and structural mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands (see [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|here'''(**)''']] for further explanation). We labeled the source of that mismatch as "evolutionary Jet-Lag". And that mismatch in turn also does have a strongly neuroticizing effect.<br />
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These two effects together result in Homo "sapiens" nowadays functioning quite sub-optimally. We are on average neurotic, truncated, fear-driven failures as compared with "what every individual could have been".<br />
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The evolution of "memes" is running on a different time scale than does the biological DNA-based evolution. Since both memes and genes have us humans as their carriers, we humans are the ones who suffer from the Jet-Lag between the gene-evolution and the meme-evolution.<br />
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All in all this emotional friction from that Jet-Lag brings us mainly pain and bad feelings.<br />
Seen from that point, Homo sapiens after all does have a severe unhappiness-problem. That is, the present state of mankind is characterized by neurotic, truncated behaviour and a very low frequency of Self-Actualizers. However, this does not imply that subjectively we feel rather unhappy on average. Because we are saddled with a strong Self-Blindness, we are not aware of our relative malfunctioning. Our point of reference is ourselves and our very myopic way of looking at things, precludes us becoming aware of the difference between "what is" and "what could be", especially in ourselves. <br />
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Humanity is in a very bad state for already many thousands of years, but as individuals we have no clue as to this situation. We cannot see. For us, this horrible state is "normalcy".<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag after Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' After Point Omega Humanity will resort to conscious evolution and that will inter alii result in taking the sting out of that evolutionary mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands. We will more and more direct the N-demands ourselves and create matches between the consciously designed N-demands and our primordial P-feelings.<br />
Until this moment in time, this phase in our evolution, there would be a high penalty on not yielding to current, traditional, N-demands. However, that evolutionary penalty will be suspended by the introduction of conscious evolution.<br />
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So, what will happen after Point Omega is this: Conscious Evolution ---> Consciously dealing (and successfully) with evolutionary Jet-Lag ---> less pressure from N-demands that are not fitting with our primordial P-feelings ---> more Self-Actualization ---> more "happiness" in an objective way, i.e. more Well-Functioning (but this does not imply a higher level of subjective happiness, because that is a technical impossibility).<br />
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The mechanisms described here offer distinct options for governments to ease the escape from the all influential control over us by the power structures in charge. Governments may choose to help spread awareness of the unpleasantness of the demands by the power structures. That would make it easier for people to gather the necessary courage to make a stand and choose more wholesome courses of action, increasing their psychological health and well-being structurally. And, apart from that, governments can choose to actively take a host of other measures for reducing mass neuroticism, now that they understand the working of the underlying mechanisms. And that will result in freeing enormous quantities of human energy and resources. It does not need much further explanation to understand that such developments will result in a chain reaction of mass-self-actualization, fueling and speeding up the Point Omega transition at large.<br />
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== Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ==<br />
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'''(**)''' The ninth issue is about how we behave towards one another.<br />
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As pointed out in the article [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|about Reversal Theory on this Wiki(***)]], that is dealing with the antagonist motivational states Telic and Paratelic and the alternations between the two, our behavioural system is designed to make optimum use of acquired experiences and to make us automatically search for those experiences that would optimally fit as a useful addition to already acquired experiences and skills. That way the system makes optimal use of any surplus of energy, investing it automatically in exactly those places and situations that fit best to expand the systems of condensed experience [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|(COEX systems)(***)]] that have already been acquired and already are available. On the one hand this mechanism results in better chances to successfully expand the behavioural repertoire in cases where the individual in question has already learned quite a bit and is on average well balanced. This is a positive feed back system within the individual behavioural system. The more skills already acquired, the easier it is to acquire further growth.<br />
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Between people, at the level of social interaction, a similar effect can be recognized. A positive attitude from one person to the other (we can label that as "strokes") does enhance better chances for the receiving person to find relaxation when needed and subsequently to establish or maintain an optimal rhythm of telic / paratelic reversals. That way there exist also very strong positive feed back loops between people, that finally result in a high contagiousness of psychological health.<br />
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If one would seek for methods to enhance a healthy psychological development of as many people as possible, a good strategy would be to treat individual people as supportive and as positively as possible. Such treatment, abundant with "strokes", helps the receiver of such an attitude to reach or maintain optimal telic / paratelic alternations and thus an optimal learning cycle. <br />
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"Treating others as one would like to be treated oneself" an admonition which is familiar to e.g. Christians and Buddhists, would therefore be a logical strategy when striving to create a more ideal society. And obviously, the usefulness of that principle has already been recognized by seeers and prophets since a very long time.<br />
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This principle also pertains to behaviour towards other species than only to the human race itself. Self actualization brings forth automatically a raised compassion with all forms of life, because in that state of mind there is more emotional space available, in whichever direction. This involuntarily results in "good stewardship" over nature, also an old Christian (and also Buddhist) ideal.<br />
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However, until now there have always been very strong evolutionary principles and laws that are at variance with the above mentioned ideal. Evolution cannot proceed without a continuous competition between individuals, resulting in that only the most "fit" will contribute proportionally to the next generations. Without such a selection pressure, a certain species, or a certain sub-population thereof, will soon crumble down and perish from genetic load and pollution after selection pressure has been suspended for some generations.<br />
Creating a "socialist, fair and just" society may work for a little while, but it is basically at variance with the above basic laws of evolution and thus of survival. <br />
In that sense a fair and just society at best is postponement of selection pressure, or rather, that has always been the case until now.<br />
Some philosophers therefore say: "Civilization is a conspiracy against evolution". <br />
And necessarily, such conspiracies always were only short lasting.<br />
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Every time a civilization would crumble down under the pressures of resumed natural selection mechanisms, times would be hard again on all inhabitants and disaster, mayhem, wholesale rape, economic strangling techniques and other misery, up to and including genocide would reign again for some period of time. Such periods of time would allow for selection pressures to recoup lost terrain again and also typically would enhance a reshuffling of gene pools, causing hybrid vigour to help boost the genetic quality of the left over populations surviving the period of disasters. ([[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|See here for more explanation about the effects of genetic load.]](***)<br />
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'''Compassion after Point Omega'''<br />
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'''(**)''' However, after Point Omega the blind forces of the evolutionary laws that rule all life, including our own, will be enriched in the case of Homo sapiens by "conscious evolution". In fact, by introducing conscious evolution, humanity can take the sting out of the customary selection pressures that until this moment in time always have made "fair and just" societies intrinsically unstable.<br />
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What this means is that after Point Omega finally the above mentioned ideal of "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" can be introduced to stay. The usual danger of becoming unstable after a limited amount of time, because of genetic deterioration, can now be countered by "conscious evolution". <br />
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The changes coming with the Point Omega transition may imply that religions will disappear, at least the vast majority of (superstitious) varieties thereof. But on the other hand the state of affairs that prophets would sometimes label as the "kingdom of God", meaning a really fair and just society, may at last be realized in a stable and evolutionarily viable way.<br />
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When the admonitions "love your neighbors like yourself" and "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" rule, the result will be: more Strokes --> easier to attain relaxation when being in a Telic State --> better Rhythm of Telic/Paratelic reversals --> Better Processing of experiences --> Better Learning results --> more Self-Actualization --> Mass Enlightenment --> catalysation of Point Omega shift --> Chain Reaction character of Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
== How to deal with hopeless cases ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The tenth issue is about how to deal with the complete failures, the people that fill us with disgust and hate.<br />
<br />
From the previous paragraph it follows that it is a good advice to treat others as one would like to be treated oneself. As stated, this is the old christian admonition, that also can be found in numerous other widely spread cultures and traditions. It can be considered a useful prop to enhance the emergence or rather catalysation of the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
One could however counter that there are vast numbers of individuals that cannot reasonably be considered as even potentially useful for society and for their fellow men. Many criminals, psychopaths, etc., do not evoke any other reactions than aversive aggression and disgust. For many of such individuals the conclusion is almost inevitable that such persons better were dead, for the benefit of their fellow men as well as for themselves. <br />
<br />
From a practical point of view, such a radical defensive attitude regarding these failed persons may be advisable or at least very seductive.<br />
However, there are by now very good scientific and political reasons why also towards such acknowledged failures, such absolutely hopeless individuals, it is of crucial importance to also treat such disgusting individuals in the way as described above. <br />
<br />
That is because once the above is the official attitude, every individual "knows" that he will be accepted "as he/she is". And that awareness will stop most of the basic fears as ordinarily used to be, and still are, installed by the ruling power structures. <br />
And that new, novel situation will stop the internal personal feed back loops that always were stabilizing neuroticism. It can be calculated that this is a relatively cheap and easy way to install change of course. And the beneficial effects at the social level will simply be tremendous. A very stable and thorough relaxation will enter the minds and hearts of such "hopeless" persons. And that will have enormous effects on the citizens around, because of the great contagiousness of relaxation and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The advice to governments should therefore be to assume responsibility for making clear that all people, simply because they were born, are entitled to acceptance and support if needed, of course within reasonable boundaries. <br />
<br />
In the pre-Point-Omega situation such measures could not be carried through without penalty. Population genetic laws would make sure that then genetic load would increase too much and sooner or later the social structure would collapse under the pressure of genetic pollution, not being able any longer to come up to the competitive challenges from other power structures with a less polluted gene pool. <br />
In other words: social stress, competition, struggle and suffering are needed to exert enough selection pressure on the population to realize some degree of selection pressure enabling the power structures in question to not loose its carriers in the competition for survival.<br />
<br />
However, in the "after Point Omega" situation we will have conscious evolution replacing the natural struggle between power structures over the backs of their carriers, us people. Conscious evolution takes care of preventing genetic (over-)load, of preventing the ordinary social selection cycles and other mechanisms with which mother nature always kept our innate qualities at the required level. The "natural" methods of mother nature invariably come with struggle and strife and pain for the individuals in question. Circumventing that misery always was self-defeating because of the basic demands from the inescapable laws of evolution.<br />
But, once conscious evolution is in place, the usual penalties are suspended and society can safely install the luxury of accepting every human being born, thus removing all serious basic fears. <br />
<br />
The chain reaction that such a novel situation will trigger is assumedly of such a magnitude, that the proposed measures will produce revenues of a completely different order than what the costs amounted to.<br />
The bottom line is to organize that we all need to assume responsibility for one another, which attitude is further discussed in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The eleventh issue is about a new foundation for human social relationships.<br />
<br />
One of the basic characteristics for after Point Omega is that every human being should be guaranteed a relatively stress-free life. Such a situation is already the ideal of many societies and political systems. However, more often than not, such striving appears to be quite difficult to bring into practice, especially for the long term. And besides, many societies do not embrace such a principle at all. <br />
Until this moment in history principles of "survival of the fittest" and the "struggle for life" have dominated the situation. And such principles were very necessary in order to maintain a certain required level of genetic selection pressure. Without such selection pressures genetic pollution and degeneration would quickly put an end to any societies' survival.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega however, "conscious evolution" will have taken over and therefore the stress of selection struggles will have become superfluous. The consequence of this change in evolutionary demands is that there finally will be (evolutionary) space for fair and just societies to be continued without end. Genetic pollution and social selection cycles can be countered with ease and the usual life span limitations of social structures can be by-passed.<br />
<br />
The implication of such a novel situation is that we may set aside and overcome primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion without in the end suffering the thereby speeded up life cycle end, and the total collapse of the social structures in question. And that in turn implies that our very strong tendency to indulge in black/white or bad/good thinking regarding other people, will have lost its evolutionary "usefulness". We can now safely open our eyes to reality, to how we are put together, to how we have evolved, to what our options are, and which traditional options have become superfluous "no-go areas".<br />
<br />
Having bypassed the ordinary needs for evolutionary selection pressures in our society and our social relations, we can at last safely refrain from denouncing adversaries, from scapegoating, from black/white thinking, etc. We can safely "love our neighbor like ourselves" without paying in the end the concomitant evolutionary penalty for it.<br />
<br />
Even more, because we will have entered a situation where conscious evolution has taken over and that being in a democratic context, we are basically all together responsible for every human being that is being born on this earth. A situation will develop, where large and by humanity together decides how procreation will be given shape.<br />
Ultimately, that implies that '''everybody basically is co-responsible for every other human being that has been born'''. And that may be considered as one of the '''basic rules''' of the human world '''after Point Omega'''.<br />
<br />
Conscious evolution has not yet been started up and it will probably take quite a number of generations before that state of affairs will have been consolidated.<br />
In the mean time however we can already get used to thinking along those lines. That will help to support individuals that have problems in functioning smoothly and properly. Many of such problem-people may need to be firmly controlled or even locked up in order to avoid them causing harm to other people, but if we remember that we all together are responsible for their very existence, it is easier to maintain a supportive attitude. As argued [[Energy and Strokes|in the article about "strokes"(***)]], handing out "strokes" is the best medicine to help people regain proper rhythms of telic/paratelic reversals and thus regain growth towards fulfillment of their best innate capacities. Self-actualizers are more pleasant company than overstressed neurotics. And every "stroke" helps to bring that better option about. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, increasingly more strokes will come back to us in a process of social interaction which is, from a technical point of view, basically a process of positive feed back loops. And because of the technical characteristics of positive feed back loops, this will cause a chain reaction of strongly increasing mutual social support. And that, in turn, will diminish neuroticizing structures beyond a critical point, making space for a more broadly occurring actualization of human potentials to an unprecedented extent. And, because of the technical consequences of the positive feed back loops involved, these changes will increasingly gain speed until the majority of mankind wil all of a sudden be "taken by surprise" (but in a positive sense).<br />
<br />
These are the considerations why we need to assume responsibility for every human being in existence, and act accordingly. It is about time.<br />
<br />
It is clear that this general attitude of mutually assured respect and support is strikingly different from the pre-Omega condition of unlimited competition on all levels, ethnocentric cramps and reflexes, racism and genocide. <br />
This new attitude of accepting responsibility for and giving support to also the less privileged of our fellow human beings, up and including "the hopeless cases", the hardened criminals, and the plain idiots and simpletons, that attitude is an emotional cornerstone of the post-Point Omega world order. <br />
Before Point Omega we hardly could afford such an attitude, because of the evolutionary penalties involved, but from now on that attitude will fully pay off on all levels and that to an unprecedented degree.<br />
The classical evolutionary penalties and disadvantages of "being soft" on misfits and other hopeless cases will cease to exert their disruptive effects. These disadvantages will be bypassed effectively by "conscious evolution".<br />
<br />
== Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way ==<br />
'''(*)''' The twelfth and final issue to be addressed here is about our attitude to "work".<br />
<br />
Our relationship with work is another area of human life where great changes can be expected with the Point Omega transition.<br />
Work can be experienced in very different ways. Work can be an activity through which we manage to be an accepted member of society, being useful to the community through our (professional) "work".<br />
Work can also be felt as a social obligation, something the person in question does not want, but does not dare to challenge in order to avoid being expelled or ostracized. In order to be accepted and stay accepted, one has to do his fair bit of the toil.<br />
In more extreme cases, one simply is forced to do some sort of work. That may be forced labour in a prisoner-type of setting or, more subtle, being forced to do labour against one's will because the social pressure and control mechanisms are felt as inescapably strong and permanently overwhelming.<br />
In such situations one cannot formally be labeled as a prisoner or a slave, but the emotional experience is coming close to that.<br />
<br />
At the other side of the spectrum one finds those persons who have managed to make money with their hobby, or at least with something that they like to do. In those cases, what people already prefer to do by themselves, is accepted by society as something that is generally considered a useful contribution.<br />
<br />
Ideally, parents wish to bring up their children in such a way that they can master one or other skill that is considered useful for society and is being paid for, while the kids in question like to perform that specific type of (professional) skill.<br />
Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. In the latter cases, the children in question end up in some sort of jobs that they don't really like, but that they keep performing in order to make some money and survive, trying to forget that they are basically living in some sort of harsh or gentle slavery.<br />
<br />
Basically, on average we live in states of mild or harsh slavery and the extent to which we manage to like our "jobs" differs greatly. The more we like our "job", the less we feel enslaved.<br />
<br />
One of the specific factors that tends to make work less pleasurable for us humans, is the factor of the rat-race. Successful societies in general have incorporated in their social systems structures that induce competition between people doing similar work. Our capitalist system is but one example in which organizations strive to get the necessary work done in the most efficient and profitable way. Workers are under continuous pressure to perform better and often it is quite difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work pressure and personal needs for relaxation and recovery. In such cases the slavery-aspect is felt more strongly.<br />
Seen from the point of view of the power structures ruling our societies and lives, it doesn't matter so much if a majority of the people works under such pressure that they do not manage any more to maintain proper emotional balances and as a consequence end up as fearful neurotics. The useful output per neurotic person may be less than optimal, but the power structure can manipulate neurotic workers easier than they can manipulate self-actualizers. Neurotics have much more fear-handling-points that can be utilized by the power structures in charge. The useful output per person may then be lower, but the malleability of the neurotic herds is much better. They can be better employed to man the production lines and the military battle units, doing as they are told.<br />
<br />
One more factor we need to keep in mind about work is that mankind is suffering from evolutionary Jet-Lag. This means that the requirements that are demanded by the power structures are often at variance with our primordial emotional preferences and tendencies. There is a misfit between our primordial P-feelings and the N-needs. And it is especially in "work" where we feel that squeeze hurting. Much work that is required by the power structures, only gets done by way of force, either harsh or subtle.<br />
<br />
If we look at human history, we can recognize that during the last millennia we have been moving from very clear cut slavery structures, being a cornerstone of society, to less total suppression and slavery in which the slave-aspect is more and more hidden and less painful. Since in the latest centuries technical machinery has been developed to replace simple manual labour, society does not need any more such high percentages of slaves in order to be successful. In particular stupid and mindless work is done more and more by machines. And besides, those machines can produce way more products in less time and against lower costs than what was possible before.<br />
<br />
In fact we have entered a situation of affluence and that situation is not going to disappear. On the contrary, in the present time we are testimony of an explosive increase of efficiency and that gives an enormous boost to the world wide "wealth" of us humans. The present development of computers and communication tools is multiplying the effects of the industrial revolution and our wealth will keep increasing accordingly.<br />
<br />
Seen from that point of view, from the exploding increase in wealth, the millennia old rat race and the millennia old enslavement of people have become basically superfluous. <br />
In principle, society could start to utilize other, different, ways to win the competition with other power structures. After Point Omega the playing field changes thoroughly and more agreeable methods can become the winning formulae.<br />
<br />
'''Work after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega the percentage of neurotics will decrease, making it more difficult for power structures to utilize the age old methods to rule by fear. It becomes increasingly more viable to seduce people to do useful things by being transparent and by simply paying more for unpleasant jobs. If fear doesn't work any more, the remuneration needs to go up in case it is different from work that is intrinsically pleasant to do.<br />
After Point Omega the balance between telic and paratelic states and their alternations will improve, with a higher frequency of paratelic states, in turn resulting in better growth and development of the individuals, which in turn results in a higher percentage of Self-actualizers.<br />
<br />
Point Omega basically is the "run away" increase in optimal telic-paratelic reversal frequencies. The contagiousness of proper personal growth will fuel the typical Point Omega changes leading, among other things, to a radically different work attitude. <br />
People will more often stop accepting slave positions and will more and more demand "meaningful" work. And "meaningful" is in principle more in line with our [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|P-feelings]](**).<br />
So, the evolutionary Jet-Lag will stop to make our work situations miserable. The dirty, boring, tedious, heavy, difficult work that cannot be done by some efficient machinery, simply will have to be paid better in order to be in balance with the new situation. <br />
<br />
Evolution works through competition between conspecifics. We humans have to compete with fellow human beings, either within our own group or tribe or competing with other people in a more far away group or society. Evolution proceeds because the winners contribute more to the next generation than do the losers, losers in whichever sense of the word. Men may theorize about fair societal structures in which aggressive competition is harnessed and cooperative friendliness reigns. But, as we mentioned above, civilization can in a sense be regarded as a conspiracy against evolution. No matter how clever a fair and just society had been designed, sooner or later such a society would collapse and selection pressures would recover lost terrain by launching the citizens of the former fair society into chaos, turmoil and destruction.<br />
Competition as we know it in our societies can be hard, in the sense that one's life depends on the outcome, but also it can take the form of a rather "sportive" competition. In such cases winning the competition is striven after, but one's life does not directly depend on the outcome.<br />
In such cases it is rather like in sport. One works hard to win, but basically it remains a game.<br />
<br />
What we may expect after Point Omega is that competition will not disappear from work and social life, but that the ongoing competitions get a more "sportive" flavour.<br />
We then work ourselves right until our limits, but we do it for fun, not out of fear and desperation. <br />
<br />
Since after Point Omega work will be more like a game, giving enjoyment to the "worker", rather than stress and fear, and since we all will have to take responsibility for literally every human being on this planet, base pay comes in sight. It can be calculated that granting every person in society a base pay, no matter what the person in question is contributing, an enormous shift in general attitude will occur in most people. The pressure is off and relaxation is always within reach. As pointed out [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|elsewhere on this Wiki]](*), easier relaxation will trigger better learning processes and subsequently will bring about an ever higher percentage of Self-Actualizers. <br />
<br />
Until this moment in time "work" used to be in most cases very much a "re-active" activity, full of fears and concerns. After Point Omega work will have a more "pro-active" flavour. People will work rather "for the hell of it", rather than out of fear to drop out or to perish financially.<br />
Work and play will be better compatible and pleasure in work will become the rule, rather than the exception. And as pointed out above, if, in such a fear-free society the dirty, hard or unpleasant work is refused by most people, a better pay for the jobs in question will do the trick.<br />
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This development will be amplified by the advance of technology. Ever more necessary work is delegated to machinery and robots. People can enjoy more leisure. This will stimulate the "pro-active" working attitude over the traditional "re-active" attitudes. For an eloquent discourse on this development, refer e.g., to [[Further_reading#Livingston2016|Livingston (2016)]].<br />
<br />
== Priorities for an action list ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)'''<br />
After the above 12 paragraphs we may draw the conclusion that:<br />
<br />
- After Point Omega many issues and many problems will have to be treated in a different way than before.<br />
<br />
1. - Some of these changes in attitude will follow suit automatically and involuntarily. In those cases no extra pressure is needed to steer the changes in the right direction. Such changes therefore do not need to be put high on the list of priorities, that is, the priority list of where we should invest extra attention, energy and time. These changes may in some cases be quite crucial for mankind in the new situation and they may play a central role in the shifting towards the Past-Point-Omega state of affairs. But still, these issues end up low on the priority list, because they will also come about without extra purposeful action from our side or from the side of the authorities.<br />
<br />
2. - Some changes can be boosted and sped up from outside rather easily. Where that is the case, it pays off for that reason to give these changes an extra "boost" and the issue may for that reason be put higher on the priority list. There, extra effort will pay off. <br />
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3. - Some of the changes, related to the emergence of Point Omega, are already on the list, in the sense that people already pay attention and try to spread the changes in question as broadly as they can. An example is "freedom of speech". In many parts of the modern world the importance of this change is recognized, but in many other countries freedom of speech is still a utopian dream. These issues are certainly of importance. Still, they do not need to be put high on this priority list, because, evidently, they already are getting attention, time and energy.<br />
<br />
With these three criteria in mind we now can, as examples, order a non-exhaustive listing of priorities and recommended actions for governments and individuals. With every item, every change, we will give an indication of why the item has been put higher or lower on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''1) Amathology'''.<br />
Spending time and money studying the mechanisms of human Blindness for the Self is crucial for dealing with the changes needed for moving through the Point Omega transitions. Awareness of and knowledge about these mechanisms of Self-Blindness are fundamental for the Past Point Omega world. However, for purely technical reasons we should expect that people and institutions will not automatically put energy and time and money in that type of research, no matter how important it is. For most people these issues just "don't feel right". Therefore this item is put high on the priorities list. Extra effort on this issue will pay off exponentially. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''2) Transparency'''.<br />
One of the major tools for power structures to maintain their control over their subjects is that the officers "in charge" enjoy broad information privileges. They "know more" than their subjects and keep their people that way in a permanent state of helplessness, which, by the way, these subjects consider as "normal".<br />
<br />
In contrast, democratic ways of cooperation need to be anchored in sufficient information levels for the people who are part of the democracy. Otherwise, no educated opinions can be formed. <br />
In our modern world, and especially recently, transparency has increasingly become a hot item and the target of introducing and improving transparency on many levels is part of most modern societies.<br />
In spite of all this already existing attention, we still put transparency high on this priority-list, because it is something that can easily be improved and steered by governments and other large organizations. By putting energy in the further improvement of transparency on all levels, the transition to the post Point Omega situation can considerably be facilitated. Transparency is a main characteristic of the "new world" and it will pay off to increase the emphasis it is already receiving. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''3) Legal innovations for "taking responsibility"'''.<br />
Taking responsibility by everybody, for everybody else's existence, is a new concept for most people. It is not or hardly supported by already existing traditions and culture. It goes counter to traditions of competition and of holding failing people responsible for their failures to "have made it". Still, this novel type of responsibility - by all for all - will have a tremendous impact on the feelings of well-being of the majority of mankind. It will give every individual a feeling of "being OK" and "being accepted". It will take away the feeling of failure and the neuroticizing fear to be ostracized or held personally responsible for failure. By positive feed back loops in our behavioural system such a removal of imposed feelings of inadequacy will free enormous amounts of positively spent energy. <br />
This admonition to accept responsibility for literally everybody will have tremendous effects on the peace of mind and the peace of heart of our fellow human beings. Knowing the mechanisms of the contagiousness of well-being and of emotional equilibrium and personal growth it is clear that "Taking Responsibility" is very important for the transition to the other side of Point Omega. <br />
Because of its importance and because it is difficult for individual people to switch to this new attitude, we have put this issue high on the list of priorities. Attention and energy being spent on this issue will most likely be very well spent and that is why we have put this issue also close to the top.<br />
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Once the idea of "together taking responsibility for every human being alive" has been accepted as a useful tool to (re)form our world, this principle has to be embedded in new legislation that can help to establish and propagate the global support for "everybody". First of all the authorities should recognize the importance of this "support of all by all". And one of the most effective - lastingly effective - methods for authorities to boost this principle is legislation itself.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''4) Psychological sciences'''.<br />
Giving shape to the post-Point-Omega world will be supported by an increase in scientific research efforts. In our rapidly developing and changing world, new techniques emerge and are actively sought in all fields of human functioning.<br />
Whereas technical scientific developments traditionally used to get much attention and financing and will automatically receive such attention in the future, we have good reasons to advise for a shift in emphasis into the direction of research in the fields of psychology, sociology and ethology. The Omega-shift implies that humanity will enter into another level of understanding of our own behaviour. One of the tenets defended on this Wiki is that the level of knowledge about our own behavioural system, our emotions and motivations is still very limited and at places almost non-existent. Large gaps in our understanding of these matters need to be filled in urgently. Many of these gaps in our knowledge have traditionally been maintained by complex systems of taboos and contemporary superstitions. <br />
After Point Omega we will need to pay extra attention to for instance the following fields in psychological research: <br />
<br />
-- Good-Bad reflexes and their biological functions; <br />
<br />
-- Reversal Theory, dealing with the dynamics of our emotional and motivational system; <br />
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-- Automatic selection pressures in the social plane on the dimension of Adaption-Innovation and the resulting periodic catastrophes in social structures; <br />
<br />
-- Amathology or the research on human blindness for the own behaviour and its biological function.<br />
<br />
Whereas not being exhaustive, these issues should be in the front of our future scientific research efforts.<br />
As pointed out in many papers on this Wiki, human misery is finally and solidly anchored in ignorance about exactly these fields of psychological functioning. Spending attention, time and energy here, certainly will pay off.<br />
<br />
For that reason this focus point is placed rather high on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''5) Military authority for the UN'''.<br />
At this moment in time, it is becoming more and more likely that at some stage a group of deranged idiots will be able to lay their hands on nuclear retaliation instruments. If that would happen, humanity will be in bad shape. For instance, Islamic fanatics have flown 2 airplanes into the New York twin towers. Imagine what would happen in case such fanatic morons would get control over nuclear missiles. Such disaster would most likely trigger the immediate allocation of more military power in the hands of the UN "government", in order to be able to prevent such idiocies from happening again. However, it seems much better strategy to arrange such decisive military power to the UN level before the above may happen. Until now, people don't seem to feel the urgency to put more effective power in UN hands. But that is a sorry example of shortsightedness, that might cost many millions of us their lives unnecessarily.<br />
Since this issue is likely to be taken seriously too late, and because of the price humanity would have to pay for the sorry consequences, this issue is also put high on this priority list. <br />
<br />
These days there are quite a number of political states of whom we would not like to know nuclear hitting power in their hands. Examples from the recent past or the present are for instance: ISIS, North Korea, the Ayatolla state in Iran, Zimbabwe, Ruanda's genocide, Pol Pot in Cambodia, etc., etc., etc. <br />
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<br />
'''6) UN-power guaranteeing the right to political self-determination for all populations and sub-populations'''.<br />
Self-determination will come about for all people in the world without any doubt at some point in time. Developments that can be expected after Point Omega will bring that about inevitably. <br />
<br />
Until this moment in time, until this moment in our evolution, differential procreation of tribes and races and other (sub-)populations was inevitable and necessary for the gradual evolution of novel characteristics of Homo sapiens, for the progress of evolution. And selection processes on that level of operation come with genocide, large scale war, economic strangling techniques and other misery producing events. These events may always have been unpleasant, or rather terrible, properties of human life, but they were basically and in principle unavoidable because of the evolutionary dictates of differential fitness of different tribes, races or genetic sub-groups of people.<br />
Only when the ordinary automatic evolutionary pressures have been bypassed by a different (and more effective) mechanisms, can we hope to have conquered the above mentioned eternal sources of human misery and pain, pains that are basically the same as the pains of any species in evolution, but that in the case of Homo sapiens tend to occur at a larger scale and more at distinct intervals (wars) instead of continuously.<br />
<br />
After the introduction of "conscious evolution", after Point Omega, the evolutionary forces leading to all those forms of suffering will be bypassed and principles of self-determination will become a possibility that is not unstable any more. So, after Point Omega we may expect that principles of self-determination will automatically become the rule rather than the temporary exceptions.<br />
<br />
However, it pays off to put extra energy and attention in this development and speed that process up where possible, because of the dangers for mankind stemming from the present situation in many countries, where self-determination is still a far away dream and violent revolutions are lurking below the surface. The sooner we can install a generally applicable right to self-determination, the sooner those - really great - dangers will be brought under control. <br />
In the new situation every local population will be entitled to collectively decide how much autonomy is preferred against which decrease of efficiency of size or decrease of governmental expertise. <br />
<br />
Recent examples of where such issues are under discussion or, less ideal, should be under discussion, are for instance: Scotland versus the UK; the UK versus the EU; the Krim versus Ukraina or Russia; East Ukraina versus Ukraina or Russia; East-Timor versus Indonesia; Papua New Guinea versus Indonesia; Catalunia versus Spain; Western Sahara versus Marocco; Southern Sudan versus Sudan; Darfur versus Sudan; etc.; etc.; etc., almost without end.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''7) Create better opportunity for mothers to care sufficiently for their babies'''.<br />
One of the most effective ways to improve chances for young children to grow up to be mature and capable individuals is to enable mothers of neonatives to spend enough time and attention to their newborns and in the first years after birth. There are ample scientific research data that show the large effects of proper maternal care on the development of the newborns. Also, various articles on this Wiki explain how this developmental effect comes about.<br />
Whereas in the future there will be no doubt more space, time and room for mothers to care for their newborns in an optimal way, we still need to emphasize here the usefulness of paying more attention to these long term developmental effects of good maternal care. On the one hand there will be created more and more opportunity for mothers to give their birthlings an optimal start. On the other hand, we can catalyze these changes tremendously by putting still more attention and energy in these changes.<br />
<br />
Therefore this issue should get relatively much priority. It will happen anyway, but events can be much optimized by now already speeding up this particular change as much as possible. (A scientific analysis of these effects can for instance be found in the work of [[Further_reading#Bowlby1969|Bowlby]](1969) and of [[Further_reading#Bettelheim1969|Bruno Bettelheim]](1969), where he describes the large scale failures in 20th century kibbutses regarding the early upbringing of babies.)<br />
<br />
<br />
'''8) Tax reforms world wide'''.<br />
Taxes are a relatively easy way to help steer the behaviour of large masses of people in the right direction. An environment tax would make it more expensive for people to purchase or apply environment-unfriendly articles and products. Price differences can easily bring people to make better choices on a daily basis. This method could reduce pollution considerably and could equally improve the protection of biodiversity. Likewise a junk-food tax could help to make people buy less unhealthy fodder (then more expensive) and instead buy more healthy (cheap) alternatives. This would improve the average well-being of people and simultaneously reduce costs of medical care.<br />
<br />
At this level benefits can also be obtained by making better international agreements on preventing tax-evasion. That would improve the possibilities for governments to collect fair levels of taxes from all citizens concerned, including the bigger international companies who nowadays often do not need to pay their fair share. Fair taxes for internationals would greatly reduce the tax levels for ordinary citizens, this to the benefit of all. And once the big companies pay their fair share of taxes, the environmental components of the taxes will finally have a strong effect on the reduction of pollution and the improvement of biodiversity. <br />
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These tax issues already do have increasing lots of attention, but still it would pay off greatly to put extra energy in these reforms, because the powers that resist such reforms are traditionally very strong and the effects of these tax reforms will have immediate beneficial effects on the whole of society. Also, it will enhance people's confidence in the authorities if they manage to realize a broad tax-equality.<br />
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<br />
'''9) Eugenics'''.<br />
One main characteristic of the transition Point Omega is finishing the era of evolving gradually towards higher levels of consciousness and entering a new era, a new phase in human history, the era of Conscious Evolution.<br />
That new situation implies the conscious utilization of Eugenics and all its techniques involved.<br />
Homo sapiens ''cannot survive'' without taking its ow evolution consciously in its own hands. It is therefore of crucial importance now and in the near future.<br />
<br />
One of the novel tools involved in dealing with eugenics is Eugenic Mapping. The improvement of these techniques is a major tool for conscious evolution. On the one hand we mention it here, because it is not something that will automatically be taken on by governments. At this moment in time this matter is still hidden safely behind walls of taboos and superstition. On the other hand, eugenic mapping will gradually but inescapably be boosted by public demand. People will increasingly demand to enjoy all the advantages of genetic screening and other measures to produce offspring that is as healthy and as capable as possible. It can therefore be put at a relatively low position on the list of priorities, because in due time this issue will get sufficient attention anyway. The public at large simply will demand it.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''10) Sexual liberation of women'''.<br />
The inequality between the sexes is a primordial given. Apart from cultural habits our biological past has caused difference between the average investments in newborns by mothers and the average investments by the fathers. This difference between the sexes has always been causing certain basic frictions. These differences in focus and in where the main concerns are located in each of the sexes, evidently has been an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy, ESS, throughout our evolution. <br />
However, in the coming era of conscious evolution it will be of crucial importance that women will increasingly be in command of their own bellies, about their own offspring and if possible, the fatherhood involved. Genetic pollution, which is one of the major classic obstacles for a long lasting and stable peaceful human society, will have to be tackled with a range of novel approaches. And more say for women about their own pregnancy is one of those indispensable novel attitudes. <br />
This beneficial effect of women's sexual emancipation on the reduction of genetic pollution is the reason why we have included this issue here on the list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''11) Make biological fathers pay for their offspring'''. <br />
As a pair to the above item is the priority of making men pay for the offspring they have sired in a biological sense. Medical techniques to assess fatherhood without a doubt are now available everywhere and they will increasingly be applied to back up claims of young mothers to share the burden of parenthood with the biological fathers. This tendency is already on the increase in most places of the world. That we still mention it here is because this will put a break on the tendency of men to "knock up" women with child without coming up with marital assistance.<br />
And that shift will be in favour of fathers who are capable of giving parental support and this shift will be an increasing hindrance to the fatherhood of incompetents. Making biological fathers pay their fair share in parental efforts is an extra brake on genetic pollution and moreover it helps to provide newborns with a good start. And that will improve the likelihood of positive learning cycles and optimal courses of development with all the resulting positive spin offs involved. And that, in turn, will help to make the Point Omega transition more likely to occurr.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''12) Pollution'''.<br />
Pollution too, needs to come to an end shortly. We presently tend to regard the fight against pollution as crucial for human well-being. And that is quite right. However, the pollution problems will automatically be tackled more vigorously and more effectively once Point Omega has been passed. Most individual people and also their governments are increasingly aware that pollution needs to stop and that human well being can be raised that way. Pollution can therefore safely be put somewhat low on the priority list. We'll effectively deal with it anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''13) Overpopulation'''.<br />
Alleviation of present day suffering of our whole planet through over-exploitation, fueled by millions of tonnes of superfluous human flesh, is very urgent and one of the major features of the new time. Still, this item ends up rather low on the priorities list, because a systematic and lasting reduction of human numbers will inevitably and automatically happen anyway, and that without draconian pressures from above. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''14) Secularization'''.<br />
We have put this item low on the list because doing away with superstition and religious fear will score high with many people already anyway.<br />
Giving shape to the world after Point Omega does not need spiritual awareness to disappear. What it does need is that superstitions and collective fears do not keep dominating individual and group behaviour. Organized religions normally played a crucial role in maintaining power structures by inducing and regulating fears in their people. What will be left in the future of present day religions is at best a kind of spiritual awareness and feeling of unity, that is denuded from all the traditionally concomitant fears and unwholesome taboos, that served the power structures rather than the individual welfare of the believers. Anyway, putting religions back in their proper place, where they do "good" and no "harm", will continue to happen automatically and unavoidably.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''15) Ecology.'''<br />
For evoking sensible and rational action with respect to the global ecological hot issues, the best and also lasting approach is to broaden the education packages about ecology for our young people in the schools. The more people are aware of the ecological imbedding of Homo sapiens, the more our ecological heritage will be protected and improved upon. The more emphasis we put on the issues of ecology, the better we will take care of our biological heritage.<br />
<br />
A movement that already is gaining more and more influence at the level of ecological values, is "Permaculture". The Permaculture methodology guides land owners in the direction of producing useful goods, foods and raw materials, while at the same time improving and not exhausting the local ecological carrying capacity. This new method about how to deal with our world originated in Australia and has since its beginning kept spreading over the world at an ever expanding pace.<br />
<br />
A similar striving is included in what we call the "Sicirec Formula", a form of "controlled landscaping" applied in plantation forestry, but equally well applicable in any other exploitation of land for whichever purpose, be it forestry, agriculture, industry or urban planning. That formula emphasizes that crucial for preserving biodiversity is the strategy to keep a certain percentage of the land involved in a state of its climax vegetation, together with its climax animal life, spatially intertwined with areas for rational productivity. The latter may refer to forms of Permaculture, but less ideal patterns of utilization will also work out well within the Sicirec Formula.<br />
<br />
Boosting the world wide utilization of these new ecological principles, can and will have a tremendous impact of the well being of the world as a whole and thus on our own well being.<br />
<br />
Still, we put this issue relatively low on our priority list, simply because these issues will be tackled with more and more vigor and purpose anyway already. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''16) Technical sciences'''.<br />
Boosting scientific developments is not surprisingly of crucial importance for shaping the world after Point Omega. This holds for psychological and related sciences, as mentioned above, but also for technical sciences. <br />
That this item shows relatively low on the list of priorities is due to the fact that rather automatically sufficient energy, time and money will be invested in these developments. There is hardly an extra boost needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''17) Medical Sciences'''.<br />
Equally, Medical Sciences have been put in a low position on the priority list. <br />
Apart from what people generally think about the reasons why medical care and medical knowledge are so important, we wish to point out one crucial effect of good medical care that is of importance for how the transition to the era of conscious evolution will come about.<br />
Good medical care namely, makes longevity of our species increase. And that in turn implies that decision making will increasingly be in the hands of older and more experienced people. And that in turn is equal to saying that less decision making will be left to inexperienced youngsters who have not yet learned to deal with their testosterone boosted social reflexes or the female equivalents of it in a prudent way. For instance, male inclinations towards group aggression and female brainless procreational impulses will have lower chances to run out of hand. This beneficial collateral effect of longevity will be one of the major ingredients of the after Point Omega society.<br />
Anyway, Medical Sciences will automatically receive sufficient support from society and therefore a high place on this priority list is not needed.<br />
<br />
== Relax .......... we can afford it now ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The main tenet on this Wiki is that we are now entering the shift of human society into Point Omega, and beyond.<br />
Indications are that humanity has already entered the accelerating phase in this transition and that we are already beyond the "point of no return".<br />
What is certain, according to the information on this Wiki, is that Point Omega will happen, sooner or later, automatically and unavoidably, simply because that is how human behaviour has been organized and has evolved up to this point. And yes, we think that we already have entered the predicted accelerating phase. That this is not generally recognized already is mainly due to the fact that human awareness very strongly is hindered by myopic effects, making it almost impossible for humans to see the broad and complete picture. Our personal horizons are very narrow indeed, for both genetic (genes .....)and cultural reasons (memes .....). <br />
<br />
From the contributions on this Wiki one might deduce that this Omega Transition, being of more influence and importance than the agricultural revolution, and bringing untold changes and advantages to the whole of mankind, is very much worth fighting for. And of course, this is very much true. Of all possible targets and goals, helping Point Omega to proceed appears to be the most useful possible, rightly deserving all our best efforts.<br />
Having listed in the above chapter the priorities that we could handle to make our choices about what to do first and what second, we could embrace the attitude of "let's not waste any time, but go for it right away with all power available". The conclusion does emerge that such is the best thing to do, with all energy available. We seem not to have time to waste, because ''we really still do have to do a thing or two !''<br />
<br />
However, this motivation also would tie in perfectly with the pre-Point-Omega general attitude of "telic dominance" and the customary out-of-balance "goal directedness". And this tencency is very seductive indeed.<br />
But, what in fact would facilitate the necessary shifts towards Point Omega best is more relaxation of all participants involved. <br />
So, our message should rather be: ...... RELAX. Allow yourself personally the time to come back into balance, into emotional and motivational balance. Only then the paratelic states will emerge more frequently and only thus you will be able to correctly perceive the situations at hand and choose prudently the most effective ways to proceed and contribute from here.<br />
Only when anchored in a proper telic/patatelic emotional and motivational balance, a person can grow into great enough strength and capacities to make a difference for the whole of society at all. <br />
So, RELAX ........, we can afford it now.<br />
<br />
Looking at the world-wide situation of humanity, we are basically in a very comfortable position.<br />
We have unprecedented amounts of energy at our disposal.<br />
We are producing plenty of food to feed the whole world populations, be it that we still don't manage to distribute it effectively enough.<br />
We are living in the middle of an avalanche of technological innovations, making life proceedingly easier.<br />
Basically, this is an era of plenty, no matter what problems the newspapers present to us each day.<br />
So, what we can do, what we can afford to do, is just STOP !<br />
RELAX ........ <br />
<br />
We can afford it now, at last. So, let's enjoy it !<br />
And besides, that way we best boost an increasing frequency of paratelic states in as many people as possible. The articles on this Wiki have explained how that contagiousness works. And the restoration of mankind's emotional and motivational balance is the most important trick of all. And it is our birthright. <br />
No feelings of guilt for laziness needed.<br />
The theory explains how paratelic states will automatically emerge sooner or later, once relaxation has done its job. <br />
<br />
So, give it a chance. That's what the world really needs at this moment in time: your and everybody's paratelic states, in sufficient frequencies. Don't worry, ''relax, and a thing or two will happen to you'' ! . . . . . and especially . . . . . to us ''all''.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8809Why a Point Omega transition ?2021-11-17T12:55:27Z<p>Baby Boy: /* The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
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What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
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Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
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Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (CEL = Cognition-Energy-Learning model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This CEL is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
<br />
A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
<br />
==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
<br />
==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
<br />
Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
<br />
We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
<br />
=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
<br />
Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
<br />
Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
<br />
[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
<br />
Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
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=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4)This is the usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Directives_for_after_Point_Omega&diff=8808Directives for after Point Omega2021-11-17T07:01:45Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? */</p>
<hr />
<div>== Introduction ==<br />
'''(*)''' This paper was written at the request of Victor Koekkoek. Reading the other materials on this Wiki, he was missing a clear summary of what are the implications of all this novel information for those who carry responsibility for how society is ran and guided.<br />
In other words: What are the implications for the intelligent part of our leaders ?<br />
And he was right. For most people the materials on this Wiki are too difficult to grasp. Most people are only capable of thinking what the majority of the herd is thinking. We are social animals after all. Most people are not curious enough and not intelligent enough to address the issues that really matter. And that holds a fortiori in this period of time, when much of the information, presented here, has not yet found its way to the pool of common knowledge and wisdom.<br />
<br />
Therefore this paper is written as an aid for that part of our leaders that have the capacity to grasp the essence of the issues as presented on this Wiki and that have the gumption to think "out of the box", trying to figure out the best guidance for human society.<br />
<br />
After discussing the implications for the different realms of society, this paper will end with a listing of suggested priorities for any persons who find themselves in positions of responsibility.<br />
<br />
This paper, "Directives for after Point Omega", is placed after "A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki" and after "Why a Point Omega transition ?". <br />
The reason is that for understanding this way of summarizing of the situation of mankind, one needs to have understood the basics of several notions that these days are not yet part of our cultural heritage and common awareness, but that are nevertheless indispensable for assessing the most important dangers, options and opportunities that humanity is faced with these days.<br />
Without knowing the facts, there is no useful assessment possible.<br />
<br />
In short, this Wiki communicates information that already has become available in different, specific circles of specialists, but that has not yet reached the status of common knowledge and that we nevertheless consider here as indispensable for a proper understanding.<br />
<br />
Some of the bits and pieces of information that we need here, have in previous years already been published separately in scientific papers, each of which is dealing with one of those specific fields of interest and research. In such cases it is indicated in the chapters in question. But these pieces of information are at best known to the limited circle of specialists in those specific scientific research fields, and not to the public at large.<br />
<br />
Other pieces of information have not yet been published in scientific papers, but are nevertheless based on thorough research.<br />
<br />
Still other contributions consist of general discussions about combining various of such bits and pieces of information and about investigating what emerges from such a combining of different fields of research.<br />
All these bits and pieces are needed in order to come to a comprehensible total picture of the present human situation. None of the presented issues can be missed, or the complete picture will fail to emerge.<br />
<br />
For the above reasons it is indispensable to already have taken notice of most of these separate issues, dealt with in the various other papers on this Wiki, in order to be able to grasp what led us to the conclusions and advices as formulated in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
In case a reader wishes to first take notice of the advices and the directives below, before having grasped the details of all the different issues in question as dealt with in one of the other articles on this Wiki, we have added in the text below links to where for each separate issue additional explanation can be found.<br />
<br />
What the reader should at least be familiar with before continuing to read the below, is what is meant with the term "Point Omega transition" ([[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|see e.g. here]](*) and [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|here]](*)).<br />
<br />
In case the reader has read and digested the chapter "[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki(*)]]" and has taken notice of the underlying argumentation in the chapters referred to there, it should be possible to also grasp the message in the paragraphs below.<br />
<br />
== Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Right now, in the beginning of the 21st century AD, we are living in a period in which the greater ideological movements have lost most of their appeal. <br />
<br />
All great religions suffer from believers moving towards a secularized position, stopping to behave like meek sheep. Disbelief and denial of superstition rule the day. <br />
<br />
Not only the great religions lose their influence and control over their people, also the greater political idealistic systems encounter more and more critique and scepticism. The communist system has lost the cold war competition and thus lost most of its credibility. But also the capitalist system is encountering more and more scepticism from its citizens, who recognize the obvious shortcomings of blind capitalism that follows the basic principles of the survival of the fittest in an economic sense. Many feel that this competitive system does not support its people well enough and that in the capitalist societies, and not only there, the majority of "losers" in the competitive societal structure are locked into a more or less hopeless struggle for survival. They may survive, or at least many of them, but hardly with any hopes for a pleasant future for themselves or at least for their offspring.<br />
<br />
More and more people resent society treating them like slaves without any prospect for liberation or an otherwise agreeable life. And that also holds for the western "democratic" and "enlightened" societies, not only for those "backward" societies elsewhere in the world, that are widely recognized as repressive, dictatorial and totalitarian, suffering from unpredictable arbitrariness and cruelty.<br />
People in modern society apparently have lost their perspective for a better, future, society. This makes a sense of ever more openly confessed hopelessness gradually spread among the populations of the civilized world. The fairy tales are being exposed as such and nothing comes forward to fill the gap.<br />
<br />
There seems to be a growing need for a perspective that can give hope for a brighter future, a perspective that can survive the scrutiny of seasoned disbelievers, a perspective that cannot be put aside as another fairy tale, a perspective that is not anchored in badly tested political ideals or in superstitions, but a perspective that is firmly anchored in scientific knowledge. Such a perspective is increasingly sought after, but it is generally felt that it is alas nowhere in sight.<br />
<br />
This Wiki is dedicated to showing that, despite this ever more widely felt hopelessness, such a novel perspective is very well possible and in fact that the total of available data suggests that an enormous shift in human perspective is at hand, called here the [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega transition.]] <br />
And that once the Point Omega transition has started, the sought after perspective will present itself automatically and unavoidably. This perspective will fill the gap and it will bring purpose where now hopelessness rules [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|(see here'''(*)''' for a description of the Point Omega concept)]].<br />
<br />
After Point Omega namely, humanity finds itself in a totally novel situation. We will have left the millennia long era in which consciousness has gradually been evolving up to this Point Omega and instead we will have entered the situation of "conscious evolution", the beginning of which is basically what Point Omega is all about.<br />
Many of the rules and laws, regulating societies before Point Omega, will become superfluous or counter-productive and will vanish as a consequence. Most of these limiting rules and laws, needed in the customary societal situation(s), dictating our behavioural possibilities and impossibilities, will lose their function and their necessity. <br />
<br />
This reduction of repressive forces will release enormous amounts of energy in all participants, energy that can forthwith be spent on more useful, more creative and more productive goals than merely keeping each other in check, or winning all sorts of - now dysfunctional and obsolete - competitions for survival.<br />
<br />
The bottom line is that, according to us, there is now a new perspective emerging, a perspective that will be firmly anchored in scientific research and a perspective that perfectly makes sense in view of everything we scientifically know for sure, a perspective that also will help us overcome the neuroticizing and utterly unpleasant power structures that have ruled the existence of Homo sapiens for about 10.000 years. Those crippling and utterly unpleasant power structures have ruled our existence for all that time and that situation is now coming to an end. Homo sapiens will take over the lead over its own existence and over its own evolution as well. Once these new options and possibilities will start spreading, human society will gradually absorb this new perspective and in the end there will not be any lack of "purpose" left. <br />
<br />
Having sorted out in this Wiki most theoretical issues that we need to know in order to assess our situation properly and correctly, we can now come to a listing of what is awaiting us, which options we do have and which options do not exist or otherwise are "no go" areas and what would be the most clever issues to work on, in order to make our coming transition as smooth as possible.<br />
<br />
Before starting with a listing of useful directives as given [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#Priorities_for_an_action_list|further below]], it seems useful to first rehearse the most important findings of the research reported elsewhere on this Wiki, findings that we will have to take into account when ruminating how our future will going to be shaped. With each of these findings a link is given to where on this Wiki more information can be found about each specific issue.<br />
<br />
== New facts we need to take into account ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)'''<br />
<br />
* Human beings have strikingly little capacity to understand their own or each other's behaviour. As a consequence human beings behave essentially like other Apes behave, no matter their intellectual pretense. We can call this phenomenon [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*).<br />
<br />
* At the cognitive level Human beings utilize an important tool to consolidate that Self-Blindness, which is the '''Good-Bad''' polarity. Good-Bad differences refer not to any real behavioural differences, although people tend to think that they do. But in reality good-bad differences refer to different likings or appreciations from the side of the onlooker or "judge" that serve to stabilize existing ideas (prejudices) of one person about the other. The Good-Bad dimension therefore stabilizes social relationships while preventing (effectively shielding off) any understanding of the real social mechanisms involved. It helps ascertain that human beings keep acting socially to a large extent like other Great Apes. And the latter is crucial for the continuation of procreation and evolutionary success. Until this moment in our evolution this [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_illusory_aspects_of_the_Positive.2Fnegative_or_Good.2FBad_dimension|illusory Good-Bad tool]](**) was an indispensable attribute for mankind's survival.<br />
<br />
* '''Self-Blindness''' has evolved in Homo sapiens as a consequence of, or rather as '''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|a condition for higher intelligence]]'''(*).<br />
<br />
* Much later, beginning with the agricultural revolution, since the period of 10.000 years ago till 5.000 years ago, Human evolution was taken over by an evolution on the level of "memes" or of "software". The latter evolution moves at a much higher speed than the traditional level of DNA or "hardware" evolution. The evolution of the hardware (Genes, DNA-based) is therefore lagging behind as compared to the evolution of the "software" (Memes, Culture). But, since we humans are carriers of both genes ánd memes, this causes motivational friction in individuals of Homo sapiens, which friction is structural. We call this friction the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|'''"Evolutionary Jet Lag"''']](**).<br />
<br />
* '''Agriculture needs power structures''' at the cultural level (software-level). As mentioned above, these power structures in fact have taken over the lead in Human evolution. As carriers of the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|power structure]] "memes"(**), human individuals tend to be pushed into a state of mild or harsh slavery, as compared to their primordial natural tendencies. <br />
<br />
* Power structures have evolved in such a way, that they developed a myriad of tricks to subdue and control their carriers. One of the most elementary tricks is to [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''neuroticize their human carriers''']](*). Whereas this customary neurotization strongly reduces the capacity of human individuals for realizing their full innate behavioural repertoires, it improves their maleability and adaptation to slavery. Power structures need large masses of malleable work slaves and military ("cannon fodder" these days). Power structures compete with one another at such levels, and that determines the direction of our evolution.<br />
<br />
* Self-Blindness has always prevented humanity to understand the most basic elements of the fundamentals of our behaviour, to the extent that we even do not have daily used words for the most essential basic elements of our own behaviour. That way the '''mechanisms of [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]`'''(***) have for instance always escaped our attention and stayed hidden, in spite of the fact that these mechanisms are the very cornerstones of any behaviour in species with an open ended capacity for learning, and therefore in particular in us humans.<br />
<br />
* '''Repair of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Blindness]](*) for our own [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]'''(***) harbours untold opportunities to open completely novel and more mature and wholesome avenues of regulation and support of us human beings. It opens up the road for intelligently looking at ourselves as well as looking at each other.<br />
<br />
* Behavioural differences between individuals in socially living species are partly based on genetics. One of these congenital personality dimensions is "'''differences in adaptiveness versus creative innovation", also to be labeled as "Social versus Self-Willed"'''. [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria_(abstract)|'''Involuntary and automatic selection forces within social structures''']](**) are causing automatic shifts in average genetic make up of the group members. That results in a limited life span of any social structure of socially living mammals, including in human societies and other social human structures. Depending on the level of social organization that mechanism leads to turn-over catastrophes like e.g. in rodents periodic migration waves and e.g. in us humans "bankruptcy", "revolution", "genocide" and similar phenomena. Whereas this mechanism throughout the ages always has made any stable social structure in also human societies impossible, the mechanism doesn't need to cause much concern at this moment in time. Once Conscious Evolution has been started up, the sting can be taken out of this primordial mechanism and it can consciously be replaced by more agreeable mechanisms.<br />
<br />
* Another mechanism with a genetic basis that until now has always been kept hidden from awareness, by means of taboo-structures, is [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''genetic pollution''']](**). That mechanism in itself has always already been enough to make any stable social organization impossible to survive for long. Genetic pollution has always been a sufficient extra reason to make (peaceful) social organizations collapse in due time. For thousands of years it has been one of the main reasons why complex civilizations would only have limited life spans and would invariably end in catastrophical collapse. But also this mechanism does not need to fill us with much concern. Even while this mechanism is still beyond our collective awareness at this moment in time and still keeps triggering the collapse of all large civilizational structures in the usual way, the start of Conscious Evolution will easily and automatically make this problem of [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|genetic pollution]](**) be tackled successfully in the slipstream of events.<br />
<br />
== From fact-finding to courses of action == <br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Thus we memorized above the most important novel facts that we have to take into account for understanding the present human situation properly. These facts, that were either unknown or that were out of the focus of our attention, we now do need to be aware of in order to be able to design our future course, for the options that we have, and for the actions that we may decide to take as a consequence.<br />
These novel bits of extra information, the formerly unknown facts and the already known facts that were not in the focus of our attention, together with a number of generally well known facts that already were part of our cultural heritage, [[Why a Point Omega transition ?|led us to the conclusion(*)]] that we are at the brink of a major transition in the evolution of mankind, which transition point we labeled as Point Omega.<br />
<br />
Having become aware of the above mentioned novel bits of information, we can now start to discuss a number of issues that each will play a completely different role in our existence, once we will have moved from the pre-Point-Omega condition to the post-Point-Omega situation. For it is mankind's moving through the transition of Point Omega that will change the role and the importance of each of the discussed phenomena. Below, we will now first discuss a number of such key issues one by one, viewing each issue from both perspectives, the actual, pre-Point-Omega perspective and the coming post-Point-Omega perspective.<br />
<br />
One general consideration that we should keep in mind while trying to find our way, is that '''scientific thinking will replace traditional superstitions'''. But, that is what will happen at the surface. Below the surface, within ourselves, as part of our system of feelings, emotions and motivations, it is that '''curiosity will''' increasingly '''replace fear''' as the all-determining factor in our lives. That is what the over-all picture of the theory of Point Omega predicts. That is what can be derived from the detailed knowledge as is presented elsewhere on this Wiki. The all pervading neuroticising structure of the old society will more and more give way to the emergence of curiosity and creative impulses. And since those differences are very [[Energy_and_Strokes#10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagious]], those changes will happen with the increasing speed of a chain reaction and with an unexpected rapidness. <br />
<br />
In the below, non exhaustive, listing, some issues are presented, in the form of rules that will apply, others in the form of well known, but until now badly understood or difficult to realize admonitions, each of which issues will get a completely new reality value in the new situation. Each consideration in this listing leads to a course of action. We will now present here in the below chapters 12 such courses of action. And at the end we will summarize the suggested courses of action in a listing of priorities. That listing may be an indication for us where we now had best put most of our attention and energy.<br />
<br />
12 considerations:<br />
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- [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account|Democratization of education]]<br />
<br />
-[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account%7CDemocratization of Information|]]<br />
<br />
- Procreating consciously<br />
<br />
- Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes<br />
<br />
- Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness<br />
<br />
- What about Religion <br />
<br />
- Curbing destruction of the environment<br />
<br />
- Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way<br />
<br />
- Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness<br />
<br />
- Treating others as you would like to be treated yourself<br />
<br />
- How to deal with hopeless cases ?<br />
<br />
- Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence<br />
<br />
== Democratization of education ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The first issue is about the optimization of educational opportunities. <br />
<br />
Power structures lean among other things on an information privilege. Youngsters from privileged classes enjoy more opportunities for study and for personal development than do youngsters from the working class. This situation does have a number of advantages for the structures in power. It stabilizes the position of power of the persons manning the power structure control positions, keeping control positions "in the family". Privileged wealth is one of the driving stimuli to keep this pattern going. <br />
<br />
For society as a whole there is however also a strong disadvantage to this education privilege. That is that enormous quantities of talent are continuously being wasted, because stemming from the working and other lower classes of society. A society can potentially win vast advantages when exploiting all potential to the full, which can be achieved by making education levels just depend on individual potential and talent and not on the incidental wealth of the family of the persons in question.<br />
<br />
In some countries the availability of education for those who are capable is to some extent democratized. In those countries, now still a minority, the learning potential of the population is exploited to a much higher degree than what is usually the case. After Point Omega we may expect that this tendency to democratize education will further be perfected world wide.<br />
The results will be two-fold. First of all expensive education resources will not any more be wasted on stupid or less gifted members of the privileged classes. Those resources can then be utilized more effectively.<br />
In the second place almost all innate potential in the whole population can be utilized, where now only a fraction of that potential is coming to bloom.<br />
<br />
Comparing the percentage of potential until now being realized world wide with what would potentially be realized afterPointOmega, leads to the conclusion that this education issue will be one of the major power sources for a stabilization of Point Omega developments. Just this one of the many basic changes around Point Omega does in itself already have the potential to change our world beyond recognition.<br />
<br />
== Transparency ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The second issue is about transparency.<br />
<br />
Transparency is a key issue in the transition to the post-Point-Omega world. Transparency combines with honesty, but not with counterfeit and fraud. Powerstructures heavily lean on information advantages and on keeping the ruled masses unaware of what is really going on. The more ignorant the subdued masses, the easier it is to keep exercising power over them. Power structures in general prefer to keep information privileges in place. Transparency often is poison to their power games and (hidden) ruling techniques.<br />
<br />
However, these days, because of technical developments, we are experiencing an information explosion and with that an explosion of accessibility of information. One of the implications is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult for power structures to maintain their information privileges and communication advantages. Knowledge is democraticized unstoppably and the customary information privileges are crumbling down. <br />
<br />
In the old days, up till this moment in time, information privileges were the "normal" state of affairs. Everybody is used to it and customarily takes it for granted.<br />
In the new era however, transparency will be valued more than the holding upright of the power structures of the day. People will prefer to do away with all that.<br />
<br />
There is also another, different side to this coin. That is the side of "privacy". People in general are very much attached to their privacy. People in general fear "thought control" by the powers in charge and wish to defend their last areas of privacy left to them. People wish to keep their most personal thoughts and feelings hidden from other people. They want to defend their freedom of thinking and feeling differently from what they perceive as the "ideal" that society is trying to impose. The result is that people do not wish transparency regarding their personal selves. They do not wish that other people can read their thoughts.<br />
<br />
However, these are reactions and reflexes that are anchored firmly in the old situation.<br />
The old situation is a situation of struggle and strife. A situation where competition is present in every corner and fold of society. <br />
No matter how far a human society has advanced in establishing a "just" and "fair" societal structure, every societal structure before Point Omega needed to harbor a certain degree of "survival of the fittest" principles in order not to loose the quality of its carriers, us humans, too rapidly by genetic pollution and random drift. These are principles that never have been articulated clearly, in fact they were in general "taboo", but nevertheless in reality they always have been a prerequisite and a strict condition, because of the demands of the struggle for survival between the different competing power structures in the human world. <br />
<br />
Therefore, in practice, only societal structures that kept incorporated certain degrees of competition and "survival of the fittest" within their population and within their structures, could win in the evolutionary battle for survival, a battle basically carried out on software level. But that battle clearly was / is felt in the personal lives of us, individual carriers, also. And that hurts !<br />
<br />
In the new situation however, the old evolutionary requirements will have been replaced by the new principles of "conscious evolution". And these new principles make the primordial requirements of competition and strife superfluous. That holds not only for the evolutionary survival struggle between the different power structures, but also for the evolutionary struggle and competition between individuals within the same power structure or culture, between the carriers of the same power structure, between neighbours, between even family. No need for competition any more after Point Omega. Its evolutionary usefulness and necessity will have become obsolete. <br />
That also implies that the need for secrecy, for cheating and for fraud is large and by becoming obsolete. <br />
<br />
The struggle for survival by all sorts of competition used to lean heavily on the cleverness of individuals, on their capacity to be just a little more clever than their individual competitors. In the old structures huge seas of energy and effort used to be invested in attempts to be more "clever" than the other, and unavoidably that always implied attempts for cheating and fraud, especially if not detected. This principle is so basic to human society, that we don't notice how much these mechanisms rule our lives and how much energy they take. Of course it is true that any society, small or large, is anchored in regulations about which behaviours are permitted and which are not and in more or less effective measures to force its citizens to stick to those rules and laws. Still, within such law systems, people try to outflank each other in "cleverness" and they naturally search for the boundaries of what they can socially and legally get away with. <br />
<br />
In short, in the old system the individuals cannot help but be subjected to the all-overruling demand to compete and to excel in comparison with their fellow citizens and unavoidably also often would try to cheat and defraud the others if they could get away with it. One needed to be almost "holy" to no fall for such pressures. And holiness was rare by definition. In practice, one could simply not avoid to join in those aspects of the rat race. A liking for transparency did not fit in those situations.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega the situation is however quite different, also in that respect. If the deeply felt need for being better at cheating and defrauding falls away because the need for it has become obsolete, incredibly vast amount of energy and attention are spared and can be invested in more agreeable and more pleasant issues. In fact, we are talking here about ''the major part of all our energy spent.''<br />
<br />
After Point Omega there will be felt much less need for privacy and secrecy, because the danger of being unmasked and the need for winning in such competitions of cheating and fraud doesn't play such an important role any longer. That has become irrelevant. People will not be concerned any longer if others can look into their inner thoughts and feelings. They don't fear to lose important competitions by too much "transparency" any longer. They couldn't care less.<br />
<br />
This does have important implications for governments and other leaders of society. <br />
'''Transparency''' can safely be a basic target and goal with less concern for unwanted transparency in the feelings and likings of the individuals. They don't have much to hide any longer anyway.<br />
<br />
Transparency ? Yes !<br />
<br />
Privacy ? Who cares any longer ? And for what obsolete reasons ?<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the results of transparency is that power structures are losing their information privileges and thus lose an important tool for keeping their citizens / carriers subdued and in slavery, mild or harsh. That relaxation of repression tools will diminish also the selection pressures in favour of sociability and compliance and against individualism, self-will and creativity. As explained in detail [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Selection_within_human_social_structures|elsewhere on this Wiki(***)]], the relaxation of that selection pressure will take the power away from the cyclic processes that cause turn-overs, bankruptcies, revolutions and genocides. <br />
<br />
Social selection cycles and '''social catastrophes''' will as a consequence become '''easier to handle''' and can be redirected. This side effect of transparency should provide an extra reason for governments and other authorities to stimulate such transparency where possible.<br />
<br />
== Procreating consciously ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The third issue is about procreation.<br />
<br />
There is no need to receive children with handicaps, nor to produce them. Parents, and also governments with all their guidance potential, have a responsibility towards newborn life. '''Every newborn is entitled to be wished for and to be received with joy and love'''. This includes the parental care for the quality of the new life, also in the planning phase. Medical and biological knowledge and skills make suffering from innate defects large and by unnecessary from Point Omega on.<br />
<br />
This principle will automatically put an end to overpopulation. [http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies Statistics show] that the percentage of children, born unwanted, is such that if that category will end, numbers will rapidly decrease. In a not too far future after Point Omega it will be difficult to imagine for the people from that time, that in the past our present overpopulation was such a grand problem and that people were quite prepared to live with a couple of thousand people per square kilometer. What we today consider as "usual" population densities will then be regarded as a nightmare from the past.<br />
<br />
Technically speaking, there will be no need to restrict the number of children, permitted per parent, by force. Chinese methods are, or will soon be, superfluous. Helping parents to avoid unwished for children, will already be enough to reduce the average reproduction rate to below 2,0 per woman. Governments had better spend their energy in counter-effecting the tendency of "the most stupid people reproducing fastest".<br />
<br />
Whereas knowledge about the effects of '''genetic pollution''' is not at the core of our present day cultural heritage, it used to be a more common concern just a couple of generations ago. Among other things by the misdemeanour of the Nazis these notions have been put away in taboo sections of our present day culture. <br />
The above considerations as derived from the information presented on this Wiki (see for instance [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|here (#5)(**))]] lead however to the conclusion that, in spite of the Nazi-inspired taboo on population genetic thinking on humans, we should effectively address our genetic make up and start to prevent genetic pollution from automatically undermining any attempts to establish lasting fair and civilized societies. <br />
<br />
We wish to point out here that in that respect we do not need to foster any fears as installed in us by what happened in the Third Reich. We now do have all technological tools at our fingertips to help people avoid unwanted genetic defects in their offspring. And since the average human being can easily be brought to the point of paying attention to these genetic issues and act accordingly, there is basically no need whatsoever to exert strong pressures from above to enforce a genetic police system. Where it appears possible to seduce people for instance to buy the useless foods that they daily purchase in great quantities, it should be no problem at all to seduce them to follow a healthy management of their own offspring. The level of advertisement needed to achieve that is probably less intensive than the advertisement needed to make them continuously buy unwholesome quantities of junk food.<br />
All that is needed is a better level of awareness at all levels of society, breaking this specific veil of organized ignorance and superstition.<br />
<br />
To put it bluntly, humankind can only survive if it addresses effectively not only the unhampered growth of numbers, that is causing the destruction of the world’s ecological heritage, but also the effects of genetic pollution and deterioration, that would unavoidably cause the collapse of any serious attempt to establish a really civilized human community, as it has always done, throughout the history of mankind.<br />
All the necessary know how is now available. '''We just need to change focus, breaking taboos and ignorance and embrace awareness'''.<br />
<br />
Our civilization is getting global. Let’s take the war producing population genetic sting out, before it destroys us all. We cannot afford to have complete morons sit at the red buttons, which is what unavoidably happens more and more when ever increasing “genetic loads” are smothering any further possibility for adequate and intelligent action.<br />
<br />
The stark truth is that most of us do behave as, and have been trained to behave as complete morons, adapted with force, under penalty of being ostracized, to systems of collective superstition, blindness and ignorance that block any tendency to come to our senses and take adequate, responsible decisions.<br />
<br />
It is '''time to wake up'''. Further delay will become more and more “homo-cidal” to us all.<br />
<br />
Let us consider shortly what we may expect on the level of human population genetics after we have "woken up".<br />
What will happen after Point Omega ?<br />
<br />
Increased awareness of our genetic endowment, an increased general level of sober thinking and a strongly improved set of medical tools to assist us in family planning will result in an ever larger percentage of the population procreating consciously and voluntarily. That will increase the frequency couples are utilising genetic counseling for optimal procreational results.<br />
In the USA we have seen already a steady increase during the last decades of the use of genetic counseling. And these tendencies are spreading towards Europe and other wealthy regions as well.<br />
<br />
Governments can easily induce more use of medical techniques for enhancing the quality of the offspring. Therefore it is '''not needed''' at all '''to use''' much government '''pressure and force'''. Nazi-like measures are not needed at all. Modern advertisement techniques are effective enough to help trigger such '''rational procreational methods to spread among the population widely'''.<br />
<br />
The modern techniques of birth control enable parents to choose the proper time for procreation. These techniques are spreading rapidly all over the world. This has two very important consequences. One is that conscious procreation will stop the growth of overpopulation. If all unwanted children would not get born, the world population would stop to grow and the present overpopulation would come to a halt. <br />
The second consequence is that the genetic counseling going with a more conscious procreation would decrease levels of genetic load and pollution.<br />
<br />
These effects will come automatically and unavoidably, simply because they have become possible and people like to profit themselves from their advantages. We may expect that contemporary taboos that are still blocking such developments, will gradually but shortly lose their power over us.<br />
<br />
There will be more different effects on the population genetic level that we may expect to emerge after Point Omega. But the above examples will suffice to indicate the trend to be expected.<br />
<br />
== Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The fourth issue is dealing with our illusions about "Good" and "Bad".<br />
<br />
The ability to avoid being trapped by the tendency to indulge in Positive versus Negative Evaluation is likely to be a prerequisite for manipulating [[The biological instability of social equilibria|population- and group-cycles]] at will. And since human population- and group-dynamics tend to be worked out nowadays at the level of economic strangling techniques, genocide and (nuclear) war, the skill of controlling such population-dynamic forces would seem to be a prerequisite for man's survival.<br />
<br />
The positive-negative dimension, Good versus Bad, does not relate to actual behaviour. Still, people think it does. This phenomenon is one of the most striking examples of man's innate Blindness for the Self. The Good-Bad dimension is a very effective veil for hiding human behavioural reality from awareness. One of the mechanisms is the built in time bomb within every social structure, making sure that the life span of any social structure is only limited and in the end causing catastrophic turn over events like break down through ossification, bankruptcies, revolutions, genocides, political collapse, etc. For the people involved these catastrophic events are highly unpleasant and problematic, but the (historical) biological and evolutionary advantages have been amply explained [[The biological instability of social equilibria|elsewhere on this Wiki.]](***) The evolutionary usefulness of these built in catastrophes is clear.<br />
<br />
The proximate mechanism fueling these cyclic selection mechanisms is the involuntary selection pressure within each organizational structure in favour of the genetic roots of docility, sociablity and adaptiveness and against innovative creativity and individualism. These forces of attraction and repulsion work out on the cognitive level through the illusory [[Good_and_Bad,_an_illusory_dimension_as_the_cornerstone_of_human_personality|notions of Good and Bad]]. The Good-Bad dimension thus motors the cyclic turn over mechanisms and the periodic emergence of social catastrophes.<br />
Until now, these social cyclic turn-over mechanisms are practically unknown, let alone their effects and implications.<br />
<br />
For all practical reasons, after Point Omega it is not necessary to focus on the working of those cyclic catastrophes. It will be sufficient to focus attention on the knowledge of Good and Bad, that is, on the illusory character of it. Once awareness will be spreading about this one particular aspect of humanity's Self-Blindness, the attachment to utilizing this illusory polarity as the most important personality dimension, the all overriding power of these good-bad reflexes in social relations will diminish and gradually lose its influence in human social life. And that is in particular of crucial importance on the level of politics and governmental decision making.<br />
<br />
Viewed from a point of view from before Point Omega (which is "now"), this option, this possibility to collectively overcome the devastating effects of this aspect of our Self-Blindness, the blinding effects of the utilization of the Good-Bad dimension, is rather difficult to grasp. If not conceptually too complicated for most people, it certainly is a bridge too far emotionally to ask from people to not follow the primordial dictates of the blind forces of social attraction and repulsion, that have steered their / our behaviour since the beginning of time.<br />
<br />
However, viewed from our situation áfter the Point Omega transition, it will be increasingly easy for increasing numbers of people to overcome these primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion and to consciously choose more fruitful ways to interact. And this change will also be subject to positive feed back mechanisms that will make it progressively easier for people to adopt novel ways to interact, once certain critical numbers have been reached.<br />
<br />
In short, it will pay off for governments to enhance scientific knowledge about the Good-Bad concepts and to stimulate people to find alternative and more fruitful ways to interact with one another. Such ways will be counter-intuitive at first, but gradually people will get used to it, especially after it becomes more and more clear what bounties can be expected at the other side of the divide, after having passed the boundary of the knowledge of Good and Bad.<br />
<br />
If you understand how (illusory) Good-Bad reflexes work, you automatically stop to "judge" people.<br />
<br />
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7, verse 1&2.)<br />
<br />
== Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Self-Blindness has been a steady trait of Homo sapiens since a couple of million years, that is, from the time the intelligence of our ancestors started to rise. A high intelligence cannot be an ESS without a special provision that blocks the application of intelligent faculties to the own behaviour. The latter is the strong and striking Self-Blindness that is such a peculiar feature of our own species.<br />
<br />
The above discussed compulsive human tendency to make use of Good-Bad differences in judgments is just one of the many forms in which Self-Blindness appears.<br />
<br />
In the psychological research literature one can find a vast amount of issues that show specific human blindnesses in certain (other) fields of functioning.<br />
Even on Wikipedia one can find a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases list of cognitive biases](*), each of which biases is another expression of the striking Blindness for the Self of Homo sapiens (see also [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|here]](*) for a chapter on this Wiki that is dedicated to these Self-Blindness phenomena).<br />
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Since Self-Blindness is one of the main ingredients for the structures that keep humanity bound in slavery and neuroticism, it is of great importance, and very urgent at that, that we collectively try as quickly and as effectively as we can, to come to grips with this typically human behavioural bias. If we wish to create a more agreeable world, we do have to take this hurdle. There is no escape from that necessity. In the above mentioned chapter on this Wiki it is argued that we should start a research discipline that is fully dedicated to create clarity and scientific insight in these aspects of Self-Blindness. In [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|that chapter]](**) it is suggested to label such a research discipline as "Amathology" or "the science of ignorance".<br />
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It may sound outrageous at first sight to advertise such a research discipline, but it is not meant as a joke. In fact this should be considered as one of the most important issues for putting extra energy, time and attention, if we wish to stimulate a smooth transition into the post-Point-Omega world. <br />
Seriously dealing with the human Self-Blindness should therefore be considered as one of the major differences between the pre-Point-Omega condition and the post-Point-Omega situation. In fact, starting up research disciplines on Amathology could be labeled as a significant characteristic of the post-Point-Omega era.<br />
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== What about Religion ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The sixth issue to pay attention to here is religion.<br />
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Religion is one of the areas of life where great differences will occur between the pre-Point-Omega situation and the post-Point-Omega situation. In the realm of religions great changes will inescapably occur. One of the reasons is that religions deal with peoples attitude towards life and towards society and towards fellow citizens and at the same time religions play a major, and often hidden, role in keeping people under control. Apart from being a rescue and a life vest for the struggling populace, religions in general also play a major role as tools for power structures. This dual role contributes to the confusion that religiously oriented subjects tend to suffer from. And this confusion is one of the corner stones of power structures in charge, for maintaining control.<br />
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Because of these central functions in human life, religions will change in appearance and in function once all major aspects of human life are changing with the Point Omega transition.<br />
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Briefly summarized, we can recognize 4 central characteristics of religions:<br />
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1) Religions represent an important information source for its adherents; religions also function as a support system for people in need; and religions function also as networks for social communication and social relationships; and finally, religions provide a channel for spiritual experiences, god-consciousness and related levels of awareness. These aspects together are the information and support sides of religions.<br />
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2) A totally different function is that religions are also functioning as tools for suppression, installing fears and superstitions in their carriers / subjects.<br />
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3) Religions also serve as a sort of life vests for neurotic and fearful people. And since the vast majority of people falls in that class of people, the life-vest function of religion has always been, and still is, crucial.<br />
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4) The above 3 functions may seem contradictory in many respects, and basically, they are. Religions always seem to create inextricable tangles of inexplicable complexities, that nevertheless manage to bind people within their believe systems. The pictures of the world and of peoples own existence may seem inextricably complex, but as such these pictures and views, as provided by religious beliefs, represent an ESS structure ( Evolutionarily Stable Strategies) for the power structures in place. <br />
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All these 4 aspects of religion will change tremendously during the shift towards Point Omega.<br />
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So, religions play a central role in keeping communal world views in place and at the same time in keeping their carriers (us) bound in a strong dependence of the local power structures in question. Neuroticism and dependency of the masses is strongly defended and given shape by means of all the fairy tales and lies that religions keep in place (see [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''here''(**)]] for more explanation about the way power structures utilize organized ignorance, superstition and fear for maintaining their power over their carriers - subjects). Packages of superstition, ignorance and neuroticizing belief systems may be disadvantageous to their personal carriers, but they evolved and always existed because of their evolutionary survival value at the communal level. And by that we mean survival value on the level of software, the level of "memes", the leading level for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, many philosophers (and prophets) consider science as conducted properly and soberly, as a means to liberation. "Seek ye the truth, and the truth will make you free", as the saying goes, a saying that can also already be found in the Bible. In that sense such philosophers mean to indicate science as juxtaposed to religious superstition, ignorance and belief-systems.<br />
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What can be expected to happen after Point Omega in this respect is a further secularization of society, in the sense that superstitious beliefs and structured ignorance will stop controlling society as they did in the past. The world will more and more choose for science where science appears to conflict with religious traditions and blindness for the truth, and especially with religious taboos against looking at ourselves soberly. In that sense science will work as a liberating force.<br />
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Another effect we may expect from this secularization and increasing awareness of all the workings within ourselves is a cleaning up of all aspects, mentioned under point 1) above. <br />
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Our world views, our support systems for the needy, our social networks, and also our spiritual life, will all be cleaned from taboo structures and other irrational blocks, from fear inducing old habits, from illogical inexplicabilities, from structured and forcefully imposed ignorance.<br />
And such a clean up will unleash untold and unexpected quantities of personal energy in all people involved, taking away the myriads of energy consuming tricks with which the power systems always kept us subjugated in neuroticizing structured slavery and ignorance. And the synergy between all these individual clean ups will cause an exponential increase of human potential and communal energy. It will verily motor the Point Omega transition. (For an [[Energy and Strokes|explanation of the mechanisms underlying such synergies, see here]](***).)<br />
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So, yes, the religion-related changes will be crucially important aspects of the new era and of the transition thereto.<br />
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Also, these changes will not be the end of spirituality and personal salvation, for authentic spirituality is not dependent of superstition and fairy tales. On the contrary, ending superstition, institutionalized ignorance and repression systems, will open up the road to a massive revival of genuine spirituality.<br />
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From the above we may conclude to a number of focusing points for governments to pay attention to and to invest in, like:<br />
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- Discourage superstitions that are blocking science or blocking truth.<br />
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- No worldly power should be allotted to systems of fairy tales and superstitions.<br />
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- Protect secularization tendencies.<br />
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- Protect authentic spiritual revival movements from persecution by old established repressive religious traditions. (The latter have in general become mixed with repressive power structures.)<br />
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For deciding how to deal with the differences between religious affairs before Point Omega and religious affairs after Point Omega, it is useful to take one step back and consider the evolutionary necessities that have formed these characteristics of human life and that determine and will keep determining our options, options in personal behaviour, options in political management, and options in philosophical and ideological attitudes, including religions.<br />
As explained in more detail in the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|''article on this Wiki about human Self-Blindness'']](*), a higher intelligence could only evolve in humans by virtue of specific built in blindnesses for our own and each other's behaviours. Human evolution has been a competition between increasing intelligence and concomitantly needed Self-Blindness needed for preventing that evolving intelligence from biting in its own tail, blocking further successful procreation and spreading of a higher intelligence through the population. As pointed out above and in [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''other articles on this Wiki'']](**), religion is a major tool to keep sufficient Self-Blindness operational for allowing higher levels of freely applicable intelligence to evolve.<br />
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== Co-evolution of High Intelligence and Self-Blindness, the example of the Jews ==<br />
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'''(**)''' With respect to the above, which was the sixth issue we discuss here, it should be of interest to pay attention to one of the oldest grand religions on earth, the jewish believe system. That belief system already exists for over 3.000 years and has well survived until this day. That is a very exceptional feat. Most religions in the world have been in operation only locally and only for a limited period of time. In general such local religions were very ethnocentric and self-serving. <br />
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What strikes the interested onlooker is that the jewish tribe enjoys a higher than usual average intelligence, while at the same time the religious prescriptions are more numerous and more restrictive for daily life, than is usually the case with other religions. What also strikes the attention is that the jewish race has survived quite a number of (forced) mass-migrations out of their home-territory and returning later, not loosing their ancestral religious culture. This cultural survival is not customary in most other religious systems. Tribes and races tend to disappear and or to dissolve in other peoples and tribes, their local belief systems disappearing with them.<br />
When investigating the relationship between the evolution of intelligence in the human species and the theoretical [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|prerequisite of Self-Blindness to make a high intelligence possible]](*), the case of the apparently successful jewish race could be utilized as a test example. <br />
There are a number of other striking features to the jewish people. We mention here the holocaust-like historical events, that have plagued the jews repeatedly, in fact for thousands of years, every time without the jews disappearing completely from the scene, as is more customary with other tribes and creeds in the world of Homo sapiens. Another feature of jewry is that they have moved through a number of population-cycle events as described in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|''another article on this Wiki(***), consisting of a paper that was also presented in 1987 in Jeruzalem at a conference of the ESS (European Sociobiological Society)'']]. <br />
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The effects of genetic pollution and of extreme selection effects in favour of sociability and against creativity and innovation, as one would expect in most social structures, be it tribes, races or local cultures, evidently have been circumvented in the case of the jews, probably by how their history was shaped. In view of the theory in the above mentioned article the conflict between jews and palestinians is also determined to a high degree by the facts that the palestinians historically are a typical "residue"-population whereas the jews are typical migrated newcomers. Historically such relationships are a guarantee of disaster for or a complete disappearance of the "residue-population". In that light, it is remarkable and maybe a characteristic of this era, that the palestinian people are still present there and tolerated as a distinct population-entity.<br />
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Irrespective of these latter considerations, the fact is that the jewish tribe or race combines a higher than average intelligence with a higher than average religious pressure on personal and social life. Also, it can easily be recognized that also theír religious system, as any other religious system, is an extra barrier to understanding of the own behaviour or of understanding the behaviour of human beings in general.<br />
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Looking at Jewry, just from the surface, it immediately strikes the eye that these people have just recently gone through an unbelievably harsh racist ordeal, losing literally millions of their kin at the hands of the Nazi nationalists.<br />
We should not forget that the genocide that happened in the Third Reich was nothing more than what in earlier times of human history, and even before that, was what ordinarily happened between competing tribal entities. Genocidal and territorial "final solutions" were the rule rather than the exception. The Third Reich was just a larger scale and more "industrialized" version of an ancient pattern. Now, some 80 years later, we find that the Germans in general are deeply ashamed that "they", that theír folk, allowed such stark collective blindness to take the lead. The Nazi's considered the Jews as foreigners, as another tribe or race, which makes genocide easier, but history shows us that such a racial component is not even necessary for committing monstrous and massive killings of people, even of one's own kin. Carrying other than the preferred ideas or believes may be sufficient to be exterminated on a massive scale. We have seen that recently happen in quite a number of occasions, like e.g., the Stalinist purges, killing tens of millions of the Russian's own people, Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward, costing the lives of also tens of millions of people, The Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, also taking the lifes of a high percentage of the own people, simply because they were suspected of not carrying the right political ideas and ideals, etc. <br />
So, ethnocentric aspects may facilitate massive killings, but they are in no way a condition for these atrocities to occur. They just make genocides and the like a little more probable.<br />
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In the case of the Jews, one would expect that, having suffered such an ordeal just recently, they themselves would nót fall for the automatisms of racism and ethnocentric territoriality.<br />
Present history shows us however that that expectation is far too optimistic. Even while a large part of the nations in the world are questioning the Jewish territorial and ethnocentric internal aggression, against people who lived there first, the Israëli nevertheless still give the impression that they "stick to their guns" and that they carry on with the usurpation at hand.<br />
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Taking another step back and looking at what is happening today in the "holy land" through the eyes of an unprepared onlooker, we cannot but be flabbergasted by the enormity of what at the surface seems to appear as a jewish blindness for reality. <br />
We wish to point out here that this is a good example of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|evolutionary necessity of Self-Blindness in cases of an evolving higher intelligence]](**).<br />
No doubt that the Jews are one of the most intelligent tribes on earth. No doubt also, that hey demonstrate collective Self-Blindness in an incredibly clear and obvious way. The least we can say is that what happens to the Jews today, is alas in line with what is predicted from the pages of this Wiki. Viewed from the perspective of the [[The biological instability of social equilibria|above mentioned Jerusalem paper (1987)]](***) a newly arrived invading group (the jews from the diaspora) has to deal with a resident "residue" population (the palestinians) and naturally encounters difficulties in dealing with the in Homo sapiens customary tendencies of subjugation or genocide of the resident residue population. In view of the recent history of the jews themselves and of the complete world community looking over their shoulders, novel and "better" solutions are sought to solve the emerged political conflicts, but better (novel) solutions cannot easily be found.<br />
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As a comment in the margin we could add here that we may hope that the Israëli will shortly manage to learn to keep thinking soberly in front of a mirror, the mirror e.g., of the opinion of the rest of the world. If they would manage to do just that, that would verily be a novelty. <br />
Because ...........................<br />
we outsiders may easily conclude that the jews in the "holy land" appear to be crazy racists, having lost their minds, but what the jews are showing there is the result of primordial social reflexes that are the endowment of us all, of all the people in the world.<br />
Let's hope that they shortly learn how to keep their intellect working in front of the mirror, how to conquer the typical Blindness for the Self that has been the characteristic of us since Homo sapiens started to differ from its hominid ancestors.<br />
The Jews have not much time left.<br />
The proliferation of nuclear weapons on both sides makes survival of a jewish ethnocentric and territorial state ever more unstable, if not impossible. It looks like time is running out. They either come to their senses quickly, or some competitor group might obtain nuclear weapons and wipe Israël off the map.<br />
If that terrible thing would happen, that would no doubt be an extra impulse for the rest of the world to analyse what has happened and what are the basic mechanisms leading to such types of disasters. And that would facilitate and boost a rise in Self-awareness, not only about what is happening to the Jews right now, but about how these mechanisms are working in literally all tribes and races on earth. And that in turn would facilitate the Point Omega transition.<br />
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An alternative to such a disaster would be the Israëli coming to their senses, starting to understand themselves at last and explaining to the world how it all works. In that case they could take the lead in the coming explosion of (self-)awareness. That would fit in their self-assigned role of a "chosen People".<br />
For the world at large will learn from their mouths, or they will learn from their graves. <br />
Let's hope that the first option will prevail for the Israëli people.<br />
Time is almost up.<br />
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The Jewish (seemingly) ethnocentric creed can thus serve as an example illustrating the customary evolutionary need for Self-Blindness in our species.<br />
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When considering and discussing governmental measures to be taken for the benefit of the human species for after Point Omega, it would therefore seem useful to also consider such measures in comparison with and in relationship with the jewish creed as an example. The history and the shaping of that tribe can serve as a valuable reference point and bench mark.<br />
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== Curbing destruction of the environment ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The seventh issue is about biodiversity and our pretended stewardship.<br />
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As we have seen, present day human evolution is primarily determined by the survival struggle between meme level power structures. And these power structures are dragging the much slower gene level evolution of mankind along. <br />
Competing power structures basically have no "interest" in the environment. They are only interested in spreading their software as well as possible among as many carriers as possible (us). The ecological environment is only important in as far as that environment should be able to keep the power structure's carriers alive. Of course there is no conscious "intent" in the power structures, but from the outside, at the surface, it looks like that to us, onlookers. The survival struggle looks like there is intent involved, but of course it just is an automatic process, the process of evolutionary changes.<br />
So, for the power structures in charge ecological values and biodiversity are only interesting in as far as they enhance the more effective spreading of "their" culture, their memes among us humans. <br />
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Before Point Omega, including the moment of "now", the real competition for resources is between the power structures in charge. And money is power, so if more money can be made in a short time at the cost of some extra environmental damage, the environment is in bad shape. Even if good stewardship would render more long term profit, then still, higher short term profits are generally preferred, even if the long term environmental damage is high and thus the long term profits lower than would be possible with more rational methods. Because of the short term higher profits environmental destruction has been going on since mankind has learned to manipulate its environment. Agriculture has been reducing the carrying capacity of the environment consistently since almost 10.000 years. Some people may think that environmental damage is a recent phenomenon, but that is not the case. The damage may proceed faster these days then in earlier times, but for instance the process of desertification has already taken its toll since thousands of years. For instance, in some North African regions, that used to serve as granaries for the Roman empire, the desert is now practically reaching to the sea. Another example is the sorry ecological state of the löss plateau in China, the source region of the yellow river, This highly fertile löss area is where the Han Chinese originated from, but in recent centuries the area only could support a minor percentage of the people it could support in more ancient times. The reason has merely been short sighted short term profit making by conforming to habits of overgrazing and subsequently losing fertile soil. <br />
Similar agricultural mis-use of soils occurred everywhere in the world. In fact there is more man-made desert on this planet than there is agricultural land.<br />
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Since the blind competition struggle for resources between power structures was the leading factor in our evolution, the environmental price being paid locally did not play an important role. As long as the carriers of the power structures in question would not survive less than the carriers of competitor power structures, the environmental effects could safely be neglected and ignored. We can now formulate that even more precisely. As long as the struggle between power structures determines our lives, and that is still the case completely, it is practically impossible to prevent biodiversity from further dwindling away.<br />
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After Point Omega however, we will enter the phase of conscious evolution, which will take the sting out of the all overruling influence of the power structures. The ancient penalties on the level of success and procreation, that had to be paid if one's own power structure would not win, do not apply any more. After Point Omega we will enjoy freedom from the old procreational dictates and laws, that used to make rebellion against the interests of the power structures a risky and often fatal affair.<br />
After Point Omega we can safely reverse the wave of ecological destruction that has plagued mother earth for such a long time already.<br />
In our modern age of tool making and technical innovations we can then choose to use all those technical tools for "creating more biodiversity" rather than reduce it. It just needs some awareness of what has been going on and how we could do it better. And once we have come around to calculating the long term financial profits of good stewardship, we can in principle easily stimulate decisions to improve biodiversity, rather than reduce it. <br />
All the modern tools and technical possibilities can equally well be applied for the better instead of only for the worse.<br />
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Modern ecological methods that can replace the ancient agricultural habits, go by various names: "Permaculture", "Natuurbouw" (Nature construction), "Ecological Stewardship", "Sustainability", etc. <br />
These more rational ecologically-friendly agricultural methods and land-management methods, methods of controlled landscaping, are nowadays spreading rapidly all over the world.<br />
Still, the all pervading influence of big money serves as a powerful engine for ecological destruction. Financially, it still pays off on the short term to continue to accept destruction as collateral damage of making more money in the short term.<br />
Until these days that destructive effect of the way power structures express themselves cannot easily be countered lastingly, because in the end the question is always which power structure was able to win from which other power structure, wielding its resources, including money, for spreading itself maximally. And the ecological collateral damage was always of minor importance in comparison to the survival and supremacy of the power structure in charge.<br />
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However, once we will have entered the phase of conscious evolution, the usual evolutionary penalties will lose their previously all pervading power and influence, making it possible for mankind to conscientiously choose its own course of action, which course of action then may very well be a course that optimizes biodiversity on earth instead of destroying it in the slipstream of the blind battle for survival between the impersonal powers structures.<br />
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What governments could do for example to speed up the turning around of ecological destruction is to wield taxes as a means to help steer the behaviour of their people in more environment-friendly and wholesome directions. After Point Omega governments will get increasingly more space to introduce such methods. And their populaces will simply demand it, being aware of what is at stake.<br />
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== Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness ==<br />
'''(*)''' The eighth issue is about happiness, illusory or not, or about what comes most close to it.<br />
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As described in other articles on this Wiki (see e.g. [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|here]]), lasting happiness is something people tend to strive after, but in reality it does not exist. As the Canadian philosofer Tennessen used to say: "happiness is for the pigs". And indeed, once a person starts to understand how our behaviour works, the illusion of the possibility to eventually reach a state of lasting and stable happiness will have vanished. The notion of happiness is a valid phenomenon in our own personal, day to day, minute to minute, system, in that it indicates a direction in which we wish to go at any one given moment in time. The difference between happiness and unhappiness makes us move. And the items or situations that are thought to make us happy or unhappy, are the things we move away from (unhappiness) and things we move towards (happiness). We move from what we dislike towards what we do like. Any living being that is not a plant but a moving entity does have such perceptions or it would stop moving.<br />
So, the feeling or sensation of happiness simply is implied by being an animal and not a plant.<br />
But, even if some steady state of happiness does not exist in reality, it is pointed out [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|elsewhere on this Wiki]](***) that it is nevertheless very well possible to reach states of well functioning and personal growth as opposed to states of disfunctioning and stagnant learning processes. Happiness may be illusory, but "well functioning" certainly is a real thing, that can be measured and that can be strived after and eventually be obtained successfully.<br />
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In the small Himalaya country of Bhutan they do not have a ministry of economic affairs that is trying to maximize the gross national product, but they have instead a ministry that has the task to maximize the gross national happiness.<br />
In the same vein most people in the world are striving continuously on a personal level to improve their situation and to seek happiness.<br />
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Knowing what we now know about our behaviour as laid down on this Wiki, we, Homo sapiens, can become aware that we are not plants, but animals, that we are `movers`, that we move from `A` to `B`, from unpleasant to pleasant, from unhappiness towards happiness.<br />
Being constantly on the move, our awareness includes the point where we come from, `A` as much as the point we are moving towards, `B`. So, basically each person can be aware of both happiness and-or unhappiness, just depending on whether the attention is reaching forward or reaching backward. In principle it is technically speaking quite simple to make that switch from looking backward to looking forward, but nevertheless people in general feel either the pain of the situation to move away from, or the pleasure of the situation preferred, giving the illusion that one is either in state `A` or in state `B`, while in reality one is always connected to both, while moving. This very basic fact of human life can serve as an example of to what extent we are blind for our own behaviour. <br />
People mostly need so called `wise men` to be reminded of the above truth, instead of really understanding all that automatically right from the start.<br />
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Tennessen´s statement `happiness is for the pigs` means to illustrate the illusory aspect of states of happiness. That is the subjective side of the story. <br />
From the objective side however we can discriminate very well between states of well functioning and states of bad functioning, between states of expanding and processing experience successfully and states of a faltering learning process and a stagnant development. And whereas that latter distinction is not the same as happiness versus unhappiness, it is functionally related with happiness / unhappiness and it is very real and nòt illusory.<br />
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That is why on this Wiki we have paid attention to states of well-functioning versus states of mal-functioning, states of optimal development versus states of stagnation and neurotization. This distinction is not only very real, it is an important issue in the present day state of Homo sapiens.<br />
[[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5.2_Growth_of_Skills_versus_Growth_of_Unskills|Elsewhere on this Wiki (see e.g., here)]](*), the basic mechanisms of learning and the processing of experiences is described. There the basic mechanisms of motivational end emotional reversals is discussed and the importance of a proper rhythm between the two is explained.<br />
Since we are not plants but animals, we are "movers" and therefore switches between feeling happy and feeling unhappy alternate. That's what makes us move. <br />
In cases where the rhythm of telic / paratelic switches are optimal, also an optimal learning process will result. In cases where the telic /paratelic switches are far from optimal, usually with too few paratelic states, a cumulation of avoidance reflexes occurs and from that the formation of so called "negative COEX-systems" (a label introduced by Stanislas Grof; i.e. Systems of COndensed EXperience).<br />
In the ideal case an optimal rhythm of telic and paratelic switches occurs and that results in the formation of many "positive COEX-systems". Such positive COEX-systems consist of areas of experience where the experiences in question have been processed sufficiently and have as a result been integrated in areas of "mastery". That route leads to the actualization of many potentials that were/are present in the person in question. A proper rhythm leads to Self-actualization and an improper rhythm leads to neuroticism and truncated behaviour patterns.<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag before Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' As explained in other articles (see [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|e.g. here]](*)) the power structures that have ruled human societies for almost 10.000 years now derive advantages from inducing to some degree neurotization in their carriers, us humans. They are in need of fearful compliance and that state can easier be induced in ailing neurotics than in well functioning self-actualizers.<br />
Another characteristic of the situation before Point Omega is the continuous and structural mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands (see [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|here'''(**)''']] for further explanation). We labeled the source of that mismatch as "evolutionary Jet-Lag". And that mismatch in turn also does have a strongly neuroticizing effect.<br />
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These two effects together result in Homo "sapiens" nowadays functioning quite sub-optimally. We are on average neurotic, truncated, fear-driven failures as compared with "what every individual could have been".<br />
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The evolution of "memes" is running on a different time scale than does the biological DNA-based evolution. Since both memes and genes have us humans as their carriers, we humans are the ones who suffer from the Jet-Lag between the gene-evolution and the meme-evolution.<br />
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All in all this emotional friction from that Jet-Lag brings us mainly pain and bad feelings.<br />
Seen from that point, Homo sapiens after all does have a severe unhappiness-problem. That is, the present state of mankind is characterized by neurotic, truncated behaviour and a very low frequency of Self-Actualizers. However, this does not imply that subjectively we feel rather unhappy on average. Because we are saddled with a strong Self-Blindness, we are not aware of our relative malfunctioning. Our point of reference is ourselves and our very myopic way of looking at things, precludes us becoming aware of the difference between "what is" and "what could be", especially in ourselves. <br />
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Humanity is in a very bad state for already many thousands of years, but as individuals we have no clue as to this situation. We cannot see. For us, this horrible state is "normalcy".<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag after Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' After Point Omega Humanity will resort to conscious evolution and that will inter alii result in taking the sting out of that evolutionary mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands. We will more and more direct the N-demands ourselves and create matches between the consciously designed N-demands and our primordial P-feelings.<br />
Until this moment in time, this phase in our evolution, there would be a high penalty on not yielding to current, traditional, N-demands. However, that evolutionary penalty will be suspended by the introduction of conscious evolution.<br />
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So, what will happen after Point Omega is this: Conscious Evolution ---> Consciously dealing (and successfully) with evolutionary Jet-Lag ---> less pressure from N-demands that are not fitting with our primordial P-feelings ---> more Self-Actualization ---> more "happiness" in an objective way, i.e. more Well-Functioning (but this does not imply a higher level of subjective happiness, because that is a technical impossibility).<br />
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The mechanisms described here offer distinct options for governments to ease the escape from the all influential control over us by the power structures in charge. Governments may choose to help spread awareness of the unpleasantness of the demands by the power structures. That would make it easier for people to gather the necessary courage to make a stand and choose more wholesome courses of action, increasing their psychological health and well-being structurally. And, apart from that, governments can choose to actively take a host of other measures for reducing mass neuroticism, now that they understand the working of the underlying mechanisms. And that will result in freeing enormous quantities of human energy and resources. It does not need much further explanation to understand that such developments will result in a chain reaction of mass-self-actualization, fueling and speeding up the Point Omega transition at large.<br />
<br />
== Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The ninth issue is about how we behave towards one another.<br />
<br />
As pointed out in the article [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|about Reversal Theory on this Wiki(***)]], that is dealing with the antagonist motivational states Telic and Paratelic and the alternations between the two, our behavioural system is designed to make optimum use of acquired experiences and to make us automatically search for those experiences that would optimally fit as a useful addition to already acquired experiences and skills. That way the system makes optimal use of any surplus of energy, investing it automatically in exactly those places and situations that fit best to expand the systems of condensed experience [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|(COEX systems)(***)]] that have already been acquired and already are available. On the one hand this mechanism results in better chances to successfully expand the behavioural repertoire in cases where the individual in question has already learned quite a bit and is on average well balanced. This is a positive feed back system within the individual behavioural system. The more skills already acquired, the easier it is to acquire further growth.<br />
<br />
Between people, at the level of social interaction, a similar effect can be recognized. A positive attitude from one person to the other (we can label that as "strokes") does enhance better chances for the receiving person to find relaxation when needed and subsequently to establish or maintain an optimal rhythm of telic / paratelic reversals. That way there exist also very strong positive feed back loops between people, that finally result in a high contagiousness of psychological health.<br />
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If one would seek for methods to enhance a healthy psychological development of as many people as possible, a good strategy would be to treat individual people as supportive and as positively as possible. Such treatment, abundant with "strokes", helps the receiver of such an attitude to reach or maintain optimal telic / paratelic alternations and thus an optimal learning cycle. <br />
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"Treating others as one would like to be treated oneself" an admonition which is familiar to e.g. Christians and Buddhists, would therefore be a logical strategy when striving to create a more ideal society. And obviously, the usefulness of that principle has already been recognized by seeers and prophets since a very long time.<br />
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<br />
This principle also pertains to behaviour towards other species than only to the human race itself. Self actualization brings forth automatically a raised compassion with all forms of life, because in that state of mind there is more emotional space available, in whichever direction. This involuntarily results in "good stewardship" over nature, also an old Christian (and also Buddhist) ideal.<br />
<br />
However, until now there have always been very strong evolutionary principles and laws that are at variance with the above mentioned ideal. Evolution cannot proceed without a continuous competition between individuals, resulting in that only the most "fit" will contribute proportionally to the next generations. Without such a selection pressure, a certain species, or a certain sub-population thereof, will soon crumble down and perish from genetic load and pollution after selection pressure has been suspended for some generations.<br />
Creating a "socialist, fair and just" society may work for a little while, but it is basically at variance with the above basic laws of evolution and thus of survival. <br />
In that sense a fair and just society at best is postponement of selection pressure, or rather, that has always been the case until now.<br />
Some philosophers therefore say: "Civilization is a conspiracy against evolution". <br />
And necessarily, such conspiracies always were only short lasting.<br />
<br />
Every time a civilization would crumble down under the pressures of resumed natural selection mechanisms, times would be hard again on all inhabitants and disaster, mayhem, wholesale rape, economic strangling techniques and other misery, up to and including genocide would reign again for some period of time. Such periods of time would allow for selection pressures to recoup lost terrain again and also typically would enhance a reshuffling of gene pools, causing hybrid vigour to help boost the genetic quality of the left over populations surviving the period of disasters. ([[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|See here for more explanation about the effects of genetic load.]](***)<br />
<br />
'''Compassion after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' However, after Point Omega the blind forces of the evolutionary laws that rule all life, including our own, will be enriched in the case of Homo sapiens by "conscious evolution". In fact, by introducing conscious evolution, humanity can take the sting out of the customary selection pressures that until this moment in time always have made "fair and just" societies intrinsically unstable.<br />
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What this means is that after Point Omega finally the above mentioned ideal of "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" can be introduced to stay. The usual danger of becoming unstable after a limited amount of time, because of genetic deterioration, can now be countered by "conscious evolution". <br />
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The changes coming with the Point Omega transition may imply that religions will disappear, at least the vast majority of (superstitious) varieties thereof. But on the other hand the state of affairs that prophets would sometimes label as the "kingdom of God", meaning a really fair and just society, may at last be realized in a stable and evolutionarily viable way.<br />
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When the admonitions "love your neighbors like yourself" and "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" rule, the result will be: more Strokes --> easier to attain relaxation when being in a Telic State --> better Rhythm of Telic/Paratelic reversals --> Better Processing of experiences --> Better Learning results --> more Self-Actualization --> Mass Enlightenment --> catalysation of Point Omega shift --> Chain Reaction character of Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
== How to deal with hopeless cases ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The tenth issue is about how to deal with the complete failures, the people that fill us with disgust and hate.<br />
<br />
From the previous paragraph it follows that it is a good advice to treat others as one would like to be treated oneself. As stated, this is the old christian admonition, that also can be found in numerous other widely spread cultures and traditions. It can be considered a useful prop to enhance the emergence or rather catalysation of the Point Omega transition.<br />
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One could however counter that there are vast numbers of individuals that cannot reasonably be considered as even potentially useful for society and for their fellow men. Many criminals, psychopaths, etc., do not evoke any other reactions than aversive aggression and disgust. For many of such individuals the conclusion is almost inevitable that such persons better were dead, for the benefit of their fellow men as well as for themselves. <br />
<br />
From a practical point of view, such a radical defensive attitude regarding these failed persons may be advisable or at least very seductive.<br />
However, there are by now very good scientific and political reasons why also towards such acknowledged failures, such absolutely hopeless individuals, it is of crucial importance to also treat such disgusting individuals in the way as described above. <br />
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That is because once the above is the official attitude, every individual "knows" that he will be accepted "as he/she is". And that awareness will stop most of the basic fears as ordinarily used to be, and still are, installed by the ruling power structures. <br />
And that new, novel situation will stop the internal personal feed back loops that always were stabilizing neuroticism. It can be calculated that this is a relatively cheap and easy way to install change of course. And the beneficial effects at the social level will simply be tremendous. A very stable and thorough relaxation will enter the minds and hearts of such "hopeless" persons. And that will have enormous effects on the citizens around, because of the great contagiousness of relaxation and paratelic states. <br />
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The advice to governments should therefore be to assume responsibility for making clear that all people, simply because they were born, are entitled to acceptance and support if needed, of course within reasonable boundaries. <br />
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In the pre-Point-Omega situation such measures could not be carried through without penalty. Population genetic laws would make sure that then genetic load would increase too much and sooner or later the social structure would collapse under the pressure of genetic pollution, not being able any longer to come up to the competitive challenges from other power structures with a less polluted gene pool. <br />
In other words: social stress, competition, struggle and suffering are needed to exert enough selection pressure on the population to realize some degree of selection pressure enabling the power structures in question to not loose its carriers in the competition for survival.<br />
<br />
However, in the "after Point Omega" situation we will have conscious evolution replacing the natural struggle between power structures over the backs of their carriers, us people. Conscious evolution takes care of preventing genetic (over-)load, of preventing the ordinary social selection cycles and other mechanisms with which mother nature always kept our innate qualities at the required level. The "natural" methods of mother nature invariably come with struggle and strife and pain for the individuals in question. Circumventing that misery always was self-defeating because of the basic demands from the inescapable laws of evolution.<br />
But, once conscious evolution is in place, the usual penalties are suspended and society can safely install the luxury of accepting every human being born, thus removing all serious basic fears. <br />
<br />
The chain reaction that such a novel situation will trigger is assumedly of such a magnitude, that the proposed measures will produce revenues of a completely different order than what the costs amounted to.<br />
The bottom line is to organize that we all need to assume responsibility for one another, which attitude is further discussed in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The eleventh issue is about a new foundation for human social relationships.<br />
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One of the basic characteristics for after Point Omega is that every human being should be guaranteed a relatively stress-free life. Such a situation is already the ideal of many societies and political systems. However, more often than not, such striving appears to be quite difficult to bring into practice, especially for the long term. And besides, many societies do not embrace such a principle at all. <br />
Until this moment in history principles of "survival of the fittest" and the "struggle for life" have dominated the situation. And such principles were very necessary in order to maintain a certain required level of genetic selection pressure. Without such selection pressures genetic pollution and degeneration would quickly put an end to any societies' survival.<br />
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After Point Omega however, "conscious evolution" will have taken over and therefore the stress of selection struggles will have become superfluous. The consequence of this change in evolutionary demands is that there finally will be (evolutionary) space for fair and just societies to be continued without end. Genetic pollution and social selection cycles can be countered with ease and the usual life span limitations of social structures can be by-passed.<br />
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The implication of such a novel situation is that we may set aside and overcome primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion without in the end suffering the thereby speeded up life cycle end, and the total collapse of the social structures in question. And that in turn implies that our very strong tendency to indulge in black/white or bad/good thinking regarding other people, will have lost its evolutionary "usefulness". We can now safely open our eyes to reality, to how we are put together, to how we have evolved, to what our options are, and which traditional options have become superfluous "no-go areas".<br />
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Having bypassed the ordinary needs for evolutionary selection pressures in our society and our social relations, we can at last safely refrain from denouncing adversaries, from scapegoating, from black/white thinking, etc. We can safely "love our neighbor like ourselves" without paying in the end the concomitant evolutionary penalty for it.<br />
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Even more, because we will have entered a situation where conscious evolution has taken over and that being in a democratic context, we are basically all together responsible for every human being that is being born on this earth. A situation will develop, where large and by humanity together decides how procreation will be given shape.<br />
Ultimately, that implies that '''everybody basically is co-responsible for every other human being that has been born'''. And that may be considered as one of the '''basic rules''' of the human world '''after Point Omega'''.<br />
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Conscious evolution has not yet been started up and it will probably take quite a number of generations before that state of affairs will have been consolidated.<br />
In the mean time however we can already get used to thinking along those lines. That will help to support individuals that have problems in functioning smoothly and properly. Many of such problem-people may need to be firmly controlled or even locked up in order to avoid them causing harm to other people, but if we remember that we all together are responsible for their very existence, it is easier to maintain a supportive attitude. As argued [[Energy and Strokes|in the article about "strokes"(***)]], handing out "strokes" is the best medicine to help people regain proper rhythms of telic/paratelic reversals and thus regain growth towards fulfillment of their best innate capacities. Self-actualizers are more pleasant company than overstressed neurotics. And every "stroke" helps to bring that better option about. <br />
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Ultimately, increasingly more strokes will come back to us in a process of social interaction which is, from a technical point of view, basically a process of positive feed back loops. And because of the technical characteristics of positive feed back loops, this will cause a chain reaction of strongly increasing mutual social support. And that, in turn, will diminish neuroticizing structures beyond a critical point, making space for a more broadly occurring actualization of human potentials to an unprecedented extent. And, because of the technical consequences of the positive feed back loops involved, these changes will increasingly gain speed until the majority of mankind wil all of a sudden be "taken by surprise" (but in a positive sense).<br />
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These are the considerations why we need to assume responsibility for every human being in existence, and act accordingly. It is about time.<br />
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It is clear that this general attitude of mutually assured respect and support is strikingly different from the pre-Omega condition of unlimited competition on all levels, ethnocentric cramps and reflexes, racism and genocide. <br />
This new attitude of accepting responsibility for and giving support to also the less privileged of our fellow human beings, up and including "the hopeless cases", the hardened criminals, and the plain idiots and simpletons, that attitude is an emotional cornerstone of the post-Point Omega world order. <br />
Before Point Omega we hardly could afford such an attitude, because of the evolutionary penalties involved, but from now on that attitude will fully pay off on all levels and that to an unprecedented degree.<br />
The classical evolutionary penalties and disadvantages of "being soft" on misfits and other hopeless cases will cease to exert their disruptive effects. These disadvantages will be bypassed effectively by "conscious evolution".<br />
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== Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way ==<br />
'''(*)''' The twelfth and final issue to be addressed here is about our attitude to "work".<br />
<br />
Our relationship with work is another area of human life where great changes can be expected with the Point Omega transition.<br />
Work can be experienced in very different ways. Work can be an activity through which we manage to be an accepted member of society, being useful to the community through our (professional) "work".<br />
Work can also be felt as a social obligation, something the person in question does not want, but does not dare to challenge in order to avoid being expelled or ostracized. In order to be accepted and stay accepted, one has to do his fair bit of the toil.<br />
In more extreme cases, one simply is forced to do some sort of work. That may be forced labour in a prisoner-type of setting or, more subtle, being forced to do labour against one's will because the social pressure and control mechanisms are felt as inescapably strong and permanently overwhelming.<br />
In such situations one cannot formally be labeled as a prisoner or a slave, but the emotional experience is coming close to that.<br />
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At the other side of the spectrum one finds those persons who have managed to make money with their hobby, or at least with something that they like to do. In those cases, what people already prefer to do by themselves, is accepted by society as something that is generally considered a useful contribution.<br />
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Ideally, parents wish to bring up their children in such a way that they can master one or other skill that is considered useful for society and is being paid for, while the kids in question like to perform that specific type of (professional) skill.<br />
Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. In the latter cases, the children in question end up in some sort of jobs that they don't really like, but that they keep performing in order to make some money and survive, trying to forget that they are basically living in some sort of harsh or gentle slavery.<br />
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Basically, on average we live in states of mild or harsh slavery and the extent to which we manage to like our "jobs" differs greatly. The more we like our "job", the less we feel enslaved.<br />
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One of the specific factors that tends to make work less pleasurable for us humans, is the factor of the rat-race. Successful societies in general have incorporated in their social systems structures that induce competition between people doing similar work. Our capitalist system is but one example in which organizations strive to get the necessary work done in the most efficient and profitable way. Workers are under continuous pressure to perform better and often it is quite difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work pressure and personal needs for relaxation and recovery. In such cases the slavery-aspect is felt more strongly.<br />
Seen from the point of view of the power structures ruling our societies and lives, it doesn't matter so much if a majority of the people works under such pressure that they do not manage any more to maintain proper emotional balances and as a consequence end up as fearful neurotics. The useful output per neurotic person may be less than optimal, but the power structure can manipulate neurotic workers easier than they can manipulate self-actualizers. Neurotics have much more fear-handling-points that can be utilized by the power structures in charge. The useful output per person may then be lower, but the malleability of the neurotic herds is much better. They can be better employed to man the production lines and the military battle units, doing as they are told.<br />
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One more factor we need to keep in mind about work is that mankind is suffering from evolutionary Jet-Lag. This means that the requirements that are demanded by the power structures are often at variance with our primordial emotional preferences and tendencies. There is a misfit between our primordial P-feelings and the N-needs. And it is especially in "work" where we feel that squeeze hurting. Much work that is required by the power structures, only gets done by way of force, either harsh or subtle.<br />
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If we look at human history, we can recognize that during the last millennia we have been moving from very clear cut slavery structures, being a cornerstone of society, to less total suppression and slavery in which the slave-aspect is more and more hidden and less painful. Since in the latest centuries technical machinery has been developed to replace simple manual labour, society does not need any more such high percentages of slaves in order to be successful. In particular stupid and mindless work is done more and more by machines. And besides, those machines can produce way more products in less time and against lower costs than what was possible before.<br />
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In fact we have entered a situation of affluence and that situation is not going to disappear. On the contrary, in the present time we are testimony of an explosive increase of efficiency and that gives an enormous boost to the world wide "wealth" of us humans. The present development of computers and communication tools is multiplying the effects of the industrial revolution and our wealth will keep increasing accordingly.<br />
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Seen from that point of view, from the exploding increase in wealth, the millennia old rat race and the millennia old enslavement of people have become basically superfluous. <br />
In principle, society could start to utilize other, different, ways to win the competition with other power structures. After Point Omega the playing field changes thoroughly and more agreeable methods can become the winning formulae.<br />
<br />
'''Work after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega the percentage of neurotics will decrease, making it more difficult for power structures to utilize the age old methods to rule by fear. It becomes increasingly more viable to seduce people to do useful things by being transparent and by simply paying more for unpleasant jobs. If fear doesn't work any more, the remuneration needs to go up in case it is different from work that is intrinsically pleasant to do.<br />
After Point Omega the balance between telic and paratelic states and their alternations will improve, with a higher frequency of paratelic states, in turn resulting in better growth and development of the individuals, which in turn results in a higher percentage of Self-actualizers.<br />
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Point Omega basically is the "run away" increase in optimal telic-paratelic reversal frequencies. The contagiousness of proper personal growth will fuel the typical Point Omega changes leading, among other things, to a radically different work attitude. <br />
People will more often stop accepting slave positions and will more and more demand "meaningful" work. And "meaningful" is in principle more in line with our [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|P-feelings]](**).<br />
So, the evolutionary Jet-Lag will stop to make our work situations miserable. The dirty, boring, tedious, heavy, difficult work that cannot be done by some efficient machinery, simply will have to be paid better in order to be in balance with the new situation. <br />
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Evolution works through competition between conspecifics. We humans have to compete with fellow human beings, either within our own group or tribe or competing with other people in a more far away group or society. Evolution proceeds because the winners contribute more to the next generation than do the losers, losers in whichever sense of the word. Men may theorize about fair societal structures in which aggressive competition is harnessed and cooperative friendliness reigns. But, as we mentioned above, civilization can in a sense be regarded as a conspiracy against evolution. No matter how clever a fair and just society had been designed, sooner or later such a society would collapse and selection pressures would recover lost terrain by launching the citizens of the former fair society into chaos, turmoil and destruction.<br />
Competition as we know it in our societies can be hard, in the sense that one's life depends on the outcome, but also it can take the form of a rather "sportive" competition. In such cases winning the competition is striven after, but one's life does not directly depend on the outcome.<br />
In such cases it is rather like in sport. One works hard to win, but basically it remains a game.<br />
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What we may expect after Point Omega is that competition will not disappear from work and social life, but that the ongoing competitions get a more "sportive" flavour.<br />
We then work ourselves right until our limits, but we do it for fun, not out of fear and desperation. <br />
<br />
Since after Point Omega work will be more like a game, giving enjoyment to the "worker", rather than stress and fear, and since we all will have to take responsibility for literally every human being on this planet, base pay comes in sight. It can be calculated that granting every person in society a base pay, no matter what the person in question is contributing, an enormous shift in general attitude will occur in most people. The pressure is off and relaxation is always within reach. As pointed out [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|elsewhere on this Wiki]](*), easier relaxation will trigger better learning processes and subsequently will bring about an ever higher percentage of Self-Actualizers. <br />
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Until this moment in time "work" used to be in most cases very much a "re-active" activity, full of fears and concerns. After Point Omega work will have a more "pro-active" flavour. People will work rather "for the hell of it", rather than out of fear to drop out or to perish financially.<br />
Work and play will be better compatible and pleasure in work will become the rule, rather than the exception. And as pointed out above, if, in such a fear-free society the dirty, hard or unpleasant work is refused by most people, a better pay for the jobs in question will do the trick.<br />
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This development will be amplified by the advance of technology. Ever more necessary work is delegated to machinery and robots. People can enjoy more leisure. This will stimulate the "pro-active" working attitude over the traditional "re-active" attitudes. For an eloquent discourse on this development, refer e.g., to [[Further_reading#Livingston2016|Livingston (2016)]].<br />
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== Priorities for an action list ==<br />
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'''(*)'''<br />
After the above 12 paragraphs we may draw the conclusion that:<br />
<br />
- After Point Omega many issues and many problems will have to be treated in a different way than before.<br />
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1. - Some of these changes in attitude will follow suit automatically and involuntarily. In those cases no extra pressure is needed to steer the changes in the right direction. Such changes therefore do not need to be put high on the list of priorities, that is, the priority list of where we should invest extra attention, energy and time. These changes may in some cases be quite crucial for mankind in the new situation and they may play a central role in the shifting towards the Past-Point-Omega state of affairs. But still, these issues end up low on the priority list, because they will also come about without extra purposeful action from our side or from the side of the authorities.<br />
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2. - Some changes can be boosted and sped up from outside rather easily. Where that is the case, it pays off for that reason to give these changes an extra "boost" and the issue may for that reason be put higher on the priority list. There, extra effort will pay off. <br />
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3. - Some of the changes, related to the emergence of Point Omega, are already on the list, in the sense that people already pay attention and try to spread the changes in question as broadly as they can. An example is "freedom of speech". In many parts of the modern world the importance of this change is recognized, but in many other countries freedom of speech is still a utopian dream. These issues are certainly of importance. Still, they do not need to be put high on this priority list, because, evidently, they already are getting attention, time and energy.<br />
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With these three criteria in mind we now can, as examples, order a non-exhaustive listing of priorities and recommended actions for governments and individuals. With every item, every change, we will give an indication of why the item has been put higher or lower on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
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'''1) Amathology'''.<br />
Spending time and money studying the mechanisms of human Blindness for the Self is crucial for dealing with the changes needed for moving through the Point Omega transitions. Awareness of and knowledge about these mechanisms of Self-Blindness are fundamental for the Past Point Omega world. However, for purely technical reasons we should expect that people and institutions will not automatically put energy and time and money in that type of research, no matter how important it is. For most people these issues just "don't feel right". Therefore this item is put high on the priorities list. Extra effort on this issue will pay off exponentially. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''2) Transparency'''.<br />
One of the major tools for power structures to maintain their control over their subjects is that the officers "in charge" enjoy broad information privileges. They "know more" than their subjects and keep their people that way in a permanent state of helplessness, which, by the way, these subjects consider as "normal".<br />
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In contrast, democratic ways of cooperation need to be anchored in sufficient information levels for the people who are part of the democracy. Otherwise, no educated opinions can be formed. <br />
In our modern world, and especially recently, transparency has increasingly become a hot item and the target of introducing and improving transparency on many levels is part of most modern societies.<br />
In spite of all this already existing attention, we still put transparency high on this priority-list, because it is something that can easily be improved and steered by governments and other large organizations. By putting energy in the further improvement of transparency on all levels, the transition to the post Point Omega situation can considerably be facilitated. Transparency is a main characteristic of the "new world" and it will pay off to increase the emphasis it is already receiving. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''3) Legal innovations for "taking responsibility"'''.<br />
Taking responsibility by everybody, for everybody else's existence, is a new concept for most people. It is not or hardly supported by already existing traditions and culture. It goes counter to traditions of competition and of holding failing people responsible for their failures to "have made it". Still, this novel type of responsibility - by all for all - will have a tremendous impact on the feelings of well-being of the majority of mankind. It will give every individual a feeling of "being OK" and "being accepted". It will take away the feeling of failure and the neuroticizing fear to be ostracized or held personally responsible for failure. By positive feed back loops in our behavioural system such a removal of imposed feelings of inadequacy will free enormous amounts of positively spent energy. <br />
This admonition to accept responsibility for literally everybody will have tremendous effects on the peace of mind and the peace of heart of our fellow human beings. Knowing the mechanisms of the contagiousness of well-being and of emotional equilibrium and personal growth it is clear that "Taking Responsibility" is very important for the transition to the other side of Point Omega. <br />
Because of its importance and because it is difficult for individual people to switch to this new attitude, we have put this issue high on the list of priorities. Attention and energy being spent on this issue will most likely be very well spent and that is why we have put this issue also close to the top.<br />
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Once the idea of "together taking responsibility for every human being alive" has been accepted as a useful tool to (re)form our world, this principle has to be embedded in new legislation that can help to establish and propagate the global support for "everybody". First of all the authorities should recognize the importance of this "support of all by all". And one of the most effective - lastingly effective - methods for authorities to boost this principle is legislation itself.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''4) Psychological sciences'''.<br />
Giving shape to the post-Point-Omega world will be supported by an increase in scientific research efforts. In our rapidly developing and changing world, new techniques emerge and are actively sought in all fields of human functioning.<br />
Whereas technical scientific developments traditionally used to get much attention and financing and will automatically receive such attention in the future, we have good reasons to advise for a shift in emphasis into the direction of research in the fields of psychology, sociology and ethology. The Omega-shift implies that humanity will enter into another level of understanding of our own behaviour. One of the tenets defended on this Wiki is that the level of knowledge about our own behavioural system, our emotions and motivations is still very limited and at places almost non-existent. Large gaps in our understanding of these matters need to be filled in urgently. Many of these gaps in our knowledge have traditionally been maintained by complex systems of taboos and contemporary superstitions. <br />
After Point Omega we will need to pay extra attention to for instance the following fields in psychological research: <br />
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-- Good-Bad reflexes and their biological functions; <br />
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-- Reversal Theory, dealing with the dynamics of our emotional and motivational system; <br />
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-- Automatic selection pressures in the social plane on the dimension of Adaption-Innovation and the resulting periodic catastrophes in social structures; <br />
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-- Amathology or the research on human blindness for the own behaviour and its biological function.<br />
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Whereas not being exhaustive, these issues should be in the front of our future scientific research efforts.<br />
As pointed out in many papers on this Wiki, human misery is finally and solidly anchored in ignorance about exactly these fields of psychological functioning. Spending attention, time and energy here, certainly will pay off.<br />
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For that reason this focus point is placed rather high on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''5) Military authority for the UN'''.<br />
At this moment in time, it is becoming more and more likely that at some stage a group of deranged idiots will be able to lay their hands on nuclear retaliation instruments. If that would happen, humanity will be in bad shape. For instance, Islamic fanatics have flown 2 airplanes into the New York twin towers. Imagine what would happen in case such fanatic morons would get control over nuclear missiles. Such disaster would most likely trigger the immediate allocation of more military power in the hands of the UN "government", in order to be able to prevent such idiocies from happening again. However, it seems much better strategy to arrange such decisive military power to the UN level before the above may happen. Until now, people don't seem to feel the urgency to put more effective power in UN hands. But that is a sorry example of shortsightedness, that might cost many millions of us their lives unnecessarily.<br />
Since this issue is likely to be taken seriously too late, and because of the price humanity would have to pay for the sorry consequences, this issue is also put high on this priority list. <br />
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These days there are quite a number of political states of whom we would not like to know nuclear hitting power in their hands. Examples from the recent past or the present are for instance: ISIS, North Korea, the Ayatolla state in Iran, Zimbabwe, Ruanda's genocide, Pol Pot in Cambodia, etc., etc., etc. <br />
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'''6) UN-power guaranteeing the right to political self-determination for all populations and sub-populations'''.<br />
Self-determination will come about for all people in the world without any doubt at some point in time. Developments that can be expected after Point Omega will bring that about inevitably. <br />
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Until this moment in time, until this moment in our evolution, differential procreation of tribes and races and other (sub-)populations was inevitable and necessary for the gradual evolution of novel characteristics of Homo sapiens, for the progress of evolution. And selection processes on that level of operation come with genocide, large scale war, economic strangling techniques and other misery producing events. These events may always have been unpleasant, or rather terrible, properties of human life, but they were basically and in principle unavoidable because of the evolutionary dictates of differential fitness of different tribes, races or genetic sub-groups of people.<br />
Only when the ordinary automatic evolutionary pressures have been bypassed by a different (and more effective) mechanisms, can we hope to have conquered the above mentioned eternal sources of human misery and pain, pains that are basically the same as the pains of any species in evolution, but that in the case of Homo sapiens tend to occur at a larger scale and more at distinct intervals (wars) instead of continuously.<br />
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After the introduction of "conscious evolution", after Point Omega, the evolutionary forces leading to all those forms of suffering will be bypassed and principles of self-determination will become a possibility that is not unstable any more. So, after Point Omega we may expect that principles of self-determination will automatically become the rule rather than the temporary exceptions.<br />
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However, it pays off to put extra energy and attention in this development and speed that process up where possible, because of the dangers for mankind stemming from the present situation in many countries, where self-determination is still a far away dream and violent revolutions are lurking below the surface. The sooner we can install a generally applicable right to self-determination, the sooner those - really great - dangers will be brought under control. <br />
In the new situation every local population will be entitled to collectively decide how much autonomy is preferred against which decrease of efficiency of size or decrease of governmental expertise. <br />
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Recent examples of where such issues are under discussion or, less ideal, should be under discussion, are for instance: Scotland versus the UK; the UK versus the EU; the Krim versus Ukraina or Russia; East Ukraina versus Ukraina or Russia; East-Timor versus Indonesia; Papua New Guinea versus Indonesia; Catalunia versus Spain; Western Sahara versus Marocco; Southern Sudan versus Sudan; Darfur versus Sudan; etc.; etc.; etc., almost without end.<br />
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'''7) Create better opportunity for mothers to care sufficiently for their babies'''.<br />
One of the most effective ways to improve chances for young children to grow up to be mature and capable individuals is to enable mothers of neonatives to spend enough time and attention to their newborns and in the first years after birth. There are ample scientific research data that show the large effects of proper maternal care on the development of the newborns. Also, various articles on this Wiki explain how this developmental effect comes about.<br />
Whereas in the future there will be no doubt more space, time and room for mothers to care for their newborns in an optimal way, we still need to emphasize here the usefulness of paying more attention to these long term developmental effects of good maternal care. On the one hand there will be created more and more opportunity for mothers to give their birthlings an optimal start. On the other hand, we can catalyze these changes tremendously by putting still more attention and energy in these changes.<br />
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Therefore this issue should get relatively much priority. It will happen anyway, but events can be much optimized by now already speeding up this particular change as much as possible. (A scientific analysis of these effects can for instance be found in the work of [[Further_reading#Bowlby1969|Bowlby]](1969) and of [[Further_reading#Bettelheim1969|Bruno Bettelheim]](1969), where he describes the large scale failures in 20th century kibbutses regarding the early upbringing of babies.)<br />
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'''8) Tax reforms world wide'''.<br />
Taxes are a relatively easy way to help steer the behaviour of large masses of people in the right direction. An environment tax would make it more expensive for people to purchase or apply environment-unfriendly articles and products. Price differences can easily bring people to make better choices on a daily basis. This method could reduce pollution considerably and could equally improve the protection of biodiversity. Likewise a junk-food tax could help to make people buy less unhealthy fodder (then more expensive) and instead buy more healthy (cheap) alternatives. This would improve the average well-being of people and simultaneously reduce costs of medical care.<br />
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At this level benefits can also be obtained by making better international agreements on preventing tax-evasion. That would improve the possibilities for governments to collect fair levels of taxes from all citizens concerned, including the bigger international companies who nowadays often do not need to pay their fair share. Fair taxes for internationals would greatly reduce the tax levels for ordinary citizens, this to the benefit of all. And once the big companies pay their fair share of taxes, the environmental components of the taxes will finally have a strong effect on the reduction of pollution and the improvement of biodiversity. <br />
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These tax issues already do have increasing lots of attention, but still it would pay off greatly to put extra energy in these reforms, because the powers that resist such reforms are traditionally very strong and the effects of these tax reforms will have immediate beneficial effects on the whole of society. Also, it will enhance people's confidence in the authorities if they manage to realize a broad tax-equality.<br />
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'''9) Eugenics'''.<br />
One main characteristic of the transition Point Omega is finishing the era of evolving gradually towards higher levels of consciousness and entering a new era, a new phase in human history, the era of Conscious Evolution.<br />
That new situation implies the conscious utilization of Eugenics and all its techniques involved.<br />
Homo sapiens ''cannot survive'' without taking its ow evolution consciously in its own hands. It is therefore of crucial importance now and in the near future.<br />
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One of the novel tools involved in dealing with eugenics is Eugenic Mapping. The improvement of these techniques is a major tool for conscious evolution. On the one hand we mention it here, because it is not something that will automatically be taken on by governments. At this moment in time this matter is still hidden safely behind walls of taboos and superstition. On the other hand, eugenic mapping will gradually but inescapably be boosted by public demand. People will increasingly demand to enjoy all the advantages of genetic screening and other measures to produce offspring that is as healthy and as capable as possible. It can therefore be put at a relatively low position on the list of priorities, because in due time this issue will get sufficient attention anyway. The public at large simply will demand it.<br />
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'''10) Sexual liberation of women'''.<br />
The inequality between the sexes is a primordial given. Apart from cultural habits our biological past has caused difference between the average investments in newborns by mothers and the average investments by the fathers. This difference between the sexes has always been causing certain basic frictions. These differences in focus and in where the main concerns are located in each of the sexes, evidently has been an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy, ESS, throughout our evolution. <br />
However, in the coming era of conscious evolution it will be of crucial importance that women will increasingly be in command of their own bellies, about their own offspring and if possible, the fatherhood involved. Genetic pollution, which is one of the major classic obstacles for a long lasting and stable peaceful human society, will have to be tackled with a range of novel approaches. And more say for women about their own pregnancy is one of those indispensable novel attitudes. <br />
This beneficial effect of women's sexual emancipation on the reduction of genetic pollution is the reason why we have included this issue here on the list of priorities.<br />
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'''11) Make biological fathers pay for their offspring'''. <br />
As a pair to the above item is the priority of making men pay for the offspring they have sired in a biological sense. Medical techniques to assess fatherhood without a doubt are now available everywhere and they will increasingly be applied to back up claims of young mothers to share the burden of parenthood with the biological fathers. This tendency is already on the increase in most places of the world. That we still mention it here is because this will put a break on the tendency of men to "knock up" women with child without coming up with marital assistance.<br />
And that shift will be in favour of fathers who are capable of giving parental support and this shift will be an increasing hindrance to the fatherhood of incompetents. Making biological fathers pay their fair share in parental efforts is an extra brake on genetic pollution and moreover it helps to provide newborns with a good start. And that will improve the likelihood of positive learning cycles and optimal courses of development with all the resulting positive spin offs involved. And that, in turn, will help to make the Point Omega transition more likely to occurr.<br />
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'''12) Pollution'''.<br />
Pollution too, needs to come to an end shortly. We presently tend to regard the fight against pollution as crucial for human well-being. And that is quite right. However, the pollution problems will automatically be tackled more vigorously and more effectively once Point Omega has been passed. Most individual people and also their governments are increasingly aware that pollution needs to stop and that human well being can be raised that way. Pollution can therefore safely be put somewhat low on the priority list. We'll effectively deal with it anyway.<br />
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'''13) Overpopulation'''.<br />
Alleviation of present day suffering of our whole planet through over-exploitation, fueled by millions of tonnes of superfluous human flesh, is very urgent and one of the major features of the new time. Still, this item ends up rather low on the priorities list, because a systematic and lasting reduction of human numbers will inevitably and automatically happen anyway, and that without draconian pressures from above. <br />
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'''14) Secularization'''.<br />
We have put this item low on the list because doing away with superstition and religious fear will score high with many people already anyway.<br />
Giving shape to the world after Point Omega does not need spiritual awareness to disappear. What it does need is that superstitions and collective fears do not keep dominating individual and group behaviour. Organized religions normally played a crucial role in maintaining power structures by inducing and regulating fears in their people. What will be left in the future of present day religions is at best a kind of spiritual awareness and feeling of unity, that is denuded from all the traditionally concomitant fears and unwholesome taboos, that served the power structures rather than the individual welfare of the believers. Anyway, putting religions back in their proper place, where they do "good" and no "harm", will continue to happen automatically and unavoidably.<br />
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'''15) Ecology.'''<br />
For evoking sensible and rational action with respect to the global ecological hot issues, the best and also lasting approach is to broaden the education packages about ecology for our young people in the schools. The more people are aware of the ecological imbedding of Homo sapiens, the more our ecological heritage will be protected and improved upon. The more emphasis we put on the issues of ecology, the better we will take care of our biological heritage.<br />
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A movement that already is gaining more and more influence at the level of ecological values, is "Permaculture". The Permaculture methodology guides land owners in the direction of producing useful goods, foods and raw materials, while at the same time improving and not exhausting the local ecological carrying capacity. This new method about how to deal with our world originated in Australia and has since its beginning kept spreading over the world at an ever expanding pace.<br />
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A similar striving is included in what we call the "Sicirec Formula", a form of "controlled landscaping" applied in plantation forestry, but equally well applicable in any other exploitation of land for whichever purpose, be it forestry, agriculture, industry or urban planning. That formula emphasizes that crucial for preserving biodiversity is the strategy to keep a certain percentage of the land involved in a state of its climax vegetation, together with its climax animal life, spatially intertwined with areas for rational productivity. The latter may refer to forms of Permaculture, but less ideal patterns of utilization will also work out well within the Sicirec Formula.<br />
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Boosting the world wide utilization of these new ecological principles, can and will have a tremendous impact of the well being of the world as a whole and thus on our own well being.<br />
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Still, we put this issue relatively low on our priority list, simply because these issues will be tackled with more and more vigor and purpose anyway already. <br />
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'''16) Technical sciences'''.<br />
Boosting scientific developments is not surprisingly of crucial importance for shaping the world after Point Omega. This holds for psychological and related sciences, as mentioned above, but also for technical sciences. <br />
That this item shows relatively low on the list of priorities is due to the fact that rather automatically sufficient energy, time and money will be invested in these developments. There is hardly an extra boost needed.<br />
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<br />
'''17) Medical Sciences'''.<br />
Equally, Medical Sciences have been put in a low position on the priority list. <br />
Apart from what people generally think about the reasons why medical care and medical knowledge are so important, we wish to point out one crucial effect of good medical care that is of importance for how the transition to the era of conscious evolution will come about.<br />
Good medical care namely, makes longevity of our species increase. And that in turn implies that decision making will increasingly be in the hands of older and more experienced people. And that in turn is equal to saying that less decision making will be left to inexperienced youngsters who have not yet learned to deal with their testosterone boosted social reflexes or the female equivalents of it in a prudent way. For instance, male inclinations towards group aggression and female brainless procreational impulses will have lower chances to run out of hand. This beneficial collateral effect of longevity will be one of the major ingredients of the after Point Omega society.<br />
Anyway, Medical Sciences will automatically receive sufficient support from society and therefore a high place on this priority list is not needed.<br />
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== Relax .......... we can afford it now ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The main tenet on this Wiki is that we are now entering the shift of human society into Point Omega, and beyond.<br />
Indications are that humanity has already entered the accelerating phase in this transition and that we are already beyond the "point of no return".<br />
What is certain, according to the information on this Wiki, is that Point Omega will happen, sooner or later, automatically and unavoidably, simply because that is how human behaviour has been organized and has evolved up to this point. And yes, we think that we already have entered the predicted accelerating phase. That this is not generally recognized already is mainly due to the fact that human awareness very strongly is hindered by myopic effects, making it almost impossible for humans to see the broad and complete picture. Our personal horizons are very narrow indeed, for both genetic (genes .....)and cultural reasons (memes .....). <br />
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From the contributions on this Wiki one might deduce that this Omega Transition, being of more influence and importance than the agricultural revolution, and bringing untold changes and advantages to the whole of mankind, is very much worth fighting for. And of course, this is very much true. Of all possible targets and goals, helping Point Omega to proceed appears to be the most useful possible, rightly deserving all our best efforts.<br />
Having listed in the above chapter the priorities that we could handle to make our choices about what to do first and what second, we could embrace the attitude of "let's not waste any time, but go for it right away with all power available". The conclusion does emerge that such is the best thing to do, with all energy available. We seem not to have time to waste, because ''we really still do have to do a thing or two !''<br />
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However, this motivation also would tie in perfectly with the pre-Point-Omega general attitude of "telic dominance" and the customary out-of-balance "goal directedness". And this tencency is very seductive indeed.<br />
But, what in fact would facilitate the necessary shifts towards Point Omega best is more relaxation of all participants involved. <br />
So, our message should rather be: ...... RELAX. Allow yourself personally the time to come back into balance, into emotional and motivational balance. Only then the paratelic states will emerge more frequently and only thus you will be able to correctly perceive the situations at hand and choose prudently the most effective ways to proceed and contribute from here.<br />
Only when anchored in a proper telic/patatelic emotional and motivational balance, a person can grow into great enough strength and capacities to make a difference for the whole of society at all. <br />
So, RELAX ........, we can afford it now.<br />
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Looking at the world-wide situation of humanity, we are basically in a very comfortable position.<br />
We have unprecedented amounts of energy at our disposal.<br />
We are producing plenty of food to feed the whole world populations, be it that we still don't manage to distribute it effectively enough.<br />
We are living in the middle of an avalanche of technological innovations, making life proceedingly easier.<br />
Basically, this is an era of plenty, no matter what problems the newspapers present to us each day.<br />
So, what we can do, what we can afford to do, is just STOP !<br />
RELAX ........ <br />
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We can afford it now, at last. So, let's enjoy it !<br />
And besides, that way we best boost an increasing frequency of paratelic states in as many people as possible. The articles on this Wiki have explained how that contagiousness works. And the restoration of mankind's emotional and motivational balance is the most important trick of all. And it is our birthright. <br />
No feelings of guilt for laziness needed.<br />
The theory explains how paratelic states will automatically emerge sooner or later, once relaxation has done its job. <br />
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So, give it a chance. That's what the world really needs at this moment in time: your and everybody's paratelic states, in sufficient frequencies. Don't worry, ''relax, and a thing or two will happen to you'' ! . . . . . and especially . . . . . to us ''all''.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Directives_for_after_Point_Omega&diff=8807Directives for after Point Omega2021-11-17T06:58:00Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Introduction */</p>
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<div>== Introduction ==<br />
'''(*)''' This paper was written at the request of Victor Koekkoek. Reading the other materials on this Wiki, he was missing a clear summary of what are the implications of all this novel information for those who carry responsibility for how society is ran and guided.<br />
In other words: What are the implications for the intelligent part of our leaders ?<br />
And he was right. For most people the materials on this Wiki are too difficult to grasp. Most people are only capable of thinking what the majority of the herd is thinking. We are social animals after all. Most people are not curious enough and not intelligent enough to address the issues that really matter. And that holds a fortiori in this period of time, when much of the information, presented here, has not yet found its way to the pool of common knowledge and wisdom.<br />
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Therefore this paper is written as an aid for that part of our leaders that have the capacity to grasp the essence of the issues as presented on this Wiki and that have the gumption to think "out of the box", trying to figure out the best guidance for human society.<br />
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After discussing the implications for the different realms of society, this paper will end with a listing of suggested priorities for any persons who find themselves in positions of responsibility.<br />
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This paper, "Directives for after Point Omega", is placed after "A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki" and after "Why a Point Omega transition ?". <br />
The reason is that for understanding this way of summarizing of the situation of mankind, one needs to have understood the basics of several notions that these days are not yet part of our cultural heritage and common awareness, but that are nevertheless indispensable for assessing the most important dangers, options and opportunities that humanity is faced with these days.<br />
Without knowing the facts, there is no useful assessment possible.<br />
<br />
In short, this Wiki communicates information that already has become available in different, specific circles of specialists, but that has not yet reached the status of common knowledge and that we nevertheless consider here as indispensable for a proper understanding.<br />
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Some of the bits and pieces of information that we need here, have in previous years already been published separately in scientific papers, each of which is dealing with one of those specific fields of interest and research. In such cases it is indicated in the chapters in question. But these pieces of information are at best known to the limited circle of specialists in those specific scientific research fields, and not to the public at large.<br />
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Other pieces of information have not yet been published in scientific papers, but are nevertheless based on thorough research.<br />
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Still other contributions consist of general discussions about combining various of such bits and pieces of information and about investigating what emerges from such a combining of different fields of research.<br />
All these bits and pieces are needed in order to come to a comprehensible total picture of the present human situation. None of the presented issues can be missed, or the complete picture will fail to emerge.<br />
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For the above reasons it is indispensable to already have taken notice of most of these separate issues, dealt with in the various other papers on this Wiki, in order to be able to grasp what led us to the conclusions and advices as formulated in the paragraphs below.<br />
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In case a reader wishes to first take notice of the advices and the directives below, before having grasped the details of all the different issues in question as dealt with in one of the other articles on this Wiki, we have added in the text below links to where for each separate issue additional explanation can be found.<br />
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What the reader should at least be familiar with before continuing to read the below, is what is meant with the term "Point Omega transition" ([[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|see e.g. here]](*) and [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|here]](*)).<br />
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In case the reader has read and digested the chapter "[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki(*)]]" and has taken notice of the underlying argumentation in the chapters referred to there, it should be possible to also grasp the message in the paragraphs below.<br />
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== Lost perspectives, . . . . . what next ? ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Right now, in the beginning of the 21st century AD, we are living in a period in which the greater ideological movements have lost most of their appeal. <br />
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All great religions suffer from believers moving towards a secularized position, stopping to behave like meek sheep. Disbelief and denial of superstition rule the day. <br />
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Not only the great religions lose their influence and control over their people, also the greater political idealistic systems encounter more and more critique and scepticism. The communist system has lost the cold war competition and thus lost most of its credibility. But also the capitalist system is encountering more and more scepticism from its citizens, who recognize the obvious shortcomings of blind capitalism that follows the basic principles of the survival of the fittest in an economic sense. Many feel that this competitive system does not support its people well enough and that in the capitalist societies, and not only there, the majority of "losers" in the competitive societal structure are locked into a more or less hopeless struggle for survival. They may survive, or at least many of them, but hardly with any hopes for a pleasant future.<br />
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More and more people resent society treating them like slaves without any prospect for liberation or an otherwise agreeable life. And that also holds for the western "democratic" and "enlightened" societies, not only for those "backward" societies elsewhere in the world, that are widely recognized as repressive, dictatorial and totalitarian, suffering from unpredictable arbitrariness and cruelty.<br />
People in modern society apparently have lost their perspective for a better, future, society. This makes a sense of ever more openly confessed hopelessness gradually spread among the populations of the civilized world. The fairy tales are being exposed as such and nothing comes forward to fill the gap.<br />
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There seems to be a growing need for a perspective that can give hope for a brighter future, a perspective that can survive the scrutiny of seasoned disbelievers, a perspective that cannot be put aside as another fairy tale, a perspective that is not anchored in badly tested political ideals or in superstitions, but a perspective that is firmly anchored in scientific knowledge. Such a perspective is increasingly sought after, but it is generally felt that it is alas nowhere in sight.<br />
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This Wiki is dedicated to showing that, despite this ever more widely felt hopelessness, such a novel perspective is very well possible and in fact that the total of available data suggests that an enormous shift in human perspective is at hand, called here the [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega transition.]] <br />
And that once the Point Omega transition has started, the sought after perspective will present itself automatically and unavoidably. This perspective will fill the gap and it will bring purpose where now hopelessness rules [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Point_Omega|(see here'''(*)''' for a description of the Point Omega concept)]].<br />
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After Point Omega namely, humanity finds itself in a totally novel situation. We will have left the millennia long era in which consciousness has gradually been evolving up to this Point Omega and instead we will have entered the situation of "conscious evolution", the beginning of which is basically what Point Omega is all about.<br />
Many of the rules and laws, regulating societies before Point Omega, will become superfluous or counter-productive and will vanish as a consequence. Most of these limiting rules and laws, needed in the customary societal situation(s), dictating our behavioural possibilities and impossibilities, will lose their function and their necessity. <br />
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This reduction of repressive forces will release enormous amounts of energy in all participants, energy that can forthwith be spent on more useful, more creative and more productive goals than merely keeping each other in check, or winning all sorts of - now dysfunctional and obsolete - competitions for survival.<br />
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The bottom line is that, according to us, there is now a new perspective emerging, a perspective that will be firmly anchored in scientific research and a perspective that perfectly makes sense in view of everything we scientifically know for sure, a perspective that also will help us overcome the neuroticizing and utterly unpleasant power structures that have ruled the existence of Homo sapiens for about 10.000 years. Those crippling and utterly unpleasant power structures have ruled our existence for all that time and that situation is now coming to an end. Homo sapiens will take over the lead over its own existence and over its own evolution as well. Once these new options and possibilities will start spreading, human society will gradually absorb this new perspective and in the end there will not be any lack of "purpose" left. <br />
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Having sorted out in this Wiki most theoretical issues that we need to know in order to assess our situation properly and correctly, we can now come to a listing of what is awaiting us, which options we do have and which options do not exist or otherwise are "no go" areas and what would be the most clever issues to work on, in order to make our coming transition as smooth as possible.<br />
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Before starting with a listing of useful directives as given [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#Priorities_for_an_action_list|further below]], it seems useful to first rehearse the most important findings of the research reported elsewhere on this Wiki, findings that we will have to take into account when ruminating how our future will going to be shaped. With each of these findings a link is given to where on this Wiki more information can be found about each specific issue.<br />
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== New facts we need to take into account ==<br />
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'''(**)'''<br />
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* Human beings have strikingly little capacity to understand their own or each other's behaviour. As a consequence human beings behave essentially like other Apes behave, no matter their intellectual pretense. We can call this phenomenon [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*).<br />
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* At the cognitive level Human beings utilize an important tool to consolidate that Self-Blindness, which is the '''Good-Bad''' polarity. Good-Bad differences refer not to any real behavioural differences, although people tend to think that they do. But in reality good-bad differences refer to different likings or appreciations from the side of the onlooker or "judge" that serve to stabilize existing ideas (prejudices) of one person about the other. The Good-Bad dimension therefore stabilizes social relationships while preventing (effectively shielding off) any understanding of the real social mechanisms involved. It helps ascertain that human beings keep acting socially to a large extent like other Great Apes. And the latter is crucial for the continuation of procreation and evolutionary success. Until this moment in our evolution this [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_illusory_aspects_of_the_Positive.2Fnegative_or_Good.2FBad_dimension|illusory Good-Bad tool]](**) was an indispensable attribute for mankind's survival.<br />
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* '''Self-Blindness''' has evolved in Homo sapiens as a consequence of, or rather as '''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|a condition for higher intelligence]]'''(*).<br />
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* Much later, beginning with the agricultural revolution, since the period of 10.000 years ago till 5.000 years ago, Human evolution was taken over by an evolution on the level of "memes" or of "software". The latter evolution moves at a much higher speed than the traditional level of DNA or "hardware" evolution. The evolution of the hardware (Genes, DNA-based) is therefore lagging behind as compared to the evolution of the "software" (Memes, Culture). But, since we humans are carriers of both genes ánd memes, this causes motivational friction in individuals of Homo sapiens, which friction is structural. We call this friction the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|'''"Evolutionary Jet Lag"''']](**).<br />
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* '''Agriculture needs power structures''' at the cultural level (software-level). As mentioned above, these power structures in fact have taken over the lead in Human evolution. As carriers of the [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|power structure]] "memes"(**), human individuals tend to be pushed into a state of mild or harsh slavery, as compared to their primordial natural tendencies. <br />
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* Power structures have evolved in such a way, that they developed a myriad of tricks to subdue and control their carriers. One of the most elementary tricks is to [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''neuroticize their human carriers''']](*). Whereas this customary neurotization strongly reduces the capacity of human individuals for realizing their full innate behavioural repertoires, it improves their maleability and adaptation to slavery. Power structures need large masses of malleable work slaves and military ("cannon fodder" these days). Power structures compete with one another at such levels, and that determines the direction of our evolution.<br />
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* Self-Blindness has always prevented humanity to understand the most basic elements of the fundamentals of our behaviour, to the extent that we even do not have daily used words for the most essential basic elements of our own behaviour. That way the '''mechanisms of [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]`'''(***) have for instance always escaped our attention and stayed hidden, in spite of the fact that these mechanisms are the very cornerstones of any behaviour in species with an open ended capacity for learning, and therefore in particular in us humans.<br />
<br />
* '''Repair of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Blindness]](*) for our own [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|emotional and motivational reversals]]'''(***) harbours untold opportunities to open completely novel and more mature and wholesome avenues of regulation and support of us human beings. It opens up the road for intelligently looking at ourselves as well as looking at each other.<br />
<br />
* Behavioural differences between individuals in socially living species are partly based on genetics. One of these congenital personality dimensions is "'''differences in adaptiveness versus creative innovation", also to be labeled as "Social versus Self-Willed"'''. [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria_(abstract)|'''Involuntary and automatic selection forces within social structures''']](**) are causing automatic shifts in average genetic make up of the group members. That results in a limited life span of any social structure of socially living mammals, including in human societies and other social human structures. Depending on the level of social organization that mechanism leads to turn-over catastrophes like e.g. in rodents periodic migration waves and e.g. in us humans "bankruptcy", "revolution", "genocide" and similar phenomena. Whereas this mechanism throughout the ages always has made any stable social structure in also human societies impossible, the mechanism doesn't need to cause much concern at this moment in time. Once Conscious Evolution has been started up, the sting can be taken out of this primordial mechanism and it can consciously be replaced by more agreeable mechanisms.<br />
<br />
* Another mechanism with a genetic basis that until now has always been kept hidden from awareness, by means of taboo-structures, is [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''genetic pollution''']](**). That mechanism in itself has always already been enough to make any stable social organization impossible to survive for long. Genetic pollution has always been a sufficient extra reason to make (peaceful) social organizations collapse in due time. For thousands of years it has been one of the main reasons why complex civilizations would only have limited life spans and would invariably end in catastrophical collapse. But also this mechanism does not need to fill us with much concern. Even while this mechanism is still beyond our collective awareness at this moment in time and still keeps triggering the collapse of all large civilizational structures in the usual way, the start of Conscious Evolution will easily and automatically make this problem of [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|genetic pollution]](**) be tackled successfully in the slipstream of events.<br />
<br />
== From fact-finding to courses of action == <br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Thus we memorized above the most important novel facts that we have to take into account for understanding the present human situation properly. These facts, that were either unknown or that were out of the focus of our attention, we now do need to be aware of in order to be able to design our future course, for the options that we have, and for the actions that we may decide to take as a consequence.<br />
These novel bits of extra information, the formerly unknown facts and the already known facts that were not in the focus of our attention, together with a number of generally well known facts that already were part of our cultural heritage, [[Why a Point Omega transition ?|led us to the conclusion(*)]] that we are at the brink of a major transition in the evolution of mankind, which transition point we labeled as Point Omega.<br />
<br />
Having become aware of the above mentioned novel bits of information, we can now start to discuss a number of issues that each will play a completely different role in our existence, once we will have moved from the pre-Point-Omega condition to the post-Point-Omega situation. For it is mankind's moving through the transition of Point Omega that will change the role and the importance of each of the discussed phenomena. Below, we will now first discuss a number of such key issues one by one, viewing each issue from both perspectives, the actual, pre-Point-Omega perspective and the coming post-Point-Omega perspective.<br />
<br />
One general consideration that we should keep in mind while trying to find our way, is that '''scientific thinking will replace traditional superstitions'''. But, that is what will happen at the surface. Below the surface, within ourselves, as part of our system of feelings, emotions and motivations, it is that '''curiosity will''' increasingly '''replace fear''' as the all-determining factor in our lives. That is what the over-all picture of the theory of Point Omega predicts. That is what can be derived from the detailed knowledge as is presented elsewhere on this Wiki. The all pervading neuroticising structure of the old society will more and more give way to the emergence of curiosity and creative impulses. And since those differences are very [[Energy_and_Strokes#10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagious]], those changes will happen with the increasing speed of a chain reaction and with an unexpected rapidness. <br />
<br />
In the below, non exhaustive, listing, some issues are presented, in the form of rules that will apply, others in the form of well known, but until now badly understood or difficult to realize admonitions, each of which issues will get a completely new reality value in the new situation. Each consideration in this listing leads to a course of action. We will now present here in the below chapters 12 such courses of action. And at the end we will summarize the suggested courses of action in a listing of priorities. That listing may be an indication for us where we now had best put most of our attention and energy.<br />
<br />
12 considerations:<br />
<br />
- [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account|Democratization of education]]<br />
<br />
-[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega#New_facts_we_need_to_take_into_account%7CDemocratization of Information|]]<br />
<br />
- Procreating consciously<br />
<br />
- Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes<br />
<br />
- Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness<br />
<br />
- What about Religion <br />
<br />
- Curbing destruction of the environment<br />
<br />
- Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way<br />
<br />
- Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness<br />
<br />
- Treating others as you would like to be treated yourself<br />
<br />
- How to deal with hopeless cases ?<br />
<br />
- Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence<br />
<br />
== Democratization of education ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The first issue is about the optimization of educational opportunities. <br />
<br />
Power structures lean among other things on an information privilege. Youngsters from privileged classes enjoy more opportunities for study and for personal development than do youngsters from the working class. This situation does have a number of advantages for the structures in power. It stabilizes the position of power of the persons manning the power structure control positions, keeping control positions "in the family". Privileged wealth is one of the driving stimuli to keep this pattern going. <br />
<br />
For society as a whole there is however also a strong disadvantage to this education privilege. That is that enormous quantities of talent are continuously being wasted, because stemming from the working and other lower classes of society. A society can potentially win vast advantages when exploiting all potential to the full, which can be achieved by making education levels just depend on individual potential and talent and not on the incidental wealth of the family of the persons in question.<br />
<br />
In some countries the availability of education for those who are capable is to some extent democratized. In those countries, now still a minority, the learning potential of the population is exploited to a much higher degree than what is usually the case. After Point Omega we may expect that this tendency to democratize education will further be perfected world wide.<br />
The results will be two-fold. First of all expensive education resources will not any more be wasted on stupid or less gifted members of the privileged classes. Those resources can then be utilized more effectively.<br />
In the second place almost all innate potential in the whole population can be utilized, where now only a fraction of that potential is coming to bloom.<br />
<br />
Comparing the percentage of potential until now being realized world wide with what would potentially be realized afterPointOmega, leads to the conclusion that this education issue will be one of the major power sources for a stabilization of Point Omega developments. Just this one of the many basic changes around Point Omega does in itself already have the potential to change our world beyond recognition.<br />
<br />
== Transparency ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The second issue is about transparency.<br />
<br />
Transparency is a key issue in the transition to the post-Point-Omega world. Transparency combines with honesty, but not with counterfeit and fraud. Powerstructures heavily lean on information advantages and on keeping the ruled masses unaware of what is really going on. The more ignorant the subdued masses, the easier it is to keep exercising power over them. Power structures in general prefer to keep information privileges in place. Transparency often is poison to their power games and (hidden) ruling techniques.<br />
<br />
However, these days, because of technical developments, we are experiencing an information explosion and with that an explosion of accessibility of information. One of the implications is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult for power structures to maintain their information privileges and communication advantages. Knowledge is democraticized unstoppably and the customary information privileges are crumbling down. <br />
<br />
In the old days, up till this moment in time, information privileges were the "normal" state of affairs. Everybody is used to it and customarily takes it for granted.<br />
In the new era however, transparency will be valued more than the holding upright of the power structures of the day. People will prefer to do away with all that.<br />
<br />
There is also another, different side to this coin. That is the side of "privacy". People in general are very much attached to their privacy. People in general fear "thought control" by the powers in charge and wish to defend their last areas of privacy left to them. People wish to keep their most personal thoughts and feelings hidden from other people. They want to defend their freedom of thinking and feeling differently from what they perceive as the "ideal" that society is trying to impose. The result is that people do not wish transparency regarding their personal selves. They do not wish that other people can read their thoughts.<br />
<br />
However, these are reactions and reflexes that are anchored firmly in the old situation.<br />
The old situation is a situation of struggle and strife. A situation where competition is present in every corner and fold of society. <br />
No matter how far a human society has advanced in establishing a "just" and "fair" societal structure, every societal structure before Point Omega needed to harbor a certain degree of "survival of the fittest" principles in order not to loose the quality of its carriers, us humans, too rapidly by genetic pollution and random drift. These are principles that never have been articulated clearly, in fact they were in general "taboo", but nevertheless in reality they always have been a prerequisite and a strict condition, because of the demands of the struggle for survival between the different competing power structures in the human world. <br />
<br />
Therefore, in practice, only societal structures that kept incorporated certain degrees of competition and "survival of the fittest" within their population and within their structures, could win in the evolutionary battle for survival, a battle basically carried out on software level. But that battle clearly was / is felt in the personal lives of us, individual carriers, also. And that hurts !<br />
<br />
In the new situation however, the old evolutionary requirements will have been replaced by the new principles of "conscious evolution". And these new principles make the primordial requirements of competition and strife superfluous. That holds not only for the evolutionary survival struggle between the different power structures, but also for the evolutionary struggle and competition between individuals within the same power structure or culture, between the carriers of the same power structure, between neighbours, between even family. No need for competition any more after Point Omega. Its evolutionary usefulness and necessity will have become obsolete. <br />
That also implies that the need for secrecy, for cheating and for fraud is large and by becoming obsolete. <br />
<br />
The struggle for survival by all sorts of competition used to lean heavily on the cleverness of individuals, on their capacity to be just a little more clever than their individual competitors. In the old structures huge seas of energy and effort used to be invested in attempts to be more "clever" than the other, and unavoidably that always implied attempts for cheating and fraud, especially if not detected. This principle is so basic to human society, that we don't notice how much these mechanisms rule our lives and how much energy they take. Of course it is true that any society, small or large, is anchored in regulations about which behaviours are permitted and which are not and in more or less effective measures to force its citizens to stick to those rules and laws. Still, within such law systems, people try to outflank each other in "cleverness" and they naturally search for the boundaries of what they can socially and legally get away with. <br />
<br />
In short, in the old system the individuals cannot help but be subjected to the all-overruling demand to compete and to excel in comparison with their fellow citizens and unavoidably also often would try to cheat and defraud the others if they could get away with it. One needed to be almost "holy" to no fall for such pressures. And holiness was rare by definition. In practice, one could simply not avoid to join in those aspects of the rat race. A liking for transparency did not fit in those situations.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega the situation is however quite different, also in that respect. If the deeply felt need for being better at cheating and defrauding falls away because the need for it has become obsolete, incredibly vast amount of energy and attention are spared and can be invested in more agreeable and more pleasant issues. In fact, we are talking here about ''the major part of all our energy spent.''<br />
<br />
After Point Omega there will be felt much less need for privacy and secrecy, because the danger of being unmasked and the need for winning in such competitions of cheating and fraud doesn't play such an important role any longer. That has become irrelevant. People will not be concerned any longer if others can look into their inner thoughts and feelings. They don't fear to lose important competitions by too much "transparency" any longer. They couldn't care less.<br />
<br />
This does have important implications for governments and other leaders of society. <br />
'''Transparency''' can safely be a basic target and goal with less concern for unwanted transparency in the feelings and likings of the individuals. They don't have much to hide any longer anyway.<br />
<br />
Transparency ? Yes !<br />
<br />
Privacy ? Who cares any longer ? And for what obsolete reasons ?<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the results of transparency is that power structures are losing their information privileges and thus lose an important tool for keeping their citizens / carriers subdued and in slavery, mild or harsh. That relaxation of repression tools will diminish also the selection pressures in favour of sociability and compliance and against individualism, self-will and creativity. As explained in detail [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Selection_within_human_social_structures|elsewhere on this Wiki(***)]], the relaxation of that selection pressure will take the power away from the cyclic processes that cause turn-overs, bankruptcies, revolutions and genocides. <br />
<br />
Social selection cycles and '''social catastrophes''' will as a consequence become '''easier to handle''' and can be redirected. This side effect of transparency should provide an extra reason for governments and other authorities to stimulate such transparency where possible.<br />
<br />
== Procreating consciously ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The third issue is about procreation.<br />
<br />
There is no need to receive children with handicaps, nor to produce them. Parents, and also governments with all their guidance potential, have a responsibility towards newborn life. '''Every newborn is entitled to be wished for and to be received with joy and love'''. This includes the parental care for the quality of the new life, also in the planning phase. Medical and biological knowledge and skills make suffering from innate defects large and by unnecessary from Point Omega on.<br />
<br />
This principle will automatically put an end to overpopulation. [http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_religions_and_babies Statistics show] that the percentage of children, born unwanted, is such that if that category will end, numbers will rapidly decrease. In a not too far future after Point Omega it will be difficult to imagine for the people from that time, that in the past our present overpopulation was such a grand problem and that people were quite prepared to live with a couple of thousand people per square kilometer. What we today consider as "usual" population densities will then be regarded as a nightmare from the past.<br />
<br />
Technically speaking, there will be no need to restrict the number of children, permitted per parent, by force. Chinese methods are, or will soon be, superfluous. Helping parents to avoid unwished for children, will already be enough to reduce the average reproduction rate to below 2,0 per woman. Governments had better spend their energy in counter-effecting the tendency of "the most stupid people reproducing fastest".<br />
<br />
Whereas knowledge about the effects of '''genetic pollution''' is not at the core of our present day cultural heritage, it used to be a more common concern just a couple of generations ago. Among other things by the misdemeanour of the Nazis these notions have been put away in taboo sections of our present day culture. <br />
The above considerations as derived from the information presented on this Wiki (see for instance [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|here (#5)(**))]] lead however to the conclusion that, in spite of the Nazi-inspired taboo on population genetic thinking on humans, we should effectively address our genetic make up and start to prevent genetic pollution from automatically undermining any attempts to establish lasting fair and civilized societies. <br />
<br />
We wish to point out here that in that respect we do not need to foster any fears as installed in us by what happened in the Third Reich. We now do have all technological tools at our fingertips to help people avoid unwanted genetic defects in their offspring. And since the average human being can easily be brought to the point of paying attention to these genetic issues and act accordingly, there is basically no need whatsoever to exert strong pressures from above to enforce a genetic police system. Where it appears possible to seduce people for instance to buy the useless foods that they daily purchase in great quantities, it should be no problem at all to seduce them to follow a healthy management of their own offspring. The level of advertisement needed to achieve that is probably less intensive than the advertisement needed to make them continuously buy unwholesome quantities of junk food.<br />
All that is needed is a better level of awareness at all levels of society, breaking this specific veil of organized ignorance and superstition.<br />
<br />
To put it bluntly, humankind can only survive if it addresses effectively not only the unhampered growth of numbers, that is causing the destruction of the world’s ecological heritage, but also the effects of genetic pollution and deterioration, that would unavoidably cause the collapse of any serious attempt to establish a really civilized human community, as it has always done, throughout the history of mankind.<br />
All the necessary know how is now available. '''We just need to change focus, breaking taboos and ignorance and embrace awareness'''.<br />
<br />
Our civilization is getting global. Let’s take the war producing population genetic sting out, before it destroys us all. We cannot afford to have complete morons sit at the red buttons, which is what unavoidably happens more and more when ever increasing “genetic loads” are smothering any further possibility for adequate and intelligent action.<br />
<br />
The stark truth is that most of us do behave as, and have been trained to behave as complete morons, adapted with force, under penalty of being ostracized, to systems of collective superstition, blindness and ignorance that block any tendency to come to our senses and take adequate, responsible decisions.<br />
<br />
It is '''time to wake up'''. Further delay will become more and more “homo-cidal” to us all.<br />
<br />
Let us consider shortly what we may expect on the level of human population genetics after we have "woken up".<br />
What will happen after Point Omega ?<br />
<br />
Increased awareness of our genetic endowment, an increased general level of sober thinking and a strongly improved set of medical tools to assist us in family planning will result in an ever larger percentage of the population procreating consciously and voluntarily. That will increase the frequency couples are utilising genetic counseling for optimal procreational results.<br />
In the USA we have seen already a steady increase during the last decades of the use of genetic counseling. And these tendencies are spreading towards Europe and other wealthy regions as well.<br />
<br />
Governments can easily induce more use of medical techniques for enhancing the quality of the offspring. Therefore it is '''not needed''' at all '''to use''' much government '''pressure and force'''. Nazi-like measures are not needed at all. Modern advertisement techniques are effective enough to help trigger such '''rational procreational methods to spread among the population widely'''.<br />
<br />
The modern techniques of birth control enable parents to choose the proper time for procreation. These techniques are spreading rapidly all over the world. This has two very important consequences. One is that conscious procreation will stop the growth of overpopulation. If all unwanted children would not get born, the world population would stop to grow and the present overpopulation would come to a halt. <br />
The second consequence is that the genetic counseling going with a more conscious procreation would decrease levels of genetic load and pollution.<br />
<br />
These effects will come automatically and unavoidably, simply because they have become possible and people like to profit themselves from their advantages. We may expect that contemporary taboos that are still blocking such developments, will gradually but shortly lose their power over us.<br />
<br />
There will be more different effects on the population genetic level that we may expect to emerge after Point Omega. But the above examples will suffice to indicate the trend to be expected.<br />
<br />
== Avoiding Good-Bad social reflexes ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The fourth issue is dealing with our illusions about "Good" and "Bad".<br />
<br />
The ability to avoid being trapped by the tendency to indulge in Positive versus Negative Evaluation is likely to be a prerequisite for manipulating [[The biological instability of social equilibria|population- and group-cycles]] at will. And since human population- and group-dynamics tend to be worked out nowadays at the level of economic strangling techniques, genocide and (nuclear) war, the skill of controlling such population-dynamic forces would seem to be a prerequisite for man's survival.<br />
<br />
The positive-negative dimension, Good versus Bad, does not relate to actual behaviour. Still, people think it does. This phenomenon is one of the most striking examples of man's innate Blindness for the Self. The Good-Bad dimension is a very effective veil for hiding human behavioural reality from awareness. One of the mechanisms is the built in time bomb within every social structure, making sure that the life span of any social structure is only limited and in the end causing catastrophic turn over events like break down through ossification, bankruptcies, revolutions, genocides, political collapse, etc. For the people involved these catastrophic events are highly unpleasant and problematic, but the (historical) biological and evolutionary advantages have been amply explained [[The biological instability of social equilibria|elsewhere on this Wiki.]](***) The evolutionary usefulness of these built in catastrophes is clear.<br />
<br />
The proximate mechanism fueling these cyclic selection mechanisms is the involuntary selection pressure within each organizational structure in favour of the genetic roots of docility, sociablity and adaptiveness and against innovative creativity and individualism. These forces of attraction and repulsion work out on the cognitive level through the illusory [[Good_and_Bad,_an_illusory_dimension_as_the_cornerstone_of_human_personality|notions of Good and Bad]]. The Good-Bad dimension thus motors the cyclic turn over mechanisms and the periodic emergence of social catastrophes.<br />
Until now, these social cyclic turn-over mechanisms are practically unknown, let alone their effects and implications.<br />
<br />
For all practical reasons, after Point Omega it is not necessary to focus on the working of those cyclic catastrophes. It will be sufficient to focus attention on the knowledge of Good and Bad, that is, on the illusory character of it. Once awareness will be spreading about this one particular aspect of humanity's Self-Blindness, the attachment to utilizing this illusory polarity as the most important personality dimension, the all overriding power of these good-bad reflexes in social relations will diminish and gradually lose its influence in human social life. And that is in particular of crucial importance on the level of politics and governmental decision making.<br />
<br />
Viewed from a point of view from before Point Omega (which is "now"), this option, this possibility to collectively overcome the devastating effects of this aspect of our Self-Blindness, the blinding effects of the utilization of the Good-Bad dimension, is rather difficult to grasp. If not conceptually too complicated for most people, it certainly is a bridge too far emotionally to ask from people to not follow the primordial dictates of the blind forces of social attraction and repulsion, that have steered their / our behaviour since the beginning of time.<br />
<br />
However, viewed from our situation áfter the Point Omega transition, it will be increasingly easy for increasing numbers of people to overcome these primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion and to consciously choose more fruitful ways to interact. And this change will also be subject to positive feed back mechanisms that will make it progressively easier for people to adopt novel ways to interact, once certain critical numbers have been reached.<br />
<br />
In short, it will pay off for governments to enhance scientific knowledge about the Good-Bad concepts and to stimulate people to find alternative and more fruitful ways to interact with one another. Such ways will be counter-intuitive at first, but gradually people will get used to it, especially after it becomes more and more clear what bounties can be expected at the other side of the divide, after having passed the boundary of the knowledge of Good and Bad.<br />
<br />
If you understand how (illusory) Good-Bad reflexes work, you automatically stop to "judge" people.<br />
<br />
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7, verse 1&2.)<br />
<br />
== Dealing with other aspects of Self-Blindness ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Self-Blindness has been a steady trait of Homo sapiens since a couple of million years, that is, from the time the intelligence of our ancestors started to rise. A high intelligence cannot be an ESS without a special provision that blocks the application of intelligent faculties to the own behaviour. The latter is the strong and striking Self-Blindness that is such a peculiar feature of our own species.<br />
<br />
The above discussed compulsive human tendency to make use of Good-Bad differences in judgments is just one of the many forms in which Self-Blindness appears.<br />
<br />
In the psychological research literature one can find a vast amount of issues that show specific human blindnesses in certain (other) fields of functioning.<br />
Even on Wikipedia one can find a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases list of cognitive biases](*), each of which biases is another expression of the striking Blindness for the Self of Homo sapiens (see also [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|here]](*) for a chapter on this Wiki that is dedicated to these Self-Blindness phenomena).<br />
<br />
Since Self-Blindness is one of the main ingredients for the structures that keep humanity bound in slavery and neuroticism, it is of great importance, and very urgent at that, that we collectively try as quickly and as effectively as we can, to come to grips with this typically human behavioural bias. If we wish to create a more agreeable world, we do have to take this hurdle. There is no escape from that necessity. In the above mentioned chapter on this Wiki it is argued that we should start a research discipline that is fully dedicated to create clarity and scientific insight in these aspects of Self-Blindness. In [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|that chapter]](**) it is suggested to label such a research discipline as "Amathology" or "the science of ignorance".<br />
<br />
It may sound outrageous at first sight to advertise such a research discipline, but it is not meant as a joke. In fact this should be considered as one of the most important issues for putting extra energy, time and attention, if we wish to stimulate a smooth transition into the post-Point-Omega world. <br />
Seriously dealing with the human Self-Blindness should therefore be considered as one of the major differences between the pre-Point-Omega condition and the post-Point-Omega situation. In fact, starting up research disciplines on Amathology could be labeled as a significant characteristic of the post-Point-Omega era.<br />
<br />
== What about Religion ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The sixth issue to pay attention to here is religion.<br />
<br />
Religion is one of the areas of life where great differences will occur between the pre-Point-Omega situation and the post-Point-Omega situation. In the realm of religions great changes will inescapably occur. One of the reasons is that religions deal with peoples attitude towards life and towards society and towards fellow citizens and at the same time religions play a major, and often hidden, role in keeping people under control. Apart from being a rescue and a life vest for the struggling populace, religions in general also play a major role as tools for power structures. This dual role contributes to the confusion that religiously oriented subjects tend to suffer from. And this confusion is one of the corner stones of power structures in charge, for maintaining control.<br />
<br />
Because of these central functions in human life, religions will change in appearance and in function once all major aspects of human life are changing with the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
Briefly summarized, we can recognize 4 central characteristics of religions:<br />
<br />
1) Religions represent an important information source for its adherents; religions also function as a support system for people in need; and religions function also as networks for social communication and social relationships; and finally, religions provide a channel for spiritual experiences, god-consciousness and related levels of awareness. These aspects together are the information and support sides of religions.<br />
<br />
2) A totally different function is that religions are also functioning as tools for suppression, installing fears and superstitions in their carriers / subjects.<br />
<br />
3) Religions also serve as a sort of life vests for neurotic and fearful people. And since the vast majority of people falls in that class of people, the life-vest function of religion has always been, and still is, crucial.<br />
<br />
4) The above 3 functions may seem contradictory in many respects, and basically, they are. Religions always seem to create inextricable tangles of inexplicable complexities, that nevertheless manage to bind people within their believe systems. The pictures of the world and of peoples own existence may seem inextricably complex, but as such these pictures and views, as provided by religious beliefs, represent an ESS structure ( Evolutionarily Stable Strategies) for the power structures in place. <br />
<br />
<br />
All these 4 aspects of religion will change tremendously during the shift towards Point Omega.<br />
<br />
So, religions play a central role in keeping communal world views in place and at the same time in keeping their carriers (us) bound in a strong dependence of the local power structures in question. Neuroticism and dependency of the masses is strongly defended and given shape by means of all the fairy tales and lies that religions keep in place (see [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''here''(**)]] for more explanation about the way power structures utilize organized ignorance, superstition and fear for maintaining their power over their carriers - subjects). Packages of superstition, ignorance and neuroticizing belief systems may be disadvantageous to their personal carriers, but they evolved and always existed because of their evolutionary survival value at the communal level. And by that we mean survival value on the level of software, the level of "memes", the leading level for the evolution of Homo sapiens. Not surprisingly, many philosophers (and prophets) consider science as conducted properly and soberly, as a means to liberation. "Seek ye the truth, and the truth will make you free", as the saying goes, a saying that can also already be found in the Bible. In that sense such philosophers mean to indicate science as juxtaposed to religious superstition, ignorance and belief-systems.<br />
<br />
What can be expected to happen after Point Omega in this respect is a further secularization of society, in the sense that superstitious beliefs and structured ignorance will stop controlling society as they did in the past. The world will more and more choose for science where science appears to conflict with religious traditions and blindness for the truth, and especially with religious taboos against looking at ourselves soberly. In that sense science will work as a liberating force.<br />
<br />
Another effect we may expect from this secularization and increasing awareness of all the workings within ourselves is a cleaning up of all aspects, mentioned under point 1) above. <br />
<br />
Our world views, our support systems for the needy, our social networks, and also our spiritual life, will all be cleaned from taboo structures and other irrational blocks, from fear inducing old habits, from illogical inexplicabilities, from structured and forcefully imposed ignorance.<br />
And such a clean up will unleash untold and unexpected quantities of personal energy in all people involved, taking away the myriads of energy consuming tricks with which the power systems always kept us subjugated in neuroticizing structured slavery and ignorance. And the synergy between all these individual clean ups will cause an exponential increase of human potential and communal energy. It will verily motor the Point Omega transition. (For an [[Energy and Strokes|explanation of the mechanisms underlying such synergies, see here]](***).)<br />
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So, yes, the religion-related changes will be crucially important aspects of the new era and of the transition thereto.<br />
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Also, these changes will not be the end of spirituality and personal salvation, for authentic spirituality is not dependent of superstition and fairy tales. On the contrary, ending superstition, institutionalized ignorance and repression systems, will open up the road to a massive revival of genuine spirituality.<br />
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From the above we may conclude to a number of focusing points for governments to pay attention to and to invest in, like:<br />
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- Discourage superstitions that are blocking science or blocking truth.<br />
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- No worldly power should be allotted to systems of fairy tales and superstitions.<br />
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- Protect secularization tendencies.<br />
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- Protect authentic spiritual revival movements from persecution by old established repressive religious traditions. (The latter have in general become mixed with repressive power structures.)<br />
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For deciding how to deal with the differences between religious affairs before Point Omega and religious affairs after Point Omega, it is useful to take one step back and consider the evolutionary necessities that have formed these characteristics of human life and that determine and will keep determining our options, options in personal behaviour, options in political management, and options in philosophical and ideological attitudes, including religions.<br />
As explained in more detail in the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|''article on this Wiki about human Self-Blindness'']](*), a higher intelligence could only evolve in humans by virtue of specific built in blindnesses for our own and each other's behaviours. Human evolution has been a competition between increasing intelligence and concomitantly needed Self-Blindness needed for preventing that evolving intelligence from biting in its own tail, blocking further successful procreation and spreading of a higher intelligence through the population. As pointed out above and in [[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|''other articles on this Wiki'']](**), religion is a major tool to keep sufficient Self-Blindness operational for allowing higher levels of freely applicable intelligence to evolve.<br />
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== Co-evolution of High Intelligence and Self-Blindness, the example of the Jews ==<br />
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'''(**)''' With respect to the above, which was the sixth issue we discuss here, it should be of interest to pay attention to one of the oldest grand religions on earth, the jewish believe system. That belief system already exists for over 3.000 years and has well survived until this day. That is a very exceptional feat. Most religions in the world have been in operation only locally and only for a limited period of time. In general such local religions were very ethnocentric and self-serving. <br />
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What strikes the interested onlooker is that the jewish tribe enjoys a higher than usual average intelligence, while at the same time the religious prescriptions are more numerous and more restrictive for daily life, than is usually the case with other religions. What also strikes the attention is that the jewish race has survived quite a number of (forced) mass-migrations out of their home-territory and returning later, not loosing their ancestral religious culture. This cultural survival is not customary in most other religious systems. Tribes and races tend to disappear and or to dissolve in other peoples and tribes, their local belief systems disappearing with them.<br />
When investigating the relationship between the evolution of intelligence in the human species and the theoretical [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|prerequisite of Self-Blindness to make a high intelligence possible]](*), the case of the apparently successful jewish race could be utilized as a test example. <br />
There are a number of other striking features to the jewish people. We mention here the holocaust-like historical events, that have plagued the jews repeatedly, in fact for thousands of years, every time without the jews disappearing completely from the scene, as is more customary with other tribes and creeds in the world of Homo sapiens. Another feature of jewry is that they have moved through a number of population-cycle events as described in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|''another article on this Wiki(***), consisting of a paper that was also presented in 1987 in Jeruzalem at a conference of the ESS (European Sociobiological Society)'']]. <br />
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The effects of genetic pollution and of extreme selection effects in favour of sociability and against creativity and innovation, as one would expect in most social structures, be it tribes, races or local cultures, evidently have been circumvented in the case of the jews, probably by how their history was shaped. In view of the theory in the above mentioned article the conflict between jews and palestinians is also determined to a high degree by the facts that the palestinians historically are a typical "residue"-population whereas the jews are typical migrated newcomers. Historically such relationships are a guarantee of disaster for or a complete disappearance of the "residue-population". In that light, it is remarkable and maybe a characteristic of this era, that the palestinian people are still present there and tolerated as a distinct population-entity.<br />
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Irrespective of these latter considerations, the fact is that the jewish tribe or race combines a higher than average intelligence with a higher than average religious pressure on personal and social life. Also, it can easily be recognized that also theír religious system, as any other religious system, is an extra barrier to understanding of the own behaviour or of understanding the behaviour of human beings in general.<br />
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Looking at Jewry, just from the surface, it immediately strikes the eye that these people have just recently gone through an unbelievably harsh racist ordeal, losing literally millions of their kin at the hands of the Nazi nationalists.<br />
We should not forget that the genocide that happened in the Third Reich was nothing more than what in earlier times of human history, and even before that, was what ordinarily happened between competing tribal entities. Genocidal and territorial "final solutions" were the rule rather than the exception. The Third Reich was just a larger scale and more "industrialized" version of an ancient pattern. Now, some 80 years later, we find that the Germans in general are deeply ashamed that "they", that theír folk, allowed such stark collective blindness to take the lead. The Nazi's considered the Jews as foreigners, as another tribe or race, which makes genocide easier, but history shows us that such a racial component is not even necessary for committing monstrous and massive killings of people, even of one's own kin. Carrying other than the preferred ideas or believes may be sufficient to be exterminated on a massive scale. We have seen that recently happen in quite a number of occasions, like e.g., the Stalinist purges, killing tens of millions of the Russian's own people, Mao Tse Tung's Great Leap Forward, costing the lives of also tens of millions of people, The Pol Pot regime in Cambodia, also taking the lifes of a high percentage of the own people, simply because they were suspected of not carrying the right political ideas and ideals, etc. <br />
So, ethnocentric aspects may facilitate massive killings, but they are in no way a condition for these atrocities to occur. They just make genocides and the like a little more probable.<br />
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In the case of the Jews, one would expect that, having suffered such an ordeal just recently, they themselves would nót fall for the automatisms of racism and ethnocentric territoriality.<br />
Present history shows us however that that expectation is far too optimistic. Even while a large part of the nations in the world are questioning the Jewish territorial and ethnocentric internal aggression, against people who lived there first, the Israëli nevertheless still give the impression that they "stick to their guns" and that they carry on with the usurpation at hand.<br />
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Taking another step back and looking at what is happening today in the "holy land" through the eyes of an unprepared onlooker, we cannot but be flabbergasted by the enormity of what at the surface seems to appear as a jewish blindness for reality. <br />
We wish to point out here that this is a good example of the [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|evolutionary necessity of Self-Blindness in cases of an evolving higher intelligence]](**).<br />
No doubt that the Jews are one of the most intelligent tribes on earth. No doubt also, that hey demonstrate collective Self-Blindness in an incredibly clear and obvious way. The least we can say is that what happens to the Jews today, is alas in line with what is predicted from the pages of this Wiki. Viewed from the perspective of the [[The biological instability of social equilibria|above mentioned Jerusalem paper (1987)]](***) a newly arrived invading group (the jews from the diaspora) has to deal with a resident "residue" population (the palestinians) and naturally encounters difficulties in dealing with the in Homo sapiens customary tendencies of subjugation or genocide of the resident residue population. In view of the recent history of the jews themselves and of the complete world community looking over their shoulders, novel and "better" solutions are sought to solve the emerged political conflicts, but better (novel) solutions cannot easily be found.<br />
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As a comment in the margin we could add here that we may hope that the Israëli will shortly manage to learn to keep thinking soberly in front of a mirror, the mirror e.g., of the opinion of the rest of the world. If they would manage to do just that, that would verily be a novelty. <br />
Because ...........................<br />
we outsiders may easily conclude that the jews in the "holy land" appear to be crazy racists, having lost their minds, but what the jews are showing there is the result of primordial social reflexes that are the endowment of us all, of all the people in the world.<br />
Let's hope that they shortly learn how to keep their intellect working in front of the mirror, how to conquer the typical Blindness for the Self that has been the characteristic of us since Homo sapiens started to differ from its hominid ancestors.<br />
The Jews have not much time left.<br />
The proliferation of nuclear weapons on both sides makes survival of a jewish ethnocentric and territorial state ever more unstable, if not impossible. It looks like time is running out. They either come to their senses quickly, or some competitor group might obtain nuclear weapons and wipe Israël off the map.<br />
If that terrible thing would happen, that would no doubt be an extra impulse for the rest of the world to analyse what has happened and what are the basic mechanisms leading to such types of disasters. And that would facilitate and boost a rise in Self-awareness, not only about what is happening to the Jews right now, but about how these mechanisms are working in literally all tribes and races on earth. And that in turn would facilitate the Point Omega transition.<br />
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An alternative to such a disaster would be the Israëli coming to their senses, starting to understand themselves at last and explaining to the world how it all works. In that case they could take the lead in the coming explosion of (self-)awareness. That would fit in their self-assigned role of a "chosen People".<br />
For the world at large will learn from their mouths, or they will learn from their graves. <br />
Let's hope that the first option will prevail for the Israëli people.<br />
Time is almost up.<br />
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The Jewish (seemingly) ethnocentric creed can thus serve as an example illustrating the customary evolutionary need for Self-Blindness in our species.<br />
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When considering and discussing governmental measures to be taken for the benefit of the human species for after Point Omega, it would therefore seem useful to also consider such measures in comparison with and in relationship with the jewish creed as an example. The history and the shaping of that tribe can serve as a valuable reference point and bench mark.<br />
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== Curbing destruction of the environment ==<br />
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'''(*)''' The seventh issue is about biodiversity and our pretended stewardship.<br />
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As we have seen, present day human evolution is primarily determined by the survival struggle between meme level power structures. And these power structures are dragging the much slower gene level evolution of mankind along. <br />
Competing power structures basically have no "interest" in the environment. They are only interested in spreading their software as well as possible among as many carriers as possible (us). The ecological environment is only important in as far as that environment should be able to keep the power structure's carriers alive. Of course there is no conscious "intent" in the power structures, but from the outside, at the surface, it looks like that to us, onlookers. The survival struggle looks like there is intent involved, but of course it just is an automatic process, the process of evolutionary changes.<br />
So, for the power structures in charge ecological values and biodiversity are only interesting in as far as they enhance the more effective spreading of "their" culture, their memes among us humans. <br />
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Before Point Omega, including the moment of "now", the real competition for resources is between the power structures in charge. And money is power, so if more money can be made in a short time at the cost of some extra environmental damage, the environment is in bad shape. Even if good stewardship would render more long term profit, then still, higher short term profits are generally preferred, even if the long term environmental damage is high and thus the long term profits lower than would be possible with more rational methods. Because of the short term higher profits environmental destruction has been going on since mankind has learned to manipulate its environment. Agriculture has been reducing the carrying capacity of the environment consistently since almost 10.000 years. Some people may think that environmental damage is a recent phenomenon, but that is not the case. The damage may proceed faster these days then in earlier times, but for instance the process of desertification has already taken its toll since thousands of years. For instance, in some North African regions, that used to serve as granaries for the Roman empire, the desert is now practically reaching to the sea. Another example is the sorry ecological state of the löss plateau in China, the source region of the yellow river, This highly fertile löss area is where the Han Chinese originated from, but in recent centuries the area only could support a minor percentage of the people it could support in more ancient times. The reason has merely been short sighted short term profit making by conforming to habits of overgrazing and subsequently losing fertile soil. <br />
Similar agricultural mis-use of soils occurred everywhere in the world. In fact there is more man-made desert on this planet than there is agricultural land.<br />
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Since the blind competition struggle for resources between power structures was the leading factor in our evolution, the environmental price being paid locally did not play an important role. As long as the carriers of the power structures in question would not survive less than the carriers of competitor power structures, the environmental effects could safely be neglected and ignored. We can now formulate that even more precisely. As long as the struggle between power structures determines our lives, and that is still the case completely, it is practically impossible to prevent biodiversity from further dwindling away.<br />
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After Point Omega however, we will enter the phase of conscious evolution, which will take the sting out of the all overruling influence of the power structures. The ancient penalties on the level of success and procreation, that had to be paid if one's own power structure would not win, do not apply any more. After Point Omega we will enjoy freedom from the old procreational dictates and laws, that used to make rebellion against the interests of the power structures a risky and often fatal affair.<br />
After Point Omega we can safely reverse the wave of ecological destruction that has plagued mother earth for such a long time already.<br />
In our modern age of tool making and technical innovations we can then choose to use all those technical tools for "creating more biodiversity" rather than reduce it. It just needs some awareness of what has been going on and how we could do it better. And once we have come around to calculating the long term financial profits of good stewardship, we can in principle easily stimulate decisions to improve biodiversity, rather than reduce it. <br />
All the modern tools and technical possibilities can equally well be applied for the better instead of only for the worse.<br />
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Modern ecological methods that can replace the ancient agricultural habits, go by various names: "Permaculture", "Natuurbouw" (Nature construction), "Ecological Stewardship", "Sustainability", etc. <br />
These more rational ecologically-friendly agricultural methods and land-management methods, methods of controlled landscaping, are nowadays spreading rapidly all over the world.<br />
Still, the all pervading influence of big money serves as a powerful engine for ecological destruction. Financially, it still pays off on the short term to continue to accept destruction as collateral damage of making more money in the short term.<br />
Until these days that destructive effect of the way power structures express themselves cannot easily be countered lastingly, because in the end the question is always which power structure was able to win from which other power structure, wielding its resources, including money, for spreading itself maximally. And the ecological collateral damage was always of minor importance in comparison to the survival and supremacy of the power structure in charge.<br />
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However, once we will have entered the phase of conscious evolution, the usual evolutionary penalties will lose their previously all pervading power and influence, making it possible for mankind to conscientiously choose its own course of action, which course of action then may very well be a course that optimizes biodiversity on earth instead of destroying it in the slipstream of the blind battle for survival between the impersonal powers structures.<br />
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What governments could do for example to speed up the turning around of ecological destruction is to wield taxes as a means to help steer the behaviour of their people in more environment-friendly and wholesome directions. After Point Omega governments will get increasingly more space to introduce such methods. And their populaces will simply demand it, being aware of what is at stake.<br />
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== Evolutionary Jet-lag & (Un)Happiness ==<br />
'''(*)''' The eighth issue is about happiness, illusory or not, or about what comes most close to it.<br />
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As described in other articles on this Wiki (see e.g. [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|here]]), lasting happiness is something people tend to strive after, but in reality it does not exist. As the Canadian philosofer Tennessen used to say: "happiness is for the pigs". And indeed, once a person starts to understand how our behaviour works, the illusion of the possibility to eventually reach a state of lasting and stable happiness will have vanished. The notion of happiness is a valid phenomenon in our own personal, day to day, minute to minute, system, in that it indicates a direction in which we wish to go at any one given moment in time. The difference between happiness and unhappiness makes us move. And the items or situations that are thought to make us happy or unhappy, are the things we move away from (unhappiness) and things we move towards (happiness). We move from what we dislike towards what we do like. Any living being that is not a plant but a moving entity does have such perceptions or it would stop moving.<br />
So, the feeling or sensation of happiness simply is implied by being an animal and not a plant.<br />
But, even if some steady state of happiness does not exist in reality, it is pointed out [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|elsewhere on this Wiki]](***) that it is nevertheless very well possible to reach states of well functioning and personal growth as opposed to states of disfunctioning and stagnant learning processes. Happiness may be illusory, but "well functioning" certainly is a real thing, that can be measured and that can be strived after and eventually be obtained successfully.<br />
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In the small Himalaya country of Bhutan they do not have a ministry of economic affairs that is trying to maximize the gross national product, but they have instead a ministry that has the task to maximize the gross national happiness.<br />
In the same vein most people in the world are striving continuously on a personal level to improve their situation and to seek happiness.<br />
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Knowing what we now know about our behaviour as laid down on this Wiki, we, Homo sapiens, can become aware that we are not plants, but animals, that we are `movers`, that we move from `A` to `B`, from unpleasant to pleasant, from unhappiness towards happiness.<br />
Being constantly on the move, our awareness includes the point where we come from, `A` as much as the point we are moving towards, `B`. So, basically each person can be aware of both happiness and-or unhappiness, just depending on whether the attention is reaching forward or reaching backward. In principle it is technically speaking quite simple to make that switch from looking backward to looking forward, but nevertheless people in general feel either the pain of the situation to move away from, or the pleasure of the situation preferred, giving the illusion that one is either in state `A` or in state `B`, while in reality one is always connected to both, while moving. This very basic fact of human life can serve as an example of to what extent we are blind for our own behaviour. <br />
People mostly need so called `wise men` to be reminded of the above truth, instead of really understanding all that automatically right from the start.<br />
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Tennessen´s statement `happiness is for the pigs` means to illustrate the illusory aspect of states of happiness. That is the subjective side of the story. <br />
From the objective side however we can discriminate very well between states of well functioning and states of bad functioning, between states of expanding and processing experience successfully and states of a faltering learning process and a stagnant development. And whereas that latter distinction is not the same as happiness versus unhappiness, it is functionally related with happiness / unhappiness and it is very real and nòt illusory.<br />
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That is why on this Wiki we have paid attention to states of well-functioning versus states of mal-functioning, states of optimal development versus states of stagnation and neurotization. This distinction is not only very real, it is an important issue in the present day state of Homo sapiens.<br />
[[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5.2_Growth_of_Skills_versus_Growth_of_Unskills|Elsewhere on this Wiki (see e.g., here)]](*), the basic mechanisms of learning and the processing of experiences is described. There the basic mechanisms of motivational end emotional reversals is discussed and the importance of a proper rhythm between the two is explained.<br />
Since we are not plants but animals, we are "movers" and therefore switches between feeling happy and feeling unhappy alternate. That's what makes us move. <br />
In cases where the rhythm of telic / paratelic switches are optimal, also an optimal learning process will result. In cases where the telic /paratelic switches are far from optimal, usually with too few paratelic states, a cumulation of avoidance reflexes occurs and from that the formation of so called "negative COEX-systems" (a label introduced by Stanislas Grof; i.e. Systems of COndensed EXperience).<br />
In the ideal case an optimal rhythm of telic and paratelic switches occurs and that results in the formation of many "positive COEX-systems". Such positive COEX-systems consist of areas of experience where the experiences in question have been processed sufficiently and have as a result been integrated in areas of "mastery". That route leads to the actualization of many potentials that were/are present in the person in question. A proper rhythm leads to Self-actualization and an improper rhythm leads to neuroticism and truncated behaviour patterns.<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag before Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' As explained in other articles (see [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|e.g. here]](*)) the power structures that have ruled human societies for almost 10.000 years now derive advantages from inducing to some degree neurotization in their carriers, us humans. They are in need of fearful compliance and that state can easier be induced in ailing neurotics than in well functioning self-actualizers.<br />
Another characteristic of the situation before Point Omega is the continuous and structural mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands (see [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|here'''(**)''']] for further explanation). We labeled the source of that mismatch as "evolutionary Jet-Lag". And that mismatch in turn also does have a strongly neuroticizing effect.<br />
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These two effects together result in Homo "sapiens" nowadays functioning quite sub-optimally. We are on average neurotic, truncated, fear-driven failures as compared with "what every individual could have been".<br />
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The evolution of "memes" is running on a different time scale than does the biological DNA-based evolution. Since both memes and genes have us humans as their carriers, we humans are the ones who suffer from the Jet-Lag between the gene-evolution and the meme-evolution.<br />
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All in all this emotional friction from that Jet-Lag brings us mainly pain and bad feelings.<br />
Seen from that point, Homo sapiens after all does have a severe unhappiness-problem. That is, the present state of mankind is characterized by neurotic, truncated behaviour and a very low frequency of Self-Actualizers. However, this does not imply that subjectively we feel rather unhappy on average. Because we are saddled with a strong Self-Blindness, we are not aware of our relative malfunctioning. Our point of reference is ourselves and our very myopic way of looking at things, precludes us becoming aware of the difference between "what is" and "what could be", especially in ourselves. <br />
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Humanity is in a very bad state for already many thousands of years, but as individuals we have no clue as to this situation. We cannot see. For us, this horrible state is "normalcy".<br />
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==== Evolutionary Jet-lag after Point Omega ====<br />
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'''(*)''' After Point Omega Humanity will resort to conscious evolution and that will inter alii result in taking the sting out of that evolutionary mismatch between P-feelings and N-demands. We will more and more direct the N-demands ourselves and create matches between the consciously designed N-demands and our primordial P-feelings.<br />
Until this moment in time, this phase in our evolution, there would be a high penalty on not yielding to current, traditional, N-demands. However, that evolutionary penalty will be suspended by the introduction of conscious evolution.<br />
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So, what will happen after Point Omega is this: Conscious Evolution ---> Consciously dealing (and successfully) with evolutionary Jet-Lag ---> less pressure from N-demands that are not fitting with our primordial P-feelings ---> more Self-Actualization ---> more "happiness" in an objective way, i.e. more Well-Functioning (but this does not imply a higher level of subjective happiness, because that is a technical impossibility).<br />
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The mechanisms described here offer distinct options for governments to ease the escape from the all influential control over us by the power structures in charge. Governments may choose to help spread awareness of the unpleasantness of the demands by the power structures. That would make it easier for people to gather the necessary courage to make a stand and choose more wholesome courses of action, increasing their psychological health and well-being structurally. And, apart from that, governments can choose to actively take a host of other measures for reducing mass neuroticism, now that they understand the working of the underlying mechanisms. And that will result in freeing enormous quantities of human energy and resources. It does not need much further explanation to understand that such developments will result in a chain reaction of mass-self-actualization, fueling and speeding up the Point Omega transition at large.<br />
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== Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself ==<br />
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'''(**)''' The ninth issue is about how we behave towards one another.<br />
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As pointed out in the article [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|about Reversal Theory on this Wiki(***)]], that is dealing with the antagonist motivational states Telic and Paratelic and the alternations between the two, our behavioural system is designed to make optimum use of acquired experiences and to make us automatically search for those experiences that would optimally fit as a useful addition to already acquired experiences and skills. That way the system makes optimal use of any surplus of energy, investing it automatically in exactly those places and situations that fit best to expand the systems of condensed experience [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|(COEX systems)(***)]] that have already been acquired and already are available. On the one hand this mechanism results in better chances to successfully expand the behavioural repertoire in cases where the individual in question has already learned quite a bit and is on average well balanced. This is a positive feed back system within the individual behavioural system. The more skills already acquired, the easier it is to acquire further growth.<br />
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Between people, at the level of social interaction, a similar effect can be recognized. A positive attitude from one person to the other (we can label that as "strokes") does enhance better chances for the receiving person to find relaxation when needed and subsequently to establish or maintain an optimal rhythm of telic / paratelic reversals. That way there exist also very strong positive feed back loops between people, that finally result in a high contagiousness of psychological health.<br />
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If one would seek for methods to enhance a healthy psychological development of as many people as possible, a good strategy would be to treat individual people as supportive and as positively as possible. Such treatment, abundant with "strokes", helps the receiver of such an attitude to reach or maintain optimal telic / paratelic alternations and thus an optimal learning cycle. <br />
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"Treating others as one would like to be treated oneself" an admonition which is familiar to e.g. Christians and Buddhists, would therefore be a logical strategy when striving to create a more ideal society. And obviously, the usefulness of that principle has already been recognized by seeers and prophets since a very long time.<br />
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This principle also pertains to behaviour towards other species than only to the human race itself. Self actualization brings forth automatically a raised compassion with all forms of life, because in that state of mind there is more emotional space available, in whichever direction. This involuntarily results in "good stewardship" over nature, also an old Christian (and also Buddhist) ideal.<br />
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However, until now there have always been very strong evolutionary principles and laws that are at variance with the above mentioned ideal. Evolution cannot proceed without a continuous competition between individuals, resulting in that only the most "fit" will contribute proportionally to the next generations. Without such a selection pressure, a certain species, or a certain sub-population thereof, will soon crumble down and perish from genetic load and pollution after selection pressure has been suspended for some generations.<br />
Creating a "socialist, fair and just" society may work for a little while, but it is basically at variance with the above basic laws of evolution and thus of survival. <br />
In that sense a fair and just society at best is postponement of selection pressure, or rather, that has always been the case until now.<br />
Some philosophers therefore say: "Civilization is a conspiracy against evolution". <br />
And necessarily, such conspiracies always were only short lasting.<br />
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Every time a civilization would crumble down under the pressures of resumed natural selection mechanisms, times would be hard again on all inhabitants and disaster, mayhem, wholesale rape, economic strangling techniques and other misery, up to and including genocide would reign again for some period of time. Such periods of time would allow for selection pressures to recoup lost terrain again and also typically would enhance a reshuffling of gene pools, causing hybrid vigour to help boost the genetic quality of the left over populations surviving the period of disasters. ([[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|See here for more explanation about the effects of genetic load.]](***)<br />
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'''Compassion after Point Omega'''<br />
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'''(**)''' However, after Point Omega the blind forces of the evolutionary laws that rule all life, including our own, will be enriched in the case of Homo sapiens by "conscious evolution". In fact, by introducing conscious evolution, humanity can take the sting out of the customary selection pressures that until this moment in time always have made "fair and just" societies intrinsically unstable.<br />
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What this means is that after Point Omega finally the above mentioned ideal of "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" can be introduced to stay. The usual danger of becoming unstable after a limited amount of time, because of genetic deterioration, can now be countered by "conscious evolution". <br />
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The changes coming with the Point Omega transition may imply that religions will disappear, at least the vast majority of (superstitious) varieties thereof. But on the other hand the state of affairs that prophets would sometimes label as the "kingdom of God", meaning a really fair and just society, may at last be realized in a stable and evolutionarily viable way.<br />
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When the admonitions "love your neighbors like yourself" and "treat others as you would like to be treated yourself" rule, the result will be: more Strokes --> easier to attain relaxation when being in a Telic State --> better Rhythm of Telic/Paratelic reversals --> Better Processing of experiences --> Better Learning results --> more Self-Actualization --> Mass Enlightenment --> catalysation of Point Omega shift --> Chain Reaction character of Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
== How to deal with hopeless cases ? ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The tenth issue is about how to deal with the complete failures, the people that fill us with disgust and hate.<br />
<br />
From the previous paragraph it follows that it is a good advice to treat others as one would like to be treated oneself. As stated, this is the old christian admonition, that also can be found in numerous other widely spread cultures and traditions. It can be considered a useful prop to enhance the emergence or rather catalysation of the Point Omega transition.<br />
<br />
One could however counter that there are vast numbers of individuals that cannot reasonably be considered as even potentially useful for society and for their fellow men. Many criminals, psychopaths, etc., do not evoke any other reactions than aversive aggression and disgust. For many of such individuals the conclusion is almost inevitable that such persons better were dead, for the benefit of their fellow men as well as for themselves. <br />
<br />
From a practical point of view, such a radical defensive attitude regarding these failed persons may be advisable or at least very seductive.<br />
However, there are by now very good scientific and political reasons why also towards such acknowledged failures, such absolutely hopeless individuals, it is of crucial importance to also treat such disgusting individuals in the way as described above. <br />
<br />
That is because once the above is the official attitude, every individual "knows" that he will be accepted "as he/she is". And that awareness will stop most of the basic fears as ordinarily used to be, and still are, installed by the ruling power structures. <br />
And that new, novel situation will stop the internal personal feed back loops that always were stabilizing neuroticism. It can be calculated that this is a relatively cheap and easy way to install change of course. And the beneficial effects at the social level will simply be tremendous. A very stable and thorough relaxation will enter the minds and hearts of such "hopeless" persons. And that will have enormous effects on the citizens around, because of the great contagiousness of relaxation and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The advice to governments should therefore be to assume responsibility for making clear that all people, simply because they were born, are entitled to acceptance and support if needed, of course within reasonable boundaries. <br />
<br />
In the pre-Point-Omega situation such measures could not be carried through without penalty. Population genetic laws would make sure that then genetic load would increase too much and sooner or later the social structure would collapse under the pressure of genetic pollution, not being able any longer to come up to the competitive challenges from other power structures with a less polluted gene pool. <br />
In other words: social stress, competition, struggle and suffering are needed to exert enough selection pressure on the population to realize some degree of selection pressure enabling the power structures in question to not loose its carriers in the competition for survival.<br />
<br />
However, in the "after Point Omega" situation we will have conscious evolution replacing the natural struggle between power structures over the backs of their carriers, us people. Conscious evolution takes care of preventing genetic (over-)load, of preventing the ordinary social selection cycles and other mechanisms with which mother nature always kept our innate qualities at the required level. The "natural" methods of mother nature invariably come with struggle and strife and pain for the individuals in question. Circumventing that misery always was self-defeating because of the basic demands from the inescapable laws of evolution.<br />
But, once conscious evolution is in place, the usual penalties are suspended and society can safely install the luxury of accepting every human being born, thus removing all serious basic fears. <br />
<br />
The chain reaction that such a novel situation will trigger is assumedly of such a magnitude, that the proposed measures will produce revenues of a completely different order than what the costs amounted to.<br />
The bottom line is to organize that we all need to assume responsibility for one another, which attitude is further discussed in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Assuming responsibility for every human being in existence ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' The eleventh issue is about a new foundation for human social relationships.<br />
<br />
One of the basic characteristics for after Point Omega is that every human being should be guaranteed a relatively stress-free life. Such a situation is already the ideal of many societies and political systems. However, more often than not, such striving appears to be quite difficult to bring into practice, especially for the long term. And besides, many societies do not embrace such a principle at all. <br />
Until this moment in history principles of "survival of the fittest" and the "struggle for life" have dominated the situation. And such principles were very necessary in order to maintain a certain required level of genetic selection pressure. Without such selection pressures genetic pollution and degeneration would quickly put an end to any societies' survival.<br />
<br />
After Point Omega however, "conscious evolution" will have taken over and therefore the stress of selection struggles will have become superfluous. The consequence of this change in evolutionary demands is that there finally will be (evolutionary) space for fair and just societies to be continued without end. Genetic pollution and social selection cycles can be countered with ease and the usual life span limitations of social structures can be by-passed.<br />
<br />
The implication of such a novel situation is that we may set aside and overcome primordial reflexes of attraction and repulsion without in the end suffering the thereby speeded up life cycle end, and the total collapse of the social structures in question. And that in turn implies that our very strong tendency to indulge in black/white or bad/good thinking regarding other people, will have lost its evolutionary "usefulness". We can now safely open our eyes to reality, to how we are put together, to how we have evolved, to what our options are, and which traditional options have become superfluous "no-go areas".<br />
<br />
Having bypassed the ordinary needs for evolutionary selection pressures in our society and our social relations, we can at last safely refrain from denouncing adversaries, from scapegoating, from black/white thinking, etc. We can safely "love our neighbor like ourselves" without paying in the end the concomitant evolutionary penalty for it.<br />
<br />
Even more, because we will have entered a situation where conscious evolution has taken over and that being in a democratic context, we are basically all together responsible for every human being that is being born on this earth. A situation will develop, where large and by humanity together decides how procreation will be given shape.<br />
Ultimately, that implies that '''everybody basically is co-responsible for every other human being that has been born'''. And that may be considered as one of the '''basic rules''' of the human world '''after Point Omega'''.<br />
<br />
Conscious evolution has not yet been started up and it will probably take quite a number of generations before that state of affairs will have been consolidated.<br />
In the mean time however we can already get used to thinking along those lines. That will help to support individuals that have problems in functioning smoothly and properly. Many of such problem-people may need to be firmly controlled or even locked up in order to avoid them causing harm to other people, but if we remember that we all together are responsible for their very existence, it is easier to maintain a supportive attitude. As argued [[Energy and Strokes|in the article about "strokes"(***)]], handing out "strokes" is the best medicine to help people regain proper rhythms of telic/paratelic reversals and thus regain growth towards fulfillment of their best innate capacities. Self-actualizers are more pleasant company than overstressed neurotics. And every "stroke" helps to bring that better option about. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, increasingly more strokes will come back to us in a process of social interaction which is, from a technical point of view, basically a process of positive feed back loops. And because of the technical characteristics of positive feed back loops, this will cause a chain reaction of strongly increasing mutual social support. And that, in turn, will diminish neuroticizing structures beyond a critical point, making space for a more broadly occurring actualization of human potentials to an unprecedented extent. And, because of the technical consequences of the positive feed back loops involved, these changes will increasingly gain speed until the majority of mankind wil all of a sudden be "taken by surprise" (but in a positive sense).<br />
<br />
These are the considerations why we need to assume responsibility for every human being in existence, and act accordingly. It is about time.<br />
<br />
It is clear that this general attitude of mutually assured respect and support is strikingly different from the pre-Omega condition of unlimited competition on all levels, ethnocentric cramps and reflexes, racism and genocide. <br />
This new attitude of accepting responsibility for and giving support to also the less privileged of our fellow human beings, up and including "the hopeless cases", the hardened criminals, and the plain idiots and simpletons, that attitude is an emotional cornerstone of the post-Point Omega world order. <br />
Before Point Omega we hardly could afford such an attitude, because of the evolutionary penalties involved, but from now on that attitude will fully pay off on all levels and that to an unprecedented degree.<br />
The classical evolutionary penalties and disadvantages of "being soft" on misfits and other hopeless cases will cease to exert their disruptive effects. These disadvantages will be bypassed effectively by "conscious evolution".<br />
<br />
== Competition and Work; how to deal with it in a different way ==<br />
'''(*)''' The twelfth and final issue to be addressed here is about our attitude to "work".<br />
<br />
Our relationship with work is another area of human life where great changes can be expected with the Point Omega transition.<br />
Work can be experienced in very different ways. Work can be an activity through which we manage to be an accepted member of society, being useful to the community through our (professional) "work".<br />
Work can also be felt as a social obligation, something the person in question does not want, but does not dare to challenge in order to avoid being expelled or ostracized. In order to be accepted and stay accepted, one has to do his fair bit of the toil.<br />
In more extreme cases, one simply is forced to do some sort of work. That may be forced labour in a prisoner-type of setting or, more subtle, being forced to do labour against one's will because the social pressure and control mechanisms are felt as inescapably strong and permanently overwhelming.<br />
In such situations one cannot formally be labeled as a prisoner or a slave, but the emotional experience is coming close to that.<br />
<br />
At the other side of the spectrum one finds those persons who have managed to make money with their hobby, or at least with something that they like to do. In those cases, what people already prefer to do by themselves, is accepted by society as something that is generally considered a useful contribution.<br />
<br />
Ideally, parents wish to bring up their children in such a way that they can master one or other skill that is considered useful for society and is being paid for, while the kids in question like to perform that specific type of (professional) skill.<br />
Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. In the latter cases, the children in question end up in some sort of jobs that they don't really like, but that they keep performing in order to make some money and survive, trying to forget that they are basically living in some sort of harsh or gentle slavery.<br />
<br />
Basically, on average we live in states of mild or harsh slavery and the extent to which we manage to like our "jobs" differs greatly. The more we like our "job", the less we feel enslaved.<br />
<br />
One of the specific factors that tends to make work less pleasurable for us humans, is the factor of the rat-race. Successful societies in general have incorporated in their social systems structures that induce competition between people doing similar work. Our capitalist system is but one example in which organizations strive to get the necessary work done in the most efficient and profitable way. Workers are under continuous pressure to perform better and often it is quite difficult for them to maintain a healthy balance between work pressure and personal needs for relaxation and recovery. In such cases the slavery-aspect is felt more strongly.<br />
Seen from the point of view of the power structures ruling our societies and lives, it doesn't matter so much if a majority of the people works under such pressure that they do not manage any more to maintain proper emotional balances and as a consequence end up as fearful neurotics. The useful output per neurotic person may be less than optimal, but the power structure can manipulate neurotic workers easier than they can manipulate self-actualizers. Neurotics have much more fear-handling-points that can be utilized by the power structures in charge. The useful output per person may then be lower, but the malleability of the neurotic herds is much better. They can be better employed to man the production lines and the military battle units, doing as they are told.<br />
<br />
One more factor we need to keep in mind about work is that mankind is suffering from evolutionary Jet-Lag. This means that the requirements that are demanded by the power structures are often at variance with our primordial emotional preferences and tendencies. There is a misfit between our primordial P-feelings and the N-needs. And it is especially in "work" where we feel that squeeze hurting. Much work that is required by the power structures, only gets done by way of force, either harsh or subtle.<br />
<br />
If we look at human history, we can recognize that during the last millennia we have been moving from very clear cut slavery structures, being a cornerstone of society, to less total suppression and slavery in which the slave-aspect is more and more hidden and less painful. Since in the latest centuries technical machinery has been developed to replace simple manual labour, society does not need any more such high percentages of slaves in order to be successful. In particular stupid and mindless work is done more and more by machines. And besides, those machines can produce way more products in less time and against lower costs than what was possible before.<br />
<br />
In fact we have entered a situation of affluence and that situation is not going to disappear. On the contrary, in the present time we are testimony of an explosive increase of efficiency and that gives an enormous boost to the world wide "wealth" of us humans. The present development of computers and communication tools is multiplying the effects of the industrial revolution and our wealth will keep increasing accordingly.<br />
<br />
Seen from that point of view, from the exploding increase in wealth, the millennia old rat race and the millennia old enslavement of people have become basically superfluous. <br />
In principle, society could start to utilize other, different, ways to win the competition with other power structures. After Point Omega the playing field changes thoroughly and more agreeable methods can become the winning formulae.<br />
<br />
'''Work after Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' After Point Omega the percentage of neurotics will decrease, making it more difficult for power structures to utilize the age old methods to rule by fear. It becomes increasingly more viable to seduce people to do useful things by being transparent and by simply paying more for unpleasant jobs. If fear doesn't work any more, the remuneration needs to go up in case it is different from work that is intrinsically pleasant to do.<br />
After Point Omega the balance between telic and paratelic states and their alternations will improve, with a higher frequency of paratelic states, in turn resulting in better growth and development of the individuals, which in turn results in a higher percentage of Self-actualizers.<br />
<br />
Point Omega basically is the "run away" increase in optimal telic-paratelic reversal frequencies. The contagiousness of proper personal growth will fuel the typical Point Omega changes leading, among other things, to a radically different work attitude. <br />
People will more often stop accepting slave positions and will more and more demand "meaningful" work. And "meaningful" is in principle more in line with our [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|P-feelings]](**).<br />
So, the evolutionary Jet-Lag will stop to make our work situations miserable. The dirty, boring, tedious, heavy, difficult work that cannot be done by some efficient machinery, simply will have to be paid better in order to be in balance with the new situation. <br />
<br />
Evolution works through competition between conspecifics. We humans have to compete with fellow human beings, either within our own group or tribe or competing with other people in a more far away group or society. Evolution proceeds because the winners contribute more to the next generation than do the losers, losers in whichever sense of the word. Men may theorize about fair societal structures in which aggressive competition is harnessed and cooperative friendliness reigns. But, as we mentioned above, civilization can in a sense be regarded as a conspiracy against evolution. No matter how clever a fair and just society had been designed, sooner or later such a society would collapse and selection pressures would recover lost terrain by launching the citizens of the former fair society into chaos, turmoil and destruction.<br />
Competition as we know it in our societies can be hard, in the sense that one's life depends on the outcome, but also it can take the form of a rather "sportive" competition. In such cases winning the competition is striven after, but one's life does not directly depend on the outcome.<br />
In such cases it is rather like in sport. One works hard to win, but basically it remains a game.<br />
<br />
What we may expect after Point Omega is that competition will not disappear from work and social life, but that the ongoing competitions get a more "sportive" flavour.<br />
We then work ourselves right until our limits, but we do it for fun, not out of fear and desperation. <br />
<br />
Since after Point Omega work will be more like a game, giving enjoyment to the "worker", rather than stress and fear, and since we all will have to take responsibility for literally every human being on this planet, base pay comes in sight. It can be calculated that granting every person in society a base pay, no matter what the person in question is contributing, an enormous shift in general attitude will occur in most people. The pressure is off and relaxation is always within reach. As pointed out [[The_significance_of_the_Point_Omega_transition|elsewhere on this Wiki]](*), easier relaxation will trigger better learning processes and subsequently will bring about an ever higher percentage of Self-Actualizers. <br />
<br />
Until this moment in time "work" used to be in most cases very much a "re-active" activity, full of fears and concerns. After Point Omega work will have a more "pro-active" flavour. People will work rather "for the hell of it", rather than out of fear to drop out or to perish financially.<br />
Work and play will be better compatible and pleasure in work will become the rule, rather than the exception. And as pointed out above, if, in such a fear-free society the dirty, hard or unpleasant work is refused by most people, a better pay for the jobs in question will do the trick.<br />
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This development will be amplified by the advance of technology. Ever more necessary work is delegated to machinery and robots. People can enjoy more leisure. This will stimulate the "pro-active" working attitude over the traditional "re-active" attitudes. For an eloquent discourse on this development, refer e.g., to [[Further_reading#Livingston2016|Livingston (2016)]].<br />
<br />
== Priorities for an action list ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)'''<br />
After the above 12 paragraphs we may draw the conclusion that:<br />
<br />
- After Point Omega many issues and many problems will have to be treated in a different way than before.<br />
<br />
1. - Some of these changes in attitude will follow suit automatically and involuntarily. In those cases no extra pressure is needed to steer the changes in the right direction. Such changes therefore do not need to be put high on the list of priorities, that is, the priority list of where we should invest extra attention, energy and time. These changes may in some cases be quite crucial for mankind in the new situation and they may play a central role in the shifting towards the Past-Point-Omega state of affairs. But still, these issues end up low on the priority list, because they will also come about without extra purposeful action from our side or from the side of the authorities.<br />
<br />
2. - Some changes can be boosted and sped up from outside rather easily. Where that is the case, it pays off for that reason to give these changes an extra "boost" and the issue may for that reason be put higher on the priority list. There, extra effort will pay off. <br />
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3. - Some of the changes, related to the emergence of Point Omega, are already on the list, in the sense that people already pay attention and try to spread the changes in question as broadly as they can. An example is "freedom of speech". In many parts of the modern world the importance of this change is recognized, but in many other countries freedom of speech is still a utopian dream. These issues are certainly of importance. Still, they do not need to be put high on this priority list, because, evidently, they already are getting attention, time and energy.<br />
<br />
With these three criteria in mind we now can, as examples, order a non-exhaustive listing of priorities and recommended actions for governments and individuals. With every item, every change, we will give an indication of why the item has been put higher or lower on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''1) Amathology'''.<br />
Spending time and money studying the mechanisms of human Blindness for the Self is crucial for dealing with the changes needed for moving through the Point Omega transitions. Awareness of and knowledge about these mechanisms of Self-Blindness are fundamental for the Past Point Omega world. However, for purely technical reasons we should expect that people and institutions will not automatically put energy and time and money in that type of research, no matter how important it is. For most people these issues just "don't feel right". Therefore this item is put high on the priorities list. Extra effort on this issue will pay off exponentially. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''2) Transparency'''.<br />
One of the major tools for power structures to maintain their control over their subjects is that the officers "in charge" enjoy broad information privileges. They "know more" than their subjects and keep their people that way in a permanent state of helplessness, which, by the way, these subjects consider as "normal".<br />
<br />
In contrast, democratic ways of cooperation need to be anchored in sufficient information levels for the people who are part of the democracy. Otherwise, no educated opinions can be formed. <br />
In our modern world, and especially recently, transparency has increasingly become a hot item and the target of introducing and improving transparency on many levels is part of most modern societies.<br />
In spite of all this already existing attention, we still put transparency high on this priority-list, because it is something that can easily be improved and steered by governments and other large organizations. By putting energy in the further improvement of transparency on all levels, the transition to the post Point Omega situation can considerably be facilitated. Transparency is a main characteristic of the "new world" and it will pay off to increase the emphasis it is already receiving. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''3) Legal innovations for "taking responsibility"'''.<br />
Taking responsibility by everybody, for everybody else's existence, is a new concept for most people. It is not or hardly supported by already existing traditions and culture. It goes counter to traditions of competition and of holding failing people responsible for their failures to "have made it". Still, this novel type of responsibility - by all for all - will have a tremendous impact on the feelings of well-being of the majority of mankind. It will give every individual a feeling of "being OK" and "being accepted". It will take away the feeling of failure and the neuroticizing fear to be ostracized or held personally responsible for failure. By positive feed back loops in our behavioural system such a removal of imposed feelings of inadequacy will free enormous amounts of positively spent energy. <br />
This admonition to accept responsibility for literally everybody will have tremendous effects on the peace of mind and the peace of heart of our fellow human beings. Knowing the mechanisms of the contagiousness of well-being and of emotional equilibrium and personal growth it is clear that "Taking Responsibility" is very important for the transition to the other side of Point Omega. <br />
Because of its importance and because it is difficult for individual people to switch to this new attitude, we have put this issue high on the list of priorities. Attention and energy being spent on this issue will most likely be very well spent and that is why we have put this issue also close to the top.<br />
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Once the idea of "together taking responsibility for every human being alive" has been accepted as a useful tool to (re)form our world, this principle has to be embedded in new legislation that can help to establish and propagate the global support for "everybody". First of all the authorities should recognize the importance of this "support of all by all". And one of the most effective - lastingly effective - methods for authorities to boost this principle is legislation itself.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''4) Psychological sciences'''.<br />
Giving shape to the post-Point-Omega world will be supported by an increase in scientific research efforts. In our rapidly developing and changing world, new techniques emerge and are actively sought in all fields of human functioning.<br />
Whereas technical scientific developments traditionally used to get much attention and financing and will automatically receive such attention in the future, we have good reasons to advise for a shift in emphasis into the direction of research in the fields of psychology, sociology and ethology. The Omega-shift implies that humanity will enter into another level of understanding of our own behaviour. One of the tenets defended on this Wiki is that the level of knowledge about our own behavioural system, our emotions and motivations is still very limited and at places almost non-existent. Large gaps in our understanding of these matters need to be filled in urgently. Many of these gaps in our knowledge have traditionally been maintained by complex systems of taboos and contemporary superstitions. <br />
After Point Omega we will need to pay extra attention to for instance the following fields in psychological research: <br />
<br />
-- Good-Bad reflexes and their biological functions; <br />
<br />
-- Reversal Theory, dealing with the dynamics of our emotional and motivational system; <br />
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-- Automatic selection pressures in the social plane on the dimension of Adaption-Innovation and the resulting periodic catastrophes in social structures; <br />
<br />
-- Amathology or the research on human blindness for the own behaviour and its biological function.<br />
<br />
Whereas not being exhaustive, these issues should be in the front of our future scientific research efforts.<br />
As pointed out in many papers on this Wiki, human misery is finally and solidly anchored in ignorance about exactly these fields of psychological functioning. Spending attention, time and energy here, certainly will pay off.<br />
<br />
For that reason this focus point is placed rather high on our list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''5) Military authority for the UN'''.<br />
At this moment in time, it is becoming more and more likely that at some stage a group of deranged idiots will be able to lay their hands on nuclear retaliation instruments. If that would happen, humanity will be in bad shape. For instance, Islamic fanatics have flown 2 airplanes into the New York twin towers. Imagine what would happen in case such fanatic morons would get control over nuclear missiles. Such disaster would most likely trigger the immediate allocation of more military power in the hands of the UN "government", in order to be able to prevent such idiocies from happening again. However, it seems much better strategy to arrange such decisive military power to the UN level before the above may happen. Until now, people don't seem to feel the urgency to put more effective power in UN hands. But that is a sorry example of shortsightedness, that might cost many millions of us their lives unnecessarily.<br />
Since this issue is likely to be taken seriously too late, and because of the price humanity would have to pay for the sorry consequences, this issue is also put high on this priority list. <br />
<br />
These days there are quite a number of political states of whom we would not like to know nuclear hitting power in their hands. Examples from the recent past or the present are for instance: ISIS, North Korea, the Ayatolla state in Iran, Zimbabwe, Ruanda's genocide, Pol Pot in Cambodia, etc., etc., etc. <br />
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<br />
'''6) UN-power guaranteeing the right to political self-determination for all populations and sub-populations'''.<br />
Self-determination will come about for all people in the world without any doubt at some point in time. Developments that can be expected after Point Omega will bring that about inevitably. <br />
<br />
Until this moment in time, until this moment in our evolution, differential procreation of tribes and races and other (sub-)populations was inevitable and necessary for the gradual evolution of novel characteristics of Homo sapiens, for the progress of evolution. And selection processes on that level of operation come with genocide, large scale war, economic strangling techniques and other misery producing events. These events may always have been unpleasant, or rather terrible, properties of human life, but they were basically and in principle unavoidable because of the evolutionary dictates of differential fitness of different tribes, races or genetic sub-groups of people.<br />
Only when the ordinary automatic evolutionary pressures have been bypassed by a different (and more effective) mechanisms, can we hope to have conquered the above mentioned eternal sources of human misery and pain, pains that are basically the same as the pains of any species in evolution, but that in the case of Homo sapiens tend to occur at a larger scale and more at distinct intervals (wars) instead of continuously.<br />
<br />
After the introduction of "conscious evolution", after Point Omega, the evolutionary forces leading to all those forms of suffering will be bypassed and principles of self-determination will become a possibility that is not unstable any more. So, after Point Omega we may expect that principles of self-determination will automatically become the rule rather than the temporary exceptions.<br />
<br />
However, it pays off to put extra energy and attention in this development and speed that process up where possible, because of the dangers for mankind stemming from the present situation in many countries, where self-determination is still a far away dream and violent revolutions are lurking below the surface. The sooner we can install a generally applicable right to self-determination, the sooner those - really great - dangers will be brought under control. <br />
In the new situation every local population will be entitled to collectively decide how much autonomy is preferred against which decrease of efficiency of size or decrease of governmental expertise. <br />
<br />
Recent examples of where such issues are under discussion or, less ideal, should be under discussion, are for instance: Scotland versus the UK; the UK versus the EU; the Krim versus Ukraina or Russia; East Ukraina versus Ukraina or Russia; East-Timor versus Indonesia; Papua New Guinea versus Indonesia; Catalunia versus Spain; Western Sahara versus Marocco; Southern Sudan versus Sudan; Darfur versus Sudan; etc.; etc.; etc., almost without end.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''7) Create better opportunity for mothers to care sufficiently for their babies'''.<br />
One of the most effective ways to improve chances for young children to grow up to be mature and capable individuals is to enable mothers of neonatives to spend enough time and attention to their newborns and in the first years after birth. There are ample scientific research data that show the large effects of proper maternal care on the development of the newborns. Also, various articles on this Wiki explain how this developmental effect comes about.<br />
Whereas in the future there will be no doubt more space, time and room for mothers to care for their newborns in an optimal way, we still need to emphasize here the usefulness of paying more attention to these long term developmental effects of good maternal care. On the one hand there will be created more and more opportunity for mothers to give their birthlings an optimal start. On the other hand, we can catalyze these changes tremendously by putting still more attention and energy in these changes.<br />
<br />
Therefore this issue should get relatively much priority. It will happen anyway, but events can be much optimized by now already speeding up this particular change as much as possible. (A scientific analysis of these effects can for instance be found in the work of [[Further_reading#Bowlby1969|Bowlby]](1969) and of [[Further_reading#Bettelheim1969|Bruno Bettelheim]](1969), where he describes the large scale failures in 20th century kibbutses regarding the early upbringing of babies.)<br />
<br />
<br />
'''8) Tax reforms world wide'''.<br />
Taxes are a relatively easy way to help steer the behaviour of large masses of people in the right direction. An environment tax would make it more expensive for people to purchase or apply environment-unfriendly articles and products. Price differences can easily bring people to make better choices on a daily basis. This method could reduce pollution considerably and could equally improve the protection of biodiversity. Likewise a junk-food tax could help to make people buy less unhealthy fodder (then more expensive) and instead buy more healthy (cheap) alternatives. This would improve the average well-being of people and simultaneously reduce costs of medical care.<br />
<br />
At this level benefits can also be obtained by making better international agreements on preventing tax-evasion. That would improve the possibilities for governments to collect fair levels of taxes from all citizens concerned, including the bigger international companies who nowadays often do not need to pay their fair share. Fair taxes for internationals would greatly reduce the tax levels for ordinary citizens, this to the benefit of all. And once the big companies pay their fair share of taxes, the environmental components of the taxes will finally have a strong effect on the reduction of pollution and the improvement of biodiversity. <br />
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These tax issues already do have increasing lots of attention, but still it would pay off greatly to put extra energy in these reforms, because the powers that resist such reforms are traditionally very strong and the effects of these tax reforms will have immediate beneficial effects on the whole of society. Also, it will enhance people's confidence in the authorities if they manage to realize a broad tax-equality.<br />
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<br />
'''9) Eugenics'''.<br />
One main characteristic of the transition Point Omega is finishing the era of evolving gradually towards higher levels of consciousness and entering a new era, a new phase in human history, the era of Conscious Evolution.<br />
That new situation implies the conscious utilization of Eugenics and all its techniques involved.<br />
Homo sapiens ''cannot survive'' without taking its ow evolution consciously in its own hands. It is therefore of crucial importance now and in the near future.<br />
<br />
One of the novel tools involved in dealing with eugenics is Eugenic Mapping. The improvement of these techniques is a major tool for conscious evolution. On the one hand we mention it here, because it is not something that will automatically be taken on by governments. At this moment in time this matter is still hidden safely behind walls of taboos and superstition. On the other hand, eugenic mapping will gradually but inescapably be boosted by public demand. People will increasingly demand to enjoy all the advantages of genetic screening and other measures to produce offspring that is as healthy and as capable as possible. It can therefore be put at a relatively low position on the list of priorities, because in due time this issue will get sufficient attention anyway. The public at large simply will demand it.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''10) Sexual liberation of women'''.<br />
The inequality between the sexes is a primordial given. Apart from cultural habits our biological past has caused difference between the average investments in newborns by mothers and the average investments by the fathers. This difference between the sexes has always been causing certain basic frictions. These differences in focus and in where the main concerns are located in each of the sexes, evidently has been an Evolutionarily Stable Strategy, ESS, throughout our evolution. <br />
However, in the coming era of conscious evolution it will be of crucial importance that women will increasingly be in command of their own bellies, about their own offspring and if possible, the fatherhood involved. Genetic pollution, which is one of the major classic obstacles for a long lasting and stable peaceful human society, will have to be tackled with a range of novel approaches. And more say for women about their own pregnancy is one of those indispensable novel attitudes. <br />
This beneficial effect of women's sexual emancipation on the reduction of genetic pollution is the reason why we have included this issue here on the list of priorities.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''11) Make biological fathers pay for their offspring'''. <br />
As a pair to the above item is the priority of making men pay for the offspring they have sired in a biological sense. Medical techniques to assess fatherhood without a doubt are now available everywhere and they will increasingly be applied to back up claims of young mothers to share the burden of parenthood with the biological fathers. This tendency is already on the increase in most places of the world. That we still mention it here is because this will put a break on the tendency of men to "knock up" women with child without coming up with marital assistance.<br />
And that shift will be in favour of fathers who are capable of giving parental support and this shift will be an increasing hindrance to the fatherhood of incompetents. Making biological fathers pay their fair share in parental efforts is an extra brake on genetic pollution and moreover it helps to provide newborns with a good start. And that will improve the likelihood of positive learning cycles and optimal courses of development with all the resulting positive spin offs involved. And that, in turn, will help to make the Point Omega transition more likely to occurr.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''12) Pollution'''.<br />
Pollution too, needs to come to an end shortly. We presently tend to regard the fight against pollution as crucial for human well-being. And that is quite right. However, the pollution problems will automatically be tackled more vigorously and more effectively once Point Omega has been passed. Most individual people and also their governments are increasingly aware that pollution needs to stop and that human well being can be raised that way. Pollution can therefore safely be put somewhat low on the priority list. We'll effectively deal with it anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''13) Overpopulation'''.<br />
Alleviation of present day suffering of our whole planet through over-exploitation, fueled by millions of tonnes of superfluous human flesh, is very urgent and one of the major features of the new time. Still, this item ends up rather low on the priorities list, because a systematic and lasting reduction of human numbers will inevitably and automatically happen anyway, and that without draconian pressures from above. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''14) Secularization'''.<br />
We have put this item low on the list because doing away with superstition and religious fear will score high with many people already anyway.<br />
Giving shape to the world after Point Omega does not need spiritual awareness to disappear. What it does need is that superstitions and collective fears do not keep dominating individual and group behaviour. Organized religions normally played a crucial role in maintaining power structures by inducing and regulating fears in their people. What will be left in the future of present day religions is at best a kind of spiritual awareness and feeling of unity, that is denuded from all the traditionally concomitant fears and unwholesome taboos, that served the power structures rather than the individual welfare of the believers. Anyway, putting religions back in their proper place, where they do "good" and no "harm", will continue to happen automatically and unavoidably.<br />
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<br />
'''15) Ecology.'''<br />
For evoking sensible and rational action with respect to the global ecological hot issues, the best and also lasting approach is to broaden the education packages about ecology for our young people in the schools. The more people are aware of the ecological imbedding of Homo sapiens, the more our ecological heritage will be protected and improved upon. The more emphasis we put on the issues of ecology, the better we will take care of our biological heritage.<br />
<br />
A movement that already is gaining more and more influence at the level of ecological values, is "Permaculture". The Permaculture methodology guides land owners in the direction of producing useful goods, foods and raw materials, while at the same time improving and not exhausting the local ecological carrying capacity. This new method about how to deal with our world originated in Australia and has since its beginning kept spreading over the world at an ever expanding pace.<br />
<br />
A similar striving is included in what we call the "Sicirec Formula", a form of "controlled landscaping" applied in plantation forestry, but equally well applicable in any other exploitation of land for whichever purpose, be it forestry, agriculture, industry or urban planning. That formula emphasizes that crucial for preserving biodiversity is the strategy to keep a certain percentage of the land involved in a state of its climax vegetation, together with its climax animal life, spatially intertwined with areas for rational productivity. The latter may refer to forms of Permaculture, but less ideal patterns of utilization will also work out well within the Sicirec Formula.<br />
<br />
Boosting the world wide utilization of these new ecological principles, can and will have a tremendous impact of the well being of the world as a whole and thus on our own well being.<br />
<br />
Still, we put this issue relatively low on our priority list, simply because these issues will be tackled with more and more vigor and purpose anyway already. <br />
<br />
<br />
'''16) Technical sciences'''.<br />
Boosting scientific developments is not surprisingly of crucial importance for shaping the world after Point Omega. This holds for psychological and related sciences, as mentioned above, but also for technical sciences. <br />
That this item shows relatively low on the list of priorities is due to the fact that rather automatically sufficient energy, time and money will be invested in these developments. There is hardly an extra boost needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
'''17) Medical Sciences'''.<br />
Equally, Medical Sciences have been put in a low position on the priority list. <br />
Apart from what people generally think about the reasons why medical care and medical knowledge are so important, we wish to point out one crucial effect of good medical care that is of importance for how the transition to the era of conscious evolution will come about.<br />
Good medical care namely, makes longevity of our species increase. And that in turn implies that decision making will increasingly be in the hands of older and more experienced people. And that in turn is equal to saying that less decision making will be left to inexperienced youngsters who have not yet learned to deal with their testosterone boosted social reflexes or the female equivalents of it in a prudent way. For instance, male inclinations towards group aggression and female brainless procreational impulses will have lower chances to run out of hand. This beneficial collateral effect of longevity will be one of the major ingredients of the after Point Omega society.<br />
Anyway, Medical Sciences will automatically receive sufficient support from society and therefore a high place on this priority list is not needed.<br />
<br />
== Relax .......... we can afford it now ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The main tenet on this Wiki is that we are now entering the shift of human society into Point Omega, and beyond.<br />
Indications are that humanity has already entered the accelerating phase in this transition and that we are already beyond the "point of no return".<br />
What is certain, according to the information on this Wiki, is that Point Omega will happen, sooner or later, automatically and unavoidably, simply because that is how human behaviour has been organized and has evolved up to this point. And yes, we think that we already have entered the predicted accelerating phase. That this is not generally recognized already is mainly due to the fact that human awareness very strongly is hindered by myopic effects, making it almost impossible for humans to see the broad and complete picture. Our personal horizons are very narrow indeed, for both genetic (genes .....)and cultural reasons (memes .....). <br />
<br />
From the contributions on this Wiki one might deduce that this Omega Transition, being of more influence and importance than the agricultural revolution, and bringing untold changes and advantages to the whole of mankind, is very much worth fighting for. And of course, this is very much true. Of all possible targets and goals, helping Point Omega to proceed appears to be the most useful possible, rightly deserving all our best efforts.<br />
Having listed in the above chapter the priorities that we could handle to make our choices about what to do first and what second, we could embrace the attitude of "let's not waste any time, but go for it right away with all power available". The conclusion does emerge that such is the best thing to do, with all energy available. We seem not to have time to waste, because ''we really still do have to do a thing or two !''<br />
<br />
However, this motivation also would tie in perfectly with the pre-Point-Omega general attitude of "telic dominance" and the customary out-of-balance "goal directedness". And this tencency is very seductive indeed.<br />
But, what in fact would facilitate the necessary shifts towards Point Omega best is more relaxation of all participants involved. <br />
So, our message should rather be: ...... RELAX. Allow yourself personally the time to come back into balance, into emotional and motivational balance. Only then the paratelic states will emerge more frequently and only thus you will be able to correctly perceive the situations at hand and choose prudently the most effective ways to proceed and contribute from here.<br />
Only when anchored in a proper telic/patatelic emotional and motivational balance, a person can grow into great enough strength and capacities to make a difference for the whole of society at all. <br />
So, RELAX ........, we can afford it now.<br />
<br />
Looking at the world-wide situation of humanity, we are basically in a very comfortable position.<br />
We have unprecedented amounts of energy at our disposal.<br />
We are producing plenty of food to feed the whole world populations, be it that we still don't manage to distribute it effectively enough.<br />
We are living in the middle of an avalanche of technological innovations, making life proceedingly easier.<br />
Basically, this is an era of plenty, no matter what problems the newspapers present to us each day.<br />
So, what we can do, what we can afford to do, is just STOP !<br />
RELAX ........ <br />
<br />
We can afford it now, at last. So, let's enjoy it !<br />
And besides, that way we best boost an increasing frequency of paratelic states in as many people as possible. The articles on this Wiki have explained how that contagiousness works. And the restoration of mankind's emotional and motivational balance is the most important trick of all. And it is our birthright. <br />
No feelings of guilt for laziness needed.<br />
The theory explains how paratelic states will automatically emerge sooner or later, once relaxation has done its job. <br />
<br />
So, give it a chance. That's what the world really needs at this moment in time: your and everybody's paratelic states, in sufficient frequencies. Don't worry, ''relax, and a thing or two will happen to you'' ! . . . . . and especially . . . . . to us ''all''.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8806Why a Point Omega transition ?2021-11-17T06:33:42Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures */</p>
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<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
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</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
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What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
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Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
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Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (CEL = Cognition-Energy-Learning model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This CEL is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
<br />
A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
<br />
==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
<br />
==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
<br />
Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
<br />
We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
<br />
=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
<br />
Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
<br />
Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
<br />
[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
<br />
Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures used to be in place at that time in that place: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=8805Main Page2021-09-23T15:22:39Z<p>Baby Boy: Fix links</p>
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<div>'''Warning: we advise to read the [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|''disclaimer'']] of this Wiki first'''<br />
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'''Welcome to the: <center><big style="font-size: 300%; line-spacing: .5em;">Point Omega Research Wiki</big> '''<br />
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For an overview of this Wiki go to''':''' [[Omega Research:Map|Wiki map / Reading scheme / Overview / Contents]]<br />
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=='''[[0]''']About this wiki==<br />
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* [[Omega Research:About#Disclaimer|'''[[0.1]]Disclaimer]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Goal of this site|Goal of this site]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|['''[0.3]''']Definitions of "Point Omega"]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#What this site is about and what it is not|What this site is about and what it is not]]<br />
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==Featured articles ==<br />
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* '''[[0]]''' [[Point Omega (summary)]]<br />
* '''[[1]]''' [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki|A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki (40 pages)]]<br />
* '''[[0.1]]''' Goal of this Wiki: [[To_finally_put_an_end_to_war,_genocide,_wholesale_rape_and_the_destruction_of_the_living_world|To finally put an end to war, genocide, wholesale rape and the destruction of the living world]]<br />
* '''0.2'''[[The_end_of_the_second_intermediary_phase_before_any_evolving_intelligence,_whenever_and_wherever_in_the_universe,_reaches_maturity_and_full_deployment|Point Omega: extended definition]]<br />
* '''0.3.''' [[Curiosity_replacing_fear,_rather_than_science_replacing_belief_systems|The Crux: Curiosity replacing Fear, rather than Science replacing Belief systems]]<br />
* '''[[2]'''][[Why a Point Omega transition ?]] <br />
* [[Directives for after Point Omega]] <br />
* '''[[2]]'''[[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing]]<br />
* '''[[2.1]]'''[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning]]<br />
* '''[[2.2]]'''[[Striving, Playing and Learning]]<br />
* '''[[2.3.1]]'''[[Towards an-Energy-Learning -Cognition-Model (1)|Towards an -Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.) (1)]]('''Issue #7''')<br />
* '''[[2.3.2]]'''[[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.)]] (2)<br />
* '''[[2.4]]'''[[Energy and Strokes|Energy and Strokes: how the quality of relationships influences the process of learning and individual development]]<br />
* '''[[2.5]]'''[[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[3]]'''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence]]<br />
* [[Selection pressure for high as well as for low levels of intelligence in modern Homo sapiens]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[4]]'''[[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|Eating from the Forbidden Fruit: on the power of Good and Evil]]<br />
* '''[[5]]'''[[Good and Bad, an illusory dimension as the cornerstone of human personality]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[5.1]]'''[[Impersonal Power Structures ruling our world]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[6]]'''[[The biological instability of social equilibria (abstract)]]<br />
* '''[[6.1]]'''[[The biological instability of social equilibria]] (main article)<br />
* '''[[6.2]]'''[[K.A.I. and Changes in Social Structures: on the Anatomy of Catastrophy]]<br />
* '''[[7]]'''[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history]]<br />
* '''[[7.1]]'''[[Genetic pollution precluding social stability]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[8]]'''[[Personality differences in House mice]] (to be added)<br />
*'''[[8.1]]''' [[Personality of Mice and Men; re-arranging personality dimensions in a six-dimensional adjective space]]<br />
* '''[[8.2]]'''[[Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities; an innovative theoretical essay on the possibility of overcoming the chaotic diversity in personality theories]]<br />
* [[Escaping from Chaos: Temperamental Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities]] (to be added)<br />
* [[Why never peace ?]] (to be added)<br />
* '''[[[9]]]'''[[The significance of the Point Omega transition]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[[10]]]'''[[Characteristics of human behaviour before and after Point Omega]] (to be added)<br />
* '''[[[11]]]'''[[Enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
* [[What it means to be human]] (concept, schedule)<br />
* '''[[0.5.2]]'''[[Curiosity replacing fear, rather than science replacing belief systems]]<br />
* '''[[[13]]]'''[[First Aid pages]]<br />
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== Further reading, movie pictures, websites ==<br />
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* [[Omega Research:Videos and websites on related subjects]]<br />
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* Comments on Richard Dawkins' "[[The God Delusion]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Straw Dogs, Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Black Mass, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia]]"<br />
On some IDW (Intellectual Dark Web) participants (The Intellectual Dark Web is a label, given to a group of philosophers, evolutionary psychologists and political thinkers who have been rather influential recently and are often, as individuals or as a group, been strongly criticized or otherwise attacked by politicians and other people who pretend to be responsible for guarding and directing public opinion We feel that the many discussions with and between these authors, placed on Internet by means of YouTube presentations, TED-talks and similar modern publication means, can be highly enlightening for the sincere seeker of truth :<br />
Sam Harris:<br />
[www.amazon.de/Sam-Harris/e/B001H6UFQ0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1545557223&sr=8-2-ent]<br />
Jordan Peterson:<br />
<br />
[[/www.amazon.de/12-Rules-Life-chaotischen-verändert/dp/344231514X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545554068&sr=8-3&keywords=peterson|12 Rules for life,]]and on YouTube:<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJyz6iK8VXE]<br />
Richard Dawkins:<br />
* Comments on Daniel Quinn's "[[Beyond Civilization, humanity's next great adventure]]"<br />
* Comments on Ruiz<br />
* Comments on Eckhart Tolle's "[[A New Earth|A New Earth, Awakening to your life's purpose]]"<br />
* Comments on Kris Verburgh's "[[Fantastisch, over het universum in ons hoofd]]"<br />
* Comments on Amy Wallace's "[[Sorcerer's Apprentice, my life with Carlos Castaneda]]"<br />
* List of Cognitive Biases in Humans [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases (from Wikipedia)]<br />
<br />
<br />
* [[Further reading|List of literature and references]]<br />
__NOTOC__</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8804Why a Point Omega transition ?2021-07-19T17:35:01Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
<br />
If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
<br />
- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
<br />
Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
<br />
In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (CEL = Cognition-Energy-Learning model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This CEL is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
<br />
=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
<br />
Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
<br />
While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
<br />
The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
<br />
So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
<br />
Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
<br />
==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
<br />
Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
<br />
Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
<br />
A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
<br />
==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
<br />
==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (more or less as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
<br />
Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
<br />
We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
<br />
=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
<br />
Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
<br />
Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
<br />
[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
<br />
Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8803Why a Point Omega transition ?2021-05-18T09:58:06Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***) */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
<br />
=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
<br />
What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
<br />
This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
<br />
Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
<br />
Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
<br />
Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
<br />
Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
<br />
=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
<br />
If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
<br />
- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
<br />
Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
<br />
==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
<br />
In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
<br />
<br />
In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (CEL = Cognition-Energy-Learning model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This CEL is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
<br />
=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
<br />
Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
<br />
While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
<br />
[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
<br />
The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
<br />
So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
<br />
Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
<br />
==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
<br />
Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
<br />
On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
<br />
Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
<br />
But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
<br />
The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
<br />
Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
<br />
Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
<br />
This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
<br />
And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
<br />
: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
<br />
==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth, also between the different individual members of social groups.<br />
<br />
==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
<br />
=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
<br />
==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
<br />
As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
<br />
{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
<br />
The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (as a "zombie"). <br />
<br />
From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
<br />
The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
<br />
Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
<br />
There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
<br />
Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
<br />
=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
<br />
- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
<br />
- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
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What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
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And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
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- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
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These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
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- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
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- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
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However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
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=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
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=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
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And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F&diff=8802Why a Point Omega transition ?2021-05-18T09:46:13Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model) */</p>
<hr />
<div><center><br />
<br />
<big><b>Why we can expect a Point Omega transition:</b></big><br/><br />
<b>the implication of 2 antagonist mechanisms of positive reinforcement in processes of human learning and development</b><br />
<br />
</center><br />
__NOTOC__<br />
<br />
=== Contents ===<br />
[[#Introduction|Introduction]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?|1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ?]]<br/><br />
[[#Self-actualization(***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens|- Self-actualization the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?|- Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ?]]<br/><br />
[[#2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)|2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)]]<br/><br />
[[#2a) The ELC and contagiousness|- 2a) The ELC and contagiousness]]<br/><br />
[[#2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)|- 2b) The ELC and contagiousness between individuals]]<br/><br />
[[#2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC|- 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC]]<br/><br />
[[#3) Theory of the point of inflection|3) Theory of the point of inflection]]<br/><br />
[[#3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions|- 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions]]<br/><br />
[[#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|- 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large]]<br/><br />
[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle|Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#5) The Evolution of Power Structures(**)|5) The Evolution of Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag(**) in Homo sapiens|6) Evolutionary Jet-Lag in Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings(**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures|7) Fitting the pieces together: N-demands versus P-feelings, their effect on Self-actualization in power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures|8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9) N-demands from the Power Structures|9) N-demands from the Power Structures]]<br/><br />
[[#9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings|- 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings]]<br/><br />
[[#9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System|- 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System]]<br/><br />
[[#10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures|10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#Conclusion|Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude|The prelude]]<br/><br />
[[#The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens|The sequel: emergence of Homo sapiens]]<br/><br />
[[#What next ?|What next ?]]<br/><br />
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=== Introduction ===<br />
{{level|1}}This article explains how the conclusion was reached that it is likely that humanity will shortly go through a transition that will change the life of us humans more than anything before in human history, yes even more than anything in human evolution.<br />
If our deductions are correct, the coming transition will even be a novelty from the perspective of evolution itself on our planet. In that case it will in fact be the emergence of what we could label as "conscious evolution" which we may consider, as explained further below, as a novel, be it unavoidable, development of earthly evolution. <br />
('''*************####'''In this article more links to other parts of this Wiki should be added.####**************)<br />
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What is more, if our deductions are right it should be considered as a basic law of nature that on any planet in the universe where life is possible, sooner or later "conscious evolution" will emerge. For our planet that moment in time is now, or rather, very soon. And we humans happen to be the carriers of that pinnacle of evolution. This may seem a rare coincidence, but on the other hand the emerging awareness of these phenomena itself is determining the uniqueness and the importance of this particular evolutionary moment. <br />
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This strange conclusion, that we can indeed expect such a sudden rise in human potentials and in the quality of human functioning, is based on a combination of 10 "findings", either in the form of well established facts or in the form of hypotheses that one might wish to corroborate further.<br />
We will mention these 10 "findings" very briefly below, and then indicate how taking these 10 findings together, leads us to quite surprising conclusions, conclusions that seem quite unbelievable at first glance, but that appear to be inescapable conclusions if scrutinized more closely.<br />
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Since this particular article aims at explaining how the conclusion of a pending Point Omega shift was reached, the 10 findings, presented here, leading to that conclusion, are mentioned very briefly and summarily. Otherwise we cannot keep sufficient overview to make the conclusion plausible. For grasping the theme of this article, it is enough to just take these 10 findings for granted. About each of these "findings" more detailed information and argumentation can be found in other articles on this Wiki. Links are provided in the text, indicated with (*), (**) or (***), depending on the level of detail.<br />
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Some of these 10 findings are well known, but are commonly not applicable in a context as we apply it here.<br />
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Some other findings are also well established, but as yet only in circles of specialist researchers.<br />
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Finally, a small minority of the 10 findings that we utilize here, are novel in the sense that they have not yet been published before in scientific papers, or only very summarily. The latter couple of findings have as yet not been the subject of a broad scientific discussion.<br />
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(In case the texts below are experienced as incomprehensible or maybe even as repulsive reading, please read the [[Omega_Research:About#Disclaimer|disclaimer]](*) first, before continuing reading and putting your personal tranquility of mind at risk.)<br />
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=== 1) Unfolding of innate potentials, normal or extraordinary ? ===<br />
====[[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|Self-actualization]](***) the exception, rather than the rule, in Homo sapiens ==== <br />
{{level|2}} The first finding is about the, still rather controversial, finding that most human individuals are functioning way below their innate capacities, that they are on average only reaching levels of skills and mastery that are a fraction of what "could have been". Expressed in other terms, "self-actualization", the coming to bloom of a rather complete collection of innate potentials in a human being is the exception, rather than the rule. <br />
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If this issue is correct, it is clearly an anomaly. The least one has to admit to the critics of this scientific idea, is that, if it is correct, it certainly is very different from how it works in other species. How then, if correct, is such a strange and unexpected situation possible and how could that ever be an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy) ?<br />
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- We have derived this idea from Abraham Maslow, who stood at the basis of [[Behaviorism_versus_Humanism,_an_Integration;_Application_of_the_Cognition_Energy_Learning_Model_(CEL)_on_an_old_controversy|humanistic psychology]](**). He launched the concept that in humans self-actualization is the exception, rather than the rule. And personally, as a curious researcher, well familiar with his field of research, I could not discard his work as being mistaken. Under scrutiny, Maslow appeared to have done his homework quite thoroughly, starting with his research on monkeys and subsequently investigating if and how his findings also pertained to other primate species and eventually to humans. <br />
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Although going quite strongly against anything that an evolutionary biologist would expect, Homo sapiens emerged from his research indeed as an anomaly, an evolutionary contradiction, in the sense that we apparently are a species in which the majority of the members are functioning way below their inborn potentials and not the other way around, as is customary in any other species. Naturally, and logically, in other species the average phenotype can be considered as more or less the best that the genotypes in question can produce under the customary circumstances. Maslow's findings about humans seem to be at variance with this basic rule of behavioural organization and of evolution. However, under scrutiny still not being able to discard Maslow's work as mistaken, I was left with contradictory and seemingly impossible information about the behaviour of ourselves, of Homo sapiens. in fact, this paradoxical conclusion kept me puzzling for quite a number of years and gave me a "paralyzed feeling. Something apparently did not square up as it should. Only after several decades of brooding a possible explanation did emerge, an explanation though with staggering implications.<br />
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==== Is the foundation of Humanistic Psychology an Evolutionary Paradox ? ====<br />
{{level|2}} At first sight it does make absolutely no sense that in Homo sapiens, considering itself as the evolutionary pinnacle of intelligence, it seems to work the other way around as what is the case in the rest of the animal kingdom. According to Maslow and his followers, just a minority of the human population (way less than 5%) seems to be actualizing the full innate behavioural repertoire, while the majority gets stuck in truncated behaviour patterns, neuroses, hang-ups and other fear clusters. How strange ! If the available data are correct and interpreted in the right way, there must be something quite extraordinary going on in our own species !<br />
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In what follows below we need to stay aware of this puzzling question mark that we are stuck with up to this point.<br />
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In describing the differences he found between "self-actualizers" and ordinary people, Maslow pointed out, among other things, that self-actualizing people keep showing playful moods and behaviour until higher age, whereas most adults appear to almost lose their propensity for playfulness and are "serious" most of the time. This difference ties in with what we ourselves found out about the basic organisation of our learning process, as laid down in the [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|ELC]](***). And that novel learning model (CEL = Cognition-Energy-Learning model) is the second finding we need to mention here. This CEL is about the technical details of how the innate potentials are in practice translated into mastery and skills :<br />
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=== 2) How we learn from experience; The ELC (Energy->Learning->Cognition model)===<br />
{{level|2}} The development of the ELC [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|(Energy->Learning->Cognition)]](***) model, my novel theory of learning, based on [[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Further_reading Apter and Smith's Reversal Theory]], but expanded with some evolutionary considerations, shows that the system of emotional and motivational reversals (see fig. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5) can be regarded as the behavioural engine that is needed to enable individuals to make optimum use of an open-ended capacity of learning. This model deals with the antagonist system of telic and paratelic (meta)motivational states that motors the processes of gathering relevant experiences. That implies that any species with the capacity to acquire a behavioural repertoire that is specifically geared to deal with different personal coincidental circumstances of living, does have such a reversal system in its behavioural organisation. Without such a reversal system, a capacity for situational adaptation is not possible.<br />
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Since the ELC is at variance with most customary learning paradigms (the approach-avoidance model for instance being implied as just a special case in the learning process), it seems appropriate at this point to illustrate the ELC with some graphs and illustrations. For what follows further below, a good basic understanding of how our learning system works and of how our emotional and motivational dynamics play their role, is indispensable.<br />
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While studying the dynamics of the ELC, it is good to keep in mind that this mechanism, this system of choosing and selecting experiences, when it developed some hundred million years ago (my guess), was a major step forward in the evolution of flexible behaviour patterns that can adapt to changing circumstances. <br />
[[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|left|Figure 2.1. The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
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[[Image:Yin-yang of learning.png|frame|left|Figure 2.2 Usual sequence of emotions; (By courtesy of Rowan R. van der Molen)]]<br />
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[[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 2.3. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
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[[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 2.4. Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
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The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the ELC) describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the reprocessing and further integration of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations (see fig. 2.a.3). But, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. <br />
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So, the ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery". And which option prevails, primarily depends on the timing of the successive experiences, nót on their outcome (an experimental demonstration of this principle is described [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|elsewhere on this Wiki]])(**).<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group (see paragraphs 2a and 2b below).<br />
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The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two major schools of psychological thought (to be further explained [[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy|in a different article on this Wiki]]).<br />
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Whereas the ELC, as a relatively new learning paradigm (first published between [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|1984-1986]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|1991]]), is not widely in use yet among scientists, it is basically nothing very special. It is a behavioural asset that is available in many animal species from different evolutionary phyla, that is in all species that have the capacity to develop a flexible behaviour pattern, that can be adapted to the coincidental individual circumstances of living of the individuals in question.<br />
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[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|frame|none|Figure 2.5. Reversal system of antagonistic motivations. '''a.''' "Telic" and "Paratelic" moods may be considered as antagonistic (meta-)motivational states. '''b.''' The dynamic process of motivational reversals steers the acquirement and the processing of experiences. A common sequence in this dynamic process is depicted here. If an individual can muster sufficient skills to reach and consolidate relaxation after having arrived in a telic state, his state of relaxation will after some time reverse into boredom, which implies reversal from a telic to a paratelic frame of mind. After having succeeded in the paratelic state to become sufficiently strong stimulated and aroused as to fulfil the—paratelic—desire for excitement, the strongly stimulating situation in question may eventually prove to cause too much arousal to bear. At that moment excitement reverses into anxiety, which implies reversal from the paratelic back to the telic state.]]<br />
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==== 2a) The ELC and contagiousness ====<br />
{{level|2}}What is of importance here, is that this ELC model describes that learning and behavioural growth is not only flexible, but also [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_learning_spirals|highly contagious]](***). What we mean with "contagious" is that badly processed experiences lead to emergency-oriented, rough and ready, behavioural avoidance responses, fear complexes and eventually to neuroticism, and that subsequently such fear complexes diminish the likelihood of a proper processing of further experiences in the (immediate) future. Formulated in a different way: sub-optimal frequencies of certain aversive experiences in the past diminish the likelihood in the immediate future to arrange a more optimal frequency of experiences of those aversive situations. Unless the subject in question manages to establish long enough and frequent enough "time outs" from those experiences in question, he/she will be stuck on a path of culminating and expanding fear- and avoidance reflexes without good chances for eventual mastery of the situation. <br />
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Reversely, well-processed experiences, stemming from a more optimal frequency of the aversive experiences in question, increase the likelihood of well processing further experiences and thus a further increase of skills and mastery.<br />
From [[Learning_from_aversive_experiences;_the_effect_of_timing|experiments with mice]](**) I learned that the "timing" of experiences was a major determining factor for resulting in either high level skills, or just in clusters of rough and ready avoidance reflexes. This finding was quite different from the common idea from behaviourist theory that the result of experiences, avoidance or mastery, mainly depends on the immediate outcome of the experience of the separate detail-events in question.<br />
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On the contrary, it appeared that '''a proper timing''' of the always aversive separate experiences in question was far more important for the final outcome of the learning process.<br />
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Considering the general characteristics of the mechanism of the ELC, it strikes the mind that there is a basic "unfairness" to the whole learning mechanism, in that the already favoured individuals learn best and the misfits have the worst chances to further profit from their further experiences. So, the learning system tends to further amplify already existing differences in development. <br />
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But from an evolutionary point of view, the system works very efficient and economical.<br />
Basically the ELC harbours two types of so called positive reinforcement loops, one in the direction of gaining skills and mastery, and the other in the direction of cumulating avoidance reflexes and eventually neuroses (see figures 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 below).<br />
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[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 2a.1.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states (from v.d.Molen in Apter, Fontana and Murgatroyd, 1985)]]<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 2a.2.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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''(Note that both the "positive learning spiral" as well as the "negative learning spiral" are, technically speaking, "positive" feed back loops, loops with an "amplifying reinforcement".)''<br />
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[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|right|thumb|600px|none|Figure 2.a.3. Hypothetical example of the outcome of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the "field" of experience. Badly and superficially digested experiences (rendering stereotyped and rigid emergency reflexes) decrease the likelihood of a proper digestion of experiences in related areas of life, and vice versa. This accounts for Grof's ([[#CITEREFGrof1976|1976]]) positive and negative COEX-systems (systems of COndensed EXperience). Negative COEX-systems are e.g. fears, phobias, neuroses and consciousness blocks. This figure of course just represents a two-dimensional projection of the basically multidimensional space of all possible COEX-systems. Distances on the X and Y axes indicate a measure of unrelatedness of the experience. (from: v.d.Molen in J.Wind & V. Reynolds, eds. (1986): "Essays in Human Sociobiology", vol.2)]]<br />
So the ELC describes how eventually negative COEX-systems are formed and may expand and strengthen in time. The resulting phobia and neuroses may seem disfunctional, or at least sub-optimal, but such negative COEX systems make the individual avoid all situations that may lead to similar aversive reactions as caused the avoidance reflexes in the first place. The negative COEX system may reduce the degrees of freedom available and may produce highly truncated and stereotyped behaviour, but for the time being it makes the individual to keep distance from the aversive situations and anything like it. Survival is thus getting priority over "mastery". Mastery may still eventually follow later, if the subject in question in due time has sufficiently managed to re-establish more optimal alternations of the telic and paratelic states. <br />
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The more situations and experiences of any kind have been experienced, re-experienced, and subsequently digested and mastered, and thus have become familiar and maybe even reassuring, the easier it is to attain relaxation in any one problematic situation inducing the telic state. And this is the more likely if the previously mastered situations and settings are in some way (functionally)related to that particular problematic situation in question.<br />
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Well-integrated experience and skills are most easily applicable in situations to which those experiences and skills bear some relevance. New skills and fields of mastery are therefore most likely to develop in areas of experience which are in some way related to other, already properly integrated and mastered areas of experience.<br />
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Skills therefore tend to grow in clusters, and conversely, unskills (sets of stereotyped avoidance reaction patterns) also tend to grow in clusters (see Figure 2.a.3).<br />
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A cluster of 'unskills' (see figure) can sometimes be labelled as a "phobia" or as a specific form of 'neurosis', and indeed this is the case if the cluster of frightening items is—for the onlooker (e.g., a therapist)—easily recognizable as a 'special' setting. However, according to the view presented here, a behavioural repertoire which is just neurotic in general, may also be considered as an individual-specific set of phobias, resulting in a general restlessness, anxiety and unpreparedness for stress-evoking stimuli from the environment.<br />
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This prediction about the occurrence of clusters of related skills on the one hand, and of frightening and not-mastered items on the other, is supported and illustrated by the findings of the depth-psychological investigator and psycho-therapist Grof (1972, 1973, 1976). He analyzed some 2000 protocols of therapeutic L.S.D. sessions and concluded that for a more complete understanding of these sessions as well as of the personality structures involved, a new principle would have to be introduced into psychoanalytical thinking, which he called the principle of "specific memory constellations" or [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Positive_and_negative_clusters_of_COndensed_EXperience|"COEX-systems" (systems of COndensed EXperience)]].<br />
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And he discussed for instance: systems connected with sex, systems that involve aggression and violence, systems related to humiliation and degradation damaging to the self-esteem, systems connected with guilt and moral failure, systems connected with emotional deprivation and rejection, etc.<br />
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: [Grof, 1976: ..] "The personality structure usually contains a greater number of COEX systems. Their character, total number, extent, and intensity varies considerable from one individual to another. According to the basic quality of the emotional charge, we can differentiate negative COEX systems (condensing unpleasant emotional experiences) and positive COEX systems (condensing pleasant emotional experiences and positive aspects of an individual's past life)".<br />
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==== 2b) [[Energy_and_Strokes|The ELC and contagiousness between individuals(***)]] ==== <br />
{{level|1}}As we mentioned above, within an individual, apt (optimal) processing of experiences is contagious just as badly processing of experiences also is contagious, but in the other direction.<br />
Besides, and on top of that, a similar contagiousness also exists between individuals of the same group, living together. The more skilled the other members of the group, the better the chances of an individual to receive [[http://wiki.omega-research.org/Energy_and_Strokes |"strokes" when in need of recovery]]. And the easier "strokes" can be found, the easier it is to achieve control and / or relaxation when in a telic state. And the easier relaxation is achieved, the easier it is to establish optimal sequences of telic / paratelic alternations. And the better the alternations between telic and paratelic states occur, the better is the high level integration of experiences and the better is running the processes of development and growth. And the other way around. The less mastery has already been developed on average among all the people around, the lower the chances to also end up in learning spirals in the desired direction, towards more mastery and skills. And the more neurotics and fear ridden cowards around, the worse are the chances for an individual to learn optimally from his or her own experiences.<br />
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In short, this mechanism implies a strong contagiousness of processes of learning and growth between the different members of social groups.<br />
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==== 2c) Evolutionary efficiency of the ELC ====<br />
{{level|2}}The ELC predicts that there are basically two optional outcomes of a sequence of experiences. The one option is the favorable one, leading to increasing skills and mastery and the other option is leading to increasing avoidance clusters and a truncated behavioural repertoire. <br />
In other species, the unfavorable option mainly occurs in a minority of the specimens, in the minority of individuals who don't make it and in that way are "weeded out" more efficiently and more quickly than what would be the case without such a behavioural provision. The open ended learning capacity is that way boosting processes of natural selection, favoring the specimens with the highest learning capacity. This organization of behaviour and of the learning system thus obviously makes evolutionary sense. And that's why this mechanism of flexible learning spread so successfully in many phyla of animals, and what is more, several times, independently of one another. And of course this mechanism is crucial for understanding our own behaviour. Homo sapiens is after all the learning animal par excellence.<br />
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This completes the second finding, the E.L.C., the automatic utilization of surplus energies in the most useful direction for the individual for the short term and eventually, but very differently, for the long term. And a consequence of this organisation of the learning process, the ELC, is contagiousness of the learning process within an individual as well as between individuals. And finally, it brings evolutionary efficiency.<br />
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=== 3) Theory of the point of inflection ===<br />
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==== 3a) Positive reinforcement loops in two directions ====<br />
[[Image:Acid base titration curve.png|right]]<br />
{{level|2}} The third finding is about the positive reinforcement character of both the favourable and the unfavourable option of the process of learning and development, having similar results as other, comparable, systems with a double mechanism of positive reinforcement or self-amplification. <br />
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As an example we may consider what happens in a chemical solution with a strong acid and a strong base component. In such a watery solution the water molecules react in an acidic or in a basic way, depending on which types of molecules constitute the majority. The way the water molecules behave is more or less in line with how the majority of the molecules in that watery solution behave in their direct surrounding. And that statistic bias in the behaviour of the individual water molecules reinforces the percentual bias in the chemical behaviour of the whole solution. The behaviour of the water molecules is subject to two antagonist positive reinforcement effects stemming from the acidic part and from the basic part of the components in the solution. The net result of these opposite but complementary reinforcement loops is that the acidity (pH) of the solution very rapidly changes if close to the chemical equilibrium between acid and base and that it only changes gradually if the solution is far away from the equilibrium point. The result is the well known S-curve of acidity as depending on the amount of acid or base added.<br />
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==== 3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large ====<br />
[[Image:Self actualization s-curve.png]] <br />
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{{level|2}}Individual chances for an optimal development depend on the percentage of individuals around who have emotional space and energy to hand out "strokes", also to the individual(s) in question. Let's change focus from learning animals in general to the situation in Homo sapiens. Attaining optimal frequencies of telic-paratelic switches, necessary for the best possible learning results, is [[Energy and Strokes|most likely to occur in a social environment of Self-actualizers]](***). There the likelihood of receiving enough "strokes", if in need, is highest. And thus the likelihood of an optimal alternation of telic and paratelic states is higher also. And thus the likelihood of well processed and well integrated experiences is also higher. And similarly the other way around also holds. It is clear that also here we are dealing with a system with self-strengthening feed back loops in two directions. <br />
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The contagiousness between people implies that the more Self-actualizers there are in a population, the better the chances for any individual in that population to also attain self-actualization / actualization of the innate potentials. And reversely, the more neurotic and fear ridden individuals there are in a population, the more likely it is that any individual in that population also will end up as fear ridden and neurotic (as a "zombie"). <br />
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From the perspective of process dynamics we are dealing here also with two antagonistic positive reinforcement loops, each with an opposite final result.<br />
From a technical point of view, both options are stable in itself, because of the built in positive feed back loops or "self-amplification loops". Each of both options has a self-stabilizing internal mechanism. Both are structurally stable in itself.<br />
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Having seen above (in point 1) that in present day humans the learning process is in general miraculously impaired compared to what in principle would be possible from a congenital point of view, the question arises why the neuroticizing variety of the two options apparently has prevailed. <br />
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We will return to that question further below. We need some more data to be able to answer that question.<br />
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The above figure expresses the effect of positive feed back mechanisms in two opposite directions and the resulting S-curve relationship between the likelihood for an individual to attain optimal development as depending on the average developmental health of the whole social environment.<br />
What remains is the question at what % of self-actualizers the inflection point may be expected, where an extra addition of self-actualizers in the population will have an increasingly strong effect on the condition of the whole population.<br />
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Leaving the last question open, let us arrest this third finding, the notion of the existence of an inflection point. We will apply that finding further below.<br />
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=== 4) The customary [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution]](**) ===<br />
{{level|2}} The fourth finding is an issue that is rather novel and that thus far only once has been published at a scientific congress in 2013 at Groningen University (R.U.G.). <br />
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There is something peculiar going on in evolution as far as intelligence is concerned. In different phyla, in quite different eras of earthly evolution, species developed intelligence, which we define here as freely applicable information processing capacity. <br />
What strikes the observer, is that in all those different phyla, and in all those different evolutionary eras, the level of intelligence acquired ends at more or less the same level.<br />
That suggests that there exists a functional upper limit to freely applicable information processing capacity. Apparently, a too high level of intelligence in principle is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). In the following we will suggest a reason why this is the case.<br />
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Considering how behaviour evolves and is selected for in evolution, it is easily noticed that there is a certain, all-important relationship between the proximate causes of behaviour, the innate reflexes of liking and disliking, of approach and avoidance on the one hand and on the other hand the ultimate (evolutionary) "reasons" for certain behavioural reflexes, which are the ultimate procreational results. What is important here to note, is that selection forces exert their influence on the ultimate effects of the proximate behaviours, whereas only the proximate feelings and urges themselves are present in the awareness of the actors. The actors are not aware of the ultimate effects of their behaviour and they could not care less. <br />
It can be argued that an intelligence that reaches the level where it can be applied to (re-)considering its own proximate urges and to finding short-cuts to attain desired results in non-traditional ways, is likely to discover new, different ways to fulfill short term proximate urges, but without the customary non-conscious ultimate effects at the level of reproduction and therefore also without paying the "price" for it, in terms of a lower proximate average level of satisfaction (which they are not aware of anyway). <br />
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Our hypothesis is therefore that in principle a too high intelligence will automatically weed itself out as soon as it enables the carrier of that intelligence to manipulate its own behaviour in order to fulfill proximate desires in novel and "clever" ways, different from the evolutionary "meaning" or (ultimate) "goal" of the original reflex-based behaviour.<br />
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Discovering more effective and novel tricks to "feel good" does in general '''not''' produce higher procreational results. On the contrary, it is in general always evolutionarily self-defeating. Or, at least, it always was, until Homo sapiens emerged. We can summarize this in the following overview: <br />
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[[File:Self-blindness_poster (2).png|800px]]<br />
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Only by developing a special characteristic, a specific blindness for the own behaviour, blocking the utilization of intelligence for finding different options for satisfying urges concerning the own behaviour and social behaviour, could the intelligence of our early ancestors rise above the usual, ordinary upper level of intelligence.<br />
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=== Combining these 4 findings leaves us with a riddle ===<br />
{{level|2}}The above described 4 phenomena, taken together, already can lead us to the conclusion that in Homo sapiens, in us, there is something extraordinary going on, as compared to other species.<br />
In summary, these 4 findings were:<br />
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- 1) Different from other species with a flexible behaviour repertoire, possessing a flexible learning system, '''in Homo sapiens a full deployment of behavioural potentials is the exception, rather than the rule'''. From an evolutionary point of view, this seems very strange, or, at least, highly puzzling.<br />
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- 2) The Energy-Learning-Cognition model (the '''<br />
== ELC ==<br />
''') describes how situational learning options are in practice exploited, how behaviour patterns grow and develop, depending on circumstances. The ELC accounts on the one hand for the development of cumulations of fear triggered avoidance reflexes and on the other hand accounts for the available option of the reprocessing and integrating of experiences into a higher level integration and "understanding" of complex situations. The way the ELC operates produces on the one hand quickly acquired rough and ready avoidance reflexes, that tend to grow in clusters of related situations. But on the other hand, if the individual manages to frequently attain paratelic motivational states, the collected experiences can be reintegrated into higher level understanding and more efficient behaviour patterns that are applicable in more situations. The ELC accounts for rough and ready avoidance reflexes, but also for "mastery" on a higher, more intelligent, level.<br />
<br />
What is clear from the mechanisms of the ELC, is that learning processes, whether they lead to avoidance clusters or to mastery, primarily depend on the '''timing of the experiences''', nót on their outcome. <br />
<br />
And because of the positive feed back loops involved in the learning process, these '''learning processes are highly contagious, within individuals as well as between individuals of a group.'''<br />
<br />
The ELC predicts and explains traditional (behaviourist) laws of reactive learning as well as mechanisms of pro-active learning and growth as described by e.g., humanistic psychological theories of learning and growth. The ELC can explain both and solves the seeming contradictions between these two schools of psychological thought.<br />
<br />
- 3) If a process contains mechanisms of positive reinforcement in two directions, these processes can lead to two opposite outcomes, each with a certain measure of stability. Examples can be found e.g. in chemistry, but the process of learning, as described by the ELC, also harbours two opposite positive feed back mechanisms that presumably should lead to two antagonist outcomes that are each rather stable in itself.<br />
Describing the results of such antagonist mechanisms of positive feed back loops, can be visualized with '''S-curves''' with a '''point of inflection''', describing very sudden transitions between the 2 antagonist outcomes.<br />
<br />
- 4) In evolution there is in principle an upper limit to the use of logic and freely applicable intelligence. Apparently, a too high intelligence is not an ESS (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). For that reason one finds throughout the animal kingdom many species with a certain measure of intelligence, but always only up to a certain (non harmful) level.<br />
The reason for such an ordinary upper level to intelligence can easily be understood.<br />
However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule (the only exception on earth). <br />
Apparently, there is something extraordinary to the recent evolution of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
It is postulated that intelligence could only evolve further in the ancestors of Homo sapiens by the development of a specific blinding mechanism, shielding off its own behaviour from intelligent exploration. Only that way intelligence could rise further without endangering the evolutionary stability. We labeled such an evolutionary provision as "'''Self-Blindness'''".<br />
<br />
These four findings leave us with as many big question marks. <br />
<br />
- How come the majority of Homo sapiens are not Self-Actualizers ? At first sight it doesn't seem to make sense.<br />
<br />
- The ELC describes a motivational system that works in any species with an open-ended capacity of learning. As such, it is not something exceptional. Still, the ELC is not yet commonly known to psychologists and behavioural evolutionists. Taking the mechanisms of the ELC into account, it might bring us insights that have been sadly missing up to this point in time.<br />
<br />
- If we combine the mechanisms of the ELC with models of positive reinforcement, it becomes clear that from a purely technical point of view the result can be either "mastery" or cumulation of avoidance reflexes. But how can it be that in a certain species, us, Homo sapiens, chronic cumulation of avoidance reflexes (neuroticism) is the rule, rather than the exception ? That also simply doesn't make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
However, we can solve this 4-fold riddle by taking another set of findings into account, findings that have something to do with our recent (<10,000 years) agricultural revolution.<br />
<br />
=== 5) The [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#New_demands_and_requirements_since_the_agricultural_revolution|Evolution of Power Structures]](**) ===<br />
{{level|1}} The fifth notion that we therefore have to take into account is that since the agricultural revolution a different type of evolution started off. That is the evolution of sets of "memes" that form power structures. Labeling the ordinary evolution, based on DNA, as "hardware"-evolution, the evolution of power structures can be labeled as a "software"-evolution.<br />
The point is that agriculture is technically impossible if there is not a military organization that secures the products of the agricultural efforts for the people who have made the investment in agricultural labour and work.<br />
This development is very recent, just between 5.000 and 10.000 years old in most inhabited regions of the world.<br />
The evolution of Power Structures can be regarded as an extreme form of "group selection". It is a fully "impersonal" selection process on the software level. But on the hardware level of DNA, on the level of its carriers, its effects appear as group-selection effects.<br />
<br />
=== 6) [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|Evolutionary Jet-Lag]](**) in Homo sapiens ===<br />
{{level|1}} To that fifth notion a sixth notion is linked, which is that the evolution of power structures can proceed at a higher speed than the evolution of DNA. Software needs less time to evolve and change than does hardware.<br />
Human beings are the carriers of genes as well as of memes. Humanity is therefore suffering from [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|evolutionary "jet-lag"]](**) in that our primordial hardware is lagging behind as compared to the demands from the recently evolved software of the power structures. This evolutionary jet-lag produces mismatches between what we "really" want (primordial P-feelings) and what the power structures impose on / demand from us ("new" N-demands).<br />
<br />
=== 7) Fitting the pieces together: [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22_.28the_evolutionary_Jet-Lag.29|N-demands versus P-feelings]](**), their effect on Self-actualization in power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Power structures need high quantities of malleable, docile slaves and military to man the agricultural mass projects and the warring machinery. One of the methods to produce high percentages of docile people is to increase the average fear levels of people by reducing the likelihood of reaching frequent enough paratelic states for optimizing the developmental processes. By keeping people at the "wrong side" of the above discussed [[Why a Point Omega transition ?#3b) The inflection-point relationship between self-actualization of individuals and self-actualization in the population at large|"point of inflection"]](**), negative COEX systems will keep dominating the individual's behavioural system. Avoidance clusters will prevail and curiosity will be kept "low". Less areas of mastery will develop and less creative output. But that will keep people highly fearful and dependend and easier to manipulate. We could label such situations of the dominance of negative COEX systems as "customary mild states of general neurosis". Basic security is low and fears dominate most areas of life.<br />
<br />
In other words: our learning system harbours positive feed-back loops in both directions, the direction of of mastery, but also the direction of cumulating neuroses.<br />
By increasing the average fear levels, a power structure can increase the malleability of people, of their carriers. And that is exactly what happens. Less creativity and mastery, but more massive pushing power through large herds of enslaved individuals. That way power structures tend to induce neurotic states in as many of the human beings/carriers involved as possible. Neurotics may function sub-optimal as compared to their original congenital potential, but they can easier be manipulated into obeying the requirements of the power structures in charge. It is therefore not surprising that the data available to us indicate that indeed in the case of contemporary human societies '''the full actualization of the innate potentials is the exception, rather than the rule''', which latter option has always been applicable for other species.<br />
The situation in Homo sapiens appears to be exceptional indeed (and not in a pleasant way). It looks like an evolutionary "balancing act".In view of these arguments it is not so surprising any more that Maslow found that, surprisingly, only a very low percentage of humans appears to be Self-Actualizers. At first sight that finding seems at variance with ordinary evolutionary reasoning, but viewed from the point of meme-level power structures competing with one another for resources (Human carriers in the first place)it suddenly makes sense that those carriers are kept easily malleable with any tricks available. Our common neuroses are quite profitable for the power structures involved.<br />
<br />
<br />
If we take these last findings, (5), (6) and (7), also into account, the riddles we have assembled can suddenly be solved. Adding the requirements of the inevitable power structures, that are a necessity in the case of agriculture, all the, at first sight incomprehensible, phenomena fall into place and become comprehensible as a whole of jig saw pieces, the complete picture of which does indeed make evolutionary sense, be it in an exceptional (and rather unpleasant) way.<br />
<br />
The situation of our species is now comprehensible in the light of the findings as listed above. <br />
<br />
But it is not a very pleasant sight. The evolutionary jet lag makes our lives rather miserable. Indeed, self-actualization has become the exception, rather than the rule, as it always was in earlier, primordial, times. That serves the power structures in charge better than the self-actualized carriers of meme-level information that we were before the agricultural revolution started.<br />
And the much older genetically based propensity for Self-Blindness facilitates the neuroticizing effects of all the power structure tricks that keep us bound in slavery. All in all it is a rather gloomy picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But, on the other hand, seeing through all the mechanisms that rule our present lives, we also can draw the conclusion that quite other and better ways of living are coming, or already have come within our reach. <br />
<br />
And these new possibilities are so different from what we are used to, that mankind will probably be taken by surprise, and in a pleasant way, by what is now coming our way.<br />
<br />
=== 8) Means of subjugation of us humans as carriers of power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}}<br />
<br />
- We can recognize several mechanisms in the working of human societies that help to [[Impersonal_Power_Structures_ruling_our_world|keep the carriers of the power structures (us) subdued]](*) and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation. We mention a few: <br />
<br />
- We maintain schooling systems that "inject" knowledge but that block awareness of the ELC dynamics, which results in blocking self-actualization.<br />
<br />
- We instill and maintain "working" ethics to the extent that it is detrimental for optimal frequencies of meta-motivational reversals (see the article about [[Learning from aversive experiences; the effect of timing|learning experiments with house mice(**)]]) (see [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|more details about the ELC here(***)]] and [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|here(***)]]).<br />
<br />
- We seduce captains of industry and captains of other systems of slavery to continue doing their job with exorbitant salaries.<br />
<br />
- We always turn spiritual movements gradually into [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Good_and_Evil.2C_how_great_religions_consolidate_their_power|religions of superstition and blindness]](*).<br />
<br />
- We maintain strict information privileges for the people in control of the masses that are kept stupid.<br />
<br />
- The innate propensity for Self-Blindness in humans is amplified where possible. The prevailing cultures in the power structures in question forcibly impose the required ignorance.<br />
<br />
- etc., etc.<br />
<br />
The above described mechanisms, and a lot more, are all geared to keep us human beings under control of the power structure we happen to be part of. The various powers structures in the world, competing with one another for supremacy, may differ a lot. But almost all of them have in common that they make use of practically all of the above mentioned basic tricks for stabilizing our enslavement. They mainly differ in flavours and tastes and in some "couleur locale", just enough to make it clear to its carriers, us, to which power structure each of us happens to "belong".<br />
<br />
Recognizing the above selection of "tricks" by the power structures to keep us carriers malleable and under control does nòt mean that the power structures do all those things "on purpose". These ways of operating are the result of automatic, involuntary evolutionary processes, also on the "meme-level". The power structures that coincidentally wielded those "tricks" procreated better than their competitor power structures that did not wield them so well. As usual, we should not confuse "purpose" with "survival value".<br />
<br />
Evolution has no "purpose". Evolution just means that the most stable structures prevail and procreate. It is an automatic process and is in principle purpose-less. That we humans often tend to think in terms of "purpose" and cherish the concomitant, false ideas and notions, should be ascribed to our on average telic dominant states. When one suffers from an imbalance in the telic / paratelic alternations and as a consequence leads a mildly (or strongly) neurotic life by a chronic shortage of emerging paratelic states, one is inclined to think primarily in terms of goals and of "purpose". The more one is lacking in paratelic, goal-free states of mind, the less one is inclined to be happy with processes without purpose or goal. Enjoying situations and acting on them "just for the hell of it", is typically part of playful behaviour and does not need to be goal-directed. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the strong general tendency of people to think in terms of conspiracies is a typical fruit of such delusions. Trying to investigate human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective is basically non-teleological. In other words: evolutionary thinking is especially difficult for neurotic people. They find it difficult to maintain a world picture without purpose and when things seem to go wrong, a world without (develish) conspiracies. For telic dominant neurotics it is difficult to ascribe failures to general or to their personal incompetence. They find belief in some malevolent genius(ses) much easier to accept than to simply face the ordinary personal shortcomings that we all suffer from.<br />
<br />
In general people tend to over-estimate the capacities of their superiors and leaders and to ascribe failures to malevolent conspiracies instead of to simple day to day common and customary human failures.<br />
What stays out of sight for example is that once a relatively fair and just society has been set up and organized, natural selection processes and genetic deterioration will after some time trigger again the occurrence of war, genocide and similar horror-scenes, in which the necessary selection processes recoup lost terrain. Thus evolutionary processes will automatically and inescapably seek ways to reset the genetic qualities of the population(s) in question. <br />
In order to survive successfully power structures make use of all innate and culturally imposed stupidities of mankind. Myriads of superstitions and forms of ignorance are forcibly imposed, but to think of that process as "purpose-full" is a mistake. Evolution just has favored those forms of culture that enhanced all those blindnesses that would facilitate frequent enough break downs and disasters to maintain sufficient selection forces to prevent genetic deterioration from running rampant. And the more subjugation, the more self-blindness and the more likely it is that the natural selection forces can proceed unhampered by our intelligent organizational and political manipulations.<br />
<br />
All in all the whole picture may appear to us as surprisingly gloomy and even frightening, but it does all fit together logically. It does make evolutionary sense.<br />
<br />
=== 9) N-demands from the Power Structures ===<br />
==== 9a) N-demands and the low level performance of human beings ====<br />
{{level|1}} Taking the above findings and considerations together, a possible explanation of the strange rarity of self-actualization in the case of the human species emerges.<br />
That explanation is that since the agricultural revolution our species has been pushed into systems of neurotization and subjugation. The [[Point_Omega_(summary)#3.29_Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|power structures]](*), that are in the lead since that time, take a strongly lowered useful output per person for granted in exchange for a much higher malleability and docility of their carriers. Thus the power structures that neuroticized best, without losing too many of their carriers by personal malfunctioning, could outcompete power structures that were less effective in that sense.<br />
If this view is correct, it would explain the at first sight incomprehensible phenomenon that the majority of the individuals of the human species is functioning way below its congenital capacities and that in our species self-actualization is the exception rather than the rule, as it is in other species. Our species is in general considered as the pinnacle of (primate) evolution, but it almost exclusively consists of underperformers. How strange !<br />
<br />
==== 9b) N-demands versus the two Basic Options of the Learning System ====<br />
{{level|1}} However, knowing how the mechanism of learning and development works, it is also clear that from a purely technical point of view, the opposite option in principle also exists, the option of a critical % of the population being in a state of self-actualization and as a consequence a very high likelihood of also attaining self-actualization for any individual in that population (see fig. 3b above). Technically speaking, both options exist, although large and by humanity has not experienced the favourable option for many thousands of years.<br />
<br />
There are some exceptions that may be found in remote corners of the earth where the power structures have not - yet - managed to establish their power. For an eloquent description of how such groups of not yet corrupted and still self-actualized people could perhaps view our complex, modern societies, if they would have an opportunity to pay a visit to our modern world, one may read [[Further_reading#Scheurmann1927|The Papalagi, by Scheurmann (1927)]](*), written in the form of a series of lectures by a Samoan chief, [[Further_reading#Tiavea1976|Tuiavii of Tiavea (1976)]](*), to his fellow-villagers about how things work in Europe. In that format Scheurmann presents a mirror-view of the main characteristics of our society, characteristics that we tend to take for granted, almost without noticing, but that may be quite at variance with our more original, natural social state.<br />
<br />
=== 10) Modern technical developments undermining the customary subjugation props of the power structures ===<br />
{{level|1}} Having researched the above mentioned mechanisms that help to keep the carriers of the power structures subdued and immersed in neuroticizing processes of control and deformation, we have reached the conclusion that many or most of these props as automatically and involuntarily (as evolution works) applied by power structures are gradually crumbling down under pressure of modern technical developments. We name a few of those developments that are ever more undermining the web of subjugation tricks that for thousands of years served to keep us bound in slavery in whichever of the prevailing power structures: these new developments are the information explosion, the democratization of information, the increasing transparency on all levels, family planning techniques, techniques for eugenic planning, unlimited availability of energy, technical innovations and machinery making slavery superfluous, etc., etc. (see [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|here(*)]] for more information about these cumulative new developments).<br />
<br />
=== Conclusion ===<br />
{{level|1}} Our estimate is that not only are we in a situation where the above developments are in a process of speeding up, undermining the previously absolute power of the impersonal power structures ever faster, but also that we are in the phase of the exponential rise in the average chances for individuals to attain full actualization of their innate potential. That would imply that we are getting closer and closer to the inflection point that we have labeled as Point Omega. <br />
The conclusion is not only that Homo sapiens does have the very realistic option to become immeasurably more effective, but that we are in fact very close to that shift, a shift that, for technical reasons, is likely to happen with unexpected suddennes and unexpected speed. This is similar to what happens with the above mentioned acid-base solution when we add the last drop of alkaline solution to the mixture, before it suddenly swaps to a couple of pH grades rise per drop, changing the indicator-colouring all of a sudden. The reason for that "suddenness" is in the presence of 2 antagonist options, each stabilized by positive (self-amplifying) feed-back loops (in that case on a molecular level).<br />
<br />
So, taking the 10 findings as mentioned above together, our conclusion is that a Point Omega transition is near. And that transition not only will launch humanity in its next evolutionary phase, but the whole planet Earth will enter a different phase in its evolutionary development because ............ '''intelligence will finally start to understand itself'''. And one of the many consequences of that self-awareness of intelligence will be that human stewardship over the world will get a new and more serious connotation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, the prelude ===<br />
{{level|1}}To facilitate a proper understanding of where we stand in evolution and which evolutionary phases had to be completed before we ended up standing at the brink of "conscious evolution", we give here a listing of the steps of evolution that came before.<br />
<br />
Let's start with the statement that what perceptibly exists, has a certain stability over time, more than alternative configurations.<br />
Molecular configurations with higher chemical stability are therefore the configurations that are more common than their alternatives.<br />
In fact, this description may be viewed as a tautology. <br />
Basically, the whole of evolution may similarly be regarded as a tautological concept. Evolution exists, because that's how it works with matter. [[Further reading#Monod1971|(For a good argumentation for this line of thought see for instance Jackes Monod: Chance and Necessity, 1971]].(**))<br />
But we will dive into the details a bit further, because it is of course the details of our own role in evolution that matter most to us.<br />
Posing the "why" question in relation to these matters is therefore a token of "misunderstanding it all". The only reason why things exist is because those things are evolutionarily stable enough. And that's all. <br />
<br />
Clinging to the "why" question instead of to the "how" question may be taken as a token of neuroticism and chronic unhappiness. It is a symptom of a [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning|[[http://wiki.omega-research.org/The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_ too low frequency of paratelic states]](***)]].<br />
The "why" question tends to emerge in the telic state, the meta-motivational state in which a solution is sought for an encountered problem. In the paratelic state on the other hand, curiosity prevails and behavioural expansion tendencies and in that meta-motivational state the "how" question prevails more. Considering the importance of the over-all balance in the emergence of telic versus paratelic states, and considering the crucial importance for a healthy development of the behavioural system by learning, it shall be clear that neurotic people are lacking in frequent enough paratelic states and thus in focussing curiously on "how" questions. Instead, neurotic people with truncated behavioural repertoires will rather focus most of the time on "why" questions.<br />
Since evolutionary processes are basically open-ended and not goal-directed, its basic mechanisms are difficult to grasp for telic dominant people. Such people find it difficult to deal with "goal-less-ness". They want to understand "why", but that is the wrong question when exploring evolutionary processes.<br />
We presume that after Point Omega the general balance in our telic / paratelic metamotivational system will strongly improve, restoring a healthy functioning of the learning process. That will among other things create more room for the "how" question and thus for understanding evolutionary processes.<br />
<br />
In what follows below it seems therefore good strategy to stay aware of these involuntary (meta-)motivations.<br />
<br />
<br />
- Conditions on our planet Earth have since a long time been suitable for the formation of large and eventually complex molecules.<br />
<br />
- At some stage molecules were coincidentally formed, that had a novel property, which was that they acted as catalizers for the formation of more of these same types of molecules. (Self-catalizers).<br />
<br />
- Once this effect emerged, a type of evolution of as yet "non-living" matter got started, the self replicating molecules coming in more and more varieties. This process took vast amounts of time.<br />
<br />
- A next step in this sequence of evolutionary events is when different types of self-replicating molecules start a form of symbiosis, helping one another in each one's self-replicating effects, for instance by influencing the flow of certain chemical compounds to one another's advantage. Such combinations of different self-replicators already change in the direction of organelles or units that could also act as (still primitive) functional parts of a cel. <br />
<br />
- At some stage in such a soup of self-replicating molecules and already more complex proto-organelles, organelles may combine and form a communal form of defense, an outer layer that is difficult to penetrate for other, competing, replicators. What emerges in that way can be considered a first approach to the phenomenon of cell walls. And all that is the beginning of what we tend to label as "life". The cells that start to emerge in that way each contain different structures that cooperate, each with their own specialization. Cells contain primitive organelles. This happened some 5.000 million to 3.500 million years ago (which is still less than the last 10% of the total period of life on planet Earth).<br />
<br />
It is rather arbitrary where exactly one wishes to draw a line between "life" and "proto-life" or "just complex molecules". The self-replicating large molecules that we are best familiar with, DNA, can these days be mapped and the evolutionary history be traced into great detail. From these recent analyses of contemporary DNA variations it can be concluded that the earliest DNA strings that started to replicate, resulting in all life on Earth, did emerge some 4.000 million years ago. Those DNA strings are labeled LUCA (last universal common ancestor). It is good to notice that these transitional evolutionary phases took very long periods of time, much more time than the time that was needed to evolve from the period of the Dinosaurs to the emergence of Homo sapiens.<br />
<br />
- Once such a life phase with cells has started, evolution can really start off at an ever increasing speed. Self-reduplication of course not always is perfect, mistakes do happen, so variation is paramount and the best varieties continue their lineage best. And that is what evolution is all about. Once cells inhabit a variety of places and conditions, different varieties, adapted to different circumstances emerge and that variation starts to lead a life of its own. Evolution proceeds.<br />
<br />
- Multiplying cells need materials for the composition of the organelles and tissues that the cells need for their offspring. Also, collecting energy is one of the methods to improve the speed of reduplication. Energy can be used to move around matter that cells need to grow and multiply. Cells have found different methods to tap energy from the environment and utilize that energy for growth and multiplication. <br />
<br />
- One of the energy-tapping methods is absorbing fotons from light sources. Plant cells can do that and they can use for instance chlorophyll molecules to "catch" fotons from the light. With chlorophyll they are fishing for energy, energy from light rays.<br />
<br />
- Another method of tapping energy is by making use of great local differences in temperature, tapping the calory-flow. This happens for instance in the life forms that evolved around deep sea hot springs, where high pressure hot water continuously escapes from the volcanic rock structures under the sea floor. Here temperature flows are the fuel for a rather complete ecosystem and not the flow of light. <br />
<br />
Etc., etc.<br />
<br />
- Plants are groups of cells, each with their specialization, that collect their energy from light, by means of chlorophyll. They do not need to move.<br />
<br />
- A next development was the emergence of entities that do not bother to collect energy from light themselves, but "eat" the energy as stored in the plant bodies. Such living entities we label as herbivores. They do move from source to source.<br />
<br />
- And subsequently, as a next step, also carnivores emerge, because it is relatively easy to consume and process living matter that is already very much composed as is the body of the predator itself. Converting flesh into animal matter takes less energy than converting plants. So, by then evolution has produced bacteria and other one-cell organisms, plants, herbivores, carnivores and of course also organisms who get their energy and basic building materials from dead or decaying plant- or animal bodies. Fungi are for instance of that class of living things.<br />
<br />
- Microbes or plants that catch light for their growth are normally sedentary. They sit in their place and live from what is available in their immediate surrounding. Animals differ from plants in that they can move from place to place. But in order to move they need a system of perception and of generating a preference of where to go to. Animals are moving entities and they differ from plants in that they all have developed a perception system for assessing important aspects in the environment and a system that makes them move in the preferred direction. So, once animals have evolved, these entities do have a system of emotions and motivations. If not, they would just sit still and not move.<br />
Being attracted by something and being repulsed by something else is therefore an indispensable characteristic of any animal, no matter how small. In higher, more complex, animals we label these tendencies as emotions and or motivations.<br />
<br />
- For processing incoming information and for translating that information into useful action, a nervous system is useful and so all higher, more complex, animals have a nervous system, a sort of controlling and coordination center. <br />
<br />
- Once animal nervous systems have been developed in all sorts of variations and sizes, sooner or later more sophisticated systems of data processing evolve. We can call that intelligence. What we see in the animal kingdom, is that in many era's of evolution and in many phyla of animals, intelligence has developed. And those developments have emerged completely independently of one another. Intelligence was "invented" several times.<br />
<br />
What should be noted here, is that in all cases (except our own case) the evolved levels of intelligence are of about the same level, no matter how many millions of years the development of such an intelligence had time to evolve further. What also is striking, is that intelligence emerged in quite different nervous systems. The nervous systems of vertebrates, like monkeys or whales, birds or dogs, have a comparable set up. In each of those phyla one finds very dull, non-intelligent species as well as quite intelligent species. But similarly high intelligence has also developed in mollusks, like in various octopus species. Their composite nervous system is located in different parts of the body and this very different basic design nevertheless produced a level of intelligence that is comparable with what can be found in vertebrate phyla like birds, whales, monkeys, etc. <br />
[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|Elsewhere on this Wiki(**)]] we have explained what is the reason of this same level of intelligence in so many different animal species. <br />
That reason is that normally, basically and firstly, there is a functional upper limit to freely applicable intelligence. As soon as intelligence reaches a level where, technically, it can be utilized to find short cuts to proximate satisfaction, that higher intelligence will weed itself out automatically[[#4) The usual Upper Limit of Intelligence in Evolution(**)|4) |(see point 4 above).<br />
<br />
=== The Point Omega transition in Evolutionary Perspective, sequel: the emergence of Homo sapiens ===<br />
<br />
- However, once that maximum level of freely applicable intelligence has emerged in a number of species, sooner or later one species will develop a way around that maximum. That is what happened in the ancestors of Homo, later - sapiens, where a trick was built into the system that was making sure that the intelligence could not any longer be utilized for finding short cuts for the fulfillment of proximate impulses. In other words: to the intelligence a safeguard was added, preventing the intelligence to be utilized to find shortcuts to immediate satisfaction. That prevented intelligence from being utilized on the own proximate behaviour. So, now we have a species saddled with Self-Blindness, and as a consequence the intelligence of Homo could rise further, way above the ordinary upper limit of intelligence. (We can describe this as a pun: we could become so intelligent, because we had become so incredibly stupid and blind in specific crucial fields !)<br />
<br />
- One of the consequences of such a rising intelligence is that gradually the species in question, us, will manage more and more to escape from the traditional dangers like predators, hunting accidents, etc. They get too clever to compete on an equal level with the competing species around. They become an "ecologically dominant" species. More than is the case in other related species, primates in our case, Homo sapiens became increasingly and inevitably its own predator and competitor. That is the only way a species can find an equilibrium with the carrying capacity of the environment in case the species in question has become ecologically dominant. It is not surprising therefore that [[Further reading#Gómez2016|recent research (see Gómez et al.(2016)]](***) has shown that Homo sapiens is by nature more lethally violent towards conspecifics than are other primates. Homocidal tendencies are more prominent in us than in our evolutionary relatives.<br />
<br />
- And since Homo sapiens is a social primate, group selection is one of the mechanisms through which the intraspecific aggression exerts its evolutionary effects.<br />
<br />
- When intelligence started to increase in Homo sapiens above its ordinary upper limit, freed by Self-Blindness, we were living in hunter-gatherer bands. This development started between 1 and 2 million years ago. During that time "Homo" really became "sapiens" and increasingly made use of tools and fire. Brain size increased, language developed further, but on the other hand giving birth became an increasing problem. The birth canal has not evolved to let such a big skull pass. The possibility to give birth to skulls as big as Human babies have, is a relatively recent evolutionary adaptation. And it is evidently an adaptation that still could improve a lot more in due evolutionary time.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in spite of being more violent to one another than were related primate species, particularly at group level, at that point of evolution our innate tendencies and feelings were still well in balance with the niche we lived in. After becoming ecologically dominant, Homo sapiens, living in hunter gatherer bands during a period of about 1 million years, evolution had had plenty of time to bring our instincts in balance with our new niche. That behavioural balance would only be disturbed much later, only as recent as some 40.000 years ago, when some hunter-gatherer groups took up a life style of exploiting an exceptionally rich source of food in particular locations. Such a new focus would trigger the need for defending such a specific location with those extraordinary food-sources. Because of this novel situation, processes of group selection were reaching new, unprecedented levels and qualities. And effective defense requires more hierarchical social relationships. On the other hand it also allowed for higher population densities locally. Finally, some 10.000 years ago, this tendency resulted, simultaneously in different parts of the world, in outright, full fledged agriculture. <br />
**********<br />
**********[ massa slaven; bv. Egypte; massa militairen; ******<br />
*********( USA, Civil War Battle; <br />
<br />
And from that time on, also the meme-evolution started to gain momentum. (See Dawkins,1976, for an introduction to the concept of "memes"as comparable with, but also as opposed to "genes".<br />
<br />
- The shift from hunter-gatherers to firstly "delayed return" hunter gatherers (or non-egalitarian or semi-sedentary hunter gatherers) and later to "real" agriculture, is in a very comprehensible way [[Further reading#Gray2009|summarized by Peter Gray (2009)]](**).<br />
From that time on there was a need for an organization for defending the own food sources, but not all of the semi-sedentary tribes developed the skills for dealing with intraspecific adversaries.<br />
And such military requirements would need more hierarchical structures. Research shows that bands of "simple" hunter gatherers used to predate on the resources of the "delayed return" hunter gatherers. Nevertheless, such "delayed return hunter-gatherers" started to emerge in more and more places and produced in general more offspring than their "simple hunter-gatherer" conspecifics could ever produce. A new phase in the competition between groups for resources came into being from that moment in time. <br />
<br />
- Homo sapiens then entered the next step in human evolution, the "invention" of agriculture. Agriculture is the ultimate way to change the environment as to get as much food and needed materials from it as possible. There is however a heavy price to be paid inevitably for starting agriculture. And that is that agriculture is only possible in combination with an increased capacity to wage war on a massive scale. Only that way people can protect the investments they made in their (food) supplies. Competition between groups of people for resources, then developed into competition between groups of people, each with its own defense and warring tradition. A new level of group selection could develop, working in tandem with the development of more complex and sophisticated ways of group-cooperation, methods and formulae to plan and organize harvesting and military defense. These organizational formulae were basically entities on the "meme-level". The evolutionary processes in Homo sapiens from that moment in time pertained to evolution of the physical DNA base of the human species, as usual, but at the same time now pertained also to an evolution of structures at the meme-level, in particular structures that would enhance a more effective competition on group level. <br />
<br />
- At that point in evolution however, when military and organizational techniques were developing and competing with one another, the evolution of software items, "memes", took over the lead, simply because meme level power structures can and do evolve much faster than do DNA based evolutionary processes. We, humans, therefore have become products of both DNA based physical innovations as well as products of "meme"-based sets of organizational formulae. These complex meme-sets, producing an ability to out-compete other large social structures and groups, can be labeled as "power structures". The basic requirement for these novel configurations was their capacity to generate and coordinate concerted action for defending the special resources of the own group and the capacity to establish a system to accumulate these resources and to ascertain an effective and fruitful distribution among its members / population. So, centralized command and control systems became ever more indispensable and "'''power structure'''" is a label for such structures that naturally have become ever more appropriate for dealing with these novel circumstances of locally exceptionally rich resources. <br />
[[File:Atomic-canon.jpg]]<br />
So, power structures make use of us, intelligent carriers, and compete with one another, but always more or less also over the backs of their subjects, us. It pays off to accept certain disadvantages as long as the crucial advantages on the "power level" can be kept upright. The power structure that is best in wielding masses of soldiers and masses of slaves, will be likely to outcompete other power structures, even if such power structure enhancing novelties have become somewhat out of line with the primordial tendencies, and thus the feelings and emotions, of their carriers. Therefore, "Recent N-demands"often do not fit well primordial "P-feelings"(see also[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.2http://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_theirhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/Why_a_Point_Omega_transition_%3F#7.29_Fitting_the_pieces_together:_N-demands_versus_P-feelings.28.2A.2A.29.2C_https://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.2|see also here]]for a further explanation of this functional conflict.<br />
************* plaatje van militaire discipline dan wel massa slaven, bv. Egypte<br />
***************<br />
***************<br />
ttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demandshttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_<br />
[[https://wiki.omega-research.org/Directives_for_after_Point_Omega(and see also here for suggestions about how to enhance the stabilization of post-Omega characteristics that would seem "heaven-like"as regarded from our present-day perspective.]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Omega_Research:Map&diff=8801Omega Research:Map2021-03-23T10:23:20Z<p>Baby Boy: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Main Page|'''Welcome to Omega Research Wiki''']]<br />
<br />
[[Omega Research:General disclaimer|'''[[0.1]]''''''Disclaimer''']]<br />
<br />
'''[[Omega Research:About|'''[[0]]'''About this Omega Research Wiki]]'''<br />
* [[Omega Research:Aboutwiki.omega-research.org/Omega_Research:About#.5B.5B0.2.5D.5DGoal_of_this_sitehttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Omega_Research:About#.5B.5B0.2.5D.5DGoal_of_this_site|'''[[0.2]]'''Goal of this site]]<br />
** ..........<br />
** ..........<br />
** [['''[[0.2.2]]'''To finally put an end to war, destruction, genocide and wholesale rape]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|<br />
'''[[0.3]''']|'''Definitions of Point Omega''']]<br />
** ..........<br />
** ..........<br />
** '''[[0.3.1]]'''[[The end of the second intermediary phase before any evolving intelligence, whenever and wherever in the universe, reaches maturity and full deployment.]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#<br />
'''[[0.3]]'''What this site is about and what it is not|<br />
** [[Omega Research:About#What this site is about and what it is not|Main text]]<br />
** '''[[0.3.2]]'''[[Curiosity replacing fear, rather than science replacing belief systems]]<br />
<br />
'''[[0.6]''']'''Reading scheme / Overview / Contents'''<br />
<br />
'''Featured articles'''<br />
* '''[[[1]]]'''[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Introduction|Introduction]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#For your efficiency and comfort|For your efficiency and comfort]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Your personal taste|Your personal taste]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#About human survival|About human survival]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#New data|New data]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Novel concepts (#1 to #4)|Novel concepts (#1 to #4)]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#More issues (#5 to #8) to take into account|More issues (#5 to #8) to take into account]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Another novel concept (#9)|Another novel concept (#9)]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Putting bits and pieces together|Putting bits and pieces together]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding|More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#How to put all bits and pieces together; three bits still missing|How to put all bits and pieces together; three bits still missing]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Explanatory power of the E.L.C.|Explanatory power of the C.E.L.]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Social Selection forces and Population Cycles, missing piece #9|Social Selection forces and Population Cycles, missing piece #9]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Human Blindness to the Self, missing piece #1|Human Blindness to the Self, missing piece #1]] <br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago|The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago|Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What we can do|What we can do]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What we can do to un-block awareness|What we can do to un-block awareness]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Approaching the problems with a better tool box|Approaching the problems with a better tool box]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Two technical reasons that prevent long lasting social equilibria|Two technical reasons that prevent long lasting social equilibria]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Times are changing; what we may expect|Times are changing; what we may expect]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What will human society look like after Point Omega ?|What will human society look like after Point Omega ?]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In summary .....|In summary .....]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Your support|Your support]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega (definitions)]]<br />
* [[Point Omega (summary)|Point Omega (4 pages summary of this site)]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)|20-line summary]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness|Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations|Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Impersonal power structures ruling our world|Impersonal power structures ruling our world]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Point Omega / Mass enlightenment|Point Omega / Mass enlightenment]]<br />
* [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Introduction]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|Reversal Theory]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Requirements of open-ended learning|Requirements of open-ended learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Function of the motivational states in the process of learning|Function of the motivational states in the process of learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Learning-drive mechanisms|Learning-drive mechanisms]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|Positive and negative learning spirals]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative clusters of COndensed EXperience|Positive and negative clusters of COndensed EXperience]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#An illustration: the Neurotic Paradox explained|An illustration: the Neurotic Paradox explained]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#"Trying very hard" and the process of learning|"Trying very hard" and the process of learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#One-sidedness of psychological theories|One-sidedness of psychological theories]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Behavioural idiosyncrasies and the dimension of "self-actualization"|Behavioural idiosyncrasies and the dimension of "self-actualization"]]<br />
* [[Striving, Playing and Learning]]('''Issue #7''')<br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment|1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1.1 Hormonal Feedback|1.1 Hormonal Feedback]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning|1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2. Some models of agonistic behaviour|2. Some models of agonistic behaviour]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis|2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis|2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior|2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion|2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#3. The Reversal Hypothesis|3. The Reversal Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning|4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals|5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire|6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#7. By way of Conclusion|7. By way of Conclusion]]<br/><br />
* [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (C.E.L.) (1)]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#1. The Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#1. The Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals|3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level|4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience|5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#6. Cognitive Development|6. Cognitive Development]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#7. Summary and Conclusions|7. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#References|References]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject|Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject]]<br />
* [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L.) (2)]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Introduction|Introduction]] <br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory|Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory|Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning Model|Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning Model]] <br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes|Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories|Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area|Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area]]<br />
* [[Energy and Strokes|Energy and Strokes: How the quality of social relationships influences the process of learning and individual development]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#1. Transactional Emotions and Reversals in Social Interactions from an Evolutionary Point of View|1. Transactional Emotions and Reversals in Social Interactions from an Evolutionary Point of View]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#2. Pro-social Behaviour and Conditions for its Occurrence|2. Pro-social Behaviour and Conditions for its Occurrence]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#3. Two Postulates on the way in which Social Behaviour is Regulated|3. Two Postulates on the way in which Social Behaviour is Regulated]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#4. Two Metamotivational States ruling Social Behaviour|4. Two Metamotivational States ruling Social Behaviour]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#5. Social Means or "Strokes" as the Currency in Social Transactions|5. Social Means or "Strokes" as the Currency in Social Transactions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#6. Combinations of Telic and Paratelic States with Allocentric and Autocentric States|6. Combinations of Telic and Paratelic States with Allocentric and Autocentric States]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#7. Synergetic Outcomes in Somatic and in Transactional Emotions|7. Synergetic Outcomes in Somatic and in Transactional Emotions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#8. Conditions for Synergetic Effects|8. Conditions for Synergetic Effects]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#9. Social Contacts and Positive or Negative Learning Spirals|9. Social Contacts and Positive or Negative Learning Spirals]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#10. "Contagiousness" of Interpersonal Psychological Skills and Adaptation|10. "Contagiousness" of Interpersonal Psychological Skills and Adaptation]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#11. Social Support: Data from Effectivity Research and what has been missing up till now|11. Social Support: Data from Effectivity Research and what has been missing up till now]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#12. Summary and Conclusions|12. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#References|References]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject|Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject]]<br />
* [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Evolution of Intelligence|Evolution of Intelligence]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Breaking out of the customary intelligence ceiling|Breaking out of the customary intelligence ceiling]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Self Blindness and Social Role Blindness|Self Blindness and Social Role Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Cultural props for Self-Blindness|Cultural props for Self-Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Point Omega|Point Omega]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Where do we stand ?|Where do we stand ?]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Point Omega and Self-Blindness|Point Omega and Self-Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Before Point Omega:|Before Point Omega:]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#After Point Omega:|After Point Omega:]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance]]<br />
* [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|Eating from the Forbidden Fruit: on the power of Good and Evil since the agricultural revolution; a consequence of "jet-lag" in recent human evolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#"Amathology", an introduction|"Amathology", an introduction]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#No-go areas for our intelligence|No-go areas for our intelligence]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The confusing role of established religions|The confusing role of established religions]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#New demands and requirements since the agricultural revolution|New demands and requirements since the agricultural revolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Friction between P-feelings and N-demands; "Primordial" versus "New"|Friction between P-feelings and N-demands; "Primordial" versus "New"]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Some basic requirements for successful power structures|Some basic requirements for successful power structures]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Where evolution is leading us|Where evolution is leading us]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The evolutionary importance of blindness for self and the illusion of Good and Bad|The evolutionary importance of blindness for self and the illusion of Good and Bad]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Quantity of physical energy, invested in maintaining blindness and illusion|Quantity of physical energy, invested in maintaining blindness and illusion]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The illusory aspects of the Positive/negative or Good/Bad dimension|The illusory aspects of the Positive/negative or Good/Bad dimension]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Cultural power structures using Good and Evil as an effective blinding tool|Cultural power structures using Good and Evil as an effective blinding tool]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Power structures utilizing "jet-lag" effects in human evolution|Power structures utilizing "jet-lag" effects in human evolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Good and Evil, how great religions consolidate their power|Good and Evil, how great religions consolidate their power]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Summary: "amathology", the science of ignorance, as a crucial tool for our survival|Summary: "amathology", the science of ignorance, as a crucial tool for our survival]]<br />
* [[Good and Bad, an illusory dimension as the cornerstone of human personality]] (under construction; ook nog paragrafen opnemen)<br />
* [[Impersonal Power Structures ruling our world]] (under construction)<br />
** [[The evolution of Gene-structures and of Meme-structures]] (to be added)<br />
** Consequences of the difference in speed of the gene- and the meme-evolution (to be added)<br />
** [[Existential friction: Homo sapiens at the interface between the gene- and the meme evolution]] (to be added)<br />
** The evolutionary stability of mass-neuroticism (to be added)<br />
** Mechanisms that safeguard mass-neuroticism (to be added)<br />
*** Selection for Sociability and Population Cycles; the cause for periodic conflict and disaster (to be added; refer to separate article below) <br />
*** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability]] (under construction)<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Civilization as a conspiracy against evolution]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|To finally put an end to war, destruction and wholesale rape]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Corruption as the default social structure]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Genetic pollution and corruption as one of its automatic effects]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Advantages and disadvantages of corruption]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Two reasons for the need of continuous selection pressure and the impossibility of stability]]<br />
*** Overcrowding (to be added)<br />
** Religions as power structures (to be added)<br />
** [[Contemporary weakening of the foundations of Power Structures]] (under construction)<br />
* [[The biological instability of social equilibria|Social-Role Blindness and the periodic emergence of conflict and disaster; on Population Cycles precluding the establishment of lasting social equilibria]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria (abstract)|Abstract]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Outline|Outline]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Some consequences of living socially|Some consequences of living socially]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Life cycles of social groups and structures|Hypothesis: Life cycles of social groups and structures]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Evolutionary advantages|Evolutionary advantages]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Experiments with behavioural differences in house mice|Data: Experiments with behavioural differences in house mice]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Experiments with beta- and omega-roles|Experiments with beta- and omega-roles]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Other ethological research data|Other ethological research data]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Human behaviour|Human behaviour]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Genetics|Genetics]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Selection within human social structures|Selection within human social structures]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Ossification|Ossification]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social-role blindness]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Nature and nurture|Discussion: Nature and nurture]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Perspective|Perspective]]<br />
* [[K.A.I. and Changes in Social Structures: on the Anatomy of Catastrophy]]<br />
* [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The importance of ignorance and superstition]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#What is genetic pollution ?|What is genetic pollution ?]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Examples of genetic pollution|Examples of genetic pollution]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#The F1 trick in cattle breeding|The F1 trick in cattle breeding]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Effects in human society|Effects in human society]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#The end of a civilization|The end of a civilization]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Population genetic waves and war|Population genetic waves and war]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Awareness versus taboos|Awareness versus taboos]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Time to wake up|Time to wake up]]<br />
* [[Personality of Mice and Men; re-arranging personality dimensions in a six-dimensional adjective space]] (to be added)<br />
* [[Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities; an innovative theoretical essay on the possibility of overcoming the chaotic diversity in personality theories]] (to be added)<br />
* Why never peace (to be added; + SISWO-scheme)<br />
* [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|The significance of the Point Omega transition (under construction)]]<br />
* [[Characteristics of human behaviour before and after Point Omega]]<br />
* [[Directives for after Point Omega|Directives for after Point Omega (under construction)]]<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega|Conclusions from Point Omega Research]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega#Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself|Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself (under construction)]]<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega#Procreate consciously|Procreate consciously (under construction)]]<br />
* [[Enlightenment]]<br />
** [[Enlightenment#What is enlightenment?|What is enlightenment?]]<br />
** [[Enlightenment#The relationship between organized religion and enlightenment|The relationship between organized religion and enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Enlightenment#Shortcuts to enlightenment|Shortcuts to enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Enlightenment#Further reading on enlightenment|Further reading on enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
<br />
'''[[Omega Research Foundation]]'''<br />
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<br />
'''Suggested further reading'''<br />
* [[further reading|List of literature and references]]<br />
* Comments on Richard Dawkins' "[[The God Delusion]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Straw Dogs, Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Black Mass, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia]]"<br />
* Comments on Eckhart Tolle's "[[A New Earth|A New Earth, Awakening to your life's purpose]]"<br />
* Comments on Daniel Quinn's "[[Beyond Civilization, humanity's next great adventure]]" <br />
* Comments on Ruiz (To be added)<br />
* Comments on Kris Verburgh's "[[Fantastisch, over het universum in ons hoofd]]"<br />
* Comments on Amy Wallace's "[[Sorcerer's Apprentice, my life with Carlos Castaneda]]"<br />
* [[Movie pictures and websites on related subjects]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Striving,_Playing_and_Learning&diff=8800Striving, Playing and Learning2021-03-18T11:20:48Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment */</p>
<hr />
<div>'''On aggression and the dynamics of learning in the play and struggle called 'life''''<br />
<br />
'''By [[Popko van der Molen|Popko P. van der Molen]] & [[Hans van der Dennen|Johan M.G. van der Dennen]]'''<br />
<br />
<br />
Presented at the 1978 Congress of the "Ethologische Gesellschaft" at Basel and at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for the Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.) at Strassburg, sept. 1981.<br />
__NOTOC__<br />
== Table of Contents: ==<br />
Summary<br/><br />
[[#1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment|1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment]]<br/><br />
[[#1.1 Hormonal Feedback|. 1.1 Hormonal Feedback]]<br/><br />
[[#1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning|. 1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning]]<br/><br />
[[#2. Some models of agonistic behaviour|2. Some models of agonistic behaviour]]<br/><br />
[[#2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis|. 2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
[[#2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis|. 2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
[[#2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior|. 2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior]]<br/><br />
[[#2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion|. 2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion]]<br/><br />
[[#3. The Reversal Hypothesis|3. The Reversal Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
[[#4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning|4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning]]<br/><br />
[[#5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals|5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals]]<br/><br />
[[#6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire|6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire]]<br/><br />
[[#7. By way of Conclusion|7. By way of Conclusion]]<br/><br />
<br />
== '''Summary''' ==<br />
{{level|2}}A novel model on the dynamics of learning is presented which bears particular significance to the notion of (violent) aggressiveness. It suggests, among other things, that aggressive behavior cannot be properly understood whithout considering the basic dynamics of learning involved, without recognizing the shifting balance between 'striving and playing' and without recognizing the prevailing balance between social skills and 'unskills'. If any of these aspects are not considered, 'Aggression' or 'aggressiveness' will tend to be viewed as a separate phenomenon in its own right - which is unfortunately a widespread habit, not only in daily life, but also among the very investigators of the subject. The very use of labels such as 'Aggressiveness' and 'violence' keeps our attention trapped and hampers awareness of the underlying dynamic behavioral processes .<br />
In the first half of this paper some well-known models of aggression are critically reviewed and some of the basic concepts are subsequently integrated with theories of learning and with the 'reversal' hypothesis of antagonistic motivations, which replaces the optimum-arousal theory. An additional hypothesis on the long-term regulation of attention then completes the emerging model of learning. A model which stresses the antagonism between the possible growth of stereotyped and inflexible emergency reactions, and the long-term growth of varieties of subtle and flexible coping-response patterns (skills).<br />
The proposed model conflicts with many classical learning-conditioning concepts in that it predicts that the prevailing emotional (telic/paratelic, or centripetal/centrifugal) balance determines whether certain aversive and/or ambivalent stimuli result in the long run in attraction or in repulsion.<br />
<br />
== 1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment ==<br />
{{level|3}}In a series of experiments (Van der Molen, 1979, 1981]), approximately 60 male housemice of the CPB's strain were weaned and isolated at the age of 21 days. Subsequently they were introduced every day or every other day into an unfamiliar observation cage, populated by a group of resident mice showing territorial aggressive behavior towards strangers. Being outnumbered by at least four to one and being on foreign territory, a trainee never had a chance to win and therefore was beaten up every time when introduced, and often slightly wounded. After 5 to 10 days of training, these trainees would immediately show avoidance behavior when being introduced, even when not under attack by any resident mouse at all. This tendency of the introduced mice was important, because it provided us with highly predictable behaviour of the introducee and that was needed to have a standard-social stimulus for the resident mice, which were monitored and analysed as to how they all behaved. The individual differences in behaviour were investigated and we wanted thge behaviour of the introducee to be as standard as possible.And being paranoia for the introduction situation seemed to produce the most predictable behaviour possible.<br />
<br />
There seemed, however, to be some sort of critical training frequency, i.e., if the periods of rest in isolation between the training introductions were too long, the effect of the whole training was the opposite of what was intended in the first place. If an 'experienced animal' or an experienced 'fleeing' trainee was introduced once every week or once every other week instead of every day, he would tend to put up skilled resistance. Such a male did not attack residents, but refrained from 'fleeing frantically' and appeared to 'stand firm' when necessary. By manipulating only the 'training frequency', trainees could be transformed from inexperienced males into either 'fearful fleeing males' or 'skilled fighters'.<br />
It should be remembered that neither type of trainee ever won a fight. During every introduction in their training period they had to fight against heavy odds. 'Skilled fighters' simply managed to hold out and fight back now and then without 'running for their lives' frantically. With the procedure described above trainees became either more skilled in fighting or more fearful than inexperienced males. Furthermore, in-experienced males varied more in their reaction patterns than did either of the two classes of trainees. Once a male had become a 'skilled fighter' it was very difficult to reshape him into a 'fearful fleeer' again.<br />
Apparently the same type of experience can lead to different learning processes, depending on the input frequency of the experience. The one direction in the learning spiral (deviation-amplifying mutual causal process: Maruyama, 1963) leads to stereotyped and intensive avoidance reactions; the other direction leads to increased skill in offering resistance. <br />
<br />
Thus the temporal pattern of experience appears to be of great importance for its ultimate effect. Besides, individual mice differed in their critical digestion time for this type of experience; for the CPB's strain males in question it varied between 2 and 6 days. In general, males with a background of 'normal' social experience were rather well able to hold out against avalanches of territorial aggression. A 'normal' social history apparently provided ample opportunity for these mice to 'digest' their aggressive encounters in such a way that they became skilled in dealing adequately with agonistic social situations.<br />
<br />
The following conclusions were drawn from these experiments:<br />
<br />
(1) Male housemice can easily be trained in such a way that they perform a uniform type of avoidance behavior when introduced into a strange environment, inhabited by resident mice.<br />
<br />
(2) The training required for turning an inexperienced male into a 'coward' is almost the same as the training needed to turn him into a 'hero'. The only difference is that in the former training schedule less 'digestion time' is available for every experience than in the latter.<br />
<br />
(3) This 'critical digestion time' varies somewhat between individuals, and depends i.a. on their life-history.<br />
<br />
== 1.1 Hormonal Feedback ==<br />
{{level|3}}A possible explanation of (part of) the phenomenon of 'critical frequencies of experience' may be found in the influence of fearful experiences on the endocrine system. Fear reduces for instance the testosterone level and with that probably the tendency to put up resistance when provoked (Bermond, 1977). Long training intervals allow this and other hormone levels to return to normal, but when the intervals between the fearful experiences are too short, the effects accumulate, thus rendering the individual inclined to flee instead of putting up resistance when challenged again. A considerable amount of experimental evidence is available to support this idea. For instance, Eleftheriou & Church (1968) demonstrated that in mice the blood plasma levels of LH, LH-RF and FSH decreased after aggressive encounters. The hormonal changes in losers appeared to be cumulative in contrast to the hormonal changes in winner-mice. Rose et al. (1972) demonstrated similar hormonal effects in rhesus monkeys.<br />
Many investigators (e.g. Bronson et al., 1973; Leshner, 1975; Schuurman, 1981, and in: Wiepkema & Van Hooff, 1977) found that aggressive encounters brought about stronger physiological changes (i.a., in blood sugar level) in losers than in winners. In more anthropomorphic terms: A conflict or encounter which elicits emergency reactions and raises anxiety in the subordinate may well represent an ordinary - eventually exciting - matter of routine to the dominant. All this means that apart from opposite conditioning effects of aggressive encounters on winners and losers on the neural level, a stable behavioral divergence between the social roles is still further enhanced and consolidated by different hormonal adaptations (Leshner, 1975). Similar effects have also been demonstrated in humans. Kreuz et al. (1972) conducted physio¬logical studies on trainees in a military camp and found that in periods of high tension, stress and extremely hard work, their testosterone level decreased considerably and recovered only gradually after relaxation.<br />
<br />
== 1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning ==<br />
{{level|3}}Apart from the hormonal feedback as depicted above, differential 'learning' processes on the neural level are involved as well (Leshner, 1975). Because animals in a Bèta-role and animals in an Alpha-role experience aggressive encounters in a different way (losing and winning resp.), different neural information is stored and processed. Besides, as e.g. Buchholtz (1978) and Trincker (1966) point out, there is a great functional and physiological difference between short-term memory storage and long-term memory storage. And there are limits to the amount of experiences of a certain type pro time unit that an individual can sucessfully digest and transform into (greater) long-term skills. This phenomenon has been established in a wide range of species from insects (Gross, 1978) to Man (Buss, 1973, pp. 278-280). The neural and hormonal feedback systems function synergistically. Whereas in lower developed species hormonal changes are relatively important, we may expect that in neurally higher evolved species neural mechanisms of adaptation will be relatively important in comparison with the purely hormonal mechanisms.<br />
<br />
== 2. '''Some models of agonistic behaviour''' ==<br />
<br />
{{level|3}}Below, a general model is construed that covers adaptational mechanisms of various complexities and various functional levels, hormonal as well as neural, and including the higher learning processes in Man. In order to arrive at that model, we first proceed with reviewing some current models on aggression and on agonistic behaviour in general. For it is assumed that in particular those learning processes are of paramount importance for the individual, that lead to skills in dealing with agonistic encounters, other aspects of role-conflict, etc.<br />
<br />
== 2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis ==<br />
{{level|3}}Somewhat oversimplified, this hypothesis states that agonistic and related behaviors are the product of activation of, and interactions between, two major antagonistic 'drives1 or 'tendencies': the attack- or approach-tendency and escape- or withdrawal-tendency. Many courting behaviors may similarly be considered as the product of activation and interactions of 3 tendencies, viz. the attack-, escape- and sex-tendency (see e.g., Tinbergen, 1952; Baerends et al., 1955; Kruijt, 1964; Hinde, 1966; Baerends, 1975). 'Approach' and 'withdrawal' behaviors may shade off into one another through intermediate - compromise - types of response, depending on the balance between the attack- and escape-tendency. Such compromise movements or postures are often postulated to be the evolutionary origin of a communicative signal or display. If the basic tendencies are highly activated, the antagonist behavior types tend to change in a more sudden and dramatic way than if they are moderately activated. In the former case attack may suddenly change into escape and escape may suddenly (catastrophically) change into attack.<br />
<br />
This state of affairs may graphically be presented and mathematically described with the aid of the bistable models from the mathemathical branch of catastrophe theory as presented by e.g. Thorn & Zeeman (1974) and Zeeman (1976) (see Fig. 1). This model of agonistic behavior, however, accounts only for short-term changes in mood and behavior. No predictions are implied that reach beyond the particular agonistic setting under scope. The catharsis hypothesis, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with long-term predictions.<br />
<br />
[[File:Topological Model of Agonistic Behaviour.png|none|framed|'''Fig. 1. Topological Model of Agonistic Behaviour:''' ''Aggression in dogs can be described by a model based on one of the elementary catastrophes. The model assumes that aggressive behaviour is controled by two conflicting factors, rage and fear, which are plotted as axes on a horizontal plane the control surface. The behaviour of the dog, which ranges from attacking to retreating, is represented on a vertical axis. For any combination of rage and fear, and thus for any point on the control surface, there is at least one likely form of behaviour, indicated as a point above the corresponding point on the control surface and at the appropriate height on the behaviour axis. The set of all such points makes up the behaviour surface. In most cases there is only one probable mode of behaviour, but where rage and fear are roughly equal there are two modes: a dog both angry and fearful may either attack or retreat. Hence in the middle of the graph there are two sheets representing likely behaviour, and these are connected by a third sheet to make a continuous, pleated surface. The third or middle sheet, shown shaded, has a different significance from the other two sheets: it represents least likely behaviour, in this case neutrality. Towards the origin the pleat in the behaviour surface becomes narrower, and eventually it vanishes. The line defining the edges of the pleat is called the fold curve, and its projection onto the control surface is a cusp-shaped curve. Because the cusp marks the boundary where the behaviour becomes bimodal it is called the bifurcation set and the model is called a cusp catastrophe. If an angry dog is made more fearful, its mood follow* the trajectory 'A' on the control surface. The corresponding path on the behaviour surface moves to the left on the top sheet until it reaches the fold curve; the top sheet then vanishes, and the path must jump abruptly to the bottom sheet. Thus the dog abandons its attack and suddenly flees. Similarly, a frightened dog that is angered followes the trajectory 'B'. The dog remains on the bottom sheet until that sheet disappears, then as it jumps to the top sheet it stops cowering and suddenly attacks. A dog that is angered and frightened at the same time must follow one of the two trajectories at 'C'. Whether it moves onto the top sheet and becomes aggressive or onto the bottom sheet and becomes submissive depends critically on the values of rage and fear. A small change in the stimuli can produce a large change in behaviour: the phenomenon is divergent.''<br />
(Zeeman,1976; By permission of 'Scientific American' and W.H. Freeman & Cy., San Francisco)]]<br />
<br />
== 2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis ==<br />
<br />
{{level|3}}The catharsis hypothesis, when applied to aggression (Lorenz, 1950; Leyhausen, 1967; Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1975), states that the longer an individual has not shown aggressive behavior, the easier aggressive behavior is evoked by external stimuli. Eventually the aggression-deprived individual will even start to seek opportunities to direct his aggressive behavior towards something or other and thus release his internally stored 'aggressive energy', ultimately to the point of releasing it 'in vacuo'. This process can be visualized through what has been called the 'psychohydraulic model', or, less respectfully, the toilet flush model.<br />
<br />
Whereas this model may be quite adequate for describing some other functions like for example male sexual tendencies or feeding behavior, its use for describing aggressive behavior has become somewhat obsolete (Hinde, 1960, 1966; Manning, 1969; van Dijk, 1977; Zillman, 1979, van der Dennen, 1980; van der Molen, 1981); mainly because little evidence has been found that long-term deprivation of an opportunity to fight causes an increase in the readiness with which fighting can specifically be elicted. Yet appetitive behavior for agonistic interaction can nonetheless be demonstrated in a wide range of species: fish (Thompson, 1963; Rasa, 1971; Sevenster, 1973), birds (Thompson, 1964; Cole & Parker, 1971; Cherek et al., 1973), mice (Lagerspetz, 1964; Tellegen et al., 1969; Legrand, 1970; Tellegen & Horn, 1972; Connor, 1974; Kelsey & Cassidy, 1976; Connor & Watson, 1977), rats (Dreyer & Church, 1970; Taylor, 1975), hamsters (Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 1971), and monkeys (Azrin et al., 1965).<br />
<br />
But in every case investigated, such alleged appetence for aggressive behavior could equally well be labeled as appetence for certain other functional pattern such as e.g. territorial behavior and/or as attempts of the individual to maintain an optimum level of arousal.<br />
''"Excitement and kinetic activity are shown to be dependent on the external stimulus state of the animals decreasing under conditions of low mean environmental stimulation. These findings indicate that an animal attempts to regulate its internal stimulus state by behavioural means when the component variables of this state have been disturbed by environmental conditions"'' (Rasa, 1971).<br />
<br />
Sevenster (pers. comm., 1980) arrived at similar conclusions in his experiments with sticklebacks, when evaluating his results on the rewarding effect of opportunities to interact aggressively. He investigated the rewarding properties of each component of the situation of agonistic interaction in question separately, and concluded that it is, in particular, the element of environmental change which works rewarding for the (somewhat arousal-deprived) male stickleback, but only so, if the change in question induces no flight behavior. Parallel to these findings are experimental results as those of Kavanau (1967), who showed poignantly how mice, being forced to respond in stereotyped experimental situations, will give 'incorrect' responses as a means of introducing variability.<br />
<br />
From all these considerations we may conclude that for understanding function and (long-term) causation of aggressive behavior it is apparently of great importance to include phenomena such as 'boredom', 'excitement- seeking' and 'anxiety' in our models.<br />
<br />
Specific appetence for aggressive behavior may in fact not exist at all in ordinary natural settings in which plenty of opportunity is available for attaining proper arousal levels. This is also suggested by, for instance, Goodall's (1971) descriptions of the occurrence of aggressive encounters in the daily life of free living chimpanzees. The frequency of intraspecific aggressive behavior varies strongly for every individual and for the whole group in question, and is highest whenever hierarchical relations have become unclear. The readiness to show intraspecific aggres¬sive behavior does not seem to depend at all on the period of time that has elapsed since the last agonistic confrontation, but rather on circumstances which make it difficult to avoid the application of coercive means.<br />
<br />
The existence of a drive for aggression, irrespective of a functional context, would, in fact, be highly improbable from an evolutionary point of view (Craig, 1918, 1928; Tinbergen, 1956; Hinde, 1960, 1970, 1974; Marler & Hamilton, 1966; Wilson, 1971, 1975; Scott, 1973; Crook, 1973; Schuster, 1978), the rationale of which has been analyzed in game-theoretical and 'Evolutionary Stable Strategy' terms (Hamilton, 1971; Maynard- Smith, 1974, 1978; Maynard-Smith & Price, 1973; Parker, 1974; see also: Wilson, 1975; Dawkins, 1976; Fry, 1980). An individual runs heavy risks every time he engages in aggressive encounters. Therefore it seems good strategy to reserve aggressive behavior for situations in which the risk of damage is sufficiently counterbalanced by a possible raise in the chances of survival and/or propagation of the specific genetic information in question, after successful agonistic action.<br />
<br />
It would appear that the regularity with which the males of certain species carry out charging displays can be more adequately explained by the 'hierarchico-cybernetic model' with the aggression-system as a low- level subroutine (Baerends, I960; Tinbergen, 1969; van Dijk, 1977) than by an energy model of aggressive motivation (Lorenz, 1963; Rasa, 1971, 1980).<br />
<br />
== 2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior ==<br />
{{level|3}}Van Rooijen (1976) reviewed models of 'escape-' and 'emergency-' reactions as derived from current ethological and psychological research. In his study he described a general 'emergency-system' which prepares individuals for responding adequately in cases of emergency, and he labels it 'Anticipation of Damage System' (ADS).<br />
An essential of van Rooijen's model is the application of a strategy of 'flexibel response'. The more an individual is threatened, the stronger his ADS is activated. The level of activation determines which types of behavior can be expected. Furthermore, individuals can 'learn' which situations are best met with a careful approach and which situations require instantaneous flight or attack. Van Rooijen suggests that the learning processes themselves are probably enhanced most by a moderate activation level of the emergency system. Considerable information uptake- and processing capacity is required for learning, whereas in the most extreme emergency-reaction-modes such as e.g. panicky flight, the full neural processing capacity is probably reserved for ad hoc problem-solving.<br />
When the ADS is activated too strongly and/or too continuously, pathogenetic effects emerge, such as neuroses, phobias, psychosomatoses, and even physical disorders (Blythe, 1973). These pathological traits in their turn enhance, through inadequately rigid responses in an ever-varying environment, strong stimulation of the emergency system. Thus vicious spirals ('Teufelskreize') of ever increasing pathogenic effects are likely to occur as long as an individual does not often enough and long enough succeed in reducing the alarming stimuli and the resulting level of arousal.<br />
<br />
Agonistic behaviors may be fitted into van Rooijen's model in two ways. On the one hand, flight and attack may be final - suddenly and catastrophically occurring - reflexes during high activation of the emergency system. On the other hand, flight and, in particular, attack can be learned and may in fact be optional responses to specific familiar emergency situations. In that case flight and attack may already occur at a moderate activation level of the emergency system, and consequently tend to change more gradually into each other.<br />
<br />
== 2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion ==<br />
{{level|3}}Kortmulder's (1974) hypothesis of 'Behavioral Expansion' runs to some extent parallel to van Rooijen's ideas. To the classical postulate of antagonistic attack- and escape-tendencies, Kortmulder adds the antagonism between 'centrifugal' and 'centripetal' tendencies. Full-scale attack and flight are both considered to be centripetal behaviors whereas courtship and, in particular, playful (agonistic) interactions are considered to be more centrifugal types of behavior. The terms centrifugal and centripetal refer to the tendency of expanding the (interactive) behavioral activities, respectively to the tendency of reducing and simplifying the (interactive) behavior situation. Strong activation of the 'emergency system' (van Rooijen) corresponds with 'centripetal tendencies' (Kortmulder), and a weak activation of the 'emergency system' corresponds with 'centrifugal tendencies' of behavioral expansion.<br />
<br />
When exploring the environment or when playfully interacting with a partner, an individual is supposed to be in a process of 'behavioral expansion' (centrifugal behavioral forces; cf. also Orme-Johnson's, 1973, 'Stay-and-play response'). But when the situation becomes dangerous - for instance when a partner suddenly play-attacks too frighteningly hard - the 'Anticipation of Damage System' is activated and an increased centripetal tendency leads to reduction of the behavioral setting through flight or attack.<br />
<br />
According to Kortmulder, individuals strive after being in a state of behavioral expansion as often as possible. Through that behavioral state their behavioral repertoire expands and their skill in dealing with the animate and inanimate environment increases through experience.<br />
<br />
Parallel to Maslow's (1968) behavioral models of men and other primates, Kortmulder (1972, 1974) discerns between (a) animals with a behavioral repertoire which is fully actualized through sufficient periods of behavioral expansion (self-actualizers), and (b) animals who have stayed under the influence of centripetal behavioral forces too often and too continuously and who subsequently show a reduced, 'truncated', and highly stereotyped behavioral repertoire. "''Whereas self-actualizing fishes typically swim around actively also outside reproductive periods, or feed, inferior fishes often stand still for long periods of time, even in the absence of the dominant male. If they move, locomotion is typically, wavering and slow. They often do not feed at all ........ The general behaviour of such inferior fishes is somewhat similar to the behaviour of a sick fish. This is so even in the absence of any visible trace of bodily damage. The above observations suggest that the switch from self-actualizing to inferior behaviour marks the onset of a profound physiological change which is easily reversible when short-lasting but which tends towards irreversibility when submission is prolonged"'' (Kortmulder, 1972).<br />
<br />
== 2.5 Butterfly Catastrophes ==<br />
{{level|3}}Taking the models of Kortmulder and van Rooijen into account, we can explain not only the gradual and the sudden changes from fight to escape and vice versa, but also the gradual and sudden changes from play to full-scale agonistic interaction. Thus we may integrate in one model the two different modes of aggressive interaction, viz. the 'rough- and-tumble' and the 'reactive fighting' as may be discerned in many species (rhesus monkeys: Harlow, 1965; chimpanzees: Goodall, 1971; human children: Blurton-Jones, 1967; Hamburg, 1971).<br />
<br />
Like the mechanisms as postulated by the Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis (see fig. 1), the mechanisms as described above may also be represented graphically (and mathematically) by means of a model from catastrophe-theory. Butterfly catastrophes (Zeeman, 1976) describe tri- stable systems, for instance three such behavioral modes which can shade off into one another, but which may, under certain conditions, also turn into each other in a sudden and catastrophic way (see fig. 2).<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:Butterfly catastrophes.png|none|framed|'''Fig.2. Butterfly catastrophes:''' ''An increase of danger and provocation induces agonistic behaviour, which is expressed as attack or escape, depending on the equilibrium between fear and anger. When centri¬petal forces do not reach extreme values however, playful interaction is also possible depending on the equilibrium between anger and fear and depending on the previous emotional state, (similar to the explanation of Fig.1). Play is possible in the motivational space indicated by [pocket] ,[vertical lines] and [dotted] in (the bottom sheet of) the figure.<br /><br /><br />
The dotted area indicates three possible behavioural modes. Horizontal lines indicate bistability between attack and escape and vertical lines indicate bistability between play and other behaviour. Catastrophic changes in behaviour may occur in half of the motivational states that are indicated by the lines on the bottom projection, depending on the previous motivational state.'']]<br />
<br />
One of the parameters of the graph in fig. 2 is the so-called 'butterfly-factor' which determines the size of the pocket in the bifurcation-set. A bigger pocket represents a greater probability of playful and explorative behavior. The 'butterfly-factor' might therefore be used to indicate an individual's skill in dealing with ambivalent motivational situations without having to resort to full-scale attack or flight. In other words: by an increasing butterfly-factor we may graphically represent the long-term effect of adequate frequencies of behavioral expansion, namely the raise in skills which results from the centrifugal behavioral activities of play and exploration.<br />
<br />
A raise in skills causes in its turn a lower necessity to resort to centripetal behavior and thus a lower .probability of purely agonistic behavior and consequently a further increased probability of playful and explorative behavior.<br />
<br />
This positive feedback mechanism in learning represents the opposite of the vicious spirals of ever-increasing pathogenic effects mentioned above.<br />
<br />
Of course, it is also possible to block the positive learning-spiral by denying the individual any reasonable amount of experience, for instance by isolation. Centrifugal moods cannot then simply result in drifting into relevant experiences through lack of environmental possibilities. Individuals which have been isolated during long and crucial periods of their lives, generally exhibit inadequate social reactions (notably, anomalous sexual and agonistic behavior) to a high degree (jungle fowl: Kruijt, 1964; mice: van der Molen, 1979; rats: Peijs, 1977; rhesus monkeys: Harlow, 1961, Nowak & Harlow, 1975; squirrel monkeys: Hopf, 1981).<br />
As Kortmulder (1974) points out, courtship may be compared to play in that courtship partners 'learn' to get behaviorally adjusted to, and synchronized with, each other and thus 'learn' to avoid full-scale agonistic behavior towards one another. In the course of the courting process centripetal tendencies gradually give way to centrifugal tendencies until mutual aggression has virtually disappeared and the animals have learned to 'know' each other in playful interaction. Therefore Zeeman's graphical representation might 'mutatis mutandis' be used equally well to describe the interactions between sexual-, approach-, withdrawal-, attack- and escape-tendencies in courtship and the learning processes involved.<br />
<br />
== 3. '''The Reversal Hypothesis''' ==<br />
{{level|3}}Kortmulder's hypothesis of 'Behavioral Expansion' was derived from animal behavior. A somewhat akin model was derived from studies on human behavior by Smith & Apter (1975) and Apter & Smith (1979). Kortmulder's antagonistic 'centripetal' and 'centrifugal' tendencies can be found in Smith & Apter's model as 'telic' (goal-directed) and 'paratelic' (behavior-directed) tendencies. Apter & Smith (1979) explain: ''"we shall<br />
simply start by stating one of the fundamental postulates of the theory. This is that certain psychological processes, especially certain motivational and emotional processes, exhibit bistability rather than homeostasis (i,e,; unistability). Switching from one stable state to the other in a bistable system can be reffered to as a reversal (hence the name of the theory) and may be brought about by a number of different factors. For example, it is argued that at certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ('excitement'); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ('anxiety').<br />
In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ('boredom') and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ('relaxation'). This is summarized in the two hypothetical curves drawn in the accompanying diagram (Fig. 3a), each curve representing the relationship between arousal and affective tone for each of the two stable states. These two states are labeled 'telic' and 'paratelic' respectively. This view of the relationship between felt arousal and affective tone contrasts sharply with that of optimal arousal theory which is a homeostatic theory, although the typical inverted U-curve (shown dotted in Fig. 3a) postulated by optimal arousal theory, can be seen as a special case of the X-curve suggested by reversal theory."''<br />
<br />
: [[Image:Pleasant_and_unpleasant_experiences_of_high_and_low_arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 3a. (table) The very existence of colloquial labels for our emotions like ''relaxation'', ''boredom'', ''excitement'' and ''anxiety'' illustrates emotional/motivational bi-modality.]]<br />
<br />
: [[Image:Telic and paratelic pleasantness of different arousal levels.png|frame|none|Figure 3a. (diagram with table) Each hypothetical curve represents the relationship between arousal and affective tone for one of the two stable states. These two states are labels "telic" (goal-directed; from the Greek word "telos" = "goal, end, close") and "paratelic" (behaviour-directed) respectively. (After {{Harvnb|Apter|Smith|1979}}, with permission).]]<br />
<br />
: [[Image:Reversal between preferred level of arousal.png|frame|none|Figure 3b. At certain times the individual seeks high arousal which is then felt as pleasant when achieved ("excitement"); at other times he reverses to a state in which he seeks low arousal, at which time high arousal is felt as unpleasant ("anxiety"). In the former case low arousal is felt as unpleasant ("boredom") and in the latter case low arousal is felt as pleasant ("relaxation"). (After Apter & Smith, 1979).]]<br />
<br />
: [[Image:Reversals between telic and paratelic state.png|framed|none|Figure 3c. A commonly occurring Motivational Sequence.]]<br />
<br />
".......... ''in the telic system the organism searches for security and safety in order to reduce arousal; in the paratelic system it searches for novelty and surprise in order to increase arousal. The latter is what is normally referred to as exploration. However, calling exploration a drive as it is now done widely, following the work of Butler (1953), Berlyne (1960), and others, implies that to discover new things is arousal reducing. Our claim is the contrary: namely that such discovery increases arousal and, in the paratelic mode, this is in fact pleasurable. This idea therefore constitutes an attack on the assumption that all behavior is governed by principles of drive-reduction'' (Smith & Apter, 1975).<br />
<br />
The paratelic state is especially important for learning processes: ''"As defined earlier, the paratelic system is concerned with expressing behavior rather than goals and is perhaps seen in its purest state in<br />
''children playing. It presumably arose because it had survival value in the young in allowing behavior to be exercised. In humans such play in the adult may be an example of neoteny which has turned out to be biologically advantageous"'''' (Smith & Apter, 1975).<br />
<br />
As in the theory of Behavioural Expansion, agonistic behaviors can be fitted very well into the theory of Psychological Reversals. Full- scale attack and flight are typically telic strategies in that they are of a strongly reactive nature, aimed at the achievement of a certain goal (subjugation or expulsion of a competitor, respectively escaping from a danger), and aimed at the reduction of the arousal level and re-stabil- ization of the status quo. Play-fight and social exploration are on the other hand typically paratelic strategies in that they are of a spontaneous non-reactive nature, aimed at raising the level of arousal.<br />
<br />
== 4. An Additional Hypothesis: '''Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning''' ==<br />
{{level|3}}We postulate an additional hypothesis which allows us to integrate the foregoing theories more fully and which emphasizes the importance of stressful situations for learning.<br />
<br />
In its simplest form this postulate states that in a stressful situation the individual arrives in a telic state and that in this telic (centripetal) state of emergency reactions, important neural and/or hormonal information is stored within the organism. This information is used automatically in the following non-stressful situation (paratelic state) to steer the growing process in the direction of optimal adaptation to the previously encountered stressful situation.<br />
<br />
This process of the storage and subsequent processing and integration of information is carried through on an endocrine, neurophysiological and neural level or on either of these levels. Curiosity (paratelic) is steered in the direction of situations in which previously stress (with strong telic tendencies) has been experienced.<br />
<br />
Expressed at the cognitive level it means that when this learning cycle runs optimally, '''very frightening''' situations gradually change into '''less frightening''' situations and eventually become '''intriguing'''. Having changed from frightening into intriguing, a situation attracts the individual's attention when he is in a paratelic (centrifugal) frame of mind. Thus additional experience with this particular situation is gathered until eventually the situation in question is not intriguing any more but '''evokes boredom''' when the individual is in a paratelic mood. At that stage the situation is of course not frightening any more either and the learning cycle has been completed. We could express this by saying that the stressful experience has been successfully 'digested', and the behavioural repertoire has accordingly 'expanded'.<br />
<br />
[[File:Redigesting initially aversive experiences.png|none|framed|'''Figure 4''']]<br />
<br />
The hypothesis developed above implies that frightening and stressful situations can only be successfully 'digested' when they are followed by ample opportunity to arrive in a paratelic (centrifugal behavioural expansive state of mind).<br />
<br />
A second prerequisite for a proper 'digestion' of experience is opportunity to tentatively reestablish contact with the source of previous trouble when in such a paratelic mood.<br />
<br />
The adaptational value of such a system stems 'inter alia' from the fact that the learning process can be optimally fitted to varying circumstances and environments. When in a paratelic mood (surplus of energy available) the mechanism of preferential curiosity prevents the individual <br />
from wasting its energy and learning capacity on irrelevant objects and problems, but focuses the individual's attention on 'intriguing' environmental aspects which are, or have previously been, potential sources of trouble and stress, and therefore also potential sources of excitement.<br />
<br />
The hypothesis also emphasizes the '''involuntary nature of learning''': the individual willy-nilly launches itself periodically into trouble through paratelic action, and thus continues to accumulate experience in relevant areas of life.<br />
<br />
== 5. '''Positive and Negative Learning Spirals''' == <br />
{{level|3}}According to the presented hypothesis two learning spirals may be discerned, both of which result from positive feedback loops (see Fig. 5b and 5c). One spiral contains improper alternations of telic and paratelic<br />
<br />
[[File:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|none|framed|'''Figure 5a.''' Positive and negative learning spirals, showing alternations between telic and paratelic states]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
states and results in ever more rigid and stereotyped behavior such as either immediate and full-scale flight or indiscriminate attack in agonistic situations, without options for intermediate responses and subtle alternations.<br />
<br />
The other spiral contains proper alternations of telic and paratelic states and results in an ever growing diversity of adaptational responses (skills).<br />
The individual seeks to alternate the telic and paratelic states in an optimum rhythm and the higher his skills, the better he succeeds. Low skills on the other hand decrease the probability of maintaining a<br />
proper alternation of telic and paratelic states and thus enhance further attainment of rigid, stereotyped response-strategies instead of a growing diversity of optimal skills. <br />
<br />
Note that the 2 figures differ in that the favourable option is depicted in the lower half of figure 5a, but in the top half of figure 5b. It is rather arbitrary to place the favourable option at the top or at the bottom of the figure. The implications stay the same.<br />
<br />
In the figures the favourable of the two options, leading to skills and mastery, is labeled as "positive learning spiral" and the option that leads to fear clusters and neuroticism is labeled as "negative learning spiral". These qualifications refer to the results of the process.<br />
<br />
From a purely technical point of view however, both feed back loops are cycles of ''positive feed back'', in that in both cases the effect of the cycle is an increase in the likelihood of the same outcome for the next cycle. A favourable outcome stimulates the emergence of more frequent paratelic states, which in turn increases the chances for maintaining an optimum rhythm of telic/paratelic alternations. The outcome increases the likelihood of more optimum rhythms and thus of more mastery. <br />
<br />
An unfavourable outcome stimulates the emergence of more telic and less paratelic states and that in turn increases the likelihood of more frequent telic states and fewer paratelic states and that in turn increases the likelihood of more simplistic avoidance reactions. And the cumulation of reactive avoidance behaviours increases the likelihood of less than optimal rhythms and thus of more neuroticism and fear clusters.<br />
<br />
Technically speaking, both options are positive feed back loops, one producing favourable outcomes and the other producing rigidity and unskills.<br />
<br />
== 5.1 Genetical Aspects and 'Framing' ==<br />
{{level|3}}Whether an individual manages to deal with a situation successfully or not, depends - apart from learned skills - also on innate (constitutional, temperamental) qualities, like e.g. basic energy level, basic stability level, and specific learning dispositions. We may therefore expect that the rhythm of mood-reversals which is optimal for a certain type of experience differs from individual to individual right from the start. Furthermore, the 'critical frequencies' of experience may be expected to be different for every individual. And in the course of life these innate variations in 'critical frequencies' are further modified and/or amplified by processes of experience and learning.<br />
<br />
Another way through which genetically determined predispositions come to life is through steering an individual's predilections whenever he is in a paratelic mood and seeks exciting experience. This process is sometimes referred to as 'framing' (Simpson, 1976).<br />
<br />
As e.g. Waddington (1957) and Bateson (1976) point out when discussing views on behavioral development, it may be highly advantageous to combine concepts of predetermined, self-correcting features of developmental processes with concepts of adult behavior as the product of continuous interaction between the individual and its environment throughout ontogeny. As may be clear by now, the concept of learning as presented<br />
in the previous pages provides an excellent opportunity to reconcile such points of view that seemed incompatible in the heydays of the nature-nurture controversy.<br />
<br />
== 5.2 Growth of Skills versus Growth of Unskills ==<br />
{{level|3}}Mastering of a certain setting generally implies the mastering of various sub-skills, some of which may be directly transferable as subroutines, required in other situations. Furthermore, acquired subroutines or sub-skills function as (emotional) refuge during the exploration of situations which require new abilities, but in which these subroutines may be applied. Through these two mechanisms, the transfer of subroutines and the improvement of the telic/paratelic balance, a high level of skills in a certain sub-domain enhances the growth of skills in related areas of life. Skills therefore will tend to grow in clusters.<br />
<br />
But the growth of skills in other, quite different areas of life will be enhanced as well.<br />
<br />
In short, the presented model explains on the one hand how situation-specific idiosyncracies in skills and unskills come about, and on the other hand predicts that individuals will tend to differ strongly in some overall level of skills. The latter, the general level of actualization of the behavioral repertoire, may, in our terms, also be formulated as the ability to effect a fluent, quick and agile shifting of the telic/paratelic (centrifugal/centrifpetal) equilibrium by able and subtle manipulation of the environment(ally induced aurousal), as immediate response to - even minute - changes in individual needs and motivational states.<br />
<br />
The reverse side of the possibility of 'general actualization of individual abilities' is the possibility of general malfunctioning. The model predicts that malfunctioning in certain areas of life will enhance the malfunctioning in other areas of life as well. Lack of skills in one sub-setting drains the energy of an individual and evokes telic rather than paratelic behavioral strategies. This will result in less energy being available for investment in other settings and fewer paratelic moods which can result in exploring new options and solutions.<br />
Therefore skills enhance growth of further skills and 'unskills' enhance(2) further decrease of skills. Like skills, unskills also tend to grow in clusters, because faulty or deficient subroutines tend to influence the experience in related areas of life in a negative way. Such a cluster of 'unskills' might sometimes be labeled as 'phobia' or a specific form of neurosis, i.e., clusters of frightening and unmastered items, or specific memory constellations or, in the words of Grof (1972, 1973, 1976), negative 'COEX-systems' (systems of COndensed Experience). ''"The gradual successive growth of COEX systems by the mechanism of positive feedback (in the cybernetic sense) described, could account for the latency or 'incubation' period between the original traumatic events and future neurotic or even psychotic breakdowns. Manifest psychopatho- logical symptoms seem to occur at a time when the COEX system reaches a certain critical extension, and traumatic repetitions contaminate important areas of the patient's life and interfere with satisfaction of his basic needs"'' (Grof, 1976).<br />
<br />
== 5.3 Reversability of 'Unskills' ==<br />
{{level|3}}As far as learning processes in Man are concerned, most 'unskills' are essentially reversible. Sometimes however, certain learning processes are constrained to specific stages of development. Much of the learning<br />
processes in Man is relatively free of this type of constraint (though it is not absent; see e.g. Benjamin, 1979), but in most animal species learning processes are very much dependent on the developmental stage<br />
(3) (age). One of the many experimental demonstrations of this principle has been provided by Kruijt (1964, 1971) who showed that certain behavioral unskills in social behavior of the jungle fowl cannot be cured by experience, once a certain stage of development has passed. His 'unskilled' cocks showed a type of social behavior which might very well be labeled as hopelessly neurotic. One of the conspicuous properties of their behavior was an exceptionally high frequency of violent aggression and fleeing during social encounters, at the expense of paratelic, appro¬priate (dis)play and courtship.<br />
<br />
== 5.4 Displacement and Neuroses versus Psychological Health ==<br />
{{level|3}}Baerends (1976) discusses the phenomenon of 'displacement' behavior in animals and man. 'Displacement' is a label for functionally irrelevant behavior of an incomplete and ineffective character. He calls attention to the fact that such bursts of functionally irrelevant behavior in animals resemble neurotic symptoms in humans. Neuroses may, in this conception, be considered to be frequently reappearing sequences of stereotyped and irrelevant behavior. We might also describe them as negative COEX-systems or as sets of unskills.<br />
<br />
Bloomfield et al.(1975) point out that in psychologically healthy individuals 'stay-and-play' responses (Orme-Johnson, 1973) are relatively more prominent than 'fight-or-flight' responses (Cannon, 1929). Psychological health implies so to speak the ability to endure the inevitable frustrations and irritations of everyday life without losing one's poise (Allport, 1961), and without being launched into a 'telic' mood.<br />
All-out aggression is therefore less likely to occur in 'self-actualizers' (Maslow, 1954) than in psychologically less healthy people.<br />
<br />
== 6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire ==<br />
{{level|3}}Skills do not only influence the type of social role that an individual eventually manages to acquire, they are also of paramount importance for the flexibility with which the social roles in question are performed and adhered to. Psychological health and social skills enhance emancipated as well as emancipating behavior, and thus induce less rigid social role performances.<br />
<br />
Benjamin's (1974, 1979) circumplex models of primate and human social behavior are based expl icitly on the notion that the style of performance in a dominant - as well as in a subordinate role depends strongly on the level of acquired (social) skills. The individual level of social skills (level of maturity) is, according to her one of the principal dimensions of social behavior. Social skills raise emancipation, acceptedness and autonomy, and diminish social conflict and role-interdependence .<br />
<br />
Highly stereotyped and interdependent role-aspects such as scapegoat ing and mutual denunciation are therefore less likely to occur between highly (socially) skilled individuals than between psychologically less healthy people. <br />
<br />
The use of the 'aggression'-lable may serve as an example. On the one hand a high-skilled individual will have to resort to agonistic actions less quickly if he wants to attain a certain social goal, because he will have a wider range of behavioral alternatives at his disposal. On the other hand, processes of mutual denunciation will be less obligatory in high-skilled individuals because of a lower interdependence. The tendency for stereotyped denunciation of the activities of competitors, superiors or critics as 'aggressive' will therefore be less strong, even in the case of strong coercive actions.<br />
<br />
As far as the labels 'violent' and 'aggressive' are concerned, it is important to note that the behaviors which are indicated by these terms, can be described in positive terms as well. This can be achieved by simply considering the behavior in question from the point of view of a supporter. Any behavior, indicated as 'aggressive' or 'violent', appears to have reasonable components if regarded from a suitable viewpoint, and on the other hand no activity and no industry is, strictly speaking, possible without a certain amount of violence, no matter how little - as the archetypal pacifist Gandhi said.<br />
<br />
The very subjectivity of the terms 'violence' and 'aggression' is highlighted by the complete chaos in aggression research, as far as the definitions of the basic concepts are concerned (see: van der Dennen, 1980).<br />
<br />
Calling something 'aggression' implies some degree of derogation and is at variance with pure assessment of the behavior in question. Violence is mostly what others do to us, and aggression is very much in the eye of the beholder. The use of such depreciative, pejorative terms tells us therefore more about the nature of the user than about the behavior described. And in the case that 'violent' or 'aggressive'<br />
is used to describe a person, it gives us primarily information as to the (negative, dissociative) social relations between the rater and the ratee.<br />
<br />
The use of these and similar depreciative and pejorative terms functions as a sort of involuntarily applied cognitive 'tool' on the level of social dynamics and interaction; a tool to create or maintain social distance on the physical or on the cognitive level.<br />
<br />
This overt or internal-cognitive use of depreciatives establishes and consolidates social distance and alienation in the following way: The label 'aggressive' is used for example in some situation by A to denounce B's coercive actions. As soon as A has done that, he will as a consequence feel 'justified1 in seeking satisfaction for B's deeds. In that way A justifies also the coercive actions which he will subsequently put forth himself to harness, repel or constrain B. And A will probably not be inclined then to label his coercive action against B as 'aggressive'. For his own behavior he will tend, instead, to use a label which sounds more positive, such as 'tough' or 'energetic'. Thus a situation develops or is consolidated, in which each of the competitors considers himself as the 'good', and the other person as the 'bad' guy. And the net result is social distance and dissociation.<br />
<br />
We could summarize these considerations by pointing out that 'aggression' in everyday parlance cannot be considered a proper and detached description of any behavior. Instead of serving the assessment of behavior,<br />
it serves the overruling of any detached appreciation of other persons' behavior by involuntary subjective distortion (4).<br />
<br />
The use of the term 'aggression' may thus be a tool of the agonistic repertoire itself, serving to create or maintain distance, whether on the physical, the social or the cognitive level. Being an element of the agonistic repertoire, the use of the aggression-label often serves as a sort of emergency reaction on the level of social role behavior. The higher an individual's behavioral skill and mental health, the less he loses detachment and the less he tends to resort to (agonistic) emergency reactions, like using these labels. This is also acknowledged in the aggression theories of the so-called 'third trend' (Maslow, Fromm, Erikson, and others), an offshoot of self-actualization theory.<br />
<br />
In this 'third trend', emphasis is laid on the negative correlation between an individual's tendency to apply (unnecessarily) violent actions and his level of psychological health and growth. The theory of aggression and learning processes as depicted in these pages may serve to support this axiom of the 'third-trend' investigations and in particular it may serve to explain why such a relationship between psychological growth and violent aggressiveness does exist.<br />
<br />
== 7. '''By way of Conclusion''' ==<br />
{{level|2}}The reversal theory, applied to the notion of positive and negative learning spirals as presented in this paper, implies several predictions with respect to patterns of stereotyped 'agonistic' malfunctioning (5). The theory suggests that basic to any cure of an individual set of 'un-skills' is the recovery of a suitable telic/paratelic motivational balance. Only then may the individual establish proper alternations (see Fig. 3) of telic and paratelic states and thus profit from a growing variety of skills which are the result of positive learning spirals.<br />
<br />
However, in order to recover a suitable telic/paratelic motivational balance, the individual must sufficiently often be able to attain relaxation of anxiety. And this is, as has been previously pointed out, exactly what is lacking in persons with a defective behavioral repertoire, whether or not labeled as 'aggressive' or 'violent'. The more an individual is in need of relaxation and reestablishment of a suitable telic/paratelic balance, the less he is therefore likely to succeed, and the more he will tend to resort to all-out reactive action to escape from sources of over-arousal. And social mechanisms of depreciation and repulsion may subsequently add to difficulties in obtaining relaxation. Whereas all-out reactive aggressive and violent action may appear quite necessary and justifiable to the actor in his 'telic' state, it may appear quite unfair, improper, inadequate or pathological to an onlooker.<br />
<br />
This mechanism of the need for versus the availability of relaxation (Fig. 3), controlling the very basis of our behavioral growth, constitutes therefore an all-overruling source of '''systematic injustice'''. The better chances for learning are for those already favored. The evolutionary advantage of such a system of injustice may stem from the fact that it amplifies existing differences in quality and thereby intensifies existing selection pressures. Disadvantages on the genetic or cultural level will thus be eliminated more efficiently.<br />
<br />
However advantageous this mechanism may be from an evolutionary point of view, it thoroughly thwarts any general effort to cure excessive amounts of aggressiveness. Annoying aggressiveness and agonistic 'overshooting' may be viewed as outer manifestations of that amplified selection process. Maladaptive aggressiveness evokes retaliation by others, or at least depreciation. And the very use of terms like 'aggressive' or 'pathological', by actors and reactors alike, enhances such depreciation and dissociation, thus making it even more difficult for the subject to <br />
regain social support, relaxation and subsequent paratelic states which are crucial for reestablishing positive learning spirals and the subsequent curing of maladaptive aggressiveness.<br />
<br />
The common use in daily language of such labels is therefore not just a cognitive trap hampering a proper awareness of what is actually going on on the level of striving playing and learning, but a crucial link in the chain of social interactions which stabilizes social distance, negative learning spirals, and hampers the improvement of the very behavior which was labeled as aggressiveness or violence in the first place.<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 6.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning.]]<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Notes: '''<br />
<br />
(1) This text has proceeded from a presentation at the 1978 congress of the "Ethologische Gesellschaft" at Basel, which presentation was partly supported by a grant from the "Fonds voor Nationale en Internationale Samenwerking" of the "Biologische Raad".<br />
It was presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression, at Strassbourg, September 1981. The latter presentation was supported by a grant from the "Hendrik de Visser Fonds" of the Rijks Universiteit of Groningen to the senior author.<br />
<br />
(2) 'Unskills' is defined here as learned (sub)routines with a high level of stereotypy and a low level of long-term efficiency and effectiveness. 'Unskills' are furthermore considered as fixated emergency-reactions.<br />
<br />
(3) For well-known experiments with Rhesus monkeys, see e.g. Nowak & Harlow, 1975, or Suomi et al., 1976.<br />
<br />
(4) To avoid confusion, one can rather resort to using the concept 'coercive power'. Tedeschi et al. (1974) have urged that a distinction be clearly drawn between the exercise of coercive power and the labeling of such action as aggressive by observers. According to these authors, coercion is a means of influence and when a person cannot persuade, bribe, manipulate, or otherwise induce a target to comply with his demands, then the success of influence may depend on the source's ability to restrain, transport, immobilize, injure or destroy the target. Coercion is often the influence strategy, in self-defense, for face-saving purposes, as an act of obedience to authority, in an attempt to reduce negative inequity, or for other reasons.<br />
"''Perhaps the most important heuristic of adopting a language of coercive power is that it shifts attention from intrapsychic or biological determinants of behavior to the social causes. Instead of viewing harm doing as a manifestation of pent-up frustrations, Thanatos, or instinct, social psychological processes such as conflict, power, and normative demands for revenge or reciprocity become salient''" (Tedeschi et al., 1977). <br />
<br />
(5) See van der Dennen (1980) for a survey of the numerous categories of violent aggressiveness and related defective behaviour-patterns as established in current research on psychopathology and aggression.<br />
<br />
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BUSS, A.R. (1973) A conceptual framework for learning effecting the development of ability factors. Human development, 16: 273-292.<br />
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BUTLER, R.A. (1953) Discrimination learning by rhesus monkeys to visual exploration motivation. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 46: 95-98.<br />
<br />
CANNON, W.B. (1929) Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage. Appleton, N.Y.<br />
<br />
CHEREK, D.R., T. THOMPSON & G.T. HEISTAD (1973) Responding maintained by the opportunity to attack during an interval food reinforcement schedule. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 19: 113-123.<br />
<br />
COLE, J.M. & B.K. PARKER (1971) Schedule-induced aggression: access to an attackable target bird as a positive reinforcer. Psychonomic Sciences, 22: 33-35.<br />
<br />
CONNOR, J.L. (1974) Waning and recovery of conspecific aggression in the house mouse ('Mus musculus' L.). Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 87: 215-227.<br />
<br />
CONNOR, J.L. & P. WATSON (1977) A device for presenting attack opportunity as a reinforcer for operant behavior. Behavioral Research Methods & Instrumentation, 9: 349-352.<br />
<br />
CRAIG, W, (1918) Appetites and aversions as constituents of instincts. Biological Bulletin, 34: 91-107.<br />
<br />
CRAIG, W. (1928) Why do animals fight? International Journal of Ethics, 31: 246-278.<br />
<br />
CROOK, J.H. (1973) Darwinism and the sexual politics of primates. Social Science Information, 12: 7-28.<br />
<br />
DAWKINS, R. (1976) The Selfish Gene. Oxford U.P., N.Y.<br />
van der DENNEN, J.M.G. (1980) Problems in the Concepts and Definitions of Aggression, Violence, and Some Related Terms. Polemological Institute, Univ. Groningen.<br />
van DIJK, J.J.M. (1977) Dominantiegedrag en Geweld: een multidisciplinaire visie op de veroorzaking van geweldmisdrijven. Dekker & van de Vegt, Nijmegen.<br />
<br />
DREYER, P.I. & R.M. CHURCH (1970) Reinforcement of shock-induced fighting. Psychonomic Sciences, 18, 3: 14.7-148.<br />
<br />
EIBL-EIBESFELDT, I. (1971) Ethology, the biology of behavior. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, N.Y.<br />
<br />
EIBL-EIBESFELDT, I. (1975) Krieg und Frieden aus der Sichtder Verbaltens-forschung. Piper Verlag, München.<br />
<br />
ELEFTHERIOU, B.E. & R.L. CHURCH (1968) Levels of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor after exposure to aggression (defeat) in C578BL/63 mice. Journal of Endocrinology, 42: 347-348.<br />
<br />
FRY, D.P. (1980) The evolution of aggression and the level of selection controversy. Aggressive Behavior, 6, 1: 69-89.<br />
<br />
GOODALL, J. (1971) Some aspects of aggressive behavior in a group of free-living chimpanzees. International Social Science Journal, 23, 1: 89-97.<br />
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GROF, S. (1972) Varieties of transpersonal experiences; observations from LSD psychotherapy. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1972 (1).<br />
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GROF, S. (1973) Theoretical and empirical basis of transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1973 (1).<br />
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GROF, S. (1976) Realms of the Human Unconscious; observations from LSD research. Dutton, N.Y.<br />
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GROSS, H. (1978) Gewohnung beim Beutefang der Larve von Aeschua (Odonata) cyanea. Presentation at the 6th Ethologentreffen, 1978, at Basel.<br />
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HAMBURG, D.A. (1971) Recent research on hormonal factors relevant to human aggressiveness. International Social Science Journal, 23, 1: 36-47.<br />
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HAMILTON, W.D. (1971) Selection of selfish and altruistic behavior in some extreme models. In: J. Eisenberg & W. Dillon (Eds.) Man and Beast: comparative social behavior. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington D.C.<br />
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HARLOW, H.F. (1961) The development of affectional patterns in infant monkeys. In: B. Foss (Ed.) Determinants of Infant Behavior. Wiley, N.Y.<br />
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HARLOW, H.F. (1965) Total social isolation: effects on macaque monkey behavior. Science, 148: 666.<br />
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HINDE, R.A. (1960) Energy models of motivation. Symposia on Social Experimental Biology, 14: 199-213.<br />
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HINDE, R.A. (1966) Animal Behaviour: a synthesis of ethology and comparative psychology. McGraw-Hill, London (sec. ed. 1970).<br />
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HINDE, R.A. (1970) The nature and control of aggressive behavior. Paper UNESCO interdisciplinary expert meeting. Paris. (International Social Science Journal, 23(1), 1971).<br />
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HINDE, R.A. (197A) The study of aggression: determinants, consequences, goals and functions. In: J. de Wit & W. Hartup (Eds.) Determinants and Origins of Aggressive Behavior. Mouton, The Hague.<br />
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HOPF, S. (1981) Verhaltensbiologische Aspekte normaler und gestorter sozialer Entwicklung bei Primaten. In: Sozialisationsstorungen und Sucht. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Wiesbaden.<br />
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KAVANAU, J. (1967) Behaviour of captive white-feeted mice. Science, 155: 1623-1639.<br />
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KELSY, J.E. & D. CASSIDY (1976) The reinforcing properties of aggressive vs. non-aggressive social interactions in isolated male ICR mice ('Mus musculus'). Aggressive Behavior, 2, A: 275-284.<br />
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KREUZ, L.E., R.M. ROSE & J.R. JENNINGS (1972) Suppression of plasma testosterone levels and psychological stress. Archives of General Psychiatry, 26: 479-482.<br />
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KRUIJT, J.P. (1964) Ontogeny of social behavior in Burmese red junglefowl ('Gallus gallus spadiceus') Bonnaterre. Behaviour, suppl. 12, whole volume.<br />
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KRUIJT, J.P. (1971) Ontogenie en gedrag, In: Ethologie, de biologie van gedrag. Pudoc, Wageningen.<br />
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KORTMULDER, K. (1972) A comparative study in colour patterns and behaviour in seven 'Barbus' species; a progress report. Behaviour, suppl. 19, whole volume.<br />
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KORTMULDER, K. (1974) On ethology and human behaviour. Acta Biotheoretica, 23, 2: 55-78.<br />
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LAGERSPETZ, K.M.J. (1964) Studies on the aggressive behavior of mice. Annales Academiae Scientiarum Fennicae, Series B, 131-133. <br />
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LEGRAND, R. (1970) Successful aggression as the reinforcer for runway behavior of mice. Psychonomic Sciences, 20, 5: 303-305. <br />
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LESHNER, A.I. (1975) A model for hormones and agonistic behavior. Physiology & Behavior, 15, 2: 225-235. <br />
<br />
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LORENZ, K. (1950) The comparative method in studying innate behaviour patterns. Symposia on Social Experimental Biology, 4: 221-268. <br />
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Borotha-Schoeck Verlag, Wien. MANNING, A. (1969) An Introduction to Animal Behaviour. Edward Arnold, London.<br />
<br />
MARLER, P. & W.J. HAMILTON (1966) Mechanisms of Animal Behavior. Wiley, N.Y.<br />
<br />
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causal processes. General Systems Yearbook, Vol. 8, 1963. <br />
<br />
MASLOW, A.H. (1954) Motivations and Personality. Harper, N.Y. (-1970). <br />
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<br />
MAYNARD SMITH, J. (1974) The theory of games and the evolution of animal<br />
conflicts. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 47, 1: 209-221. <br />
<br />
MAYNARD SMITH, J. (1978) The evolution of behavior. Scientific American, 239, 3: 136-145.<br />
<br />
MAYNARD SMITH, J. & G.R. PRICE (1973) The logic of animal conflict. Nature, 246: 15-18.<br />
<br />
van der MOLEN, P.P. (1979) Dimensions of social behavior in house mice<br />
('Mus musculus'). Manuscript, Univ. Groningen. <br />
<br />
van der MOLEN, P.P. (1981) Striving, Playing and Learning: aggression and the dynamics of learning in the play and struggle called life. Manuscript, Univ. Groningen. <br />
<br />
van der MOLEN, P.P. (in prep.) On the dimensions and dynamics of personality from mice to men. Heymans Bulletin, HB-78-401-EX, Univ. Groningen.<br />
<br />
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for first year of life. I. Rehabilitation and therapy. Developmental Psychology, 11: 453-465. <br />
<br />
0RME-JOHNSON, D.W. (1973) Autonomic stability and transcendental meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 35, 4: 341-349. <br />
<br />
PARKER, G.A. (1974) Assessment strategy and the evolution of fighting<br />
behavior. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 47, 1: 223-243. <br />
<br />
PEIJS, G.L.A.M. (1977) Development of Social Behaviour in the Rat. Nijmegen.<br />
<br />
RASA, D.A.E. (1971) Appetence for aggression in juvenile Damsel fish.<br />
Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie, Beiheft 7, 1971. <br />
<br />
RASA, D.A.E. (1980) Ethological aspects of aggressive behaviour. Paper Conference 'Biology of Aggression', Bonas, France, van ROOIJEN, J. (1976) 'Vlucht' en verwante begrippen in biologie en psychologie (Het Schade-anticiperend Gedragssysteem). Internal Report, Dept. of Ethology, Univ. Groningen. <br />
<br />
ROSE, R.M., T.P. GORDON & I.S. BERNSTEIN (1972) Plasma testosterone levels in the male rhesus: influence of sexual and social stimuli. Science, 178: 643-645.<br />
<br />
SCHUURMAN, T. (198]) Endocrine processes underlying victory and defeat in the male rat, Thesis, Univ. Groningen.<br />
<br />
SCHUSTER, R.H. (1978) Ethological theories of aggression. In: I. Kutash et al. (Eds.) Violence: perspectives on murder and aggression. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.<br />
<br />
SCOTT, J.P. (1973) Hostility and Aggression. In: B. Wolman (Ed.) Handbook of General Psychology. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs.<br />
<br />
SEVENSTER, P.A. (1973) Ethologie, de biologie van gedrag. Pudoc, Wageningen.<br />
<br />
SIMPSON, M.J.A. (1976) The study of animal play. In: P. Bateson & R. Hinde (Eds.) Growing Points in Ethology. Cambridge U.P.<br />
<br />
SMITH, K.C.P. & M.J. APTER (1975) A Theory of Psychological Reversals. Picton Publ., Chippenham.<br />
<br />
SUOMI, S.J., M.L. COLLINS, H.F. HARLOW & G.C. RUPPENTHAL (1976) Effects of maternal and peer separations on young monkeys. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 17(2), 101-112.<br />
<br />
TAYLOR, G.T. (1975) Male aggression in the presence of an estrous female. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 89, 3: 246-252.<br />
<br />
TEDESCHI, J.T., R.B. SMITH & R.C. BROWN (1974) A reinterpretation of re¬search on aggression. Psychological Bulletin, 81, 9: 540-562.<br />
<br />
TEDESCHI, J.T., G.G. GAES & A.N. RIVERA (1977) Aggression and the use of coercive power. Journal of Social Issues, 33, 1: 101-125.<br />
<br />
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<br />
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ZILLMANN, D. (1979) Hostility and Aggression. Lawrence Erlbaum. Hillsdale N.J.</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8799A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2021-03-09T22:29:15Z<p>Baby Boy: /* 1.5Ten issues to take into account */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quick scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
<br />
After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[[1.5]]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
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<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
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((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Your support''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' If you wish to support the work on this Wiki you can do two things for us:<br />
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You can copy this Wiki. This will prevent any party that feels threatened through it contents, from effectively destroying it. Copies will exist all over the place and the information gathered here cannot be undone any more. For copying instructions, '''click''' [[Omega_Research:Site_support#Copy this wiki (our version of 'CopyRight')|'''''here''''']].<br />
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You can send us a tax deductible donation. (Click [[Omega Research:Site support|'''''here''''']]) Your donation will be used to improve and spread the contents of this Wiki and to support the scientific research behind it.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8798A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2021-03-09T22:28:46Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Ten issues to take into account */</p>
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<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quick scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
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In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
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This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== [[1.5]]'''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
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<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
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<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
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In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
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1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
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2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
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3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
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As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
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In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
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What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
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And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
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((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
<br />
=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
<br />
If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
<br />
We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
<br />
And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
<br />
Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
<br />
For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
<br />
“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
<br />
Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
<br />
Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
<br />
Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
<br />
[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
<br />
=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
<br />
The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
<br />
Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
<br />
It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
<br />
For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
<br><br />
'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
<br />
Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
<br />
Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
<br />
((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
<br />
From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
<br />
The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
<br />
The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
<br />
If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Omega_Research:Map&diff=8797Omega Research:Map2021-03-02T18:46:16Z<p>Baby Boy: </p>
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<div>[[Main Page|'''Welcome to Omega Research Wiki''']]<br />
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[[Omega Research:General disclaimer|'''[[0.1]]''''''Disclaimer''']]<br />
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'''[[Omega Research:About|'''[[0]]'''About this Omega Research Wiki]]'''<br />
* [[Omega Research:Aboutwiki.omega-research.org/Omega_Research:About#.5B.5B0.2.5D.5DGoal_of_this_sitehttps://wiki.omega-research.org/Omega_Research:About#.5B.5B0.2.5D.5DGoal_of_this_site|'''[[0.2]]'''Goal of this site]]<br />
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** [['''[[0.2.2]]'''To finally put an end to war, destruction, genocide and wholesale rape]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|<br />
'''[[0.3]''']|'''Definitions of Point Omega''']]<br />
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** '''[[0.3.1]]'''[[The end of the second intermediary phase before any evolving intelligence, whenever and wherever in the universe, reaches maturity and full deployment.]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#<br />
'''[[0.3]]'''What this site is about and what it is not|<br />
** [[Omega Research:About#What this site is about and what it is not|Main text]]<br />
** '''[[0.3.2]]'''[[Curiosity replacing fear, rather than science replacing belief systems]]<br />
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'''[[0.6]''']'''Reading scheme / Overview / Contents'''<br />
<br />
'''Featured articles'''<br />
* '''[[[1]]]'''[[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Introduction|Introduction]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#For your efficiency and comfort|For your efficiency and comfort]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Your personal taste|Your personal taste]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#About human survival|About human survival]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#New data|New data]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Novel concepts (#1 to #4)|Novel concepts (#1 to #4)]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#More issues (#5 to #8) to take into account|More issues (#5 to #8) to take into account]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki#Another novel concept (#9)|Another novel concept (#9)]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Putting bits and pieces together|Putting bits and pieces together]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding|More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#How to put all bits and pieces together; three bits still missing|How to put all bits and pieces together; three bits still missing]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2|The C.E.L. (Cognition Energy Learning model), missing piece #2]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Explanatory power of the C.E.L.|Explanatory power of the C.E.L.]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Social Selection forces and Population Cycles, missing piece #9|Social Selection forces and Population Cycles, missing piece #9]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Human Blindness to the Self, missing piece #1|Human Blindness to the Self, missing piece #1]] <br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago|The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago|Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What we can do|What we can do]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What we can do to un-block awareness|What we can do to un-block awareness]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Approaching the problems with a better tool box|Approaching the problems with a better tool box]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Two technical reasons that prevent long lasting social equilibria|Two technical reasons that prevent long lasting social equilibria]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Times are changing; what we may expect|Times are changing; what we may expect]]<br />
*** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#What will human society look like after Point Omega ?|What will human society look like after Point Omega ?]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#In summary .....|In summary .....]]<br />
** [[A guided tour through this Wiki#Your support|Your support]]<br />
* [[Omega Research:About#Definitions of "Point Omega"|Point Omega (definitions)]]<br />
* [[Point Omega (summary)|Point Omega (4 pages summary of this site)]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)|20-line summary]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness|Self Blindness and Social-role Blindness]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations|Reversal Theory of Emotions and Motivations]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Impersonal power structures ruling our world|Impersonal power structures ruling our world]]<br />
** [[Point Omega (summary)#Point Omega / Mass enlightenment|Point Omega / Mass enlightenment]]<br />
* [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Introduction]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|Reversal Theory]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Requirements of open-ended learning|Requirements of open-ended learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Function of the motivational states in the process of learning|Function of the motivational states in the process of learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Learning-drive mechanisms|Learning-drive mechanisms]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|Positive and negative learning spirals]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative clusters of COndensed EXperience|Positive and negative clusters of COndensed EXperience]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#An illustration: the Neurotic Paradox explained|An illustration: the Neurotic Paradox explained]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#"Trying very hard" and the process of learning|"Trying very hard" and the process of learning]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#One-sidedness of psychological theories|One-sidedness of psychological theories]]<br />
** [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Behavioural idiosyncrasies and the dimension of "self-actualization"|Behavioural idiosyncrasies and the dimension of "self-actualization"]]<br />
* [[Striving, Playing and Learning]]('''Issue #7''')<br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment|1. Critical recovery periods, an Experiment]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1.1 Hormonal Feedback|1.1 Hormonal Feedback]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning|1.2 Recovery Intervals and Learning]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2. Some models of agonistic behaviour|2. Some models of agonistic behaviour]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis|2.1 The Conflict- or Ambivalence Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis|2.2 The Psychohydraulic Model: the Catharsis Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior|2.3 Aggression and Emergency Behavior]]<br/><br />
*** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion|2.4 Aggression,and Behavioral Reduction versus Behavioral Expansion]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#3. The Reversal Hypothesis|3. The Reversal Hypothesis]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning|4. An Additional Hypothesis: Integration of Theories on Aggression and on Learning]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals|5. Positive and Negative Learning Spirals]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire|6. The Use of the 'Aggression'-Label as an Element of the Agonistic Repertoire]]<br/><br />
** [[Striving, Playing and Learning#7. By way of Conclusion|7. By way of Conclusion]]<br/><br />
* [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)|Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (C.E.L.) (1)]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#1. The Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|1. Homeostasis versus Bi-Stability]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#1. The Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|2. The Bi-stable Organization of Motivation]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals|3. Two Metamotivational States and Reversals]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level|4. The Energy Dependent Basis of Motivation: Different Consequences on the Proximal and on the Ultimal Level]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience|5. Motivational Sequences, Learning Spirals and Cognitive Areas of Experience]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#6. Cognitive Development|6. Cognitive Development]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#7. Summary and Conclusions|7. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#References|References]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (1)#Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject|Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject]]<br />
* [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L.) (2)]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Introduction|Introduction]] <br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory|Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory|Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning Model|Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning Model]] <br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes|Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories|Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories]]<br />
** [[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model#Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area|Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area]]<br />
* [[Energy and Strokes|Energy and Strokes: How the quality of social relationships influences the process of learning and individual development]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#1. Transactional Emotions and Reversals in Social Interactions from an Evolutionary Point of View|1. Transactional Emotions and Reversals in Social Interactions from an Evolutionary Point of View]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#2. Pro-social Behaviour and Conditions for its Occurrence|2. Pro-social Behaviour and Conditions for its Occurrence]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#3. Two Postulates on the way in which Social Behaviour is Regulated|3. Two Postulates on the way in which Social Behaviour is Regulated]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#4. Two Metamotivational States ruling Social Behaviour|4. Two Metamotivational States ruling Social Behaviour]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#5. Social Means or "Strokes" as the Currency in Social Transactions|5. Social Means or "Strokes" as the Currency in Social Transactions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#6. Combinations of Telic and Paratelic States with Allocentric and Autocentric States|6. Combinations of Telic and Paratelic States with Allocentric and Autocentric States]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#7. Synergetic Outcomes in Somatic and in Transactional Emotions|7. Synergetic Outcomes in Somatic and in Transactional Emotions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#8. Conditions for Synergetic Effects|8. Conditions for Synergetic Effects]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#9. Social Contacts and Positive or Negative Learning Spirals|9. Social Contacts and Positive or Negative Learning Spirals]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#10. "Contagiousness" of Interpersonal Psychological Skills and Adaptation|10. "Contagiousness" of Interpersonal Psychological Skills and Adaptation]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#11. Social Support: Data from Effectivity Research and what has been missing up till now|11. Social Support: Data from Effectivity Research and what has been missing up till now]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#12. Summary and Conclusions|12. Summary and Conclusions]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#References|References]]<br />
** [[Energy and Strokes#Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject|Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject]]<br />
* [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Evolution of Intelligence|Evolution of Intelligence]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Breaking out of the customary intelligence ceiling|Breaking out of the customary intelligence ceiling]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Self Blindness and Social Role Blindness|Self Blindness and Social Role Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Cultural props for Self-Blindness|Cultural props for Self-Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Point Omega|Point Omega]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Where do we stand ?|Where do we stand ?]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Point Omega and Self-Blindness|Point Omega and Self-Blindness]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Before Point Omega:|Before Point Omega:]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#After Point Omega:|After Point Omega:]]<br />
** [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence#Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance|Towards "Amathology" or the science of ignorance]]<br />
* [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|Eating from the Forbidden Fruit: on the power of Good and Evil since the agricultural revolution; a consequence of "jet-lag" in recent human evolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#"Amathology", an introduction|"Amathology", an introduction]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#No-go areas for our intelligence|No-go areas for our intelligence]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The confusing role of established religions|The confusing role of established religions]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment|The primordial niche of Homo sapiens and the feelings and emotions "fitting" that environment]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#New demands and requirements since the agricultural revolution|New demands and requirements since the agricultural revolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Friction between P-feelings and N-demands; "Primordial" versus "New"|Friction between P-feelings and N-demands; "Primordial" versus "New"]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Some basic requirements for successful power structures|Some basic requirements for successful power structures]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Where evolution is leading us|Where evolution is leading us]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The evolutionary importance of blindness for self and the illusion of Good and Bad|The evolutionary importance of blindness for self and the illusion of Good and Bad]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Quantity of physical energy, invested in maintaining blindness and illusion|Quantity of physical energy, invested in maintaining blindness and illusion]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#The illusory aspects of the Positive/negative or Good/Bad dimension|The illusory aspects of the Positive/negative or Good/Bad dimension]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Cultural power structures using Good and Evil as an effective blinding tool|Cultural power structures using Good and Evil as an effective blinding tool]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Power structures utilizing "jet-lag" effects in human evolution|Power structures utilizing "jet-lag" effects in human evolution]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Good and Evil, how great religions consolidate their power|Good and Evil, how great religions consolidate their power]]<br />
** [[Eating from the Forbidden Fruit#Summary: "amathology", the science of ignorance, as a crucial tool for our survival|Summary: "amathology", the science of ignorance, as a crucial tool for our survival]]<br />
* [[Good and Bad, an illusory dimension as the cornerstone of human personality]] (under construction; ook nog paragrafen opnemen)<br />
* [[Impersonal Power Structures ruling our world]] (under construction)<br />
** [[The evolution of Gene-structures and of Meme-structures]] (to be added)<br />
** Consequences of the difference in speed of the gene- and the meme-evolution (to be added)<br />
** [[Existential friction: Homo sapiens at the interface between the gene- and the meme evolution]] (to be added)<br />
** The evolutionary stability of mass-neuroticism (to be added)<br />
** Mechanisms that safeguard mass-neuroticism (to be added)<br />
*** Selection for Sociability and Population Cycles; the cause for periodic conflict and disaster (to be added; refer to separate article below) <br />
*** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability]] (under construction)<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Civilization as a conspiracy against evolution]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|To finally put an end to war, destruction and wholesale rape]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Corruption as the default social structure]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Genetic pollution and corruption as one of its automatic effects]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Advantages and disadvantages of corruption]]<br />
**** [[Genetic pollution precluding social stability|Two reasons for the need of continuous selection pressure and the impossibility of stability]]<br />
*** Overcrowding (to be added)<br />
** Religions as power structures (to be added)<br />
** [[Contemporary weakening of the foundations of Power Structures]] (under construction)<br />
* [[The biological instability of social equilibria|Social-Role Blindness and the periodic emergence of conflict and disaster; on Population Cycles precluding the establishment of lasting social equilibria]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria (abstract)|Abstract]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Outline|Outline]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Some consequences of living socially|Some consequences of living socially]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Life cycles of social groups and structures|Hypothesis: Life cycles of social groups and structures]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Evolutionary advantages|Evolutionary advantages]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Experiments with behavioural differences in house mice|Data: Experiments with behavioural differences in house mice]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Experiments with beta- and omega-roles|Experiments with beta- and omega-roles]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Other ethological research data|Other ethological research data]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Human behaviour|Human behaviour]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Genetics|Genetics]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Selection within human social structures|Selection within human social structures]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Ossification|Ossification]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Social-role blindness|Social-role blindness]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Nature and nurture|Discussion: Nature and nurture]]<br />
** [[The biological instability of social equilibria#Perspective|Perspective]]<br />
* [[K.A.I. and Changes in Social Structures: on the Anatomy of Catastrophy]]<br />
* [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The importance of ignorance and superstition]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#What is genetic pollution ?|What is genetic pollution ?]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Examples of genetic pollution|Examples of genetic pollution]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#The F1 trick in cattle breeding|The F1 trick in cattle breeding]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Effects in human society|Effects in human society]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#The end of a civilization|The end of a civilization]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Population genetic waves and war|Population genetic waves and war]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Awareness versus taboos|Awareness versus taboos]]<br />
** [[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history#Time to wake up|Time to wake up]]<br />
* [[Personality of Mice and Men; re-arranging personality dimensions in a six-dimensional adjective space]] (to be added)<br />
* [[Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities; an innovative theoretical essay on the possibility of overcoming the chaotic diversity in personality theories]] (to be added)<br />
* Why never peace (to be added; + SISWO-scheme)<br />
* [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|The significance of the Point Omega transition (under construction)]]<br />
* [[Characteristics of human behaviour before and after Point Omega]]<br />
* [[Directives for after Point Omega|Directives for after Point Omega (under construction)]]<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega|Conclusions from Point Omega Research]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega#Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself|Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself (under construction)]]<br />
** [[Directives for after Point Omega#Procreate consciously|Procreate consciously (under construction)]]<br />
* [[Enlightenment]]<br />
** [[Enlightenment#What is enlightenment?|What is enlightenment?]]<br />
** [[Enlightenment#The relationship between organized religion and enlightenment|The relationship between organized religion and enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Enlightenment#Shortcuts to enlightenment|Shortcuts to enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
** [[Enlightenment#Further reading on enlightenment|Further reading on enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
<br />
'''[[Omega Research Foundation]]'''<br />
* Goals (to be added)<br />
* How to contribute (to be added)<br />
** Donations, tax free (to be added)<br />
** Legacies (to be added)<br />
** Volunteers (to be added)<br />
<br />
'''Suggested further reading'''<br />
* [[further reading|List of literature and references]]<br />
* Comments on Richard Dawkins' "[[The God Delusion]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Straw Dogs, Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Black Mass, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia]]"<br />
* Comments on Eckhart Tolle's "[[A New Earth|A New Earth, Awakening to your life's purpose]]"<br />
* Comments on Daniel Quinn's "[[Beyond Civilization, humanity's next great adventure]]" <br />
* Comments on Ruiz (To be added)<br />
* Comments on Kris Verburgh's "[[Fantastisch, over het universum in ons hoofd]]"<br />
* Comments on Amy Wallace's "[[Sorcerer's Apprentice, my life with Carlos Castaneda]]"<br />
* [[Movie pictures and websites on related subjects]]</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8796A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2021-03-02T18:27:21Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Ten issues to take into account */</p>
<hr />
<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
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(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
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== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
''<br />
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=== Preface ===<br />
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Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
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Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
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What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
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It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
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In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
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Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
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In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
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The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
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*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
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*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
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*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
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Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quick scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
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=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
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Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
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* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
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* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
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* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
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Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
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Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
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==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
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While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
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((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
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Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
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After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
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So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
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From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
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Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
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'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
<br />
Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
<br><br />
<br />
'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
<br />
1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
<br />
2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
<br />
3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
<br> <br />
<br />
'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
<br />
When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
<br />
That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
<br />
In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
<br />
It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== '''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
<br />
At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
<br />
4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
<br />
These first 4 issues are:<br />
<br />
<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance (Issue #1)''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
<br />
<br />
In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
<br />
<br />
Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
<br />
<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
<br />
<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
<br />
<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
<br />
<br />
We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
<br />
'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
<br />
'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
<br><br />
<br />
<br />
We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
<br />
<br><br />
<br />
== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
<br />
'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
<br />
As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
<br />
In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
<br />
In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
<br />
- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
<br />
- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
<br />
- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
<br />
- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
<br />
- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
<br />
- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
<br />
<br />
The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
<br />
Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
<br><br />
<br />
<br />
'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
<br />
However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
<br />
However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
<br />
This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
<br />
1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
<br />
2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
<br />
3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
<br />
4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
<br />
5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
<br />
6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
<br />
7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
<br />
8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
<br />
9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
<br />
10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
<br />
As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
<br />
Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
<br />
In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
<br />
((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
<br />
What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
<br />
And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
<br />
((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
<br />
There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
<br />
<br />
If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
<br />
<br />
[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
<br />
((DNA streng))<br />
<br />
=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
<br />
Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
<br />
((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
<br />
In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
<br />
The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
<br />
However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
<br />
For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
<br />
Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
<br />
((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
<br />
So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
<br />
Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
<br />
We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
<br />
((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
<br />
((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
<br />
== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
<br />
((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
<br />
<br />
'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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<br />
All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
<br />
((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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<br />
Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
<br />
=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
<br />
If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
<br />
Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
<br />
The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
<br />
Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
<br />
It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
<br><br />
'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
<br />
Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
<br />
Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
<br />
((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
<br />
From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
<br />
The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
<br />
((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
<br />
The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
<br />
The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
<br />
If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&diff=8795Main Page2021-03-02T18:19:24Z<p>Baby Boy: /* Featured articles */</p>
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* '''[[2.1]]'''[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning]]<br />
* '''[[2.2]]'''[[Striving, Playing and Learning]]<br />
* '''[[2.3.1]]'''[[Towards an-Energy-Learning -Cognition-Model (1)|Towards an -Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.) (1)]]('''Issue #7''')<br />
* '''[[2.3.2]]'''[[Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model|Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition Model (E.L.C.)]] (2)<br />
* '''[[2.4]]'''[[Energy and Strokes|Energy and Strokes: how the quality of relationships influences the process of learning and individual development]]<br />
* '''[[2.5]]'''[[Behaviorism versus Humanism, an Integration; Application of the Cognition Energy Learning Model (CEL) on an old controversy]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[3]]'''[[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence]]<br />
* [[Selection pressure for high as well as for low levels of intelligence in modern Homo sapiens]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[4]]'''[[ Eating from the Forbidden Fruit|Eating from the Forbidden Fruit: on the power of Good and Evil]]<br />
* '''[[5]]'''[[Good and Bad, an illusory dimension as the cornerstone of human personality]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[5.1]]'''[[Impersonal Power Structures ruling our world]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[6]]'''[[The biological instability of social equilibria (abstract)]]<br />
* '''[[6.1]]'''[[The biological instability of social equilibria]] (main article)<br />
* '''[[6.2]]'''[[K.A.I. and Changes in Social Structures: on the Anatomy of Catastrophy]]<br />
* '''[[7]]'''[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history]]<br />
* '''[[7.1]]'''[[Genetic pollution precluding social stability]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[8]]'''[[Personality differences in House mice]] (to be added)<br />
*'''[[8.1]]''' [[Personality of Mice and Men; re-arranging personality dimensions in a six-dimensional adjective space]]<br />
* '''[[8.2]]'''[[Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities; an innovative theoretical essay on the possibility of overcoming the chaotic diversity in personality theories]]<br />
* [[Escaping from Chaos: Temperamental Personality Traits in terms of Social-Role Probabilities]] (to be added)<br />
* [[Why never peace ?]] (to be added)<br />
* '''[[[9]]]'''[[The significance of the Point Omega transition]] (under construction)<br />
* '''[[[10]]]'''[[Characteristics of human behaviour before and after Point Omega]] (to be added)<br />
* '''[[[11]]]'''[[Enlightenment]] (under construction)<br />
* [[What it means to be human]] (concept, schedule)<br />
* '''[[0.5.2]]'''[[Curiosity replacing fear, rather than science replacing belief systems]]<br />
* '''[[[13]]]'''[[First Aid pages]]<br />
<br />
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This wiki is brought to you by the [[Omega Research Foundation]].<br />
You might also be interested in our [http://blog.omega-research.org/ Weblog].<br />
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* [[Omega Research Foundation|Goals of foundation]]<br />
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== Further reading, movie pictures, websites ==<br />
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* [[Omega Research:Videos and websites on related subjects]]<br />
<br />
* Comments on Richard Dawkins' "[[The God Delusion]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Straw Dogs, Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals]]"<br />
* Comments on John Gray's "[[Black Mass, Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia]]"<br />
On some IDW (Intellectual Dark Web) participants (The Intellectual Dark Web is a label, given to a group of philosophers, evolutionary psychologists and political thinkers who have been rather influential recently and are often, as individuals or as a group, been strongly criticized or otherwise attacked by politicians and other people who pretend to be responsible for guarding and directing public opinion We feel that the many discussions with and between these authors, placed on Internet by means of YouTube presentations, TED-talks and similar modern publication means, can be highly enlightening for the sincere seeker of truth :<br />
Sam Harris:<br />
[www.amazon.de/Sam-Harris/e/B001H6UFQ0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1545557223&sr=8-2-ent]<br />
Jordan Peterson:<br />
<br />
[[/www.amazon.de/12-Rules-Life-chaotischen-verändert/dp/344231514X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1545554068&sr=8-3&keywords=peterson|12 Rules for life,]]and on YouTube:<br />
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJyz6iK8VXE]<br />
Richard Dawkins:<br />
* Comments on Daniel Quinn's "[[Beyond Civilization, humanity's next great adventure]]"<br />
* Comments on Ruiz<br />
* Comments on Eckhart Tolle's "[[A New Earth|A New Earth, Awakening to your life's purpose]]"<br />
* Comments on Kris Verburgh's "[[Fantastisch, over het universum in ons hoofd]]"<br />
* Comments on Amy Wallace's "[[Sorcerer's Apprentice, my life with Carlos Castaneda]]"<br />
* List of Cognitive Biases in Humans [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases (from Wikipedia)]<br />
<br />
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* [[Further reading|List of literature and references]]<br />
__NOTOC__</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model&diff=8794Towards a Cognition-Energy-Learning Model2021-03-02T18:14:26Z<p>Baby Boy: /* References */</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<center><br />
STATE UNIVERSITY GRONINGEN - HEYMANSBULLETIN - HB-91-1030-EX <br />
<br />
<big><b>Towards an Energy-Learning -Cognition model (E.L.C.) (2)</b></big><br />
<br />
Presented for the fifth international conference on<br/><br />
Reversal Theory, June 21-25, 1991 at Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.<br/><br />
(second part)<br />
</center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
''' Introduction'''<br />
<br />
{{Level|2}} This report describes the C.E.L. (Cognition-Energy-Learning model) which is based on a number of established psychological theories. This model is integrative in the sense that it describes different classes of behaviour, of personal insights and of experiences that are generally regarded as distinct areas of psychological research. Examples are: emotions, motivation, cognitive representation of experiences, coping behaviour and the ethological concept of the efficient allocation of energy. The importance of this model lies, therefore, firstly in the opportunity it provides to classify all those different psychological phenomena in a logically coherent and consistent way. In addition, the model provides a ''basic explanation'' of learning behaviour, as it refers back to the evolutionary basis of behaviour. In other words: it is possible to indicate ''why'' effective coping behaviour develops and also ''why'' this development may stagnate. Coping means here: behaviour that is geared to mastering a problem situation. Subsequently, the model explains on the one hand the connection between emotions and motivation and on the other hand the way in which the cognitive representation of experiences is laid down and how it gradually shifts and changes.<br />
<br />
In each chapter of this treatise, one theoretic approach of a specific phenomenon will be discussed and any lacunae, gaps or specific problems of the theory concerned, will be identified. We shall then attempt to solve these problems in the next chapter, adding an additional piece of theory. This way, four theories will be discussed, all of which show hiatuses in some specific respects.<br />
<br />
The basis of this treatise is Lazarus' classical theory. According to Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen, 1980), stress arises when a person notices that environmental requirements demand too much of his/her available resources.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states that stress situations do not necessarily have to be experienced as negative. It is, however, often the case; when a person expects that his or her abilities and resources for dealing with specific environmental requirements are insufficient, he or she will probably expect damage or loss. Such situations may be experienced as extremely threatening. On the other hand, great demand may be exerted on a person in terms of adaptability while that person still thinks he or she can handle the situation well. Such situations might be regarded as challenges, regarding the opportunity to gain advantages or more control or is affecting personal growth. Adequate reactions in such situations may then influence that person's well-being very positively. Thus, stress situations are not always experienced as negative, but depend on the interpretation by the person in question. When a person experiences stress, he or she may develop strategies to limit damage, or even profit from the situation. In literature this is called coping.<br />
<br />
With regard to the interpretation of stress situations, Lazarus (1980) states that it is a problem that too little is known about which situations are felt to be threatening or challenging, and when that happens and by whom. This hiatus can neatly be filled by Apter's Reversal theory (chapter 2). In this theory two so-called meta-motivational states are proposed. These metamotivational states determine how a person perceives a specific situation and the type of behaviour with which he of she will react to it.<br />
<br />
However, one disadvantage of Apter's theory is its descriptive nature and the fact that it does not account for a connection between the dynamics of motivation and the learning processes mentioned above.<br />
<br />
Van der Molen's learning model, described in chapter 3, does provide this connection and is thus able to explain how these learning processes are maintained. In this model the "contagious nature" of learning experiences is described too. That is, a learning experience that is badly dealt with, increases the likelihood that future learning experiences in similar areas of experience will also be badly dealt with which means that it is likely that the area concerned will stay and always will be problematical. (the reverse applies to learning experiences which are dealt with successfully). The cognitive interpretation or emotional "labelling" of similar areas of experience (for example "exciting" or "boring") always depends on a person's metamotivational condition. Van der Molen's model describes how metamotivational conditions affect learning processes. The model does not yet, however, adequately describe how these conditions influence cognitive contents.<br />
<br />
Lewicka's model of antagonistic cognitive styles (chapter 4) does discuss this aspect. In this model two mechanisms are described which are alternately active in a person (comparable to Apter's theory). Which of the two mechanisms is active at a specific moment, determines what type of information a person will seek in the first place and also determines how cognitive information will be structured.<br />
By combining and integrating the theories mentioned (chapter 5) we have been able to develop a model that not only explains the growth of coping strategies, but also explains the relation between the dynamics of emotions and motivation on the one hand and the way in which cognitive contents are effected and develop on the other hand. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model (CEL).<br />
<br />
This will be exemplified with empirical information about the coping behaviour of teachers (Romkes, 1988, chapter 6).<br />
<br />
== Chapter 1: Lazarus' coping theory ==<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter Lazarus' theory (e.g. 1980, 1984) of coping behaviour is discussed. The most important ideas of this theory are summarized and at the end of the chapter we show that the theory contains a number of gaps with regard to the process of learning and the development of coping skills. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Transactions between persons and their environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus (in Bond and Rosen,1980) calls his approach to stress and coping behaviour cognitive-phenomenological. Emotions and stress are regarded as products of cognitive activity, relating to the way in which a person assesses and evaluates his or her relation with the environment. Lazarus emphasizes that there is a continuous relationship between persons and their environment. On the one hand there are people with individual values, beliefs, skills, etc. On the other hand there are situations, with varying requirements, limitations and facilities. Together they form a dynamic system in which there is a continuous process of mutual influence and change. Lazarus states that there is a ''transaction'' between persons and their environment which changes (adapts / transforms) constantly in the course of time. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== The concept of appraisal: assessment of the environment ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In Lazarus' theory the term ''appraisal'', that is to say the cognitive assessment by a person of a (real, imaginary or expected) transaction, is central. Lazarus distinguishes between ''primary appraisal'', ''secondary appraisal'' and ''reappraisal''. "Primary appraisal" refers to the process in which a person assesses whether and how a particular transaction will influence his or her own well-being. Such assessments can take three forms, irrelevant, positive or stressful. A person considers a situation to be stressful when he or she perceives that there are situational<br />
requirements that make a great demand on his or her adaptability and on the resources he or she possesses to respond to these demands. Appraisal of a situation as stressful can be divided into sub-types:<br />
* '''damage/loss'''; for example when a partner dies, loss of physical functions, loss of self-respect.<br />
* '''threat'''; expected or feared damage or loss which has not yet materialized.<br />
* '''challenge'''; growth opportunity, acquisition of control or advantage.<br />
Lazarus states that there is too little known about when and by what kind of people a situation is felt to be threatening rather than challenging (and vice versa). However, Lazarus does provide some information about these aspects:<br />
:"A working hypothesis about the causal antecedents of threat and challenge is that the former is more likely when a person assumes that the specific environment is hostile and dangerous and that he or she lacks the resources for mastering it, while challenge arises when the environmental demands are seen as difficult, but not impossible to manage, and that drawing upon existing or acquired skills offers a genuine prospect for mastery." (in Bond and Rosen, 1980, p. 48).<br />
<br />
This leads us to the second type of transaction assessment. The above quotation not only deals with appraisal of the situation and environmental demands, but also with a person's own possibilities to react adequately. Lazarus calls the latter "secondary appraisal", i.e. appraisal of the personal and social means a person has at his or her disposal, the effectiveness of a particular strategy of behaviour in the situation, as well as the possibility that new problems will be created as a result of one's own actions. <br />
<br />
With regard to transactions in which persons and environment influence each other, we can see that primary and secondary appraisal also affect each other. A situation which was originally seen as threatening, can for example be seen as less threatening when a person realises that damage can probably be prevented by adopting a particular strategy of behaviour. Lazarus calls this "reappraisal": a change in the original appraisal of a transaction, resulting from feedback from effectuated outcomes from this transaction, as a result of the person's actions, or by a (mere) re-thinking of the nature of this transaction. So appraisal is also a dynamic process in which changes take place constantly in the course of time and in which appraisal of the situation and one's own possibilities is constantly adjusted.<br />
<br />
Finally, we must observe that appraisal does not only mean rational assessment of the transaction, but also the quality and intensity of a person's emotional feedback on the transaction. For example, it is more likely that a positive assessment of a situation will cause a positive emotional reaction, such as joy or satisfaction. It is likely that a situation that is assessed as threatening will evoke negative emotions, such as fear or anger. In such cases a person feels that he/she is unable to react adequately to the demands that he or she are facing in a specific situation. In other words, he or she feels that they are beyond his or her coping activities. Let's pay some attention to the concept of ''coping''.<br />
<br />
=== Coping ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus gives the following definition of the term coping:<br />
:"We regard coping as problem-solving efforts made by an individual when the demands he faces are highly relevant to his welfare (that is, a situation of considerable jeopardy or promise), and when these demands tax his adaptive resourses." (in Coelho, 1974, p. 250-251).<br />
<br />
Coping activities can have two functions. First, a person can try to improve the situation by changing his or her own behaviour or environment. Secondly, a person can try to control emotions evoked by stress, so that morale and social functioning will not be influenced. Lazarus calls this ''palliation'', using a temporary measure to alleviate stress, such as denying, intellectualising or avoiding negative thoughts; in this way the situation itself does not change, but the individual makes sure that he or she feels better. Thus coping activities are not always rational or realistic, but can also be very irrational, primitive or rigid. Lazarus states that both kinds of coping are important; according to him realistic problem solving and primitive defensive mechanisms are two sides of the same coin.<br />
<br />
Lazarus distinguishes four types of coping activities: <br />
<br />
(a) ''Information seeking'': investigating the characteristics of a stressful situation in order to gain the knowledge necessary to make a correct coping decision, or to be able to assess threat or damage differently. On the one hand, seeking information can form a firm basis for an individual's action, on the other hand it can make this person feel better, by rationalising or supporting a previous decision; this is called "palliation".<br />
<br />
(b) ''Direct action'': action taken by an individual to handle a stressful situation, directed towards himself or herself or at the environment, depending on environmental demands and personal goals.<br />
<br />
(c) ''Inhibition of action''; suppression of action impulses that may otherwise cause damage, for example because they are morally or socially not acceptable, or because they can cause physical damage.<br />
<br />
(d) ''Intrapsychic modes'': cognitive processes aimed at regulating emotions which arise as a result of stressful situations. As with other coping activities, they can be aimed at incidents from the past (for example the reinterpretation of a traumatic experience), or at future events (for example denying that a particular situation may become dangerous). Usually they are aimed at increasing the feeling of well-being of this individual; therefore, succesful intrapsychic coping activities may restrict the number of active attempts an individual makes to control his of her environment.<br />
<br />
Lazarus admits that his rather rough division of coping activities is a rudimentary classification system; and indeed, a number of significant aspects are lacking. For example, it does not include any details about possible coping feedback and any antecedent conditions or results of different types of coping behaviour. There is still too little known about which situations evoke which types of coping behaviour. Moreover, Lazarus states that motivational and emotional aspects of coping receive relatively little attention in psychological studies. The developmental aspects of coping behaviour are also still unclear, and according to Lazarus studies of these aspects are essential in order to be able to understand the coping process more clearly.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Lazarus has developed a clear and understandable theory with regard to certain central concepts, such as the transaction between persons and their environment, the individual's appraisal of a transaction, emotional response on this appraisal and several types of coping activities. However, it is still not clear what exactly is the nature of the processes described. Some lack of clarity remains which Lazarus himself in fact also admits.<br />
<br />
Lazarus states, for example, that it is not clear which situations are experienced as threatening and not as a challenge, and by which persons (and vice versa). In the theory little is said about what kind of factors are important for acquiring coping behaviour and how the behavioural repetoire a person has at his or her disposal to respond to environmental demands, may develop in the course of time.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how Apter's Reversal theory can provide an answer to a number of the queries mentioned above.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 2: Apter's Reversal Theory ==<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to remedy Lazarus' theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} One of the deficiencies observed in Lazarus' theory can be remedied by supplementing it with Apter's Reversal theory. The Reversal theory provides a (descriptive) answer to the question relating to the various ways in which people react to the same, or similar, situations. The Reversal theory states that as far as human motivation is concerned people are in one of two metamotivational states. The way in which a situation is experienced depends on the state a person is in at a particular moment. The two states can be distinguished by the level of arousal that is preferred. ''Arousal'' is defined in this theory as being mentally and physically prepared for action.<br />
<br />
=== The organisation of motivation according to Apter ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} The ''Reversal theory'' has been developed by Apter and Smith (1975; see also Apter, 1984). The theory deals with the way in which people experience motives for their actions and descibes the process of changes in motivation. In this theory an individual is regarded as a complex "machine" that uses the environment for his or her own aims. This "machine" can behave according to different "programs" which determine the way in which the environment is experienced. The idea that one action can be performed with different motives is central. For example, a person may ride a bicycle, because he or she has to attend a meeting. This is a determined action. Here, riding a bicycle represents the means by which a goal can be achieved. However a person can also ride a bicycle "just" for pleasure. In this case a person acts according to the program "wanting to be active", and cycling is a goal in itself. Thus, there are two possible states in which a person can be. These states are characteristic of the way in which an act, in this case "cycling", is experienced. In the case of the meeting this act is purposive. In this situation cycling is not an act undertaken to create stress or excitement; here the aim is to fulfill a particular task. In other words: to remove the tension that is caused by being obliged to fulfill this task. In the second case cycling is an action which in itself evokes particularly pleasant excitement.<br />
<br />
For this reason the Reversal theory rejects a simplistic-homeostatic interpretation of human motivation in which there is just one optimal state of balance that individuals are seeking. This state of balance particularly refers to ''one optimal level'' of arousal. According to the homeostatic way of thinking, individuals will always try to achieve one optimal level of arousal and/or to remain at this level. However, the Reversal theory assumes that at times a low level of arousal is aimed and at other times, a high level of arousel. Therefore Apter introduces the concept of ''bi-stability''. This means, for example, that people may or may not feel fine at a low or a high level of arousal. As the examples mentioned above show, at times one's aim may simply be the performance of a particular task and the act is not meant to raise the level of arousal. At other times a person may seek excitement, in which case the same or a similar act can suddenly become exciting (arousal increasing).<br />
<br />
To illustrate these ideas we can consider a number of situations in which different levels of arousal are experienced. Generally (but not necessarily), there is a high level of arousal when a person watches an exciting film. One can imagine that this excitement can be both pleasant and unpleasant. For example, when a person has been working all day and the work was very boring, a movie picture can provide a welcome state of excitement. On the other hand, when a person has just been threatened in the street, the tension caused by the movie may be too much for him or her. In this situation a hot bath may be preferred as it is more likely to provide relaxation. Thus, there is a desire for a low level of arousal. The same hot bath may evoke boredom (in Apter's terms) in someone who has not done anything all day long. Therefore, it is important here that a particular level of arousal is not inadvertently connected with the person's well-being.<br />
<br />
These examples indicate that a person can feel good or not, depending on the level of arousal sought at that moment, in other words: depending on the metamotivational state a person is in at that moment. The level of arousal is always evoking a ''subjective experience''. In other words: an exciting experience for one person, may be boring to another.<br />
<br />
=== Bi-stability of emotions and motivation ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We have shown that there are two possible states of preference as far as the level of arousal is concerned. Firstly, there is the state in which a person aims at a low level of arousal and performs purposive action. This state is called arousal-avoidance or the ''telic state'' (telos is Greek for goal or purpose). In this state a low level of arousal is experienced as pleasant, Apter (1982) calls this "relaxation". A high level of arousal is experienced as unpleasant and is called "fear" by Apter. Secondly, there is the state in which a person aims at a high level of arousal and shows unpurposive action. This state is called the arousal-seeking or ''paratelic state'' (literally translated from Greek, paratelic means "without aim" or "goal-less"). In this state a high level of arousal will be experienced as pleasant "excitement", whereas a low level of arousal causes an unpleasant feeling: "boredom". These two states, telic and paratelic, differ as far as the experience of purpose, time and intensity is concerned (Apter, 1982; Murgatroyd, 1978, 1983). This is shown in table 2.1.<br />
<br />
The telic or paratelic state is as it were a frame for particular behaviour (Goffman, 1975). The states mentioned refer to the way in which the motivation of behaviour is experienced. For this reason they are called ''metamotivational states''. These states determine how experiences are labelled (see table 2.2, following next page). At any moment in time a person is always in one of these two states. The period of time in which a person can be in a particular state varies from a few seconds to some days (Walters, Apter and Svebak, 1982). <br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the telic and paratelic states<br />
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ In the telic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - purposive action ║<br />
║ - imposed purposes ║<br />
║ - attempts to complete actions ║<br />
║ - secure and routine behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for experience and safety ║<br />
║ - orientation to the outside world ║<br />
║ - behaviour aimed at the future ║<br />
║ - planned activities ║<br />
║ - activities that are a means to a purpose ║<br />
║ - preference for low intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - a high level of realism ║<br />
║ - preference for a low level of arousal ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ In the paratelic state there are: ║<br />
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ - process behaviour ║<br />
║ - avoidable and freely chosen "purposes" ║<br />
║ - attempts to extend activities and to make them continue ║<br />
║ - exploration ║<br />
║ - experimenting with behaviour ║<br />
║ - looking for news and excitement ║<br />
║ - a here-and-now experience ║<br />
║ - activities that are aims in themselves ║<br />
║ - activities that are spontaneous and free ║<br />
║ - a preference for high intensity experiences ║<br />
║ - imagination and exaggeration ║<br />
║ - preference for a high level of arousal ║<br />
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Pleasant and unpleasant experiences of high and low arousal.png|framed|none|Table 2.2 The variable meaning of the experienced level of arousal]]<br />
<br />
=== The reversals to the different states ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} We will now describe how a reversal from one state to another can take place. Reversals take place involuntarily, although a person may be capable of getting into a situation in which a reversal into one or another direction becomes likely. The frequency with which reversals take place differs from person to person and is, moreover, dependent on the situation a person is in (Blackmore and Murgatroyd in Apter, 1980).<br />
<br />
The Reversal theory describes several conditions that can lead to a reversal. Most important are "contingencies"; aspects of a person or of the environment change in such a way that a reversal is triggered. For example, if a particular drug is used, if a visitor arrives unexpectedly or in an emergency situation. The second condition that can lead to a reversal is called "satiation". It is assumed that a reversal becomes more likely when the period of time in which a person is in a particular metamotivational state increases. A person then becomes more sensitive to signals from the environment or from himself or herself that can lead to contingencies. The different conditions influence each other, and can make reversals more or less likely. Table 2.2 and figure 2.1 show that a reversal from one state to another changes the meaning given to the level of arousal experienced. A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, while a person experiences a high level of arousal, will result in a change from excitement to anxiety. A reversal from telic to paratelic, while a person experiences a low level of arousal, will result in a change from relaxation to boredom.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 2.1. Apter's Reversal model (from: Apter, 1985)]] <!-- XXX: In the original document, the top part of this figure is not used; make another version of the image? --><br />
<br />
<br />
=== Other possible sequences ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Figure 2.1 shows the way in which the process of interchanging emotions and motivation ''often'' takes place. However, another "direction" may be followed. For example, a person may remain in a state of anxiety for a long time, because he or she cannot relax sufficiently. This can happen to a person who is not completely in control of (a) particular situation(s). In this case it is unlikely that after some time a person will look for a state of excitement. It is also possible that the entire sequence of emotions (the butterfly figure) in figure 2.1 rises or falls along the vertical axis (Apter 1982). This indicates that a person feels mainly well or not well respectively. The first can take place when a person has many skills, and can handle all kinds of different situations well. This person will not experience boredom in the strict sense, because the unpleasant stage of the paratelic state will soon change into exploration or into other activities that cause excitement or/and which increase the hedonic tone. When, following a period of rest and/or relaxation a person reaches "satiation", he or she will not remain in a state of boredom (unpleasant), but will soon find opportunities to perform one or another paratelic action which will be experienced as pleasant.<br />
<br />
The butterfly in the figure may be at a lower level when a person is often anxious, or when he or she is chronically bored. Referring to Apter's model this situation can be explained by an inability to reach relaxation. As this person is unable to relax sufficiently for example, owing to an absence of skills, he or she will soon become (once more) over-aroused and anxious when he or she is in an exciting situation. That is, such situations become more threatening when a person can experience fewer moments of relaxation (Apter 1982). Such a person will, therefore, sooner experience the reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In other words: a person will relatively quickly get from the state in which the situation was exciting (paratelic) into the state in which the situation becomes frightening (telic). He or she will be relatively often in stages of low hedonic tone, while the periods of pleasant tension or pleasant excitement will be experienced less often. This person, therefore, will explore for shorter periods and less often. As we shall explain further in chapter 5, such situations have serious consequences for the development of the process of learning. <br />
<br />
In our view, chronic boredom can be considered as a symptom of a situation in which mainly unpleasant moods alternate. As soon as there is satiation of the telic state, there will unconsciously be a reversal to the paratelic state. However, before arousal-searching, expansive behaviour gets going well, there will often be a reversal to the telic state. The (unconscious) fear of risky exploration has become so strong that the paratelic metamotivational condition itself has been affected and is experienced as threatening. As a result such a person changes constantly from anxiety (telic) to boredom (paratelic) and the other way round, while his or her mood does not improve in hedonic tone. The person finds it difficult to "really" relax, because he or she finds it difficult to make a "real" effort. For this reason, such a person will in general experience boredom, rather than relaxion.<br />
<br />
=== Towards a completion of Apter's theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Although Apter's theory provides more insight into the different ways in which people can react to the same, or similar situations, some questions are still left unanswered.<br />
<br />
Firstly, the Reversal theory is only descriptive. It provides no insight into the underlying dynamics of the processes described. In other words: it is not clear how and why the reversals between the two states take place. Moreover, the theory does not provide a satisfactory causal explanation for the presence of the different states and reversals.<br />
<br />
Secondly, Apter describes his model as a symmetric model. This means that reversals from telic to paratelic, and reversals from paratelic to telic can be the result of contingencies, but also of satiation. A non-symmetric model is however more likely. We will show this in the next chapter.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 3: Van der Molen's Energy-Learning -Cognition Model ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Lazarus and the Reversal theory ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In chapter 1 we have pinpointed certain gaps in Lazarus' theory. One problem is that too little attention is paid to emotional and motivational aspects of human behaviour. As a result, there is still very little known about which kind of situations are experienced as threatening and which are seen as a challenge (and vice versa), and by whom. In chapter 2 we have further discussed this in a descriptive way. We have stated that telic and paratelic states are metamotivational frames of behaviour that also explain the connection between threat and challenge. In this chapter we shall discuss this further and highlight another gap in Lazarus' theory, namely the developmental aspects of coping behaviour. The metamotivational states (telic and paratelic) will be approached from an ethological perspective; the importance of an optimal allocation of energy is emphasized. The concept of "energy" may be defined here from a psychological as well as from a physiological viewpoint. We shall discuss this further in 3.2.<br />
<br />
In chapter 2 we have also described two gaps in Apter's theory which will be filled in this chapter. Firstly, the mainly descriptive nature of Apter's theory will be given more explanatory power by focussing on the energy apects of metamotivational states. Secondly, the influence of contingencies and the influence of satiation on reversals in Van der Molen's model will be described as non-symmetric, whereas Apter describes his theory as a symmetric model.<br />
<br />
<br />
=== An open-ended learning system ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In his model ''Van der Molen'' (1983, 1984, 1985; Van der Molen, Van der Dennen, 1981) emphasizes that, basically, we have an "open-ended" learning system: "This is the ability to acquire a behavioural repertoire which is specifically tailored to the environmental situation an individual happens to live in" (Van der Molen, 1984, p. 1). The learning abilities of an individual are optimally utilized, when his or her behaviour is organised in such a way that a surplus of energy is directly invested into extending and refining his or her behavioural repertoire. From a psychological perspective, when there is a surplus of energy, there is readiness and gumption to enter new situations and to show explorative behaviour. Such behaviour may increase the survival value, particularly when certain experiences can subsequently be utilized in stressful situations and in emergencies. Therefore, skills have to be trained in situations with a high level of arousal. And situations which evoke a high level of arousal are particularly those in which risks will (have to) be taken.<br />
<br />
Thus, an open-ended learning system will provide a maximum survival value when the following conditions are fulfilled: firstly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that involve a high level of arousal when there is a surplus of energy, and, secondly, there should be a tendency to look for situations that reduce the level of arousal as soon as the suplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is an emergency.<br />
<br />
Although we will not discuss the neurophysiological aspects of human behaviour extensively in this report, it is sensible in this context to discuss the findings of Van Rooijen (1976), Archer (1978) and Laborit (1978) briefly. Their studies have shown that there is a neurophysiological "emergency-system" which is activated as soon there is a risky situation or an emergency. This system enables a person to show adequate reactions (very) promptly; alertness is temporarily increased and motor actions can be carried out very quickly. Evidence shows that long-lasting or frequent activation of this system has a negative influence on learning processes, because too much of the neural capacity will then be reserved for keeping this emergency system in action. In addition the energy supply is also heavily taxed in such situations. For this reason there will have to be a reversal to another, more relaxed state after some time which enables the person to refill the energy supply. This is only possible when there is (relatively) little physical or mental exertion. These characteristics imply a bi-stable system in which the preferred level of arousal depends on the metamotivational state (see chapter 2 and Apter 1982). In the paratelic state, i.e. when there is a surplus of energy, a person will prefer a high level of arousal. On the other hand, in the telic state, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, or when there is direct danger, the organism will seek relaxation. This will at first require energy output but the final and desired result is a lowered level of arousal. Figure 3.1 shows the reversals between the different states.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Reversal system of antagonistic motivations.png|framed|none|Figure 3.1. Apter's reversal model]] <!-- XXX: There's no a. and b. in this diagram; there is in the source doc; do we care? --><br />
<br />
By relating the learning system directly to the energy available, Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) describes the way in which the paratelic and telic states alternate ideally. In the period of relaxation, energy is supplemented and acquired. When the energy supply has increased sufficiently (in other words: when there is satiation of the telic state) the individual will become bored and will, (once more) seek an exciting situation. In this state a high degree of arousal will be experienced as pleasant. However, when the surplus of energy is exhausted, there will be a reversal from the paratelic to the telic state. In this way, by looking for an easier or a comforting situation or by controlling the fearful situation (i.e. after achieving relaxation), the person can replenish the energy supply. Given the tendency to look for situations which are accompanied by a high level of arousal, there will be experimentation in the paratelic state with new or otherwise arousal-increasing skills and situations. In this way the behavioural repertoire will be tested, extended and refined.<br />
<br />
If the system functions well, the telic and the paratelic states will automatically and regularly alternate. Now the second gap in Apter's theory has been filled. The explanatory principle Van der Molen adds, is that a bi-stable system of motivation contributes directly to the chances of a learning organism to survive, by using its surplus of energy as efficiently as possible.<br />
<br />
Bowlby (1977) has shown empirically that regular periods of relaxation are of crucial importance for the ability and readiness to explore new situations. In his studies he describes that a child, exploring an unknown situation, regularly returns for a moment to a trusted person (in Bowly's case the child's mother). In this way the child can relax and acquire energy for the next bout of exploration. Many types of behavioural deficiencies, such as chronic fear, can develop, when the periodic need for relaxation and reassurance cannot be met.<br />
<br />
=== Learning spirals ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} On the basis of positive and negative learning spirals, Van der Molen (1984) explains how a behavioural repertoire develops. If the sequence relaxation - boredom - excitement - fear - relaxation and so on occurs often enough, this indicates that, generally speaking, there have been sufficient possibilities, whether or not self-created, to achieve relaxation in time and to replenish energy deficits. An individual will then develop an adequately functioning behavioural repertoire in which the various skills are integrated well. A person will then also be able to handel emergencies better and to relax easier and more quickly, so that after some time he or she will be able and ready again to explore, etc. This is called a ''positive learning spiral''.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Dependence of positive and negative learning spirals on proper rhythms of telic paratelic alternations.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.2.''' The two types of learning spirals (Van der Molen, 1984) according to which acquiring and refining the behavioural repertoire will be the result of positive learning spirals, and a rigid stereotyped way of reacting a consequence of negative learning spirals.]]<br />
<br />
However, when there are not enough moments of relaxation, too little energy can be built up with the result that the individual will explore less and will show telic behaviour more frequently. In this way the person will acquire fewer new skills and practise "old" skills less often. This is called a negative learning spiral (see figure 3.2).<br />
<br />
This model has a peculiar consequence. It predicts namely that skills tend to grow in clusters. Following Grof (1972, 1973, 1976), Van der Molen calls such clusters "clusters of condensed experience" or "COEX-systems" (see figure 3.3). Grof gives the following definition of a COEX-system: "A COEX-system can be defined as a specific constellation of memories consisting of condensed experience (and related phantasies) from different life periods of the individual. The memories belonging to a particular system have a similar basic theme or contain similar elements and are associated with a strong emotional charge of the same quality. The nature of these systems varies considerably from one COEX-system to another".<br />
<br />
Grof distinguishes positive and negative COEX-systems, depending on the emotions related to the cluster. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) explains the reason for such a clustering of areas of experience. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested adequately, there is a positive COEX-system in which various types of skills are included. Often these skills can be applied to other, but similar and related situations, so that those situations too can be more easily controlled and managed. In this way positive experiences tend to catalize the positive experiencing of similar, comparable areas and thus cause a positive COEX-system to grow. <br />
<br />
Experiences that have been dealt with badly tend to grow in clusters too. That is, when in a particular situation there is little exploration, and as a result little practise with particular relevant skills, it is difficult to get the situation under control, and thus to relax. The likelihood that new skills will be acquired is then also very low, so that the next time the individual is in the same, or in a similar situation, he or she will more likely have another problematic experience. This increases the likelihood of telic behaviour (flight or avoidance behaviour) in similar situations, which causes even less experimenting. <br />
<br />
An example of a negative cluster is the behaviour of someone who does not dare to enter into contact with people anymore as a result of his or her shyness. This causes the fear for this kind of situation to grow, because the familiarity with these situations decreases continuously, and, moreover, the person is unable to adequately develop other skills for which he or she needs help from others (school assignments, for example). In this way it is likely that the individual will become caught up in a ''negative learning spiral'' in which new experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify the existing, inadequate, avoidance behaviour. It is difficult to escape from such a spiral. The most important (and necessary) condition for this is the ability to achieve relaxation which is a prerequisite for dealing with experiences and for the replenishment of energy. Only then (careful) explorations of the frightening area can begin, with the possibility that this leads to fewer negative or even to positive experiences.<br />
<br />
If a number of areas which have been dealt with succesfully, for which skills have been developed, are closely related to an area of experience that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as a "refuge" when situations threaten to become frightening. Through retiring into such a refuge the necessary relaxation can then be acquired. It is important to keep in mind that a positive COEX-system does not necessarily consist of pleasant experiences. Positive COEX-systems, and in particular ''important'' COEX-systems, develop through a proper reprocessing and digestion of formerly negative experiences. A negative COEX-system consists of negative experiences that ''have been dealt with badly'' and have been (re-)processed and digested insufficiently. The developmental aspects which play a role in acquiring and extending coping skills and which have not further been developed by Lazarus, are thus discussed and explainedd in detail by Van der Molen.Stanislav Grof labels this organisation of our experiences and behaviour as a "Carthography of the Psyche", which can be depicted as in fig.3.3. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Outcome of the growth of positive and negative COEX systems.png|framed|none|'''Figure 3.3.''' Hypothetical example of the growth of positive (+) and negative (-) systems of COndensed EXperience in the field of experiences (from: Van der Molen, 1984).]]<br />
<br />
=== The asymmetry of the Reversal model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we have mentioned that Apter presents his theory as a symmetric model. Van der Molen (1984) indicates that contingencies in particular cause a reversal from paratelic to telic, and that satiation is one of the primary causes of a reversal from telic to paratelic. Van der Molen places emphasis on one particular sequence, that from relaxation to boredom, from boredom to excitement, from excitement to fear, and from fear back to relaxation. The reversal from telic to paratelic behaviour is here a reversal from relaxation to boredom. <br />
<br />
According to Van der Molen, this reversal will usually be the result of satiation. The reason for this concerns energy; we have discussed at the beginning of this chapter, that the capacities of an open-ended learning system are optimally utilized if any surplus of energy is invested in gathering more experience.<br />
<br />
A reversal from the paratelic to the telic state, on the other hand, is caused in particular by contingencies. With reversals from paratelic to telic, Van der Molen places emphasis on the sudden transition from excitement to fear. By looking for arousal-increasing situations in the paratelic state, risks are taken and a greater likelihood exists that a particular situation will suddenly get out of hand owing to contingencies which cause a reversal from paratelic to telic behaviour.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter we have described Van der Molen's learning model which provides us an insight into the way in which the learning system is unconsciously kept going as long as there is a regular surplus of energy. We have observed that energy levels form the basis for the telic and the paratelic states and considered the emotional and motivational aspects of coping behaviour. Moreover, the developmental aspect of coping behaviour is explicitly discussed in Van der Molen's model, in the form of descriptions of positive and negative learning spirals and the clustering of related areas of experience. The concept of positive and negative COEX-systems can also be regarded as a first initiative to roughly categorize cognitive contents. Finally, we have discussed why Van der Molen regards satiation as a prime reason for the reversals from telic to paratelic and contingencies as the main cause of reversals from paratelic to telic.<br />
<br />
=== Gaps in the Energy-Learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} What is still lacking in this model, is a more detailed description of the way in which emotional and motivational states are related to ''cognitive contents''. This aspect will be addressed in the next chapter as we discuss Lewicka's antagonist model of cognitive styles.<br />
<br />
<br />
== Chapter 4: Lewicka's model of Antagonist Cognitive Modes ==<br />
<br />
<br />
=== A supplement to Van der Molen's learning model ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's discussion of the emotional and motivational aspects of the learning process. Lewicka's model (1987, for example) in which there are two antagonistic modes of cognitive information processing, provides a description of the cognitive aspects. We will show how this model supplements Van der Molen's model.<br />
<br />
Lewicka distinguishes two types of behavioural regulation, the mechanism of ''action-control'' and the mechanism of ''action-involvement'' respectively. Like Apter's theory, Lewicka's theory too states that an individual is always in one of the two regulationary modes; there are two antagonistic mechanisms of cognitive functioning which alternate in time.<br />
<br />
=== Action-control and action-involvement ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} The mechanism of action-control instigates actions, aiming at the achievement of a particular objective (comparable to the telic state). Lewicka states that there are particular "''activity-external comparison standards''" which means that the achievement of an external objective is central and that the activity itself is not the objective of the individual.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-control is controlled by a ''principle of negative feedback''; thinking of a particular standard (the objective), the individual assesses his or her situation. A discrepancy between the actual and desired states is experienced as unpleasant and causes instrumental behaviour (correcting mistakes, if any, and minimalising the discrepancy), until the objective in view has been achieved. Lewicka calls this "''controlling''": the objective regulates the behaviour of the individual.<br />
<br />
The most important function of the mechanism of action-control is to maintain the level of organisation the individual has achieved. However, if an organism is to be able to grow, he or she must be capable of creating entirely new objectives (by him or herself), for example in order to be able to adapt to changing or still unknown environmental demands. The mechanism of action control itself is therefore not sufficient. For this, the alternative or antagonist mechanism of ''action-involvement'' is essential.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement encourages the individual to take actions which are not instrumental or purposive: in fact the individual's activity is an aim in itself (comparable to the paratelic state). Although sometimes there seems to be a particular external objective, this is often random and more like an "excuse" for the activity, than that the person really tries to achieve that objective. The motivation for the activity is the activity itself.<br />
<br />
The mechanism of action-involvement is controlled by a ''principle of positive feedback''. The factors that cause the behaviour and maintain it lie in the behaviour itself; this is a process of self-amplification: the behaviour intensifies itself.<br />
<br />
The function of the mechanism of action-involvement is the production of new, so far unknown, results of behaviour, or the further exploration of activities that have been tried out before. In this way the individual will not only be able to obtain more information, but also indications about promising directions of future activities. Lewicka calls this "''directing''" which means that the behavioural results themselves are guidelines for future behaviour. Since the behaviour is not directed at established goals, the activities of the individual in the action-involvement mode are often very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
Table 4.1 provides a summary in catchwords of the main differences between the two mechanisms of regulation described by Lewicka.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 4.1.''' A summary of the differences between the action-control mode and the action-involvement mode<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Control<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Action-Involvement <br />
|-<br />
|Purposive action<br />
|Activity "for the activity"<br />
|-<br />
|Controlled by a negative feedback principle<br />
|Controlled by positive feedback principles <br />
|-<br />
|Controlling: purpose regulates the behaviour<br />
|Directing: behavioural results themselves are guidelines for sub-sequent behaviour <br />
|-<br />
|Function: maintaining the achieved level of organisation (balance)<br />
|Function: taking the individual to a higher level of organisation (development) <br />
|} <br />
<br />
Table 4.1 shows once more that there is much similarity between the mode of action-control and the telic state and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. According to both Lewicka and Apter, the motivation for activity is central: they distinguish between activity aimed at a particular external objective and activity as an "objective" in itself. The difference between Apter's and Lewicka's approaches lies in how they further work out this distinction into two modes of behaviour. Apter discusses in particular the motivational and emotional aspects concerned. Lewicka, on the other hand, discusses in particular the cognitive aspects. In our view both theories can be combined to form a more complete picture of the alternation of behavioural modes. This will be explained in the remainder of this chapter. First we will discuss what Lewicka calls evaluative standards which, according to her, are operative in the action-control mode.<br />
<br />
=== Evaluative standards of comparison in the action-control mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the mechanism of action-control there are two forms of evaluative standards of comparison: on the one hand positive standards which indicate what a person ought to do (for example particular assessment criteria an achievement has to meet), on the other hand negative standards which indicate which limits cannot be passed (for example particular social standards which indicate what types of behaviour cannot be regarded "decent"). Lewicka calls them "''standards of goodness''" and "''standards of badness''" respectively.<br />
<br />
The two types of standards are not entirely symmetric which means that a categorisation of a result as "not good" does not imply that this result is regarded as "bad" (and vice versa). There is a third category possible which is "non-substantial" which means: neither good, nor bad (see fig. 4.1). <br />
<br />
[[Image:Lewicka standards of goodness.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.1: Schematic reproduction of various categorizations of possible results'''<br /><br />
(Explanation: In the field of possible results, area A represents the results that are categorized as "good", area B the results that are regarded as "bad". The remaining possible results, area C, are of the category "non-substantial".)]]<br />
<br />
Lewicka (1985) states that if certain standards of goodness are difficult to attain (for example rigid social rules of behaviour or idealised criteria for achievements), it is hard for a person to reach that standard. An example of this is a person who is in a very rigid environment, such that he or she must continuously take part in particular activities in order to be appreciated. In such situations there is hardly any opportunity for non-purposive behaviour and a reversal to the mode of action-involvement is not very likely.<br />
<br />
When there are rigid, strictly defined and narrowly limited standards of badness which means that there is a small number of categories appraised as "bad" and thus a large number of "non-substantial", a person can very easily avoid "bad" behaviour. At first this may bring about a feeling of relief, as it is very clear what is not "allowed", but this situation may eventually also lead to boredom which, according to Van der Molen's learning model, makes a reversal to the mode of action involvement more likely. An example is the story of Adam and Eve in Paradise; everything was allowed, except eating apples from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. The rest of the story we know.<br />
<br />
Within the mode of action-control the activities an individual is engaged in are either instrumental actions of ''approach'' aimed at producing results categorised as "good" by positive standards of comparison, or instrumental actions of ''avoidance'' aimed at avoiding results categorised as "bad" by negative standards of comparison. The functional conditions are ''efficiency'' and ''minimization of mistakes''; the least effort and the least costs for achieving a positive, or for avoiding a negative result, the better.<br />
<br />
=== Criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} According to Lewicka the criteria of evaluation in the action-involvement mode are quite different. Lewicka uses the informative contents of activities as criteria. The search for a maximum of information is then the guideline for the choice of behaviour. "A catagorisation as "good" applies to all those alternatives of behaviour that provide an individual with new information and reduce uncertainty", Lewicka states.<br />
<br />
Apparently Lewicka somewhat contradicts herself here, because in the definition of the mechanism of action-involvement she states that actions are brought about which do not aim at a particular objective. However, later on, she states, as we have described above, that the individual in the action-involvement mode aims at obtaining new information and reducing uncertainty. So apparently there is postulated an aim for a particular objective.<br />
<br />
In our view this problem can be solved when the parallel between the action-control mode and the telic state on the one hand and between the action-involvement mode and the paratelic state on the other hand is regarded more closely. As we have previously mentioned, behaviour in the action-involvement mode is maintained by factors stemming from the activity itself. It remains unclear, however, what kind of factors are involved here. Apter explains this by his assumption of striving for pleasant tension as a general motive for behaviour in the paratelic state. If this idea is accepted as a supplement to Lewicka's theory, we can say more about whether purposive behaviour does or does not exist in the mode of action-involvement.<br />
<br />
=== Proximal and ultimal purposes in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In our view, it is important to make a clear distinction between the ''proximal'' and the ''ultimal'' purposes of behaviour in the action-involvement mode. The term "proximal purpose" refers to the objective at which the person aims at the moment of the activity. Contrary to the mechanism of action-control, there is no external objective in the mechanism of action-involvement, but there is activity because of the activity itself; the (proximal) "objective" of the person is the behaviour that provides pleasant tension. The ultimal objective of similar activities corresponds with the function of Lewicka's mechanism of action-involvement: it enables the person to acquire new experiences, to learn from them and thus enhances growth which in turn means the achievement of a higher level of cognitive organisation. A person is not aware of this ultimal objective at the moment the very activities take place. When Lewicka mentions behavioural alternatives with a high informative value which are categorized as "good", this must be interpreted as "good" with regard to the ultimal objective of the mechanism of action-involvement. The criteria the person applies at the moment of the activity itself, will not have any bearing on the informative value of the activity, but on the importance of the activity for the person, that is on the possibily that it may provide pleasant tension. The ultimal advantages of action-involvement behaviour make it evolutionarily advantageous that this behavioural mode exists in which arousal-rising and pleasure in the action itself are the proximal "goals" (see Van der Molen, 1983).<br />
<br />
We can perhaps go further than Lewicka in answering the question which kind of activities have the greatest informative value. On the one hand, these are of course activities in areas of experience that are new and unknown to a person. Exploration of such areas is less likely in the action-control mode because a person then rather prefers to rely on familiar objects. New and unknown areas involve the risk of unexpected, unpleasant things happening. This leads to tension which is experienced as unpleasant in the mode of action-control. According to Van der Molen's learning model however, it is exactly unfamiliarity that produces tension which makes exploration ''inviting'' in the action-involvement mode. Activities that are closely related to areas categorized as "bad" may in the action-involvement mode also be experienced as "interesting". In the action-control mode the person tries to avoid such areas as much as possible and aims at achieving results categorized as "good". In our view "good" areas are not interesting in the action-involvement mode: they are familiar and do not create any tension. Approaching the "bad", risky areas, on the other hand, is exciting and, what is more, it has the (ultimal) advantage that the limits of these risky areas are explored and thus become more distinctly defined for the person. This will ultimately be of advantage to his or her freedom of movement: if the borders between what "is possible" and what "is not possible" are clear, this will be of advantage to the person whenever the mechanism of action-control is activated again and he or she tries to prevent "bad" results.<br />
<br />
As we have stated above, Lewicka's ideas concerning the informative content of activities can be extended and explained by adding the concepts "proximal" and "ultimal" goals. Following the informative content of activities, we shall discuss in the <br />
next paragraph in more detail how such information is processed cognitively.<br />
<br />
=== "How", "Why" and "What" questions, sufficient and necessary conditions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} Lewicka (1987) states that there are three basic questions a person can ask: the question "''How?''", the question "''Why?''" and the question "''What?''". As an example she gives a logical implication:<br />
<br />
P ════> Q, in which P is seen as the action-premise (the condition) and Q as the action-outcome (the result). The three questions that may be asked with regard to this implication are:<br />
# ''How'' can you make Q happen?<br />
# ''Why'' did Q happen?<br />
# ''What'' will happen if P?<br />
According to Lewicka the first two questions are "closed-ended", because the result Q has already been specified. This specification can be based on a criterion of "goodness" or on a criterion of "badness". The appraisal of the expected result determines to a great extent which particular question the individual will ask in particular. The fact is that when the results have been appraised as positive, people are particularly interested in the question "how" these results may be achieved. If the results, on the other hand, have been appraised as negative, the "why"-question is especially interesting (Wong & Weiner, 1981; Weiner, 1984). Lewicka relates these questions to the concept of "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions. We will first explain what is meant by these "sufficient" and "necessary" conditions.<br />
<br />
Sufficient conditions are those conditions that have to be met to achieve a particular result. When a person wants to boil an egg for breakfast, for example, a list of sufficient conditions could look like this:<br />
<br />
# Fill a pan with water.<br />
# Put in the egg.<br />
# Put the pan onto the cooker and turn on the gas.<br />
# When the water boils, wait another four minutes.<br />
# Turn off the gas and pour off the water.<br />
<br />
When these conditions have been met, the person will indeed get his egg boiled. However, this is not the only way to boil an egg. It could be boiled in an old can on a campfire, for example. A series of sufficient conditions, therefore, indicates how a particular result can be achieved, but this does not imply that when these conditions are not met, the result cannot possibly be achieved in another way.<br />
<br />
A necessary condition is a condition that has to be met, because there is no other way in which a particular result can be achieved. The necessary condition in the example of boiling an egg could be: "Heat the egg to a temperature that is above the coagulation temperature of the egg white, until the heat has spread throughout the egg". The way in which the egg is heated is not specified, as in fact this is unimportant. Only the fact that the egg is heated for some time is important; otherwise it will never be boiled. Departing from the necessary conditions for a particular result, it is often possible to generate various series of sufficient conditions.<br />
<br />
As mentioned above, when the results have been appraised as positive, people particularly aim at finding sufficient conditions to achieve this result which means that they are particularly interested in the question: "''How'' can I make sure the result will be achieved?". So there is a strategy of "approach", aiming to achieve desirable results.<br />
<br />
When the results have been appraised as negative, on the other hand, people particularly aim at finding the necessary conditions for these results. Only if someone knows ''why'' an unpleasant result comes about, will he or she be best able to effectively avoid the necessary condition(s) for this result and thus to avoid the unpleasant result itself. This is in fact a strategy of avoidance, aimed at preventing undesirable results.<br />
<br />
There is a great difference between these two types of information processing. To find ''sufficient'' conditions for a result, a "''sufficiency-oriented method''", it is in principle sufficient to know that a particular result will come about after meeting one particular condition or combination of conditions. Then the person will be able to remember this simplistic connection and knows that meeting those conditions again will be sufficient to get the same result again. Seeking ''necessary'' conditions, a "''necessity-oriented method''" implies a greater investment of time and energy. To distil the necessary conditions from the various sufficient conditions for a particular result, more experience and skill is needed, as well as a certain degree of experimenting and the cognitive processing of acquired experiences. Only by examining several conditions separately, will it be possible to find out whether they are essential for a particular result and, if so, why. This investment of time and energy (proximal costs) has, however, some (ultimal) advantage which is the possibility to make the cognitive structure concerned more economical, sparse and logically coherent. As it becomes clear "why" a particular result occurs, it can be obtained or avoided more effectively. The large quantity of sufficient conditions is then, in fact, reduced to a smaller number of necessary conditions. From these necessary conditions, relatively strong and efficient rules can be distilled, so that an individual does not need a separate list of sufficient conditions for each result. In this way a large number of answers to the "how"-question can be replaced by a single answer to the "why"-question.<br />
<br />
=== The "what"-question in the action-involvement mode ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} As we have stated, a certain amount of experimenting is needed to develop a necessity-oriented method. New, additional knowledge about the results of behaviour must be acquired. At this stage the "what"-question will be important. According to Lewicka the "what"-question is "open-ended", because there is no previously specified result. This question will in particular emerge during the exploration of novel areas; there will be experimenting with behavioural alternatives, without aiming at previously determined results. In other words: activities will be engaged in, just to investigate their effects. Referring to our learning model, it will be clear that the "what"-question will emerge in particular during the state of action-involvement (comparable to the paratelic state); experimenting is attractive in this state, because the unfamiliarity of the result will be seen as exciting and pleasant.<br />
<br />
We have to observe that the appraisal of the expected results has a significant influence on whether the person does or does not put much effort into developing a necessity-oriented method. That is to say, the interests of the person on a proximal level play an important part here which means the interests the person is aware of at the moment of the activity itself. In the action-involvement mode those interests are the achievement of pleasant tension. Exploring of and experimenting with the limits of areas categorized as "bad" or problematic, causes considerable tension: after all there is a chance that there will be a less pleasant result. Exploring areas categorized as "good" (or well processed and digested) provides hardly any tension: the only thing that may happen is that an expected pleasant result will not take place. However as the person will generally have one or more sufficiency-oriented methods for achieving desirable results, he or she can always make sure those results will be achieved, should it be necessary when an emergency arises. When a person wants to explore things, seeking (pleasant) tension, these areas are rather unattractive and his or her attention will almost automatically be attracted to the more interesting, because unfamiliar, areas that may be related to an area that has been dealt with well, but at the very least are related to the more risky areas, categorized as "bad".<br />
<br />
=== Pleasant and unpleasant results, necessary and sufficient conditions, acceptance of chances of mistakes and cognitive "bias" ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the action-involvement (paratelic) mode, attention is automatically drawn to a further exploration of the conditions of results. When the results are pleasant, the consequences for the cognitive processing system are entirely different from if the results are unpleasant. As we have stated in paragraph 4.6, working with necessary conditions is the most efficient. Acquiring "sufficient" behavioural strategies is less complicated and quicker to realise, however. To that end the "why"-question does not have to be examined intensively. Any answer to the "how"-question will do. Therefore, if an additional investment in time and energy is made, needed to grow from sufficient behavioural strategies to knowledge of necessary conditions, it will in general be invested in the first place in ''un''pleasant results, in order to determine their conditions more accurately.<br />
<br />
When examining pleasant results it is of course more efficient to know the necessary conditions, but in those cases it is less crucial, because there are fewer risks. Indeed, any sufficient conditions will meet the purpose, that is, to achieve pleasant results.<br />
<br />
There is another problem, however. In practise it is in general impossible to make accurate predictions about behavioural results. The cognitive models of reality we create are just approaches. The higher the required degree of accuracy, the more experience and information has to be invested. All cognitive models have a particular degree of uncertainty. Which uncertainties will be minimized in the first place, depends to a great extent on the nature of the expected results. Table 4.2 gives a summary of the possible antecedents and results in the case of pleasant and in the case of unpleasant results. This table is a free modification of Lewicka's (1985). To be perfectly clear, we have made a separate table for pleasant and unpleasant results respectively. However, as far as terminology is concerned, these tables differ a little from Lewicka's. The fact is that it is not always clear what Lewicka means with the terms "positive" and "negative", because she uses them in two different ways. Lewicka uses, for instance, the terms "positive outcome" and "positive hit". In the first term "positive" means: positively appraised or appreciated. For clarity's sake we have chosen the term ''pleasant'' for positively appraised results and ''unpleasant'' for negatively appraised results. Of course we have not changed terms like "positive hit" and "negative hit", because these are established terms from the disciplines of logic and mathematics.<br />
<br />
When departing from the idea that people generally try as hard as possible to avoid disappointments, the table makes clear why some specific cognitive strategies are more likely to occur in connection with some specific results than others. Each cognitive strategy of course also harbours its own chances of mistakes and "bias".<br />
<br />
If any ''unpleasant'' results can occur, a person will generally try to avoid them. ''Disappointments'' arise when there are unpredicted unpleasant results (false negative, "type II" mistake). We know that when the probability of a Type II mistake is made as small as possible, the probability of a "Type I" mistake will, as a consequence, increase (see for example Nijdam & Van Buuren, 1983). In this case a "Type I" mistake is a ''pleasant surprise'' for the individual: an unpleasant result was predicted, but it did not take place. At the level of the behaviour of the individual this means, that during the action-control mode (in which unpleasant results are actively avoided), the individual will take a large "safety margin"; not only will the area be avoided for which there are clear negative standards of appraisal, but also the areas that are closely related. The chance of a Type II-mistake reduces this, but the area that has been avoided will usually be larger than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.2.<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.2: Survey of possible mistakes in information processing, depending on the evaluative appraisal of the result <br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Unpleasant ║ H ║ non-H ║<br />
results ║ (unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║(A) ║ (C) ║<br />
║ ║ positive hit ║ false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║ Type II-mistake ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║ (unpleasant as ║ (unpleasant, but ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║ not predicted) ║<br />
║ ║ p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║ (B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║(unpleasant T ║(not unpleasant, ║(not unpleasant, ║<br />
║ does not ║although predict- ║as predicted) ║<br />
║ occur) ║ed) p(H ∩ -non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
<br />
╔══════════════════════╦════════════════════╗ <br />
Pleasant ║ H ║non-H ║<br />
results ║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant T ║<br />
║ will occur) ║ will not occur) ║<br />
╔══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ T ║ (A) ║(C) ║<br />
║ ║positive hit ║false negative or ║<br />
║ ║ ║Type II-mistake ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║ (pleasant as ║(pleasant, but not ║<br />
║ occurs) ║ predicted) ║predicted) ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ T) ║ p(non-H ∩ T) ║<br />
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════╬════════════════════╣<br />
║ non-T ║(B) ║ (D) ║<br />
║ ║false positive or ║negative hit ║<br />
║ (pleasant T ║Type I-mistake ║ ║<br />
║ does not ║ (not pleasant, al- ║not pleasant, ║<br />
║ occur) ║though predicted ║as predicted ║<br />
║ ║p(H ∩ non-T) ║p(non-H ∩ non-T) ║<br />
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════╩════════════════════╝<br />
<br />
"Necessity" of H for T: p(H|T) = A/ (A + C)<br />
"Sufficiency" of H for T: p(T|H) = A / (A + B)<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
One result of this safe strategy is, that during the action-control mode particular areas will remain unexplored and thus unfamiliar to the individual. Such large safety margins can only be rendered superfluous by a further elucidation of the necessary conditions for the unpleasant result. Its borders then become narrower, sharper and more accurately defined (see figure 4.2). In terms of figure 4.1: the acquisition of more necessity-oriented information reduces the size of the "no good" areas and increases the available behavioural manoeuvering space. On the other hand, as we have said before, vaguely defined borders provide pleasant tension in the action-involvement mode and such areas which were rather avoided in previous, action-control modes, will become more attractive and may be explored more closely.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.2: Avoidance of unpleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
When an individual may expect positive results he or she will follow quite a different strategy. A ''disappointment'' would mean here that a pleasant result is predicted, but does not take place (false positive, "Type I" mistake). The individual will try to avoid this as much as possible. Minimizing the probability of a Type I mistake implies that the probability of a Type II mistake will increase which is the chance that there will be a pleasant result, although it was not predicted; an ''unexpected surprise''. In the action-control (telic) mode the individual will probably choose for a safe strategy : starting from one or another familiar sufficient method the individual will aim at achieving the pleasant result, without taking risks. The area of behavioural options the individual then aims at is most likely to be smaller than is really necessary. This is shown in figure 4.3.<br />
<br />
It is clear now that adhering to a single existing sufficient method in the action-control mode limits the behavioural repetoire of the individual; he or she will rarely experiment with other strategies of behaviour than the one that is familiar and tested, for fear of not achieving the expected, pleasant result. However, in the state of action-involvement experimenting with alternative strategies is attractive. Especially close to the areas categorized as "good", the individual can always benefit from the familiar sufficient method in case of an emergency. This means that there will probably be less tension than might arise close to an area categorized as "bad". After further exploration, the "safe" area can thus be extended by supplementing more sufficient methods. Should the individual eventually succeed in generating a necessity-oriented cognitive representation of this pleasant result, even more degrees of safety, as all sufficient conditions would also be defined by implication. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode.png|framed|none|'''Figure 4.3: Aiming at pleasant results in the action-control mode''']]<br />
<br />
Both with pleasant and unpleasant results, necessity-oriented cognitive models will allow the greatest freedom of movement and behavioural efficiency. The area of unpleasant results (see figure 4.2) will be smaller and the area of pleasant results (see figure 4.3) will be larger. It is clear, however, that the need to invest more energy in obtaining "necessary" cognitive connections will be strongest in the case of unpleasant results.<br />
<br />
In chapter 3 we have shown that in fact this is what really takes place. The problematical areas of experience produce most arousal (because of the possibly unpleasant results) which makes these areas more attractive in the action-involvement (paratelic) mode when there is enough energy to invest in exploration. As a consequence, in such problematical areas there will relatively quickly be enough experience and information available to achieve cognitive structures of "necessity" at a higher level of abstraction and integration.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusion ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In this chapter we have discussed how Lewicka's theory can supplement Van der Molen's learning model. The cognitive aspects of the learning process have been discussed and integrated, in order to create a more comprehensive model. We have discussed the difference between action-control and action-involvement and the parallels with the telic and paratelic states. Subsequently the evaluative criteria that are active in the action-control mode have been discussed. With regard to the evaluative criteria in the action-involvement mode it appeared that a relatively easy supplement (similarity with the paratelic state and the difference between proximal and ultimal objectives) sufficed to remove an apparent contradiction in Lewicka's theory. Finally we have discussed the way in which the evaluative appraisal of possible results determines the kind of information an individual seeks, the strategy of behaviour that will probably be chosen and the kind of cognitive mistakes that can be made in processing information.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will show how these theories complement each other in such a way that a dynamic model emerges that includes the most important aspects of the learning process, that describes cognitive growth and which can be utilized in many areas of research and practical application.<br />
<br />
By way of summary, table 4.3 shows the most important characteristics of the action-control and the action-involvement modes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre><br />
Table 4.3: Survey of action-control and action-involvement <br />
╔═══════════════════════════════╦═════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ ACTION-CONTROL ║ ACTION-INVOLVEMENT ║<br />
╠═══════════════════════════════╬═════════════════════════════╣<br />
║ Purposive activity and ║ Activity as an "aim" in ║<br />
║ instrumental behaviour ║ itself ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Principle of negative ║ Principle of positive ║<br />
║ feedback ║ feedback ║<br />
║ "controlling" ║ "directing" ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Function: maintaining the ║ Function: achieving a ║<br />
║ level of organisation ║ higher level of organisa- ║<br />
║ ║ tion ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ In particular in an environ- ║ In particular in an envi- ║ <br />
║ ment with stringent standards ║ ronment with stringent ║<br />
║ of goodness ║ standards of badness ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Approach-strategy towards ║ Exploration when pleasant ║<br />
║ pleasant results ║ results occur less probable║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Stategy of avoidance towards ║ Exploration particularly ║<br />
║ unpleasant or unknown ║ around unfamiliar or un- ║<br />
║ results ║ pleasant results ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ For pleasant results: ║ Independent of the kind of ║<br />
║ "How?"-question, ║ results: "What?"-question ║<br />
║ For unpleasant results: ║ (exploration/experimenting)║<br />
║ "Why?"-question ║ ║<br />
║ ║ ║<br />
║ Proximal and Ultimal goals ║ Proximal goal: obtaining ║<br />
║ are the same: to bring and ║ pleasant tension; Ultimal ║<br />
║ keep the environment under ║ goal: gaining entirely new ║<br />
║ control (survival and restor- ║ experiences, as a condition║<br />
║ ing the balance of energy) ║ for development ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════╩═════════════════════════════╝<br />
</pre><br />
<br />
== Chapter 5: An integration of Lazarus', Apter's, Van der Molen's and Lewicka's theories ==<br />
<br />
<br />
In this chapter we will describe how one coherent model can be constructed from the theories discussed. This model describes and explains more than each theory separately. We have called this model the Cognition-Energy-Learning model (C.E.L). The model shows how development and learning can be examined from a perspective of energy potential. The cognitive and emotional aspects that play a part in the learning processes, are also accounted for in this model. <br />
<br />
<br />
=== Energy dependence of motivation and emotions ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In the previous chapters we have shown that there is a distinction between telic and paratelic phase. In the telic phase, the behaviour is directed by a particular goal, avoiding fear and seeking safety, for example. In the paratelic phase, on the other hand, the behaviour is a goal in itself; behaviour takes place "just for fun". Thus, in this phase tension is experienced as pleasant and exciting, while in the telic phase it is experienced as frightening and unpleasant. A condition for paratelic behaviour is a surplus of energy which can be spent on exploring and on trying out new things. Telic behaviour takes place at the moment the surplus of energy becomes exhausted or when an emergency arises.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above, makes clear that the energy dependent basis of motivation and emotion is extremely important; the motivational state of an individual depends strongly on the energy that a person has at its disposal. The consequence is a strongly dynamic character of the organization of motivation; motivation and emotion change constantly in the course of time. In the telic phase a person will try to get his or her situation under control. Bringing a situation under control will at first take energy, but once the situation is under control the individual can benefit from familiar skills which cost (relatively) little energy (see chapter 3). In this way the individual can relax and assemble new energy which can be spent in the following paratelic phase. In the telic phase rest and relaxation are aimed at. Once relaxation has been achieved and the individual has recuperated enough energy, there will be a motivational reversal; then rest is no longer regarded as pleasant, but rather as dull and boring. In this paratelic phase a high level of tension is aimed at, until a reversal to the telic state (owing to fatigue or to an emergency) occurs again and the person tries to get the situation under control in order to be able to relax subsequently. <br />
<br />
This system of reversals can be understood by regarding the utilization of energy, which is the basis of the behaviour of the individual. There have to be reversals to the telic state; a person cannot constantly show paratelic behaviour, as the energy required will be exhausted at a certain moment. Moreover, endless explorative and arousal-seeking behaviour will cause difficulties sooner or later which in turn may cause an emergency situation which in turn will ''force'' a reversal. The trigger for these types of reversals has to be sought on a very proximal level. On the other hand, the evolutionary reason for the existence of this reversal system between telic and paratelic states has to be sought at the ultimate level; that is, an organism will have the best yield in terms of survival value when the energy, gained during phases of relaxation in the telic mode, will subsequently be spent in paratelic modes for acquiring novel, additional experiences, that serve for the extension of one's own behavioural repertoire (Van der Molen, 1984).<br />
<br />
=== Problematical and non-problematical experiences ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 3 we have described Van der Molen's model and sequences in which the telic and paratelic modes should alternate ideally. This sequence is: boredom - (explorative behaviour) - excitement - fear - (reversal to the telic state and seeking rest) - relaxation - (with eventually a reversal to the paratelic state) -boredom - etc.<br />
<br />
Should this sequence actually take place in a regular pattern, the result would be optimal; in the paratelic phase the individual explores the environment and that way he or she gains new experiences, using the skills acquired previously. When these skills prove insufficient and the situation threatens to get out of hand, there will be a reversal to the telic phase and the individual will seek control of the situation. On the one hand these periods of rest are necessary for recovery of the balance of energy and on the other hand newly acquired skills and experiences can be processed and integrated with earlier experiences during such periods of rest. This implies that after a series of reversal cycles the individual may be at a higher level of cognitive organisation than before. In this way the individual grows and learns from his or her experiences in the course of time.<br />
<br />
There will not always occur such ideal sequences of telic and paratelic phases. A person may for instance not be able to relax optimally in the telic phase. This is often the case if he or she does not have the adequate skills or coping strategies to get the situation under control. In this way the situation remains frightening, the person does not relax sufficiently and thus does not get the opportunity to gain new energy which is a condition for another paratelic phase. The situation will probably be explored less quickly (paratelic) and there will be no experimenting with skills which would enable the individual to behave adequately in this situation. And since no new experiences are acquired in that area of experience from which the person could learn, he or she will remain at a lower level of functioning and there is a high probability of accumulations and fixations of simplistic avoidance behaviour. In that way a cluster of badly mastered areas of experience may grow.<br />
<br />
What has been stated above makes clear that for the individual some specific areas of experience can be problematical, while at the same time other areas are non-problematical. Problematical areas of experience are those areas for which no, or only a few, adequate coping strategies have been developed; the area has not been dealt with well. For the non-problematical areas of experience, adequate coping strategies have indeed been created; these areas have been dealt with well. In chapter 3 (following Grof 1972, 1973), areas of experience that have been dealt with badly were called "negative COEX-systems", and areas that have been dealt with well were called "positive COEX-systems". Table 5.1 shows what these positive or negative COEX-systems imply.<br />
<br />
<br />
{|style="border: 1px solid; border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="2"<br />
|+'''Table 5.1.''' Characteristics of positive and negative COEX-systems<br />(Systems of COndensed EXperience)<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Negative COEX-systems<br />
!style="border: 1px solid;" |Positive COEX-systems <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Flight/fight responses<br />
|Stay/play responses<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Behavioural rigidity<br />
|Flexibility of reactions <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Stereotyped reflexes<br />
|Creative responses <br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Unskills<br />
|Skills<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Phobias and neuroses<br />
|Mastery of<br />
|-<br />
|style="border-right: 1px solid;" |Consciousness block (unconscious repressions)<br />
|Awareness of<br />
|}<br />
<br />
<br />
=== Emotional labeling of experiences as pleasant and unpleasant ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} At the beginning of this chapter we stated that it depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of a person whether he or she experiences a situation as pleasant or unpleasant. Problematical areas of experience that have not been dealt with well will cause tension. In the telic state this will be experienced as unpleasant and frightening and there is a high likelihood of avoidance behaviour. The person will seek areas of experience that have been dealt with well; in those areas the person is able to control the situation and thus to relax. In the telic state, areas that have been dealt with well can be a "refuge" which is helpful when the person gets into a frightening situation. In the paratelic phase this is of course not the case. In this phase the areas that have been dealt with well are experienced as boring and thus as less pleasant because they do not longer provide arousal. It is the problematical areas that are attractive in this phase because there can still be some experimenting and an element of risk is involved; this provides pleasant arousal (compare chapter 4).<br />
At the beginning of chapter 3 we have discussed the biological relevance of the telic and the paratelic states. From what has been stated above it becomes again clear that both phases are necessary in order to function well. In the telic state the individual is able to relax, once he or she has succeeded in getting the situation under control, and will thus be able to gain new energy and to integrate the newly gained experiences into his or her existing cognitive system. This system enables the individual to remain at a particular level of functioning. In the paratelic phase new or problematical situations (and in the telic phase situations that are experienced as fearful) will be explored and new situations can be investigated. By continuously exploring a situation that has not yet completely been digested and controlled, and by dealing with those experiences and digesting them, this situation will lose its connotation as frightening and the individual will learn which strategies are adeqate in that situation and which are not. Thus the paratelic phase is also an indispensable condition for the growth of the individual.<br />
<br />
Thus, we can state that the proximal goal of the telic phase is: seeking rest and relaxation. The ultimal goal is: maintaining a certain level of functioning. The proximal "goal" of the paratelic phase is experiencing pleasant arousal (by way of non-direct purposive behaviour). However, the ultimal goal is creating the conditions for achieving a higher level of functioning.<br />
<br />
At this point we can once more emphasize an important characteristic of the way in which the reversals from one phase to another come about. In chapter 2 we have stated that we must not hold fast to the idea of a symmetrical model. The reversals from paratelic to telic will mainly be the result of an emergency or of fatigue, while the reversals from telic to paratelic will particularly take place as a result of "satiation". In this respect Apter's theory has therefore also been supplemented.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive development ===<br />
<br />
{{level|3}} In chapter 4 we have stated that there is much similarity between Lewicka's mode of action-control and Apter's telic state, and between the mode of action-involvement and the paratelic state. Apter emphasizes the motivational and emotional aspects of reversals in particular, while Lewicka places emphasis on the cognitive aspects. We shall now describe how the two theories can supplement each other and thus provide a more complete description of the processes involved.<br />
<br />
Lewicka mentions "standards of goodness" and "standards of badness"; particular standards that indicate what kind of behaviour has to be aimed at and what kind of behaviour can better be avoided (see chapter 4). Czapinski (1986, 1987) completes this with his study of the appraisal of experiences which indicates that people generally show a mild "positivity bias". This means that generally experiences have a mildly positive connotation (except when they have a specific and very strong connotation). Therefore, according to Czapinski, there is a lightly positive background in the cognitive representation of experiences in which the negative areas of experience are particularly important. Departing from these ideas, we are now able to say more about cognitive development.<br />
Figure 5.1 shows the combination of these ideas.<br />
<br />
[[Image:Cognitive representation of areas of experience.png|framed|none|Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br /><tt>(++)</tt> areas that have been digested well<br /><tt>(--)</tt> problematic areas<br /><tt> (+)</tt> mildly positive background]]<br />
<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗<br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- + ║<br />
║ ++ + -- ║<br />
║ + + + ║<br />
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝<br />
Figure 5.1: Cognitive representation of areas of experience<br />
(+ +) areas that have been digested well<br />
(- -) problematical areas<br />
+ mildly positive background<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
This figure strongly resembles the figure in which Van der Molen showed Grof's theory of COEX-systems (see chapter 3), but is more detailed. The development of the cognitive system can now be described as follows.<br />
<br />
The areas of experience with the unpleasant connotations, that is the areas that have not yet been properly dealt with well and digested yet (- -), will be arousal-increasing and cause tension. <br />
<br />
In the telic state the areas that have been digested well (+ +) are attractive because they are controlled in such a way, that in an emergency a state of relaxation can easily be achieved. We will refer to these areas with the term "refuges". In the paratelic state, it is particularly the areas that have not been digested properly yet which will be attractive because in that state tension is experienced as pleasant. We now make the assumption that in the paratelic state the borders of the exciting areas are explored, which means that those areas will be explored first, that are closer to the area for which there is a "standard of badness" and for which there is a relatively high probability of an unpleasant surprise. On a proximal level only (pleasant) tension and excitement are sought. However, as a result of such explorations, the limits of the areas that have been digested badly will gradually move; as a result of positive experiences parts of the problem area are nibbled away and are bit by bit turned into areas that have been dealt with and digested well. In this way the individual learns and is able to develop further. On an ultimal level the paratelic state certainly has a goal, namely the acquisition of the new experiences necessary for further development.<br />
<br />
What finally happens in the optimal case on a logical-cognitive level, is that, based on the experiences gained from exploration, a comprehensive necessity-oriented method of a higher level of abstraction will be constructed out of and in place of the existing sufficiency methods (see chapter 4). One prerequisite is, however, that between the actions sufficient time and rest can be gained to digest new experiences and to integrate them. A simple example may clarify this.<br />
<br />
Imagine: John is walking in the woods. He enjoys the scenery and relaxes completely. Occasionally he climbs a fence to walk a little in the pastures or in a part of fenced woodland. Suddenly, from behind the trees a horse gallops towards him and John does not even think, but runs as fast as he can. Somehow he manages to get away and not until later does he wonder what exactly has happened. First he does not dare to go into the woods again, but after some time, when he has calmed down, it does seem exciting to him (paratelic) and he decides to stay near the fences so that he will be able to escape by climbing a fence, should this be necessary (refuges in frightening situations). In this way John explores the situation and finds out in which area of the woods the horse is and which part of the woods and which pastures he must try to avoid. The tension of walking decreases more and more because he now knows exactly where to be on his guard. So, finally, having arrived at a complete picture of the forest and the pasture schedules, the motivation to explore the woods in the paratelic state is lost. <br />
<br />
In this example John is unpleasantly surprised and is at first frightened in the woods. However, once he has explored the situation, a sufficiency-oriented method ("If I walk in the same area as I did before, a horse may gallop towards me at a given moment") will be changed into a necessary-oriented method ("Only if I climb that particular fence, will the horse gallop towards me"). As a result, John's freedom of movement has increased because it is obvious that the area to be avoided has been restricted. This is shown in figure 5.2.<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Image:Avoidance exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.2:''' Avoidance, exploration and reduction of an unpleasant area of experience (after positive experiences)]]<br />
<br />
What happens is that an area of experience which is first experienced as problematical (unpleasant in the telic phase) is gradually reduced because its limits are explored (in the paratelic phase) and there may be positive experiences on that fringe. To speak in Grof's terms, the purpose of paratelic behaviour on an ultimate level is to change as many negative COEX-systems into positive COEX-sytems as possible. In other words, the target is to exchange less efficient sufficiency-oriented methods, related to experiences that have been dealt with and processed badly, for highly efficient necessity-oriented methods which are in particular related to experiences that have been digested well.<br />
<br />
It now becomes clear why experiences tend to grow in clusters. When particular situations have been explored many times and the experiences have been dealt with and digested well, the COEX-system is a positive one in which all kinds of new skills have been acquired which can often also be applied to other, related situations. Generally, in such an area of experience the individual is in a ''positive learning spiral''. <br />
<br />
Experiences that are dealt with and processed badly, also tend to grow in clusters in a similar way; in such cases there is a fair chance that the next time the individual gets into the same, or a similar or related situation, he or she will have another problematic experience. This increases the probability of telic behaviour in similar situations, with the result that there will be less experimenting. In this way the individual will easily get into a ''negative learning spiral'' in a similar area of experience. New experiences are no longer used for learning but only intensify and extend the existing, relatively inefficient behaviour. <br />
<br />
[[Image:Safety margins in the telic state.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state. <br />The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.]]<br />
<!--<br />
<pre><br />
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ <br />
║ + + ║<br />
║ ++ + ++ ║<br />
║ ++ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ ++ + -- + ║<br />
║ ++ -- -- ║<br />
║ + + -- ║<br />
║ -- + ║<br />
║ + ║<br />
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ <br />
'''Figure 5.3:''' Safety margins in the telic state<br />
The dotted lines mark the safety margins in the telic state. The risky areas become larger, the safe areas (or refuges) smaller.<br />
</pre><br />
--><br />
<br />
In terms of figure 5.1 this means that, given such an accumulation of bad experiences, the cognitive representations of the refuges (+ +) will remain relatively restricted and small and for the cognitive representation of the problematical areas (- -) there are relatively increasing and less efficient margins.<br />
<br />
In the case that there are no necessity-oriented methods of great precision and a high degree of abstraction, and thus relatively many methods are of the sufficiency type, the limits shown in figure 5.1 are less favourable in the telic state. The refuges of areas that are dealt with well will be limited, because the sufficiency-oriented methods are too much restricted, whereas for the areas that are dealt with badly, the safety margins are too large. Thus the individual has relatively little freedom of movement.<br />
<br />
In such a negative learning spiral a negative COEX-system will expand increasingly, owing to an accumulation of avoidance reactions which are primarily based on methods of sufficiency. They can be generated relatively quickly but they also involve relatively large safety margins, with the consequence that a relatively great part of the area of experience will be considered as risky.<br />
<br />
It is extremely difficult to escape from such a negative learning spiral. A prerequisite for this is the ability to attain the relaxation, necessary for the digestion of the accumulated experiences. Should a number of experiences that have been dealt with and digested well, verge on an area that has been dealt with badly, they may sometimes serve as refuges, when situations become too frightening. This may then provide the required escape, safety and rest.<br />
<br />
It is now possible to relate all this to Lazarus' theory as described in chapter 1. In our view, the appraisal of a particular situation or transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of an individual. A transaction that is appraised as stressful will often be regarded as threatening in the telic state, whereas in the paratelic state it is more likely that the same transaction will be seen as a challenge. When a person is in a positive learning spiral in which positive COEX-systems are acquired and extended, and new experiences and skills are digested well, new situations are likely to be experienced as positive and regarded as challenges. That is, the individual has noticed that owing to his or her arsenal of skills, he or she is very well capable to anticipate many kinds of situations and to get them under control. Not only is this a good basis for acquiring new skills but it also allows for relaxation and the conviction that novel situations can adequately be dealt with as well. However, in the case of a negative learning spiral in which negative COEX-systems expand and the individual gets trapped in his or her own inadequate behaviour, entirely new situations will rather be seen as threatening. This increases the likelihood that the individual will hold on more tenaciously to particular - inadequate - behavioural strategies, so that it becomes increasingly likely that he or she will fail again.<br />
<br />
This makes clear that it is very difficult to make a distinction between an appraisal of the situation itself (Lazarus: ''primary appraisal'') and of one's own abilities to deal with that situation (''secondary appraisal''). These two aspects are strongly intertwined. The appraisal of a transaction always depends on previous experiences, on acquired skills, and on the metamotivational state of an individual. We have shown that this state may (sometimes quickly) change. This is called ''reappraisal''; the original appraisal of the transaction changes. According to Lazarus, such a change is caused by feedback about changes in the transaction because of actions taken by the individual, or by reconsidering the nature of the transaction. We are now able to supplement Lazarus' ideas. In our view the appraisal of a transaction depends to a great extent on the metamotivational state of the individual at that very moment. A change of this appraisal means that there has been a meta-motivational reversal to another state. Such a reversal may take place because of "contingency" (a particular event takes place) or because of "satiation" (because a person has been in one and the same state for a long time). The two causes mentioned by Lazarus can be categorized under "contingency": the transaction changes as a result of actions taken by the individual and the changing situation forces a reversal, or the interpretation of the transaction changes because of cognitive processes (thinking), which may also cause a reversal. Hence, our cognition-energy- learning model does not only supplement Lazarus' ideas, in this respect adding reversals through "satiation", but it also provides a description and an explanation of the dynamics of the underlying cognitive processes.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive mistakes ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Finally, we pinpoint and discuss a few systematic mistakes which can be made when a person cognitively processes information. Lewicka shows that the questions an individual asks, depend to a great extent on the appraisal of the possible outcome of a transaction. In the telic state (or action control mode) the individual tries at all costs to avoid unpleasant outcomes, and it then becomes very favourable and practical to have a necessity-oriented method available. If the outcome is pleasant, however, the realisation of that outcome is of primary importance; "the way in which" becomes less important and a sufficiency-oriented method generally suffices. However, this does not apply to the paratelic (action-involvement) mode.<br />
<br />
Generally, an individual tries as hard as possible to prevent disappointments (see chapter 4, table 4.2). In the case of an unpleasant outcome, a disappointment means that it has previously been predicted that a particular unpleasant result will not take place, but that it happens anyway. It is important for the individual to keep the probability of this type of mistake (type II, or "false negative") as low as possible. However, we know from logic and statistics that when the probability of one type of mistake is kept as low as possible, another type of mistake will necessarily occur more often. Thus, when the probability of a Type II-mistake is minimized, Type I-mistakes will occur more often. When a Type I-mistake, or "false positive", occurs, it is predicted that the result will be unpleasant, but this is not the case. It is now likely that this type of mistake will be taken less seriously than the previous one, because this means that there is a pleasant surprise. Therefore, relatively little attention will be paid to this. As a result, good luck is virtually ignored in a problematic area of experience whereas disappointments are regarded as extremely important.<br />
<br />
This pattern of cognitive processing takes place in particular when there are mainly telic states with a (too) low frequency of paratelic states. Not only is attention then fixed on possible negative results, but the (too) low frequency of paratelic states produces an excess of methods of sufficiency, with relatively large safety margins around the areas to be avoided, and relatively narrow limits of areas of experience that are safe and digested well (also as a result of safety margins that are wider than is strictly necessary; see figure 5.3). As a result, this pattern of experiencing and processing results in a strong (and in a sense "uncontrolled") growth of negative COEX-systems which may possibly even affect the already existing, positive COEX-systems. Should this pattern continue, then the probability of telic avoidance reactions in the area of experience concerned will become higher and the probability of paratelic exploration lower and lower. In the end, even the slightest confrontation with the area of experience concerned, even when outsiders do not consider this as threatening, will be experienced as frightening, the consequence of which will be a continued and uncontrolled growth of the negative COEX-system.<br />
<br />
=== The neurotic paradox ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} A connection with the so-called '''neurotic paradox''' is evident here. Eysenck (1979, p. 185) provides the following description of this paradox:<br />
:"In many neuroses we not only fail to observe the expected extinction of the uninforced "Conditoned Stimulus", but we find an incremental (enhancement) effect, such that the unreinforced Conditioned Stimulus actually produces more and more anxiety ("Conditioned Response") with each presentation of the Conditioned Stimulus. [...] In neuroses, [...] in the majority of cases there is some sort of insidious onset, without any single event that could be called "traumatic" even by lenient standards."<br />
<br />
Paying too much attention to disappointments and virtually ignoring good luck is one of the reasons why the neurotic behaviour persists. Van der Molen (1983, 1984, 1985) gives another reason (see also chapter 3). He explains how in the proximity of a negative COEX-system, tension increases very easily, while it is exactly in these areas that there are very few "refuges" in the form of adequate strategies of behaviour which may be utilized to keep the tension under control. In the telic state this increased tension is experienced as extremely unpleasant. What is more, the limits of an area that has been digested badly are still rather vague owing to the fact that little or no exploration has occured. The area is not clearly defined and restricted, has rather "fuzzy" boundaries, and may easily increase in size which further increases the probability of unpleasant experiences. When we bear in mind that disappointments tend to receive more attention than the occurences of good luck, it is clear that one easily becomes trapped in a negative learning spiral in which neurotic behaviour is intensified, negative experiences accumulate and little is learned from positive experiences.<br />
<br />
=== Summary and conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} Having integrated Aper's, Van der Molen's an Lewicka's studies we have been able to provide in this chapter an overall picture of the dynamics of our learning processes. Based on these various theories, a Cognition-Energy-Learning model has been developed in which the most essential aspects of the learning process are explained.<br />
<br />
First, the energy dependency of learning was discussed. The alternating preference for a high or a low level of arousal produces the motivation for two essential aspects of learning: on the one hand, the acquisition of novel and unfamiliar experiences, and on the other hand, reserving time and energy for the structuring and processing of this experience and information. The alternation of the telic and the paratelic states thus keeps the learning process going.<br />
<br />
Experiences can be problematical or non-problematical. Depending on the metamotivational state a person is in, an area of experience can be experienced as pleasant and attractive, or as unpleasant. Problematical areas (that is to say, areas for which no adequate behavioural strategies have been developed) will be avoided as much as possible in the telic state: in the paratelic state, on the other hand, these areas can be a source of (pleasant) tension and thus be attractive for exploration. In this way the individual will be able to gain piecemeal experiences in areas that are (relatively) unfamiliar. Such experiences are a prerequisite for development to a higher level of organisation of the individual. Non-problematical areas of experience will not be sought in the paratelic state, as they do not provide any tension and are thus considered as "boring". However, in the telic state these areas are essential for relaxation. Only if a certain degree of rest is acquired regularly, will the individual will be able to digest his or her experiences optimally.<br />
<br />
In certain situations an ideal sequence of telic-paratelic reversals is impossible for a person. When such a situations lasts too long and the person cannot reach more agreeable situations, this leads to a negative learning spiral in which the individual more and more resorts to stereotyped and less efficient ways of reacting. Then it becomes increasingly more likely that the negative, problematical experiences in a particular area of experience will extend to other areas as well. For this reason we speak about the "contagiousness" of experiences. <br />
<br />
However, this contagiousness also applies to positive experiences that have been digested well and which are thus non-problematical. When an individual is in a positive learning spiral, he or she continuously acquires new skills which can also be applied in other areas of experience. In this way the likelyhood of positive experiences will generally increase. Contagiousness of the way in which learning experiences are processed, in the favourable and in the unfavourable sense, is applicable therefore in the first place in areas of experience that are functionally related. In the second place, the contagiousness is applicable in all areas of experience in their totality.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have discussed in this chapter how the behavioural strategy a person is choosing depends on the appraisal of the possible outcome. When the outcome is pleasant, an approach strategy will be applied in the telic state to ensure the outcome will be achieved as effectively as possible. When the outcome is unpleasant, a strategy of avoidance will generally be applied. However, negative outcomes form a source of possibly pleasant tension in the paratelic state which produces the motivation to further explore them. In this way more information can be gathered and optimally processed in the course of time so that the already existing (easily obtained) '''sufficiency oriented methods''' can increasingly be replaced by a '''necessity-oriented method''' (which is more difficult to generate). This enables the individual to attain a '''higher level of cognitive organisation and efficiency''' and to function more effectively. However, should the ability to relax be absent (chronically), the person may become caught up in an accumulation of problematical experiences. This explains, for example, the often persistent growth of neuroses and phobias. The problem of the neurotic paradox, indicated by Eysenck, for example, can be easily explained when regarded from the point of view of our Cognition-Energy Learning model.<br />
<br />
The Cognition-Energy-Learning model discussed thus far describes, in the first place, the influence of the energy state of a person on his or her motivational state. That motivational state is governed by emotions. It further states that the sequence of motivational states has implications for the way experiences are cognitively represented. Considering Csapinski's studies, we can expect that the majority of the experiences which are not directly interesting, are sedimented in a vague, slightly positive cognitive background. Only the experiences with an explicit emotional "color" are represented as areas that have been digested well or as problematical areas. The advantage of such systems of representation is that, as soon as there is a surplus of energy, a person can experiment in those areas which are registered as problematical. Those areas of experience are exactly the areas which can provide most new and relevant information. Both the way in which experiences are represented (in COEX-systems) and the gradual shifts in that representation are described, and, moreover, it is clarified, how a particular representation with concomitant procedural aspects (necessity- or sufficiency-oriented methods), leads to specific types of behaviour. However, all this still concerns a very rough classification into cognitive main categories. In fact it comes down to the difference between experiences that have been processed and digested well and experiences that have not been digested well, to the difference between experiencing this as pleasant and as unpleasant and between combinations of these two opposites.<br />
<br />
The Cognitive-Energetic Learning model may also be supplemented with the influence of the quality of social interactions on the dynamic state of the learning process. This can render a considerable extension and specification of the cognitive main categories mentioned. Moreover, such an extension enables us to make predictions about the way in which social interactions may influence the growth of a person because they interfere with the way energy is invested in the learning process. However, this extension lies beyond the confines this report and will be described in another report (see Maarsingh, 1990).<br />
<br />
In the next chapter we will give an example from practice of our Cognition-Energy-Learning model.<br />
<br />
== Chapter 6: An illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning Model from a practical problem area ==<br />
<br />
=== The didactical behavioural repertoire of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In this chapter an illustration of the Cognition-Energy-Learning model will be given, based on experiences of teachers who have just started teaching (Romkes, 1988). This concerns exclusively inexperienced teachers who regard the learning process as problematical.<br />
<br />
The state of learning of the inexperienced teacher, apart from personality, is closely related to the extent to which he or she has been able to deal with previous experiences from educational learning situations (training) and to gain an adequate didactical behavioural repertoire. However, it is important that this repertoire of coping skills develops and and that it can be modified as soon as problems arise in the classroom. According to Vonk (1983), the problems of table 6.1 are encountered most frequently.<br />
<br />
=== The most commonly encountered problems that have to be dealt with by inexperienced teachers, in sequence of importance ===<br />
<br />
# Keeping order<br />
# Motivating pupils<br />
# Dealing with differences between pupils<br />
# Appraisal of learning performances<br />
# Relations with parents<br />
# Organisation of the class<br />
# Too few/inadequate means for teaching<br />
# Handling children with problems<br />
# Too much working pressure (lack of time)<br />
# Relations with colleagues<br />
# Teaching plans<br />
# Having command of various didactical skills<br />
# Knowledge of school regulations and customs<br />
# Determining the starting situations of pupils<br />
# Inadequate professional skills<br />
<br />
The problems mentioned in table 6.1 regularly produce a high level of arousal. A teacher will experience stress when this state of increased arousal lasts too long. The duration of stress depends on the didactical behavioural repertoire of a person. When this behavioural repertoire is inadequate, a person will be in a state of stress for a longer period of time. That is, it is difficult for such a person to achieve the phase of relaxation owing to the lack of well-controlled skills which are necessary for controlling stressful situations (see chapter 3). When such a situation (of stress) lasts too long and the stress experience is not digested well, a ''negative learning spiral'' may arise in which ''fear and avoidance behaviour'' accumulate (see chapter 5).<br />
<br />
An example of a school situation in which there is a high level of arousal is given in the following report of a lesson given by an inexperienced teacher (Wubbels en Creton 1974):<br />
:"The class enters noisily. It is cold. The pupils are jumping up and down in order to become a little warmer. You walk into the classroom and try to have the children take their seats. But before you have managed to do so, you are rummaging in your bag. A few moments later the same happens again. You tell a pupil to sit down, but before he sits down you walk back. You are in the centre in front of the class and look into the classroom. In the meantime everyone has sat down. The pupils are still shouting. You walk towards Fred, a troublemaker. You address a few pupils. It is becoming quieter now. "Will everyone take his books, please?" A number of pupils are shivering and making a noise. "I have marked the dictations and the results are very bad". They all laugh. "And what I further have to say about the dictation....", the pupils are talking again now and you have to shout very loudly to make yourself heard. You wait some time and address a few pupils: "Mark, Martin" and finish with "Do not throw them away immediately". You give everyone their work back. Everyone is shouting. "Damn I have got a D". "I have a C". "Hurray, I have a B". "And what do you have?" There are many unsatisfactory marks, many of them are D's. The pupils are indignant. Some pupils walk to your desk to complain, but you do not listen and send everyone back. A girl, who is really indignant, is sitting in front of you. For not writing a hyphen and for not writing one word as one word, you have deducted two whole points. They think it ridiculous. There is so much noise, that you can hardly make yourself heard. "Yes", you scream and turn red. They keep on protesting loudly. It is an enormous mess. You walk towards your desk and sit down demonstratively, as if you want to call it a day. "Can the ones with the insufficiency marks do the dictation again?". "No!", you shout back.<br />
<br />
This example shows that this teacher does not command those types of behaviour (coping skills) which would make the situation more manageable for her. The result is that she tries to command respect. Managing the class and not being troubled by stress become main aim in all. This is shown by her preference for an authoritarian way of dealing with the class and her rigid attitute with regard to the educational responsibility. This behaviour implies an attitude in which achieving control of the situation is central. The teacher is now mostly in the ''telic'' state and has trouble to regularly reach ''paratelic'' states.<br />
<br />
The way in which she (temporarily) achieves her goal, and is thus able to reduce her level of arousal, consists of showing aggressive or avoidance behaviour. Both agression and avoidance provide relaxation for a moment; when the teacher shouts, the class will be quiet for a moment and also when she adopts a reserved attitude and forgets her pedagogic responsibiliy for a moment, she experiences less stress for a short period of time. In both cases she has temporarily managed ''to get away'' from the threatening situation, but this situation is not ''controlled'', in other words: she has ''not developed adequate coping skills''. In the short term this avoidance behaviour is rewarding, but structurally the situation has not changed at all. As the teacher cannot relax sufficiently, her energy supply cannot easily be replenished. As a result she will be less often in the paratelic state, and so she will be unable to try the new, and (possibly) risky behaviour very frequently which could eventually lead to adopting useful new behavioural techniques and to acquiring new skills and flexibility. And it is precisely this lack of adequate skills which prevents her from controlling this situation. In such a situation there is a ''negative learning spiral'' in which behaviour becomes increasingly stereotyped and rigid (see chapter 3 and chapter 5). In such a spiral, more and more short-term solutions are found to deal with problematical situations and novel behaviour is not experimented with sufficiently. In such cases it is unlikely the behavioural repertoire will expand optimally.<br />
<br />
=== Cognitive representations of problematical teaching situations of inexperienced teachers ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} In a problematical teaching situation, two types of ''cognitive representation'' may arise (the remarks mentioned were reported in subsequent interviews). First: extreme and fixed negative thoughts about oneself: "I do not have sufficient command of the profession", "I am not good at organizing", "I am not good at managing children", etc. Secondly: extreme and fixed negative thoughts concerning others: "The pupils are annoying", "The colleagues are not nice", etc.<br />
<br />
From interviews with inexperienced teachers with problems it appeared that the following types of ''bias'' in the cognitive and perceptive representation of the teaching situation may occur (Romkes 1988). First: ''generalisation'', for example: 'all pupils are annoying'. This exemplifies that the teacher uses sufficient conditions, rather than necessary conditions at such a moment (see chapter 4); i.e. the teacher does not attempt to discover the exact cause of the problems, but is satisfied with simplistic and stereotyped rules of thumb. Secondly: ''deletion'', for example when one's own role is left aside: "the pupils are so annoying". In the third place: ''transformation'', when the teacher no longer notices the individual differences between pupils, and regards the class undifferentiated.<br />
<br />
These cognitive "mistakes" can also be described in terms of Lazarus' theory (see chapter 1). That is, problems with ''primary and secondary appraisal'' are concerned here and as a result a related lack of coping strategies.<br />
<br />
As far as the primary appraisal is concerned, the first instinctive appraisal of the situation is important. When the teacher is too tense in dealing with the situation, he or she will tend to use a rough and ready recipe, such as aggressive behaviour, when dealing with problems.<br />
<br />
=== Changes in the behaviour of the inexperienced teacher ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} It is now clear that unless the pupils do not change their behaviour, the situation will not improve unless the teacher behaves differently. According to our learning model this is only possible once she has sufficient energy surplus to reconsider the class situation and to experiment with other kinds of behaviour. In other words, the teacher has to develop other skills that enable herself to relax and/or she has to teach less frequently and to organize more breaks and time off for relaxation and recovery. In this way she will be able to invest a surplus of energy in paratelic, and thus experimental and explorative, behaviour. When a particular type of behaviour proves succesful, this can be integrated in the repertoire of skills already at her command. This may, for example, include taking the needs of pupils into account more often which may produce moments of relaxation during the lessons, both for teacher and pupils, and also time for explanations, questions, etc. For example, the supervisor could instruct the teacher to pay less attention to the pupils' command of the language, and to pay more attention to topics not directly related to the subject. This could involve conversations about experiences in the weekend, for example. Such behaviour can be rewarded in the form of good teamwork with the pupils which in turn can provide relaxation (and thus energy) for both the teacher and the pupils. As a result both teacher and pupils will be able to manifest paratelic behaviour and hence will be able to experiment in order to find the best way of teaching, and of being taught.<br />
<br />
The phase of relaxation is extremely important for replenishing energy supplies and for the integration of experiences. It is essential that the inexperienced teacher has enough moments of relaxation during, or after work. According to the learning model only through a regular alternation of the telic and the paratelic states an adequate didactic behavioural repertoire can develop.<br />
<br />
=== A positive learning spiral ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} There is a ''positive learning spiral'' (see also 3.3) when behaviour of control and manipulation (telic) and behaviour relating to challenges and exploration (paratelic), alternate. The telic state aims at achieving goals (for example to teach from a particular chapter). In the paratelic state there is space to handle the pupils differently and to try out novel approaches. When the teacher is alternately in the telic state and the paratelic state, he or she is able to gain experiences which are necessary in order to discover and elucidate the necessary conditions for negative incidents, so that these incidents can be avoided or solved more easily the next time (see chapter 4 and chapter 5). On a proximal level, paratelic behaviour consumes large amounts of energy, but the ultimal result is that it saves energy later on. The inexperienced teacher is then able to develop more adequate coping strategies which enable her to be in a state of relaxation more regularly. This makes it possible for her to replenish the energy supply more often and more thoroughly.<br />
<br />
Romkes (1988) has shown that successful teachers are not always aware of the coping strategies they use. This is not surprising when you realise that it is not necessarily desirable to act consciously or to seek the necessary conditions for negative incidents consciously as long as the teaching responsibility is met satisfactorily. If the learning process proceeds well, much of the experience and information needed for a further expansion and refinement of the behavioural repertoire is collected unvoluntarily and automatically.<br />
<br />
=== Conclusions ===<br />
<br />
{{Level|3}} From this illustration it may be clear that the Cognition-Energy-Learning model can be applied well to situations such as teaching. The model provides insight into the way in which inexperienced teachers can become trapped in a negative learning spiral when there are too few moments of relaxation. This implies that in teaching situations, less attention should be paid to teaching the content of the subject as thoroughly as possible by drumming it in repeatedly, and that more attention should be paid to finding ways of achieving enough moments of relaxation. This relaxation is essential for replenishing the energy supply, and it is the surplus of energy that allows experimental and explorative behaviour in manifest. Such behaviour brings a flexible attitude towards the teaching situation with it. And this flexibility enables the teacher to discover which teachingstrategy (at which moment) is the most satisfactory and effective.<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Apter | first=M.J. |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
title=The experience of motivation. The theory of psychological reversals |<br />
place=Londen | publisher=Academic Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Apter | first1=M.J. |<br />
last2=Smith | first2=K.C.P. |<br />
chapter=Experiencing personal relationships |<br />
editor1-last=Apter | editor1-first=M.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Murgatroyd | editor2-first=D.F.S. |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: applications and development |<br />
pages=161-178 |<br />
place=Cardiff | publisher=University College Cardiff Press |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Apter | first=M.J. |<br />
year=1988 |<br />
chapter=Reversal theory as a theory of the emotions |<br />
editor1-last=Apter | editor1-first=M.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Kerr | editor2-first=J.M. |<br />
editor3-last=Cowles | editor3-first=M.P. |<br />
title=Progress in Reversal Theory |<br />
pages=43-62 |<br />
place=Amsterdam | publisher=Elsevier Science Publishers |<br />
year=1988<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Archer | first=J. |<br />
contribution=Animals under stress |<br />
periodical=Studies in Biology |<br />
issue=nr. 108 |<br />
place=London | publisher=Arnold |<br />
year=1978<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
editor1-last=Bond | editor1-first=L.A. |<br />
editor2-last=Rosen | editor2-first=J.C. |<br />
title=Competence and coping during adulthood |<br />
place=Hanover | publisher=University Press of England |<br />
year=1988<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Bowlby | first=J. |<br />
year=1977 |<br />
title=The making and breaking of affectional bonds |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Psychiatry |<br />
issue=130 | pages=201-210, 421-431<br />
}}<!-- TODO: Verify this reference --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
editor1-last=Coelho | editor1-first=G. |<br />
editor2-last=Hamburg | editor2-first=D.A. |<br />
editor3-last=Adams | editor3-first=J.E. |<br />
title=Coping and adaptation |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1974<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Czapinsky | first=J. |<br />
contribution=Interpersonal communication, informativeness of evaluations in interpersonal communication: effects of valence, extremity of evaluations and ego-involvement of evaluator |<br />
periodical=Polish Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=7 (3-4) | pages=155-164 |<br />
year=1986<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dienstbier | first1=R.A. |<br />
last2=Hillman | first2=D. |<br />
last3=Lehnhoff | first3=J. |<br />
last4=Hillman | first4=J. |<br />
last5=Valkenaar | first5=L. |<br />
contribution=An emotion-attribution approach to moral behavior: interfacing cognitive and avoidance theories of moral development |<br />
periodical=Psychological Review |<br />
pages=82, 249-315 |<br />
year=1975<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Eysenck | first=H.J. |<br />
year=1979 |<br />
title=The conditioning model of neurosis |<br />
periodical=The Behavioral and Brain Sciences |<br />
issue=2 | pages=155-199<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1972 |<br />
title=Varieties of transpersonal experiences: observations from L.S.D. psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=Journal of Transpersonal Psychology |<br />
issue=4 | pages=45-80<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1973 |<br />
title=Theoretical and empirical basis of transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy: observations from L.S.D. research |<br />
periodical=Journal of Transpersonal Psychology |<br />
issue=5 |<br />
pages=15-54<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Grof | first=S. |<br />
year=1976 |<br />
title=Realms of the Human Unconscious. Observations from L.S.D. Research |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Dutton<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Hoffman | first=M. |<br />
contribution=The development of Empathy |<br />
editor1-last=Rushton | editor2-last=Sorrentino |<br />
title=Altruism and helping behavior |<br />
pages=41-64 |<br />
place=Hillsdale |<br />
year=1982<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Kameya | first=C.I. |<br />
title=The effect of empathy level and role-taking training upon prosocial behavior |<br />
publisher=University of Michigan |<br />
year=1976<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Laborit | first=H. |<br />
contribution=The biological and sociological mechanisms of aggression |<br />
periodical=International Social Science Journal |<br />
issue=30 (4) | pages=727-749 |<br />
year=1978<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lazarus | first=R.S. |<br />
contribution=The stress and coping paradigm |<br />
editor1-last=Bond | editor1-first=L.A. |<br />
editor2-last=Rosen | editor2-first=J.C. |<br />
title=Competence and coping during adulthood |<br />
place=Hanover |<br />
year=1980<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Lazarus | first1=R.S. |<br />
last2=Averill | first2=J. |<br />
last3=Opton | first3=E. |<br />
contribution=The psychology of coping: issues of research and assessment |<br />
editor1-last=Coelho | editor1-first=G. |<br />
editor2-last=Hamburg | editor2-first=D.A. |<br />
editor3-last=Adams | editor3-first=J.E. |<br />
title=Coping and adaptation |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1974<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Lazarus | first1=R.S. |<br />
last2=Folkman | first2=S. |<br />
title=Stress, appraisal, and coping |<br />
place=New York | publisher=Springer |<br />
year=1984<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
title=Positive- negative evaluative asymmetry and human cognitive biases (paper) |<br />
place=Helsinki |<br />
year=1985<br />
}} <!-- paper --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
title=Action involvement and action control |<br />
year=1986<br />
}} <!-- unpublished article --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
chapter=On objective and subjective anchoring of cognitive acts |<br />
editor1-last=Baker | editor1-first=W.J. |<br />
editor2-last=Mos | editor2-first=L.P. |<br />
editor3-last=Rappard | editor3-first=H.V. |<br />
editor4-last=Stam | editor4-first=H.J. |<br />
title=Recent trends in Theoretical Psychology |<br />
place=New York |<br />
year=1987<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Lewicka | first=M. |<br />
contribution=Towards a pragmatic perspective on cognition |<br />
periodical=Polish Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=3 |<br />
year=1989<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Maarsingh | first=B.M. |<br />
title=Energie en strokes, doctoraalscriptie, Groningen, Vakgroep Ontwikkelingspsychologie Rijks Universiteit Groningen, 1990<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Murgatroyd | first=S.J. |<br />
chapter=Introduction to Reversal Theory |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Nijdam |<br />
last2=Van Buuren |<br />
title=Statistiek voor de Sociale Wetenschappen, deel 2 |<br />
publisher=Samson Uitgeverij | place=Alphen aan den Rijn |<br />
year=1983<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Rooijen | first=J. |<br />
title=Vlucht, en verwante begrippen in biologie en psychologie |<br />
periodical=internal report, Dept. of Ethology |<br />
place=Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Holland |<br />
year=1976<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Seiffge-Krenke | first=I. |<br />
chapter=Formen der Problem-bewaltigung bei besonders belasteten Jugendlichen |<br />
editor1-last=Olbrich | editor1-first=E. |<br />
editor2-last=Todt | editor2-first=E. |<br />
title=Probleme des Jugendalters |<br />
place=Berlijn |<br />
year=1984<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Weiner | first=B. |<br />
contribution=Spontaneous causal thinking |<br />
periodical=Psychological Bulletin |<br />
issue=97 | pages=74-84 |<br />
year=1985<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Wong | first1=P.T. |<br />
last2=Weiner | first2=B. |<br />
contribution=When do people ask why questions and the heuristics of attributional search |<br />
periodical=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |<br />
issue=40 |<br />
pages=650-663 |<br />
year=1981<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Other publications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Aggressive Behavior |<br />
issue=8 | pages=233<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen | first2=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1982 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: A Novel Conceptual Model of Coping Skills |<br />
periodical=Psychological Abstracts |<br />
issue=69(3) | pages=4956<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1984 |<br />
title=Bi-stability of emotions and motivations: An evolutionary consequence of the open-ended capacity for learning |<br />
periodical=Acta Biotheoretica |<br />
issue=33 | pages=227-251<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
title=Reversal Theory, Learning and Self-Actualization (abstract of paper, given at the International Symposium on Reversal Theory, Powys, Wales, Sept, 1983) |<br />
periodical=Bulletin of the British Psychological Society |<br />
issue=37 |<br />
pages=46<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
chapter=Learning, self-actualization and psychotherapy |<br />
editor1-first=M.J. | editor1-last=Apter |<br />
editor2-first=D. | editor2-last=Fontana |<br />
editor3-first=S. | editor3-last=Murgatroyd |<br />
title=Reversal Theory: Applications and Developments |<br />
pages=103-116 |<br />
place=Cardiff, U.K. | publisher=University College Cardiff Press<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
chapter=[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacit<br />
y for learning]] |<br />
editor1-last=Wind | editor1-first=J. |<br />
editor2-last=Reynolds | editor2-first=V. |<br />
editor3-last=Corlay | editor3-first=R. |<br />
title=Essays in human social biology |<br />
volume=2 | pages=189-211 |<br />
year=1983 |<br />
place=Brussels | publisher=V.U.B. Study Series<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen, van der | first=P.P. |<br />
contribution=Anxiety and Pleasure: Application of Reversal Theory to Learning (abstract) |<br />
year=1985 |<br />
periodical=Reversal Theory Society Newsletter |<br />
issue=1(1) | pages=20<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last=Molen | first=P.P. van der |<br />
year=1986 |<br />
contribution=Reversal Theory, Learning and Psychotherapy |<br />
periodical=British Journal of Guidance and Counselling |<br />
issue=14(2) | pages=125-139<br />
}}<br />
<br />
== Research Reports and Prepublications on this subject ==<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Dennen, v.d. | first1=J.M.G. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
title=Violent Aggression as a Social Unskill: Notes on the Psychopathology of Everyday Life |<br />
place=Polemological Institute, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.) |<br />
<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dennen, v.d. | first2=J.M.G. |<br />
year=1981 |<br />
contribution=Striving, Playing and Learning: An Ethologists View on Aggression and the Dynamics of Learning in the Play and Struggle called "Life" |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-81-551-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}} <!-- Presented at the First Congress of the European Section of the International Society for Research on Aggression (I.S.R.A.), sept.1981, at Strassburg, France, and at the Second Meeting of the European Sociobiological Society (E.S.S.), febr.1983, at Leusden, Netherlands --><br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Maarsingh | first1=B. |<br />
last2=Molen, v.d. | first2=P.P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Energie en Strokes: de Wisselwerking tussen de kwaliteit van sociale relaties en de individuele ontwikkeling |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1004-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}<br />
<br />
{{Citation |<br />
last1=Molen, v.d. | first1=P.P. |<br />
last2=Dijk, v. | first2=C. |<br />
last3=Maarsingh | first3=B. |<br />
last4=Stoelhorst | first4=P. |<br />
year=1990 |<br />
contribution=Naar een Cognetief-Energetisch Leermodel; over de bi-stabiele organisatie van emoties en het effect daarvan op de ontwikkeling van copingvaardigheden en cognitie; een integratie van de theorieën van Lazarus, Apter, Van der Molen en Lewicka |<br />
periodical=Heymansbulletin |<br />
id=HB-90-1012-EX |<br />
place=Dept. of Psychology, Rijks Universiteit Groningen (R.U.G.)<br />
}}</div>Baby Boyhttp://wiki.omega-research.org/index.php?title=A_guided_tour_through_the_Omega_Research_Wiki&diff=8793A guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki2021-03-02T17:50:42Z<p>Baby Boy: /* The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago */</p>
<hr />
<div>(This chapter is still under construction; major re-organization is being realized (april 2018); figures and pictures are still to be added)<br />
<br />
(Nog er in verwerken: inhoud van "Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" ??)<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
== [''''''''''''[[1]]'''A Guided Tour Through the Omega Research Wiki'''<br />
== '''[[1.1.1]]''''''Introduction''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' ''"This Guided Tour article is added to this Wiki for your efficiency and comfort.''<br />
''It is meant to give you easier access to the basic line of argumentation, without diving immediately in all the details.<br />
''It is the easiest way to get to know the essentials of this Wiki and the easiest way to satisfy your curiosity, being able to choose the level of detail you prefer, while going.''''<br />
''<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
=== Preface ===<br />
<br />
<br />
Humanity finds itself these days in an unprecedented and strange situation, a situation that in many senses is also rather precarious. <br />
On this Wiki it is pointed out how peculiar, how strange, how exciting and how dangerous this human situation is today and explains why and how this situation has come about. <br />
It aims at providing a better insight in how we humans function, in how our societies are run and about how we can avoid looming disasters. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
This Wiki article ends with explaining the transition that mankind will pass through shortly and the how and why of this transition.<br />
<br />
Most of the research contributions on this Wiki are from the hand of Popko P. van der Molen, who spent most of his life searching for the roots of the major problems mankind is faced with these days. While searching for these roots of the most pressing problems, several lines of scientific research were embarked on that seemed relevant.<br />
These various research lines are discussed in detail, each in one of the separate articles on this Wiki. <br />
<br />
What emerges after combining the various relevant research lines, is, surprisingly, a total picture that on the one hand highlights some peculiar characteristics of the precarious present human situation and that on the other hand also reveils a number of unavoidable changes that will most likely follow soon, or have already started to change. These expected changes are labeled the Point Omega transition, a term, borrowed from the French 20th century jesuit priest Teilhard de Chardin, who coined it for describing a major transition in human development and wellbeing that he expected to come in a not too far future. He derived that expectation from the extrapolation of his paleontological research data. Whereas this term Point Omega is borrowed from Teilhard de Chardin, we do not follow Teilhard's own definition, but develop a new definition, based on novel insights as described on this Wiki. Our approach is secular, non-religious, sober and science-based.<br />
<br />
It is shown however on this Wiki that the expected (Point Omega) changes are, as Teilhard argued, likely to occur indeed and also are likely to be more profound and strange than any change in the history of mankind we have ever seen before. The Point Omega changes are expected to be more far reaching than any previous invention, be it tool-making, the use of fire, the invention of the wheel or even agriculture. And because of their unfamiliarity these expected changes can for the time being only be imagined with great difficulty. This Wiki, and thus this Guided Tour to start with, are meant to make this collection of approaching strange and new phenomena better imaginable. <br />
<br />
In this Guided Tour we will just mention the various research lines and their conclusions in brief and indicate how the various chunks of information do fit together and lead to more comprehensive conclusions about the human condition and the human fate. For details of each separate set of information, the reader can refer to the separate papers about each specific issue, through the links provided in the text.<br />
<br />
Apart from presenting new data which resulted from the above mentioned lines of research, we will also discuss a number of more familiar phenomena, and we will explain how these familiar phenomena can be viewed in a novel way, highlighting their role in the present predicaments of humanity.<br />
<br />
In view of everything that already is known and scientifically established, it should, from a purely technical point of view, and according to the information presented here, in principle not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear for good. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that, until now, blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is available and has in fact been available for quite some time already.<br />
<br><br />
<br><br />
<br />
=== '''[[1.1.2]]'''For your efficiency and comfort ===<br />
<br />
The various contributions on this Wiki greatly differ in detail, in length, in depth and in thoroughness of scientific underpinning of arguments and proof. This Guided Tour helps you to choose the sequence of articles that suits you best. Do you want a better overview first or are you looking for a better underpinning of arguments and of presented data? You can follow your preference at any place during this Tour. You may decide to dig deeper into the subject you are immersed in, or, reversely, you may return to the surface and look for a better and broader overview. The Guided Tour will give you such moments of choice during reading and browsing.<br />
For your convenience we therefore have marked the articles and contributions with asterixes '''(*), (**), (***)'''.<br />
<br />
*(★)<level 1> '''Quick and efficient''': Stands for an overview article, short but superficial. These articles are best to start out with. They are the ones that the Guided Tour brings you first. <br />
<br />
*(★★)<level 2> '''Some more detail''': Stands for reading one level more deeply. These articles give more argumentation, but do not lead you into the depths of scientific corroboration and into a lengthy underpinning of presented data.<br />
<br />
*(★★★)<level 3> '''More depth''': Research level; stands for articles with so much detail that you might also find them in scientific publications and papers. The arguments given in these articles are best suited to help you decide whether you buy the viewpoints given or not, but they require more time and scientific patience from the reader. They contain more references to other sources of information. They are less efficient reading, but these are the articles that determine where we stand at the end of the day. In the Guided Tour these are the articles that you are guided to in case your curiosity keeps pressing on and doesn't let you "off the hook".<br />
<br />
Throughout this Guided Tour we occasionally have put some of the '''basic issues in bold'''. This may be handy for quick scanning the texts while browsing around to find your way to what you prefer to read next.<br />
<br />
=== '''[[1.1.3]''']What do you want ? (What type of presentation do you personally prefer?) ===<br />
<br />
<br />
Each person is different. Each has his own concerns and curiosities. This Wiki may grab your attention for different - individual - reasons.<br />
<br />
* You may visit this Wiki because you are concerned about your personal well being and you have searched the label "enlightenment".<br />
<br />
* You may have heard of the novel scientific insights (Reversal Theory) about our emotional and motivational make up and wish to find out what advantages these insights might have for you, overcoming the usual human blindness for the self and for our own functioning.<br />
<br />
* You may also be concerned about the dangers of nuclear (self-)destruction by mankind and want to find out about the roots of war and conflict.<br />
<br />
Whatever the reason of you visiting this Wiki, all these approaches are dealt with and you will see that of neither of these issues the meaning can be understood without simultaneously understanding the other issues as well. It is the total, coherent, picture that brings clarity and understanding, an understanding that neither of the separate sets of information could possibly bring by itself alone.<br />
<br />
<br />
Before following your curiosity and dive into the contents of this Wiki, it is good strategy to first check if these novel insights are what you personally really do need. Is this what will suit you ?<br />
If you have been reading already the pages with the "Disclaimer" and you have decided you want more, please continue, otherwise we advise to read the Disclaimer first [[Omega Research:General disclaimer|(click here)]].<br />
<br />
==='''[[1.1.4]]''' On the survival of Homo sapiens ===<br />
((plaatje atoombom / paddestoel-ontploffing)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
<br />
'''(*)''' This Wiki is about the way humanity will willy-nilly '''overcome the''' problems resulting from the present world wide '''population explosion''' and will '''survive this nuclear era''', surviving the methods and tools for mass destruction that have become available. It is also about how humanity will manage to '''enter its next phase in evolution'''. As will be argued, this next phase is a phase with less mass unhappiness and suffering, a phase in which the evolutionary need for large scale wars and the all overruling need for the systematic suppression and neurotisation of people has disappeared.<br />
<br />
While going, this Wiki also will provide some new data that have not yet been generally known before, new data that help to point out to us how we will survive and how we will create a more agreeable world.<br />
<br />
((plaatje van ravage er na; na een bombardement)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
<br />
However, this Wiki does not serve as a kind of "saviour" tool.<br />
It is argued that humanity will discover these data, these truths, '''unavoidably and automatically''' by itself anyway, whether they are presented at this place or not, and why this is necessarily and unavoidably going to happen anyway.<br />
<br />
Short of aiming for a messiah role, this Wiki is merely aiming to bring understanding at a timely moment, in order to make adaptation to the new situation easier and make it happen more smoothly for the reader. This Wiki can thus serve as a midwife, making the birth of a new era easier and on a personal level help you to find your way out of the clutches of the old power structures that made the lifes of all of us so miserable for thousands of years.<br />
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=== '''[[1.2]]'''Set up of the tour /Old and Novel Data ===<br />
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'''(*)''' For your efficiency we will start the tour with summarizing very briefly, in some 20 lines, what are the basic conclusions of this Wiki. Subsequently we will present another "summary", now with some more details, what has led to these basic conclusions. This second summary takes some 2 pages. In these 2 pages we will mention the main ingredients, the main concepts and issues, that are needed to create clarity about the present human situation.<br />
<br />
After that second summary we will present 10 quite different issues that are all simultaneously needed to reach a complete and coherent understanding. We will then briefly mention each of these 10 issues, explaining their implications, but without yet going into the details of the scientific underpinnings of each issue. For these more detailed underpinnings we refer with links to the appendices in this guided tour. And in the appendices further links to scientific papers are given, the reading of which may take some more stamina, patience or background knowledge from the reader.<br />
<br />
So, in a way, we shall start this guided tour with right away presenting to you the final conclusions. We turn the usual line of argumentation upside down. The reason for this approach is that the main problem for humanity is its ignorance and its unsuspectedly deep level of blindness and confusion.<br />
As shall be argued, these blind spots have biological, congenital, sources as well as learned, cultural sources.<br />
Therefore we start with the conclusions.<br />
The reader needs the full perspective right away, with each little step of the long line of argumentation. Otherwise, the relevance of each issue cannot be grasped while proceeding.<br />
While going, the empty spots in the overall picture will gradually, step by step, be filled in.<br />
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== '''[[1.3]]'''summary, what this Wiki is about in just 20 lines ==<br />
'''(*)''' Humanity seems to be at the brink of a major change in the direction of its evolution. What happened before is the following. An '''increased intelligence''' emerged somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago. For tool making hunting bands it apparently paid off to develop a higher level of communication and therefore a higher level of intelligence. But, this could only happen after a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence from being used for manipulating our own behaviour. We call that "congentital '''Self-Blindness'''". It is argued here that this is a technical prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. More recently, only some 10.000 years ago, another major shift occurred in human evolution, the development of agriculture. '''Agriculture''' made military defense, high level organisation and long term planning necessary. <br />
<br />
From that moment on, '''evolution at the meme level''' took over the lead from '''evolution at the gene level'''. <br />
Meme evolution moves much faster than gene evolution and thus drags our gene evolution along. Human beings therefore suffer from incompatibility between on the one hand the "old" genetic organisation and '''P'''rimordial innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew "recent" meme level demands (N-demands) of modern agricultural, political and military structures.<br />
<br />
Moreover, the meme level '''power structures''' have increased their influence over us humans by facilitating high levels of neurotisation. <br />
However, quite a number of techniques with which power structures keep their carriers, us humans, down and unawares, are nowadays '''gradually losing their strength'''. Once these blinding forces have lost their power sufficiently, '''understanding will emerge''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in an unpleasant subjugation since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. By that time it will as a consequence also become more likely that humanity will become aware of the reasons for our innate Self-Blindness which has been our special feature for more than half a million years already. <br />
'''Intelligence will''' then deploy more fully and it will '''end up understanding itself'''. And that is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, freeing our effective intelligence and opening up myriads of new possibilities. The gradual evolution of humanity towards more consciousness, will then shift into the '''conscious evolution''' of Homo sapiens.<br />
We have labeled this quality-shift as the "Point Omega" transition.<br />
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=='''[[1.4]'''] Summary, what this Wiki is about in just 2 pages ("Standing on the treshold of change") ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Becoming one gradation more specific, the summary then runs as follows:<br />
For fullyunderstanding the present situation of mankind and recognize our predicaments and possibilities, we need to take some 10 issues into account. Some of these issues are well known scientific facts, but others are less well known and need to be explained here. We will label these issuese here as "missing pieces".<br />
'''[[3]]''''''-- Self-Blindness; Missing piece '''#1''''''<br />
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It is argued that humanity is on the treshold of a major change in the direction of its evolution, which changing point we call Point Omega. Human hominid ancestors developed an '''increased intelligence''' somewhere between 2 million and a quarter million years ago, escaping from the '''usual''' [[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|'''upper boundary of intelligence in the animal kingdom''']](*). This could only happen after a provision, a safeguard had emerged in our ancestor's genome preventing high intelligence to be used for manipulating our own proximate behaviour. We label this provision as (cognitive) '''Self-Blindness'''.(see |here for detailed arguments)] So, what happened is that from the time this species of Homo developed out of its primate ancestors, it paired a superior intelligence to a specific inability to utilize intelligence to its own behaviour. <br />
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In a sense, we were able to become so clever by virtue of that peculiar stupidness, or rather a specific blindness for the self. All this happened more than 200.000 years or maybe even starting '''some 2.000.000 years ago'''.<br />
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'''-- The agricultural revolution'''<br />
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More recently, only '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago''', another major shift occurred in human evolution. That was the development of '''agriculture'''. That cultural innovation thoroughly changed the way groups of humans lived together. The family groups or bands of individuals, our primate ancestors and related primates lived in, were replaced by much larger social structures with a much higher level of task specialisation. And agriculture made '''military defense''', a '''high level of organisation and longer term planning''', necessary. The evolution of culture became of paramount importance for survival in the group-competition for (agricultural) resources. From that moment on [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|'''evolution at the meme level''' took the lead over evolution at the gene level]](**). Meme level power structures compete with one another for supremacy and in the process they are dragging the much slower selection pressure at the gene level in their carriers, us humans, along. And that hurts.<br />
<br><br />
<br />
'''-- Suffering from evolutionary "jet-lag"'''<br />
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Thus, '''selection processes between competing power structures''' nowadays determine the fate of mankind. It is '''"group selection" to the extreme'''. <br />
Homo sapiens is the carrier of genes and at the same time the carrier of memes. Only, the meme evolution moves much faster than the gene evolution. And since the gene evolution is moving so much slower than the meme evolution, human beings are suffering from a certain emotional and motivational friction between our gene-level basis and the present day meme-level demands. This friction stems from an incompatibility between on the one hand our '''P'''rimordial genetic organisation and subsequent innate impulses (P-feelings) and on the other hand the '''N'''ew demands and requirements (N-demands) of the quickly evolving modern agricultural and military organisations that are ruling our lives. We could call this an [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|'''"evolutionary jet-lag"''' from which humanity is suffering]](*).<br />
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'''-- Non-self-actualisers'''<br />
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Power structures need masses of '''carriers''', us humans, '''that can easily be manipulated and programmed'''. <br />
One of the ways power structures achieve that goal is by facilitating high levels of neurotisation and feelings of dependency. That is of course [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|not conducive for a high level of individual development]](***). But, whereas the quality of the behavioural output may thus on average be reduced in us neurotic carriers of the power structure memes, this negative effect is more than compensated by '''increased economic and military pushing power''' of the meme level power structures in charge. For the power structures malleability and obedience is more important than individualist creative output. Since one of the results of such neurotic dependency is an impaired developmental process, the result is that in us humans [[The_evolutionary_stability_of_a_bi-stable_system_of_emotions_and_motivations_in_species_with_an_open-ended_capacity_for_learning#Behavioural_idiosyncrasies_and_the_dimension_of_.22self-actualization.22|'''self actualisation''']](***) has become the '''exception rather than the rule''', which is contrary to the state of affairs in primates and other animals. This is, in our species, a highly peculiar and evolutionarily exceptional state of affairs.<br />
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<br />
'''-- Dormant intellectual potential'''<br />
<br />
In summary, we humans are evidently the pinnacle of the evolution of intelligence. However, our intellectual faculties appear to be harnassed by specific awareness blocks and intelligence blocks at several levels. So, different mechanisms work together to keep human intellectual faculties under control. More specifically, we suffer from the following handicaps regarding the deployment of high intelligence: <br />
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1) an '''innate''' [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence|'''Self-Blindness''']](*), blocking awareness of our own behaviour, originating from a quarter to two million years ago; <br />
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2) '''high average neurotic states and stress levels''' because of a [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Friction_between_P-feelings_and_N-demands.3B_.22Primordial.22_versus_.22New.22|structural mismatch]](**) between our primordial behavioural impulses (P-feelings) and modern requirements from meme level power structures (N-demands); this mismatch arose since '''some 10.000 to 20.000 years ago'''; <br />
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3) extra neuroticising special effects from the meme level power structures that further facilitate malleability and obedience of its carriers. Both 2) and 3) result in higher strength and pushing power of the power structures in charge, but at the expense of a lower than normal percentage of self actualising individuals in the population. <br />
<br />
This leads us to the following conclusion. With an intelligence that is structurally and genetically blocked regarding the own behaviour and that is furthermore systematically reduced by neuroticising power structures, the full human intellectual potential is not coming to full expression, but is largely laying dormant. If this view is correct, it implies a rather '''sorry state of Homo sapiens''', but simultaneously points at '''unsuspected human potentials'''.<br />
<br> <br />
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'''-- Point Omega'''<br />
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When studying in detail the mechanisms ruling [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning|learning and development]](***) and the mechanisms ruling the [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|life and birth of power structures]](***), it can be argued that a number of the mechanisms that in practice keep us humans trapped in neuroticising '''power structures''', are nowadays gradually '''losing their influence and power'''. That will most probably lead, at some point in time, to a situation in which humanity's intellectual potency will not be controlled and limited to the same extent any more and will gradually or suddenly break loose from its cultural fetters causing a chain reaction in personal and social development, including a '''sudden explosion of free intellectual capacity'''.<br />
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That will then in turn '''lead to an understanding''' of the cultural mechanisms that keep us bound in subjugation to the impersonal power structures in charge since the beginning of the agricultural revolution. And once that will happen, it is becoming more likely also that humanity will start to grasp the reason for our innate Self-Blindness that has been our special feature for more than half a million years already.<br />
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In short, once that happens, '''intelligence will understand itself''', which (future ?) point in time we have labeled Point Omega. That is likely to trigger a chain reaction of understanding, opening up myriads of new possibilities. From that moment on, the '''gradual evolution''' of humanity '''towards more and more consciousness''', will shift into '''conscious evolution''', which will be an important shift towards a completely new direction in the evolution of Homo sapiens. This shift in human evolution will be far more basic and far more influential than was the agricultural revolution. From an evolutionary point of view, the agricultural revolution will then be seen as just a transitory state of mankind, that, in hindsight, unavoidably occurred just before our species "came of age".<br />
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It will be argued that the sequence of evolutionary events as depicted here may seem far-fetched and peculiarly improbable to us ignorant people, but that in fact a similar evolutionary sequence of events is necessary and unavoidable whenever and wherever in the universe intelligence emerges. And the emergence of intelligence, sooner or later, is in turn also an unavoidable and necessary consequence of physical conditions that are suitable for life.<br />
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== '''Ten issues to take into account''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' In the above 2-page summary of what this Wiki is all about, we briefly made acquaintance with a couple of phenomena that we need to take into account in order to be able to generate a complete picture of the present human situation. Some of these issues concern familiar concepts, but some other issues are not commonly known yet. <br />
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At this point we therefore now present a more systematic listing of 10 different issues that we all need for a complete understanding of the whole picture, the picture of what are the roots of human misery and of the most pressing problems in our societies.<br />
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4 of these issues concern phenomena that are already widely known, but the significance of which for prevailing human misery is often not (yet) very clearly understood.<br />
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These first 4 issues are:<br />
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<ol start="#1"><br />
<li>'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Taboos''' and their function in human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects on human societies.</li><br />
<ol start="#3"><br />
<li>Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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In this guided tour the role and function of each of these familiar concepts, numbered issue #1 to issue #4, will be explained. <br />
While going it will be indicated where on this Wiki each of these four phenomena is discussed in more detail.<br />
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Apart from the above mentioned 4, more or less familiar, issues, each playing its role in present day human existence, we will in this Wiki additionally also discuss 6 other issues, concepts that are not widely known yet. These 6, more or less novel, concepts are:<br />
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<ol start="5"><br />
<li>'''The Upper Intelligence Limit'''.</li><br />
<ol start="#2"><br />
<li>'''Blindness for the Self'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Reversal Theory'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Meme Level Power Structures'''.</li><br />
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<li>'''Selection Cycles in Social Structures''', and</li><br />
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<li>the '''Point Omega''' transition.</li><br />
</ol><br />
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We will now first indicate very briefly what these 6 novel concepts stand for.<br />
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'''Issue #3''': -- The '''Upper Intelligence Limit''' is the phenomenon that in the animal kingdom intelligence has evolved many times throughout evolution, every time independently from one another and that generally speaking these evolved intelligent capacities do not surpass a certain level. It is explained why still higher intelligence levels in general cannot be an E.S.S. (Evolutionarily Stable Strategy). That is why this upper limit exists. However, Homo sapiens appears to be an exception to that rule. Having broken through that Upper Intelligence Level does however have a number of striking and serious consequences for our own species, which will be discussed at length in this Wiki.<br />
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'''Issue #3, Blindness for the Self''': -- In general we humans are very little aware of how we function, how we feel, how our emotions are triggered and why and how we interact with one another. There is an avalanche of scientific psychological research data showing the existence and the working of these '''blindnesses''' in detail. It is indicated here '''why''' it has been '''an evolutionary necessity''' in us humans that such blindnesses evolved and have been and still are ruling our lives until this day. Whereas well-known and well investigated from a scientific point of view, we humans are peculiarly unawares of these blindnesses.<br />
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'''Issue #7, Reversal Theory''': -- The next unfamiliar issue addressed is one of the basic and very important characteristics of our emotional and motivational system, which is the phenomenon of '''emotional "Reversals"'''. Whereas one of the most basic parts of our biological make up, we are in general fully unaware of these mechanisms. And that is highly peculiar for a species that prides itself for its "superior" intelligence. But it is easy to understand in the light of the above mentioned all overruling human '''Self-blindness'''. Once we understand the dynamics of our emotional reversals, we also can start to understand how humanity lost most of its original capacity to learn. Learning and development come about by playful and curious interaction, a pleasant and effective condition which basically is our birthright. But most of us (way more than 95% !) large and by seem to have lost that birthright.<br />
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'''Issue #8, Meme Level Power Structures''': -- Another unfamiliar issue is the finding that the world of Homo sapiens is not ruled by human persons, but rather by impersonal '''meme level power structures'''. In this Wiki we deal with the consequences for us human beings, making us live in a highly uncomfortable mental and emotional splits, having to comply with the demands of these meme level power structures (N-demands) while being designed and evolved for quite different, more original, social structures, hunter-gatherer bands, that our ancestors used to live in (P-feelings).<br />
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'''Issue #9, Selection Cycles in Social Structures''': -- The ninth (unfamiliar) issue is a '''behaviour genetic social selection mechanism''' operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spatial spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool.<br />
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'''Issue #10, Point Omega''': -- The tenth issue summarizes the changes that can be expected to happen in the near future and the reasons why these changes will happen indeed. These changes can only happen together, not separate from one another. The occurrence of these changes together is labeled with the term '''"Point Omega"'''.<br />
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In what follows, the remainder of this Guided Tour, we will make use of the above numbers, given to each issue to be taken into account. In the end we have to be aware of all of these issues simultaneously. These numbers may help us to avoid confusion and maintain some overview.<br />
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We will now first briefly explain here, in just 2 pages, a little more about the novel concept '''#9, the social selection cycles in socially living mammal species''' and how that functions in us humans. The reason is that this phenomenon (issue '''#9''') is on the one hand still rather unfamiliar to most readers whereas on the other hand it is a crucial issue to be able to see the coherence of the different phenomena and issues mentioned. Without some understanding about issue #9 it is in fact virtually impossible to grasp the implications and the meaning of the complete picture.For that reason we will now first spend some extra words on this phenomenon, that is further below discussed in more detail in Appendix #9.<br />
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== '''Selection pressure in societies in favour of docile behaviour''' (issue #9) ==<br />
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'''(**)''' Issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles, is a phenomenon which thus far is only known to some specific groups of social - and personality psychology scientists, who happen to be specialists in a related field of research, like personnel selection, organizational selection pressure and ossification of organizations or in behavioural genetics. <br />
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As further explained in more detail in [[The biological instability of social equilibria|other articles on this Wiki]](***), there is an important behaviour-genetic mechanism operating in any socially living mammal species, that renders limits to the life span of social structures and that produces an important boost to the spreading and the reshuffling of genes in the gene pool. <br />
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In short, this mechanism boils down to the following:<br />
<br />
In socially living mammals there exists genetic variance in the innate propensity to behave more or less social versus behaving less or more individualistic and creatively. Within social structures there always operates an involuntary selection pressure in favour of social compliance and against individualistic explorativeness and creativity. Since these trait differences do have a strong genetical basis, this selection pressure brings about irreversible changes in the average behavioural make up of the group members. The consequences are that:<br />
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- Every social structure has only a limited life span. <br />
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- This life span is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of the selection pressure in individuals against self-willed creativity and in favour of social compliance.<br />
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- The life span endings, depending on the organization level we look at, appear to us as bankruptcy, desolvation, abolition, genocide, etc. <br />
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- At the end of a social life span, a catastrophy-like turn over of individuals and a strong reshuffling of genes in the gene pool also occurs.<br />
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- On the one hand this mechanism is by and large unknown to people, whereas on the other hand the population genetic effects and the catastrophic turn-over problems do have huge, far reaching effects on all participants involved.<br />
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- This mechanism does explain a range of social turn over phenomena that may seem very different at first sight. These phenomena range from the periodic migration waves in lemmings to the rise and fall of complete human societies and many dynamic population processes on organizational levels in between. <br />
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The latter social processes have in common that they had not yet been understood until now. However, we have to pay attention to this mechanism here, because it is to a high degree the source of many forms of human misery and represents one of the greatest contemporary dangers to human survival. Therefore this mechanism is introduced here as novel (because in general still unknown) piece of information.<br />
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Some more explanation is given in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']].<br />
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'''The consequences of issue #9: cyclic changes in social structures and the origin of periodic catastrophies'''<br />
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'''(*)''' To the superficial observer it may seem rather counter-productive to carry a mechanism that functions as a time bomb underneath every social structure, being the cause of an eventual, but unavoidable, catastrophic turn over event. Such catastrophic events normally bring with them large percentages of the population to be expelled or terminated in a direct or less direct way. This seems like an enormous waste of energy, skills and capacity in the system. <br />
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However, it is not surprising after all, since the resulting selection pressure going with such turn over catastrophes more than counterbalances the very proximate disadvantages and misery for the individuals who are in the middle of such a turn over catastrophy. The advantages of such catastrophes for the gene pool are obvious. Many individuals will appear not to be able to handle the changing circumstances during a turn over in the social structure in question. They contribute less to the next generation. The badly needed selection pressure resumes its necessary role with one big leap.<br />
Those who stay in the gene pool, are likely to migrate and recombine in different groups and gene pools. The catastrophes make the genes move through their pool or even cross over to other gene pools. This is very beneficial to the gene pools as a whole.<br />
So, this seemingly counter-productive social selection system producing periodic turn over catastrophes, can very well be part of Evolutionarily Stable Strategies (ESS). Therefore it should not surprise us that such a mechanism exists in all socially living mammal species.<br />
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However, these cyclic selection processes, that have ruled our social and political lives always, like in any other socially living mammal species, these days are not affordable any more for Homo sapiens. The turn over catastrophes have become too great dangers for us to be able to afford them any longer. The technological developments have made war, genocide and revolutions too risky to allow them to carry on unconsciously and involuntarily as they always used to do.<br />
We simply have no choice but to start to understand these mechanisms and then subsequently steer these processes consciously and rationally in the required direction, taking the sting and the pushing power out of the "periodic catastrophy" machine that ruled our lives since primordial times. <br />
To put it differently: in this age of looming nuclear annihilation we simply cannot any longer afford the luxury of wars, genocide and wholesale rape.<br />
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This cyclic selection mechanism, together with genetic pollution, always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can in principle deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty.<br />
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<br />
After the agricultural revolution started, a number of still other mechanisms have emerged that helped to secure the periodic emergence of catastrophy, disaster and misery. These mechanisms are stemming from the demands from the meme level power structures that are ruling human life since. We will discuss, among other things, "superstition", "induced ignorance" (issue #1), "taboos" (issue #2), commonly induced and stabilised "neuroticism" (issue #4), etc., and we will also mention the mechanisms by which these conditions are induced and stabilised by the meme level power structures that are ruling our lives.<br />
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<br><br />
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== '''[[1.3]]''''''Putting bits and pieces together''' ==<br />
'''Bits of information, needed to make our picture more complete and create better understanding''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Together with the above indicated phenomenon (issue #9) of selection cycles in social structures we now have mentioned in brief in the above chapter 10 phenomena and mechanisms that are considered of importance for understanding the major problems mankind is facing. Rehearsing, these issues were: <br />
<br />
1, present day superstition and ignorance; <br />
<br />
2, taboos as guiding devices; <br />
<br />
3, genetic pollution in human societies; <br />
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4, neuroticism as major tool of meme-level power structures; <br />
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5, the evolutionary upper limit to intelligence that mankind has escaped from; <br />
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6, self-blindness that enabled higher intelligence to evolve, but hampers a proper monitoring of our own behaviour; <br />
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7, emotional and motivational reversals ruling personal development in both favourable and unfavourable directions; <br />
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8, meme-level power structures ruling human societies; <br />
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9, selection cycles in social structures; and <br />
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10, a Point Omega transition to be expected. <br />
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<br />
In this chapter we will explain in more detail how all these issues hang together. We'll give an overview of the present evolutionary situation of Homo sapiens and indicate the role and function of each of these ten issues.<br />
<br />
As we will see, there are very good evolutionary reasons why humanity up to this moment in time has never been able to solve the most pressing questions and riddles that have presented themselves to us during already many thousands of years. Evolution '''needed''' us to be blind. Important things that really mattered to us necessarily stayed hidden from view all the time. They stayed hidden from our capacity to understand, which blindness was supported by '''''superstition and misunderstanding (issue #1)'''.''<br />
Apparently, thát situation is what had most survival value.<br />
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Once we will have understood the grand picture nevertheless and once we have studied and checked also the details, it will also be understood why this state of ignorance has evolved and is still prevailing. <br />
(((aparte) plaatjes van duivel / engel / heks / elfje/ kabouter)) <br />
<br />
In order to get some more understanding of how all these phenomena hang together, let's approach it for a while from the other side and make a little tour through the different realms of pressing contemporary human problems. While discussing these problems, let's consider the different numbered issues and phenomena mentioned above, indicating how each of them in turn relates to one or more of the major problems mankind is facing.<br />
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((plaatje oorlogsgeweld, guns; eerste wereldoorlog scene o.i.d.)) ((plaatjes in vorm van puzzelstukjes, verderop ook))<br />
[[File:After battle|.jpg]]<br />
A major problem for humanity has always been the issues of '''''war and peace'''''.<br />
Some philosophers have pointed out that a well oiled and fairly operated society that manages to maintain peace within its realm, basically is a "project postponing evolution" or a "conspiracy against evolution". <br />
<br />
What they mean is that humanity, just like any other animal species, is subject to processes of natural selection and that without being subjected to such evolutionary selection processes, a species cannot survive. Genetic drift and '''''genetic pollution (issue # 3)''''' would in that case reduce the quality level of that society's members to such an extent, that eventually, within a limited number of generations, it would not any more be able to meet the competition with neighbouring societies and sooner or later be overwhelmed and replaced by another societal structure which is still backed up by more genetic vigour.<br />
In other words, the longer and more just and fair a period of peace has been, the more the average quality level has dropped and the sooner competing societal structures will take over. <br />
<br />
And when that happens, we are facing total '''''disruption of society, collapse of protective structures, war, starvation, mass destruction, enslavement, genocide''''', or any combination of these unpleasant phenomena '''(issues #3 and #9)'''.<br />
And, apart from outright actions of war and purposeful destruction, there are also a number of other mechanisms that may cause our organized societies to collapse after some period of seeming order and peace. See for instance [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1754/20122845.full here] for a recent overview by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (2013) of the predicaments and inescapable looming disasters humanity is facing today. <br />
<br />
((hongerende massa; concentratie-kamp-achtig o.i.d.; liefst slavendrijvers met zweep o.i.d., die massa voortdrijven;))<br />
((bijv. slaven bij pyramidebouw in oude egypte)) ((vredes-duif met palmtak o.i.d.))<br />
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There is one important reason why evolutionary forces work out in such catastrophy-like events in the case of Homo sapiens. Why would evolution work out so differently from how it operates in other species ? The answer is that since some millions of years, Homo s. has become ecologically dominant. That implies that our hunter-gatherer ancestors at some stage in their evolution, once stone age technology developed, had less and less to fear from predators and from climatological hick-ups. As a consequence the ecological equilibria, the balance with the carrying capacity of the environment, had to be maintained by intra-species aggression, territoriality, etc. And that, naturally, is what happened. Being a group-living primate, mechanisms of group selection therefore started playing an ever more prominent role. And in the present era, with our present technological and organizational level, group selection events go by the labels of economic strangling techniques, war and genocide. These are simply the present day methods which mother nature applies in the case of Homo sapiens to maintain sufficient levels of selection pressure to prevent a population genetic total collapse.<br />
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[[File:HZZ Hans vd Sande.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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If we want to come to grips with issues of '''''war and peace''''' and of looming disasters, we will therefore at least have to understand how all this works.<br />
Many issues of such selection and competition mechanisms are well known and investigated at length in scientific areas like (behavioural) genetics, population genetics, economy, etc. However, this type of knowledge has rarely been applied to thinking about the fate of mankind itself. For instance, population genetics theory has quite successfully been applied in matters of cattle breeding and such, but the implications for the human species has always been kept in '''''taboo''''' spheres '''(issue # 2)'''. These are issues one "should not speak or even think about". <br />
So, many notions and tools that we would need to get a better understanding about matters of war and peace are in principle readily available, if we only put ourselves to simply utilize them, breaking eventual (irrational)''''' taboos''''' where needed.<br />
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[[File:HZZ 3 aapjes.jpeg|800px]] <br />
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[[The effects of genetic pollution on political structures and human history|The above mentioned '''''Genetic pollution (**)''''']] is one such issue '''(#3)'''. It can easily be understood and estimated as to quantity of damage, what genetic pollution is doing to any society that has managed to establish a certain measure of fairness and justness and peace.<br />
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((DNA streng))<br />
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=='''[[1.4]''']'''More bits and pieces, needed to complete the puzzle and create effective understanding''' ==<br />
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Another issue that is not generally known yet, also not in scientific research communities around these subjects, is a certain type of selection pressure, operating within any socially living group of mammals, that causes certain specific '''''social selection cycles''''' with a certain life span. In other words, this type of internal social selection pressure '''''works as a built in time bomb in any social structure (issue #9)''''' in socially living mammals. Above, we spent a few paragraphs to briefly indicate what this selection mechanism is about. The evolutionary advantages can also easily be understood. Here we will limit ourselves to just mention the phenomenon and point out that in [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the "appendix on issue #9"'''(*)''']] this social selection mechanism causing cyclic changes in social structures is described in more detail. <br />
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((tikkende tijdbom met opschrift "harmony & peace"; zo'n ronde bal/bom zoals in stripverhaaltjes met een brandende lont er aan))<br />
((en op de bolle bom het opschrift "harmony & peace";))<br />
((of zo'n plaatje er op geschilderd zoals je in die Jehova-boekjes ziet met een leeuw vredig liggend naast het lam))<br />
((en anderszins undestructable peace uitdrukkend; alles in vorm van puzzlestukjes))<br />
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In short, two major factors that are often overlooked when investigating issues of '''''war and peace''''' are: '''''genetic pollution (issue #3)''''' and the '''''life cycles of social structures by internal social selection forces (issue #9).'''''<br />
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The latter mechanism is producing the quickest limiting effects on the life span of any project that is trying to maintain peace, fairness and "justice". The effects of genetic pollution work a bit slower. So, here we have one population genetic mechanism, that is virtually unknown yet, even in circles of professionals (although these mechanisms have already been published around 1980). But it is rather easy to understand. <br />
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However, if we want to asses its effects on human society and on our own lives, we also have to dive into the mechanisms of our own social interactions and social reflexes that motor these cyclic selection processes. <br />
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For a complete understanding we therefore also need to know how human beings deal with their own social relationships and what exactly is triggering which effect. We also need to know to what extent such social reflexes are similar or different from those in other social animal species.<br />
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Looking into that matter, we quickly stumble across another issue that is crucial to our understanding and that is the quite peculiar '''''human capacity to be [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blind for one's own and to a lesser extent be blind to other people's behaviour (*)]](issue #6)'''''. It can be shown experimentally that human beings have a conspicuous incapacity to asses their own and each other's behavioural intentions, qualities and capacities. This in turn has consequences for the workings of the above mentioned involuntary internal social selection pressures in human social structures, causing '''''limited lifespans of any social structures''''' involved, and with concomitant '''''[[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria#Life_cycles_of_social_groups_and_structures|turn over catastrophies (***)]]''''' going with it, in the form of '''''bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide (issue #9)''''', etc. (see [[#Appendix_on_issue_.239.2C_Social_Selection_Forces_and_Population_Cycles|the Appendix on issue #9'''(*)''']] for more details).<br />
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((plaatjes: blinddoek in/voor spiegel; dus van achteren de figuur die in de spiegel "kijkt" met blinddoek voor; de blinddoek zichtbaar via de spiegel)) <br />
((phenix verrijst uit de as/ het vuur)) <br />
((revolutieplaatje, bijv. van de Franse bastille)) <br />
((alles in vorm van puzzelstukjes))<br />
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So, we need to know also about the specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindnesses (*)(issue #6)]]''''' humans are saddled with, that make the eons old and still unhampered selection pressures possible to continue to operate in spite of humanity's high level of intelligence. Therefore this Wiki contains also contributions about '''''[[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|Amathology or the science of ignorance (**)(issues #1 and #6)]]'''''. See also [[#Appendix_on_issue_.236.2C_Human_Blindness_to_the_Self|the Appendix on issue #6'''(*)''']] for more information on this subject.<br />
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Without an understanding of the mechanisms of ignorance, innate as well as caused by external factors (learned ignorance), we cannot hope to come to grips with matters of '''''war and peace''''', nor with matters regarding '''''human unhappiness and suffering (issue #4)'''''. <br />
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We need all the bits and pieces to understand the essentials of our situation.<br />
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((plaatjes: dom/sloom gezicht)) ((lijdend gezicht; ... )) (dit mogen heel schematische gezichten zijn)<br />
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((plaatje: puzzle half af; een puzzel, waar nog het e.e.a. aan ontbreekt qua stukjes ))<br />
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== '''More bits and pieces''' ==<br />
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((lampje, zoals "lampje" van Willie Wortel in Donald Duck; flash-inzicht))<br />
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'''(*)''' Investigating the above phenomena, we also want to know how human understanding can enhance or moderate or change the various mechanisms studied. Therefore we need to know how human learning and development can be of influence on such selection reflexes as mentioned above. To what extent can human beings overcome the '''''innate and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#Power_structures_utilizing_.22jet-lag.22_effects_in_human_evolution|culturally amplified blindness and ignorance (**)(issue #1)]]''''' and start to come to grips with social reflexes that in general, unchequed, lead to mayhem and disaster ?<br />
This Wiki contains the details of a still rather novel and little known [[Point_Omega_(summary)#2.29_Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|theory of learning '''(*)''']] (although also already published more than 30 years ago), based on Reversal Theory and explaining how the contageousness of human development as well as of '''''human neuroticism''''' works and how human development and growth is influenced by social interaction. <br />
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((neurotisch stress-hoofd; etc.)) ((bijv. te halen uit T-shirt ECL plaatje; kan ik voor zorgen))<br />
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The understanding coming forth from this novel theory of learning is laid down in the '''''[[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (***)]]''''' (Energy -> Learning -> Cognition model) (see also the [[#Appendix_on_issue_.237.2C_the_E.L.C._.28Energy_--.3ELearning_--.3ECognition_model.29|Appendix on issue #7'''(*)''']]). It describes '''how we gather experiences automatically and involuntarily and how we learn and grow'''. It also describes how human development and learning is ruled by very strong positive feed back loops. Such loops do cause so called "developmental traps". That is, once a person has entered a series of positive learning spirals, his or her development is becoming more likely to develop positively in the future also. And reversely, once a person has ended up in a series of negative learning spirals, his/her further development is likely to become more and more hampered. This is a mechanism ''within'' persons.<br />
A similar effect can be found ''between'' people, mental and developmental health in a group of people having a strong positive effect on the developmental chances of individuals belonging to or dealing with such a group of people. But the reverse also holds. <br />
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So, in both directions there is a strong contageousness within and between people.<br />
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((duivel pest/prikt mens)) ((engel beschermt/helpt mens))<br />
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In summary: "'''''Unpersons unperson persons" and "Persons re-person unpersons (issue #7)'''"''.<br />
These "positive feed back loops" in human learning and development, either in a healthy or in an unhealthy direction, and the concomitant developmental traps, do have strong implications for societies that have ended up in '''''structures of repression and misery (issue #8)''''', which is mostly the case. And the reverse also holds, i.e., for societies that have managed to organise and escape from collective unhappiness and disaster (which happens only very rarely). So, these "positive feed back loops" create a certain stability in social structures. And it works both ways. An unhappy, stressful and neuriticizing society tends to stay that way, but also a supporting, happy society has a strong measure of built in stability, and the ELC explains why.<br />
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Thinking about '''''war and peace''''', it is clear that we also do need the information from these particular lines of research. <br />
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((massa zombies)) ((stralend persoon))<br />
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== '''And some more pieces .....''' ==<br />
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Having touched upon the mechanisms of human learning and development, we are dealing with '''''human suffering and misery''''' on the one hand and '''''human'' ''enlightenment and liberation (issue #7)''''' on the other hand, either in individuals or in whole populations. It is argued on this Wiki that, once we have acquired a rather complete overview of all these different but intertwined mechanisms, we discover the likelihood of a transition in the functioning of the human species, that is looking like what the catholic scholar and priest Teilhard de Chardin was writing about, "'''''Point Omega (issue #10)'''"'', a transition point that is estimated here to be rather near in time. From Teilhard de Chardin we have therefore borrowed the label for this Wiki.<br />
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((Omega-symbool)) ((overal in vorm v. puzzelstukjes))<br />
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Looking at these issues of human learning and development and of the peculiar and specific human areas of '''''blindness (issue #6)''''', the question arises how these states of affairs have ever been able to be ESS's (Evolutionarily Stable Strategies). How can it be that a certain species, Homo sapiens, does have certain capacities for learning and development while most persons in most large societies do not "realise" those potentials at all, but only develop into '''''truncated, limited phenotypes, neurotic and relatively miserable (issue #4)''''' ???<br />
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In this Wiki it is postulated that this is indeed a phenomenon that is highly unusual, if not for evolutionary reasons generally impossible in the animal kingdom, but that in the case of human evolution we are facing a unique species in a unique situation in which this strange anomaly does indeed make evolutionary sense in a rather strange, unique, and surprising way.<br />
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((mutilated person ; kreupele ))<br />
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The point is that '''''Homo sapiens has escaped the so called "upper intelligence limit (issue #5)"'''''. That is a boundary that usually limits the evolution of intelligence in any phylum in the animal kingdom. Any intelligence above a certain functional level, becomes self-defeating and stops being an ESS, because intelligence above that level usually bites its own tail. As explained [[Self-blindness_in_humans_as_prerequisite_for_the_evolution_of_advanced_intelligence#Proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour|elsewhere on this Wiki]](**), a high level of intelligence enables individuals to find short cuts to proximate behavioural need-gratification loops, bypassing the more simplistic, but more risky or costly, behaviours that ordinarily were designed by evolution to gratify those needs, while at the same time producing behaviour favouring ultimate procreational goals and results.<br />
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In other words, intelligence, if above a certain level, tends to cause a mismatch between proximate and ultimate behavioural systems. They stop running parallel. <br />
For that reason, in animal species there is in general a limit to how far intelligence can develop. Above a certain level it becomes self-defeating indeed.<br />
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((grafiek homo sapiens breekt omhoog door barrière; hier maak ik wel een aanzet toe)) <br />
((boven streep verlichtingslampje, onder streep dom/neurotisch gezicht; idem)) (géén puzzelstukje)<br />
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The fact that '''''Homo sapiens escaped this intelligence boundary''''' (issue #5) explains why we have such '''''conspicuous awareness blocks regarding our own behaviour (#6)'''''. This unique type of "'''''blindness'''''" must have been introduced in our genome before the high growth of intelligence could take off, or latest simultaneously. So, it is probably an adaptation that is at least - guess - a quarter to two million years old.<br />
This peculiar characteristic of us humans plays a crucial role in a number of other mechanisms that we need to take into consideration when we want to understand the present human situation. This specific '''''[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|blindness for the self (*)(issue #6)]]''''' is a strong moderating factor for a number of the other mechanisms discussed on this Wiki.<br />
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((blindfold in mirror; net als eerdere spiegel-plaatje of een variant daarop))<br />
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Another important factor on the level of human awareness is the '''''selection pressure in favour of docile behaviour''''' and against intelligent enquiry that started some 10.000 years ago at the beginning of the agricultural revolution. ''(Issue #11 van maken ? of refereren naar issue #4 ?)'' From that time on the ordinary (human) autonomy was gradually replaced by the influence of meme level power structures. All mechanisms as discussed above must be seen in the light of the evolutionary struggle, not between people, but between impersonal power structures, a struggle in which we human beings are merely the carriers of the meme sets struggling for survival and supremacy. In this struggle the main requirement for us humans is to be docile and reliable carriers of meme sets, cultural sets of ideas and recipes that together "make" a culture. We have become a thoroughly domesticated species, "domesticated" as seen from the perspective of the impersonal power structures, the meme-level entities that, in evolutionary competition with one another, rule human life since some 10.000 years.<br />
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((braaf hondje o.i.d.; zo'n hondje dat braaf op z'n achterpootjes zit en met de voorpootjes in de lucht))<br />
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This recently (about 10.000 years) emerged selection pressure, in favour of docile behaviour and against intelligent enquiry, is different from the earlier mentioned '''''selection pressure (issue #9) within social structures in favour of compliant behaviour and against self-willed behaviour''''' that was mentioned some pages ago and which selection pressure is of a much older origin, much older than the human species, and in fact stemming from the origin of the earliest socially living mammal species.<br />
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== '''Approaching humanity's predicaments with a better and more complete tool box''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' <br />
When investigating human history, it soon becomes apparent that it seems to be impossible to avoid war and disaster from happening for longer periods of time. In fact, well organized societies have as their primary goal to prevent the individuals to make each others lives miserable by unpredictable violence and arbitrariness. The state holds a monopoly on the use of violence and sets rules for its subjects who enjoy a certain protection and peace in return for abiding to the rules.<br />
However, no matter how well designed a political structure is set up and ran, it always appears to work for only a limited period of time. Sooner or later, but invariably, uncontrolled violence breaks out again, whether internally, within its own structure, or with neighbouring states. A little study of history will suffice to demonstrate the validity of this rule.<br />
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It can be argued that these periods of break down, disaster and misery are beneficial for the human population, because in such circumstances everybody has to rely on himself more than otherwise and selection forces resume their customary role. Mother nature thus makes the '''''badly needed''''' corrections in terms of the '''''necessary selection forces''''', that had temporarily been set aside in the fair and just and well oiled society with "more or less" (relatively) equal chances for everybody. <br />
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Maybe this is just how it is and and is it biologically impossible and undesirable to organise eternal peace, and was it never meant to be. Maybe this is the case. In fact it does seem to be so, but nevertheless there appears to be a novel problem for humanity, which is the technological revolution and the means of destruction it has produced. We are now living in the nuclear age and we have acquired the potential to destroy the human population a couple of times over. Maybe this is a bit exaggerated and even in the case of a large nuclear shoot out there will always survive some people in some remote corners of the earth. But even if that is true, than still it seems totally unacceptable to let such a nuclear shoot out happen at all. Humanity would at the very least be thrown back to primitive circumstances and large areas of the world would become uninhabitable for ages. Obviously that is not what we want.<br />
But, how to prevent further full swing wars ? We should find out about its causes and reasons one way or the other, and rather soon than late.<br />
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In the literature on war one finds a wealth of overviews and theories (see e.g., van der Dennen, 1995), but to date there does not seem to be one single theory of war and peace that is convincingly explaining it all at the required level of understanding. We show on this Wiki that this is not very surprising, because '''two''' of the above mentioned '''major factors / principles / mechanisms are missing from all these theories''' and overviews, two principles that are '''absolutely indispensable for acquiring a full understanding of''' our human situation and the forces that rule '''war and peace'''.<br />
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== '''Two technical reasons, each preventing long lasting social equilibria''' ==<br />
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'''1) Cyclic selection forces (issue # 9)'''<br />
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'''2) Genetic pollution (issue # 3)'''<br />
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'''(*) Issue #9)''' One of these two factors we already described above. It is in the '''cyclic selection forces''' and concomitant changes in social structures, automatically '''causing periodic turn over catastrophies'''. This mechanism is up till now virtually unknown to researchers in the field. It is in itself enough to prevent any long term political structure to bring peace and well being in the long run. Sooner or later the internal selection process will have proceeded that far that a turn over catastrophy cannot be avoided any more, signalling the end of the (utopian) political arrangement.<br />
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From this mechanism we can derive '''one certain and indispensable condition''' in case we want to organise an end to periodic war and destruction. And that is that '''we have to become aware of this automatic selection process and we have to introduce some counter selection pressure'''. <br />
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This is in principle easy to achieve and in fact it is on a small scale already applied in the practice of business organisation and selection advice (see e.g. the application of the [[K.A.I._and_Changes_in_Social_Structures:_on_the_Anatomy_of_Catastrophy|KAI, Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory]] '''(***)'''). So, it has already been shown that it cán work. In principle it should therefore not be very difficult to also implement these techniques on a larger scale up to complete political states, ......... if only the political will and determination would prevail.<br />
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'''Issue #3)''' Another factor that would make it impossible to establish and maintain ever lasting political structures with peace and harmony for all, is the phenomenon of '''genetic pollution'''. This phenomenon does have a different genetic effect on the population in question, but its long term effect is similar. It also '''makes a long lasting structure of peace and harmony technically impossible'''.<br />
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This automatic biological effect on human populations '''can''' however '''also be countered with well directed measures'''. Parents in general wish to have healthy and successful children. Well, the technical means to achieve that are already available and are laying ready on the shelf nowadays. Also, there is no need any more to have unwanted children. No matter the resistance from the churches and other religious power structures, methods for birth control are spreading all over the world and will not be stopped from becoming "normal". In fact, the technical means are available to counter the effects of genetic pollution without the least measure of compulsion. And they certainly will be applied more and more. People will more and more simply demand it. Once this becomes main stream, its effect wil help mankind to move from "evolving gradually towards a higher level of consciousness" into a situation of "evolving consciously".<br />
For more details about the effects of genetic pollution click [[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|here '''(**)''']].<br />
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These two above mentioned mechanisms do need some measure of awareness and action from mankind to be overcome and to stop to periodically cause war, disaster and chaos while the subjects, or rather victims, us, stay unaware and helpless while suffering our fate.<br />
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On the other hand, from the earlier mentioned list of mechanisms that keep us bound in relative slavery, misery and proneness to war and mayhem a number will change automatically by themselves, also without our purposeful actions. Our technical environment is rapidly changing and these irreversible changes will also automatically bring with them crucial changes in the working of those several mechanisms that always kept the miserable state of modern society - i.e. the last 10.000 years or so - in place.<br />
Let's mention a few of these changing mechanisms here below.<br />
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=='''[[1.10]''']'''Times are changing; what we may expect''' ==<br />
'''(*)''' As to taboos and induced neuroticism, there seem to be developments in operation that "just will do it for us".<br />
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In order to see that more clearly, we have to take a closer look at the details of how exactly the meme level power structures keep us trapped and bound in slavery and in stupid blindness. Once we have a clear picture of how that works we also can recognise that many of the tools of repression of the power structures that keep us bound, are becoming unstable through recent technological developments.<br />
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=== Present trends ===<br />
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'''(*)''' We live in the middle of an '''information explosion'''. People are flooded with avalanches of information they can choose from. Also, they can find through internet information on most subjects they care about. Power structures used to lean among other things on important information privileges, depriving their subjects of most of the information available, thus preventing initiatives from that side quite effectively. This privilege was a powerful tool for power structures to maintain and consolidate their power, but through the new internet developments this highly powerful weapon of information exclusivity is dwindling away rapidly. We live in the age of the democratization of information.<br />
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Also "taboos" therefore can sooner and easier be unmasked for what they are, as mere stories of power structures full of do's and dont's, that dwindle away under scrutiny.<br />
The information explosion produces ever more scrutiny, so these power tricks gradually but surely lose their grip on humanity. They also lose their grip on guarding our ignorance. That is the first of the newly developing trends that prepare the way for the point Omega shift.<br />
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Second, '''birth control''' is spreading quickly all over the globe these days. This means that an ever higher percentage of the children is being '''born "wanted" and planned'''. That, in turn, means that in more cases the parents are prepared for the arduous task of bringing up the child successfully. And that, in turn, means that the child in question is more likely to receive proper amounts of love and attention that are needed for an optimal development (according to the ELC theory, describing the effect of [[Energy_and_Strokes|sufficient "strokes"]] '''(***)''' on children's development). This implies that less and less children are being brought up to become neurotic individuals with truncated behaviour patterns. A higher percentage will be able to "self-actualize", which implies more individuals being able to escape the clutches of the power structures that are trying to subdue them into a mild but steady state of neurotic slavery, contaminating also their neighbours and colleagues in the process. <br />
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Third: nowadays, there are a number of serious threats for the (pleasant) survival of mankind that force more and more people to think over thoroughly the human condition and the options that we have. There is mass pollution; there is the nuclear capacity to destroy the human species by and large or completely, waging war is nearing more and more to potential massive self-destruction. There is massive overpopulation; etc., etc. These '''urgencies trigger more awareness''' about our own situation and our own functioning than has been usually the case. Subsequently, this triggers attempts to overcome the innate blocks to being aware of and to thinking clearly about our own behaviour and our own (social) situation. Such increased awareness therefore sooner or later undermines the ultimate power of the meme structures in charge. In short, we gradually start realising that "'''we have no choice''' but to finally start understanding ourselves".<br />
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Fourth: like neuroticism, '''self-actualization also is very contagious'''. The communication explosion of this era reduces distances. Through the internet all sorts of groups emerge with increasing ease. Self-actualizers, historically a very small minority, therefore also can easier find their likes nowadays. Critical sizes of self-actualizing groups can therefore develop easier and can eventually trigger chain reactions of contagious self-actualization. That will undermine the usual thoughtless and massive subservience to power structures.<br />
We will return to this aspect below.<br />
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All these recent developments reduce the stability of the classical mechanisms by which power structures acquired stability and longevity, controlling their subjects (their "carriers") sufficiently. Gradually, many of the millennia old fundaments of power start crumbling and are falling apart.<br />
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The above trends for instance '''loosen the taboo networks''' that keep human thought locked up and that are put in place and maintained by the local power structures in charge, religions and otherwise. As a result, the inborn as well as the induced unwillingness to consider the important issues for the human species are loosening up and more and more people start to direct their curiosity and intelligence to the questions that really ''do'' matter. And one thing that they then automatically will stumble across, is details of how the power structures operate and how they maintained their power over them (us).<br />
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Another thing that the above modern trends bring closer, is a '''weakening of the artificially induced neuroticism''' in us humans that made us more stupid than what would be natural to our genetic endowment. So, this weakening of our neuroses is making us more clever and intelligent. That also induces a '''more intelligent investigation''' of what rules us and keeps us down. And that is bringing us closer and closer to a mass reversal from neuroticism to states of self actualization (this shift being point Omega). <br />
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In order to see how these latter effects come about, a better understanding is necessary of how the human system of emotions and motivations operates. We should therefore take a closer look at the mechanisms of the ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model).<br />
As explained in the chapters on the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model (1)|ELC]]'''(***)''', our system of experiencing, learning and development entails strong positive feed back loops. That means that truncated and neurotic behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops, resulting in "negative" learning spirals in people, in themselves as well as in their neighbours. On the other hand, complete and fully actualized behaviours induce ("positive") feed back loops resulting in "positive" learning spirals in people and in their neighbours. <br />
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In short, psychological well-being and self actualization are highly contagious, just as are neuroticism and lack of skills are contagious.<br />
Until now, mass neurosis and misery have been the usual state of these two basic possibilities, induced and stabilized by a multitude of tricks, wielded by the power structures in question. But it is precisely those tricks, inducing neuroticism, that are becoming unstable and wavering.<br />
The result seems to be a gradual growth towards the point where the artificially induced mass neuroses cannot be upheld any more and where they will reverse into their opposite, causing "positive" feed back loops in the wholesome direction, producing an enhanced growth and development to mass health, vigor and actualization (Point Omega reversal), instead of the customary positive feed back loops producing neurotic misery.<br />
(Click [[The significance of the Point Omega transition|here '''(***)''']] for more information on how the ELC mechanism will trigger a mass psychological chain reaction.)<br />
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In short, it looks like most of the mechanisms that have kept us down in misery, slavery and ignorance are gradually losing their power these days, making it more and more probable for humanity to reach a critical percentage of self-actualizers, which will trigger a mass reversal to positive feed back loops in the wholesome direction instead of in the usual direction of neurotization, fear and mass stupidity. This change of direction, this shift in probability for self-actualization, is what we have labeled the "'''Point Omega reversal".<br />
'''<br />
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==='''[[1.10.1]]'''What will human society look like after Point Omega ? ===<br />
'''(*)''' Now, what will happen, once that shift has occurred, that shift in focus, that shift in the likelihood for any person to realize self-actualization? For one thing, happiness is a rather subjective matter. One gets used to everything, even hanging, the pun goes. There is much truth in this saying. People are primarily just aware of changes happening to them. People compare. Steady states tend to become "back ground noise", gradually disappearing from awareness. A neurotic person in general has no idea, or only vaguely, that he/she is functioning below normal level and is feeling more than average anxieties. Reversely, a self-actualizer, if he/she has grown up like that, and does have little experience with stressful and neurotic states of mind, generally has no clue as to being a self-actualizer. To him/her it seems to be the usual and therefore the "normal" situation.<br />
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So, whereas human beings will tend to grow towards higher levels of skills and stability, '''they will not so much report higher states of "happiness"''', simply because they use their own usual state as a reference point, not knowing anything else.<br />
However, in such states there will be way less misery, as objectively measured. There will be more real equilibria and more structural stability.<br />
Also, there will be much more room for creative exploration and innovation.<br />
And since the gradual human evolution towards a higher consciousness will reverse into "conscious evolution", there may be a myriad of directions to choose from, in which directions we may steer our own evolution.<br />
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Below, we summarise a number of the characteristics that we may expect after Point Omega in terms of the jig saw puzzle pieces as listed in the paragraph "Issues to take into account". <br />
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'''Superstition, taboos and false belief systems''' will disappear. The power structures will be seen for what they are, for how they operated and exerted power over us. Inducing ignorance and superstition will not work any more.<br />
Instead, '''sobriety and unhampered intelligence will rule''' and be considered as "normal", not as inexplicable "strokes of genius", as they used to be regarded before.<br />
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Problems of war and peace will be much easier to handle and because handling them will finally be based on a thorough and complete understanding, there will by and large be '''world wide consensus about how to deal with issues of war and peace'''. '''Competition''' will express itself '''at completely different levels''' from that point on. The physical dangers of large scale wars will be history, liberating huge amounts of time and energy for more useful issues.<br />
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'''Genetic pollution''' will stop being an automatic source of periodic catastrophical collapse, disaster, destruction and genocide. People will have started breeding consciously and will automatically, willingly and even enthusiastically, generate a sufficient counter-force against genetic pollution.<br />
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The cycles in social structure of growing and aging, with the concomitant '''turn over catastrophes like bankruptcy, revolutions, genocide, etc., will be history''', since the previously automatic internal selection forces in social structures will be insightfully countered by purposeful, compensating selection forces. <br />
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Our inborn weakness, us hardly being able to observe ourselves and each other objectively, our characteristic '''"blindness" for the Self''', will be mollified by our awareness that this weakness is an innate human trait, but that we can intelligently and purposefully add sufficient awareness about the social and psychological mechanisms that are ruling our daily lives. Such initiative will not be hampered any longer by all sorts of cultural taboos and other tricks, blocking such awareness, the stings being removed from the meme level power structures. <br />
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"Amathology", or the '''science of ignorance''', will be a standard ingredient for psychological education.<br />
This also means that the extent to which human beings are able to understand one another and assist to one another, will move to a completely different and unprecedented high(er) level. The positive feed back loops in the "wholesome" direction, resulting from that, will in itself already '''stabilize mass self actualization'''.<br />
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Human unhappiness and suffering, as objectively measured, will be reduced to an unparalleled low level. However, this will not imply that the same holds at a subjective level. That is a completely different matter because subjective emotions are strongly relative and have a strongly "myopic" character.<br />
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'''Human intelligence will be able to increase again'''. The advantages for the meme level power structures have ceased to exert their evolutionary power in favour of an on average low intelligence. Selection pressure in the opposite direction, in favour of a higher intelligence, stemming among other things from our present day high-tech world and the need to be able to cope with it, will exert its full pressure. That need for high intelligence will not be slowed down or counter-effected any more by the pressure in favour of moderate intelligence as exerted by the meme level power structures in charge, needing multitudes of docile "sheep" as its reliable slave carriers and cannon-fodder.<br />
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The selection pressure in favour of extreme docile and uncritical behaviour will have evaporated.<br />
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Thus far a short listing of some of the changes we may expect after the Point Omega shift. (For more information on these changes [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Point_Omega_.2F_Mass_enlightenment|leading to '''(*)''']] and to be expected after Point Omega, [[Directives_for_after_Point_Omega|click here]] '''(*)'''.)<br />
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With this short, and far from complete, listing we have almost come to the end of the guided tour through this Wiki.<br />
You may dive deeper in the data and arguments supporting this story by using the links in the above texts or in the short summary of this article below.<br />
We hope you enjoyed the Tour and that we managed to trigger your curiosity to where it really counts for us all.<br />
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=='''[[1.11]'''] '''In summary''' ..... ==<br />
(( plaatje van complete puzzel; zelfde als eerder, maar dan compleet))<br />
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{{level|1}} We will now summarize in short the highlights of this guided tour through the Omega Research Wiki and for your convenience provide further links to other articles and chapters on this Wiki. With each link it is indicated with asterixes which level of (eventually scientific) underpinning the reader may expect at the referred to place.<br />
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This Wiki aims at providing a better insight in how we humans tick, in how our societies are run and about how we could avoid huge (e.g., nuclear) disasters. We have ended up in a rather dangerous global political and environmental situation. How can we survive ? And how can we make our fellow beings survive ?<br />
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In view of everything that is known and scientifically established, in fact for quite some time already, it should not be very difficult to (re-)organize our societies in such a way that the most crucial and common human problems and dangers are overcome and disappear. It is argued on this Wiki that the major problem is to mobilize all available knowledge and to remove the taboos and superstitions that until now blocked the intelligent use of the knowledge that is already available.<br />
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Four phenomena are indicated that are generally missing from our world view, but that are crucial for being able to understand the essentials of the present human situation.<br />
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These four crucial phenomena are:<br />
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'''1)'''<br />
The '''dynamics of human learning and development''', based on '''"[[Point_Omega_(summary)#Reversal_Theory_of_Emotions_and_Motivations|'''Reversal Theory''''' (*)''']](issue #7)"'''. The organization of the dynamics of emotions and motivations implies a strong contageousness of psychological health, but also of neuroticism. This holds within individuals as well as at the social level. Without a solid understanding of [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]] '''(***)''' and of the [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|ELC (Energy Learning Cognition model) '''(***)''']], the reasons for the present human situation and the possible options that we have instead, can never be understood well. So, inevitably, we do need to understand Reversal Theory and the ELC.<br />
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'''2)'''<br />
Within social groups and structures there is an automatic and up till now unhampered selection pressure in favour of sociable adaptation and against creative individualism. This results in a limited life span of any social structure or institution. Social structures always carry a time bomb within, fueled by [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|'''automatic social selection cycles''']] '''(***)(issue #9)'''. When social structures collapse at the end of their life span and are replaced by fresh, smaller structures, the turn over catastrophes go by the names of dissolution, bankruptcy, revolution, war or genocide.<br />
Since this mechanism always, since primordial times, has been the engine behind the periodic reshuffling of the gene pool and the concomitant catastrophic events, it is absolutely impossible to understand even vaguely the source of much of human misery, let alone to be able to do something about it, without knowledge of these automatic social selection cycles.<br />
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'''3)'''<br />
The typical [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|'''human blindness for the self''']] '''(*)(issue #6)'''. This is the innate incapacity to utilize our intelligence for understanding our own and each other's behaviour. This is a consequence of the higher than "normal" human intelligence and it developed since some quarter million to two million years ago, when one line of hominids escaped from the ordinary evolutionary "upper intelligence limit". <br />
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'''4)'''<br />
Since the agricultural revolution, some 10.000 years ago, the power in human societies is in the "hands" of impersonal meme-level information structures. These [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''meme-level power structures''']] '''(*)(issue #8)''' compete with one another and cause an evolution on the meme level that is running much faster than the gene-level evolution of our physical properties. This causes a [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|structural friction in us humans]] '''(*)''', being subject to selection pressures on the meme level that leave the gene level adaptations lagging hopelessly behind.<br />
Ordinary human psychological functioning is strongly determined and coloured by this evolutionary friction.<br />
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Other than the above 4 mechanisms that are unfamiliar to most people, the following phenomena that are crucial for a thorough understanding, are more commonly known, but often not considered in the context that we now need here.<br />
These well known phenomena and their application in the present point Omega context are:<br />
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'''Superstition and ignorance''' in human society and [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit#The_evolutionary_importance_of_blindness_for_self_and_the_illusion_of_Good_and_Bad|their evolutionary role]] '''(**)(issue #1)'''.<br />
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'''Taboos''' and their controlling function in human societies. '''(issue #2)'''<br />
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[[The_effects_of_genetic_pollution_on_political_structures_and_human_history|'''Genetic pollution''']] '''(**)''' and its effects of collapse and rejuvenation in human societies. '''(issue #3)'''<br />
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Disfunctioning and '''neuroticism''' versus optimal development and well being in individuals; the technical reversibility of these processes and a strong [[Energy_and_Strokes#2.10._.22Contagiousness.22_of_Interpersonal_Psychological_Skills_and_Adaptation|contagiousness]] '''(***)''' in both directions. '''(issue #7)'''<br />
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'''Selection pressure in societies''' [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Impersonal_power_structures_ruling_our_world|'''in favour of docile behaviour''']] '''(*)(issue #9)'''.<br />
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This, together with '''genetic pollution (issue #3)''', always has been the cause of periodic redistribution of gene pools over the inhabitable areas of land, also triggering migration waves. Once understood, we can deal with both mechanisms without much difficulty. <br />
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All in all, the mechanisms that we describe on this Wiki help us to understand how and why Homo sapiens has ended up in its present precarious situation and how that state of affairs has been stabilized over time. However, understanding of the mechanisms involved also shows us what other options are in principle available. That understanding shows which other, radically different, fate may be in store for humanity. In fact, understanding of all mechanisms involved suggests that it is almost unavoidable that mankind will, sooner rather than later, enter in a next phase of evolution, an evolutionary phase bringing with it changes for our way of life, that are far more radical and far reaching than were the changes through the agricultural revolution that started around 10.000 years ago.<br />
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Let's hope that it will not be necessary that a nuclear shoot out and concomitant disaster and misery will be needed to trigger our awareness to shift upward to the required level. Let's hope that our communal awareness will increase quickly enough to avoid such disaster.<br />
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This is the end of the Guided Tour. Point Omega will most likely come, whether we try to induce it or not. A number of developments that come about automatically and unavoidably, will autonomously trigger the emergence of that Point Omega. This Wiki can help the reader to be prepared. '''That's all we need to do'''. The rest will follow by itself automatically. Enjoy the ride !<br />
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Thanks for your attention.<br />
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For returning to the start of this Guided Tour, click [[A_guided_tour_through_this_Wiki|here]] '''(*)'''.<br />
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== '''Your support''' ==<br />
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You can send us a tax deductible donation. (Click [[Omega Research:Site support|'''''here''''']]) Your donation will be used to improve and spread the contents of this Wiki and to support the scientific research behind it.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #6, Human Blindness to the Self''' ==<br />
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'''(*) A series of blocks to a rational and purposeful approach; strange effects from recent human evolution''' <br />
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Whereas in principle nowadays the technical means are available to tackle the above mentioned basic causes of periodic war and disaster, there does not seem at present to be any broadly carried willingness to tackle these problems at a significant scale. <br />
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The notion of genetic pollution is taboo if applied to human beings. The available knowledge on this issue is only being applied to cattle.<br />
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Likewise, one may expect resistance to applying counter measures to the automatic selection forces in favour of sociability and compliance and against self-will and creativity. Such an intitiative also would encounter a number of strong taboo's.<br />
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In us humans there are a number of built in factors that cause an unwillingness to consider the above mentioned issues and a range of other "sensitive" issues. We will mention four of these blocking factors here below.<br />
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=== The major Blindness Block, probably stemming from some 0,5 million to 2 million years ago('''Issue #6''')===<br />
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((mirror plus blindfold; zoals eerder, of een variant daarop))<br />
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'''(*)''' '''1) The first block''' is the innate tendency to not use our intelligence on our own behaviour. As pointed out [[Point_Omega_(summary)#Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|elsewhere on this Wiki '''(*)''']], this is an awareness block that must be some half million or more years old. It was an adaptation for our hominid ancestors who grew more and more intelligent, living in circumstances where high intelligence did pay off very well. <br />
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As pointed out earlier, this adaptation, this block on the use of intelligence on the own behaviour, this '''blindness to the self''' (labeled issue #6 above), helped circumvent the ordinary upper limit to intelligence that in principle holds for any living animal species. <br />
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Normally, in any reasonably intelligent animal species, intelligence cannot evolve beyond the point where it enables individuals to find short cuts to emotional satisfaction, avoiding the energy and time-consuming behaviours that would result from reacting "without thinking". The latter behaviours are the ones evolution has produced as best ways to survive and procreate, but if they get short-cutted by easier, more "clever" ways to short-term satisfaction, procreation is endangered and the too high intelligence level, enabling such short cuts, bites in its own tail and as a consequence will be weeded out by natural selection.<br />
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Our hypothesis is that in humans the evolution towards higher levels of intelligence than that specific, general maximum level, only became possible after innate blocks had formed that made the utilisation of intelligence on the own and each other's behaviour very difficult. And that was the "Blindness for the Self" we are facing now ([[Self-blindness in humans as prerequisite for the evolution of advanced intelligence|see here'''(*)''']] for more information on this innate Self-Blindness).<br />
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So, if we wish to regard and study the conditions to organise peace and stability for the long term and abolish war and political disasters, we would at the very least have to come to grips with this typically human innate blindness structure. If not, we will continue to live and interact like monkeys, but ............. monkeys with nuclear power.<br />
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((plaatje van chimpansee met machinegeweer en op achtergrond ontploffende atoombom (paddestoel) ))<br />
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=== Three more recent Blindness Blocks, stemming from 5.000 to 10.000 years ago ===<br />
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'''2) (*) The second block''' (issue #2) is because there has evolved, since some 10.000 years, cultural systems that wield complex '''taboo''' '''systems''', serving to maintain their power over people. These meme level power structures among other things incorporate a system of taboos that prevent us from investigating our own behaviour. This strengthens the already innate tendency to steer clear from meddling with the own and each other's behaviour. These taboos help to keep us even more stupid than we already were for innate reasons. <br />
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((plaatje: sssst !!))<br />
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So, if we wish to understand the basics of the problems of war and peace we also will have to be willing to overcome a multitude of current cultural taboos.<br />
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'''3) The third block''' is stemming from us maybe having lost part of our intelligence as compared with some 10.000 years ago. From the time the agricultural revolution began, there was a premium on docility and on fitting into large organizations. From that time on the impersonal meme level power structures took over command and these power structures were served better by docile subjects than by highly creative individualists. These power structures use a variety of techniques to keep their subjects under control. Among these tricks are systems of lies and superstition that increase the dependency of the subjects on the power structure, reducing the individual's capacity to deal with the environment at hand by themselves independently. Adaptation to such systems of counterfeit and superstition is more difficult when one is highly intelligent than when one is somewhat dull and mediocre. '''Intelligence makes adaptation to superstition and fairy tales difficult''' for reasons of cognitive dissonance. <br />
Therefore it is likely that since the agricultural revolution there has been on average a '''negative selection pressure on intelligence'''. Intelligence would pay off for members of the ruling class, which is always a minority, but it would often be a disadvantage for the survival chances of subordinate members in the power structure in question, which is always the great majority.<br />
In other words: the power structures "breed" stupid and docile carriers for themselves.<br />
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((hamer op lampje --> begrip in scherven uiteen))<br />
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It would be worthwhile to find out if we can find data on the growth or decrease of average intelligence during the last 10.000 years. It might be an explanation for the finding that modern man has a somewhat lower brain volume than our ancestors from before the agricultural revolution.<br />
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Whether true or still an unwarranted hypothesis, this lower intelligence, lower than what we had before, could perhaps be another, third factor making it difficult for us to tackle the perennial problems of humanity effectively.<br />
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'''4) The fourth block''' is stemming from us being saddled with a culturally induced level of '''neuroticism''' that prevents us from too much intelligent investigation of anything and, subsequently, also of our own behaviour. The more neurotic, the less space for intelligent investigation and the less danger for meddling with the norms imposed by the meme level power structures that are geared to help these impersonal power structures to survive and to spread. A higher level of neuroticism reduces the level of useful output of people, but on the other hand it does enhance the malleability of people and the possibilities to manipulate them. And that is a major and crucial advantage to the power structures in charge.<br />
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((gezicht met stress en neurotische spanning))<br />
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So, if we wish to tackle and understand our problem effectively, we also should try to overcome our culturally induced neuroticism. This is not easily done on the individual level, but it might be far easier to influence on the population level, by purposefully and collectively organising the reduction of the various neuroticising external societal factors.<br />
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Whether or not this fourth factor is valid also, at least the other three factors prevent us from intelligently and soberly investigating the phenomenon of genetic pollution in human gene pools and the effects of cyclic changes in groups and social organisations, let alone develop the remedies. <br />
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Obviously, we are at the very least saddled with a couple of serious handicaps, innate as well as learned. And we need to come to grips with those handicaps. We need to become masters over ourselves, again.<br />
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=== Overcoming awareness blocks ===<br />
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If we want to do something about understanding the predicaments of humanity and find remedies for the perennial problems, we obviously need to break through this multifacetted structure of ignorance and blindness that has evolved for very valid evolutionary reasons, but that are now posing some serious and dangerous handicaps to our survival.<br />
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We cannot do much about blocking factor 1) (labeled as issue #6 before). The innate blindness for our own behaviour is very old and is deeply and solidly ingrained in our system on a genetic level. This part of our specific stupidness and ignorance cannot be "unlearned" it is firmly anchored in our genetic hardware.<br />
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And if blocking factor 3) (issue #11) (selection against high intelligence since some 5.000 to 10.000 years) is correct, than this is also something that we cannot hope to change within a few centuries. Genetic changes come slowly.<br />
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Blocking factors 2) (issue #2) and 4) (issue #4) however, are different.<br />
If we would decide, we could tackle both blocking factor #2, the taboos, and blocking factor #4, artificial neuroticism (issue #4), purposefully and diligently, and we can do that right now.<br />
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For more details about the above mentioned awareness blocks one may refer to the article [[Eating_from_the_Forbidden_Fruit|"Eating from the Forbidden Fruit" '''(**)''']].<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #7, the E.L.C. (Energy -->Learning -->Cognition model)''' ==<br />
'''(How we gather experience, learn and develop)''' <br />
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'''(*)''' Children learn and develop by playing. Almost everybody is aware of that. Children play for fun. They like to explore and to venture out. In between they seek - and generally find - cover, security and reassurance. Alternating between venturing out playfully and seeking cover and reassurance, they gather experience in optimal quantities and thus develop their skills and behavioural repertoire. Adults show less playful behaviour. They are "mature" and their behavioural repertoire is supposed to be fully grown. However, in Homo sapiens, the learning animal par excellence, also adults keep learning by trial and error, motored by curiosity and playful behaviour. On the other hand, human adults and also semi adults, show less playful exploration than what seems natural. By and large humanity lost its ability to learn by playing after the juvenile phase. The ELC explains how this works in detail and this Wiki deals with the reasons why humanity lost most of its capacity to "learn by playing in the natural way" and deals with what are the implications of this defect for the present human situation.<br />
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“[[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning|Reversal Theory]]” '''(***)''' (developed by Apter and Smith) explains the emotional and motivational dynamics that form the basics of our learning process. The basic principles are explained in a different chapter with graphs, pictures and examples.<br />
For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Reversal Theory|see there '''(**)''']]. In fig. 5b below the working of the ELC is summarized. For a detailed explanation of this figure see [[Striving,_Playing_and_Learning#5._Positive_and_Negative_Learning_Spirals|here'''(***)''']].<br />
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Since these mechanisms of emotions and motivations are the very basis of our behaviour and thus of our very existence, awareness of these mechanisms is of crucial importance. It is striking and highly peculiar, that awareness of these mechanisms has not always already been our normal state. On the contrary, our cultures invariably have taken care of blinding us specifically for these basic aspects of our existence, utilizing and enhancing the already innate specific human blindness for the self, establishing and maintaining numerous structures to consolidate that blindness. Becoming aware of the reversal mechanisms in our emotional organization is therefore a key to any attempt of mankind to (re)gain autonomy.<br />
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Once these basic mechanisms of collecting and digesting experience, and from there the dynamics of learning, are understood, it is much easier to optimize instructional and educational methods, helping to enlighten mankind. In fact, this very theory can render the tools to boost self-actualization processes on a massive scale. It enables people to effortlessly enhance and stimulate general developmental processes in one another. Click [[Energy_and_Strokes|'''here''']]'''(***)''' for more details. <br />
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Before diving into the details of Reversal Theory it is good to realize that whereas the mechanics of the motivational reversals are basically very, very simple from a purely technical point of view, they are nevertheless very difficult to grasp for most people.<br />
This is because of the reasons as mentioned above, the clear evolutionary reasons, resulting in the unavoidable specific human blindness for oneself. Click [[Point_Omega_(summary)#1.29_Self_Blindness_and_Social-role_Blindness|here for more details]]. '''(*)'''<br />
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[[File:Positive and negative learning spirals.png|framed|none|'''Figure 5b.''' The relation between the reversal system of antagonistic motivations and processes of learning]]<br />
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=== Explanatory power of the E.L.C. ===<br />
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'''(*)''' The ELC explains how animals with an open ended learning capacity do have an emotional and motivational system that is designed to maximize the use they can make of any surplus energy and time available. In case there is not enough energy available, this system directs the individual to seeking cover, safety and rest, in order to restore as quickly as possible the internal energy balance. However, if there is energy available, the individual is "pushed" to spend that energy, also in case there is no problem to be solved at that very moment, on acquiring new experiences and thus gather more knowledge of the world around. The ELC is organized in such a way, that automatically that surplus of energy of an individual is directed towards those ("exiting") areas of experience where the individual does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. In those areas the individual still can learn something useful, because there is not yet full mastery. Only by the time that in that specific area of the world around, in that specific area of experience, there has been gathered enough experience and also enough knowledge, that area in question is "mastered". By that time that area is experienced as "boring" in the paratelic state and will therefore not be further explored when sufficient energy is available, because not "exiting" any more. From that time on the energy will be spent on more exiting areas of exploration. <br />
In that way the ELC directs any energy surplus towards experiencing and learning particularly about those areas of life where the individual can profit most from expansion of its experience and knowledge.<br />
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The ELC explains how this system contains a set of positive feed back loops. The result is that in case a person is already in a state of equilibrium in terms of telic / paratelic balance over time, the likelihood of learning more and integrate further experiences well, is high. In case an individual only has a limited level of skills and does not have a well balanced telic / paratelic rhythm, the likelihood of learning well from subsequent experiences is also much lower. <br />
Basically, one could say that the ELC-like organisation of our behaviour is very unfair, the lucky birds learning more rapidly and effectively than the unlucky persons.<br />
In case differences in skill and well-being already exist, the ELC-like organisation is likely to amplify such differences in the future.<br />
One could formulate this as a strong internal "contagiousness" of the learning system. For more details [[The evolutionary stability of a bi-stable system of emotions and motivations in species with an open-ended capacity for learning#Positive and negative learning spirals|click here '''(***)''']].<br />
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Betwéén people a similar contagiousness exists. The [[Energy_and_Strokes#Chapter_2._An_Extension_of_the_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''ELC''' explains]]'''(***)''' how emotional and physical support from other people may help to restore the emotional balance in the supported individuals. And such restored balance in turn stimulates an easier emergence of paratelic states. In tense and neurotic people the paratelic states are in general too little prominent. Their frequency is too low. Social support and help can cure that.<br />
So, also between people the ELC shows that there is a high contageousness. Living in a group of self-actualizers heightens the chances to enter in optimal learning spirals also and find ones' way towards self-actualization. And reversely, living in a group of neurotics with truncated behavioural systems, one will find less social support and help and as a consequence one will not be able to restore the telic/paratelic balance easily and one is more likely to also stay trapped in neurotic and truncated behaviour patterns oneself.<br />
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It is pointed out in the pages about the ELC that present day humanity is in general trapped in negative learning spirals and operates on a level that is far below what would be possible in terms of our genetic endowment. From an evolutionary point of view this situation, an animal species, us humans, of which most individuals do not realise their full innate potential, is highly peculiar, if not almost unbelievable. If human beings would be more often well balanced, they would be more often self-actualizers and not be stuck in truncated and less effective behaviour patterns. <br />
On the whole our civilizations appear to be trapped in a system that blocks the full expansion of human possibilities and that keeps us bound in neurotic misery.<br />
However, the ELC indicates that, from a technical point of view, the opposite would in theory also be possible, and also would be stable in itself.<br />
For reasons that are now easy to understand, our evolution has directed us towards this one of the two basic options, the unpleasant one.<br />
We shall explain [[Existential_friction:_Homo_sapiens_at_the_interface_between_the_gene-_and_the_meme_evolution|elsewhere '''(*)''']] why this is the case and why this strange and peculiar situation could not have been avoided at this stage of human evolution.<br />
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For more detailed information about Reversal Theory and the Energy Learning Cognition model (the ELC) click [[Towards_a_Cognition-Energy-Learning_Model|'''here''']] '''(***)'''.<br />
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== '''Appendix on issue #9, Social Selection Forces and Population Cycles''' ==<br />
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'''(*)''' Never in human history one could put a permanent end to conflicts between social groups and organizations. One of the behavioural mechanisms making that impossible is the involuntary selection pressure within groups. Essential in this mechanism is a certain kind of social-role blindness, a peculiar unawareness of what we are doing on the level of social-role interactions, whereby forces of attraction or repulsion between individuals are effectuated. <br />
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Other elements of this mechanism are involuntary incrowd–outcast selection reflexes and a personality 'trait dimension', i.e. a dimension in which people differ from one another, which may be described as a `readiness to comply with a submissive role'. This dimension is correlated with ''a large amount of'' social behaviour and ''a small amount of'' thing-oriented, individualistic and explorative behaviour. It is, by definition, of great importance for the distribution of social roles and for the social structure in a group; it determines, for example, the likelihood of an individual assuming or maintaining a compliant and socially accepted subordinate position versus the likelihood of drifting into an outcast position. <br />
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Knowledge about this innate personality trait dimension and of its effects in social groups and structures may increase our understanding of a wide range of intriguing and sometimes disquieting phenomena. These phenomena range from educational and organizational strategies to the often catastrophe-like collapses and turn-over phenomena in companies and other social structures, and from the way social roles and positions tend to be distributed up to the resulting evolutionary consequences.<br />
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((plaatje: finger-pointing and shame/fright; bijv. gelovige krimpt ineen onder de dreigende vinger ))<br />
((van de ouderling of dominee))<br />
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From a purely biological point of view, differences between individuals are to be expected in any socially living mammalian species in a number of situations where choices have to be made. They regard for instance readiness to comply with a submissive role; sociability versus thing-orientedness; and compliance versus self-will. Individuals make up their mind all the time about these "choices". It can be argued that the underlying biological organization must, from an evolutionary standpoint, be very old and elementary. What is of importance here are the consequences of these behavioural differences on the level of social interaction. A life span theory of social structures and organizations (causing limited life spans) can be shown to be one of the implications.<br />
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The way these interpersonal differences are behaviourally organized (and the way our awareness tends to be blocked in these respects) have far reaching consequences; an increase in our understanding of the life cycles of social structures might be by far their most important result. Such understanding enables us to map the processes underlying periodic catastrophe-like turn-over phenomena and to learn how to control their violent backlashing at any level of organization. <br />
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((phenix uit de as herrijzend))and ((collapse and catastrophe)) ((zaagtand-grafiek; maak ik zelf wel ?? (geen puzzelstukje)))<br />
******* naam van plaatje: .. .. .. .. .. .. *****<br />
*******<br />
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The duration of social-structural cycles is predicted to be roughly inversely proportional to speed and intensity of selection for the trait under discussion. In an industrial company the intensity of selection and the take-on/dismissal percentages are much higher than, for example, the selection intensity and the immigration/emigration percentages in the much larger units of political states. Therefore the average cycle periods are likely to vary from a few decades in companies or in political parties, to a few centuries in political states, or even to one or two millennia in whole civilizations. <br />
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The small-scale turn-over cycles with a relatively stronger and quicker selection effect are superimposed, therefore, on the larger-scale turn-over cycles with a longer life span. Thus, individuals may be outcasts in terms of some small-scale social structure while at the same time being totally accepted incrowd members in terms of some larger-scale social structure. The small-scale cycles may be seen as the ripples on the surface of the long range waves of the large-scale cycles, What happens with a person at the social-role level of a sports club is not necessarily parallel to what happens to him at home or at the level of the village community, and what happens to a person on the level of a company does not at all need to be parallel to what happens to him on the level of the political state. In fact, being an incrowd group member on some small-scale level of organization may be vital for a person to keep functioning properly in case of struggling with an outcast position on a larger-scale level of organization.<br />
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If it were possible to manipulate these – hitherto involuntary – selection mechanisms, it would be possible to stop or to speed up population cycles at will. This might for instance be relevant for personnel management in industrial companies or for measures on the level of political nations. The latter might be of particular significance in our nuclear age, since population cycles on this broad level tend to be worked out and consolidated by means of war and other economic strangling techniques. Mankind as a whole, up until now, has been able to afford this luxury of genocidal praxis, but war and economic asphyxia, nowadays, threaten to come close to total nuclear destruction. It would be worthwhile, therefore, to take the pressure off the dynamic population cycles kettle and to search for a way to replace or short-circuit nature's hitherto applied selection tricks with which it powered our evolution and our spatial spreading and distribution. It seems about time to substitute alternative and less dangerous mechanisms for it.<br />
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Issue #9 does have one more very useful spin off. Understanding of the genetic basis of personality differences between self-willed creative innovators versus social adaptors also gives us clues for solving the decades-old discussions and controversies about searching for a meaningful model of the structure and origin of personality differences. The personality dimension from issue #9 does have its roots in genetic differences, but it also has consequences for differences in social role reflexes and the subsequent situation-dependent distribution of social roles. Therefore it renders specifications for so called anchoring dimensions for rotation procedures that can produce a better understanding and overview of all sources of personality differences together. Such an anchoring dimension specifies exactly where to allow for obliqueness and where to allow for orthogonality between personality dimensions. [[Personality_Traits_in_terms_of_Social-Role_Probabilities;_an_innovative_theoretical_essay_on_the_possibility_of_overcoming_the_chaotic_diversity_in_personality_theories|Elsewhere]] we explain what can be the result from '''solving''' this '''alchemistic chaos in the field of personality theories'''.<br />
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For more detailed information about these selection forces in social groups and the resulting periodic turn over catastrophies click [[The_biological_instability_of_social_equilibria|here '''(**)''']].<br />
<br></div>Baby Boy