Meta-Nature

Inflection Point

Nature

Contemplating the global situation, virtually all key indicators appear to be accelerating along logarithmic curves. Yet, the human population, peak oil, atmospheric CO2, mass extinction of species and the overall rate of consumption of renewable resources are all rapidly approaching absolute limits. There are only two possibilities given this situation. Either the global system will crash, or these growth trends will have to begin to seek a stable plateau, i.e. what appear to be log curves will turn out to be S-curves.

This may actually mimic a pattern that has occurred several times before in the history of biological evolution. The spike in CO2 causing global warming can be seen as the second atmospheric crisis, and peak oil as the third energy crisis, in the history of life on earth. Silicon photovoltaic's are like an octave of photosynthesis and thus a key indicator of the potential for a new life-support technology plateau, a climax technology that humanity may evolve, just as nature did several times before us. Our very recognition of this possibility may be one of a number of converging indicators that we are at the point of inflection on the S-curve leading to Meta-Nature.

The Shift Scenario
A Summary DRAFT
January 1 , 2006 PDF - v.2.2

A More Polished Overview
February 27, 2006

3.6M Power Point (download first)
6.4M mp3 Audio 25min (stream)
(audio starts at slide 26)

A More Detailed Treatment
Greenfest - November 5, 2005
3.4M Power Point (download first)
30.9M mp3 Audio 43 min (stream)

S-Curve TimeMap & Illustrations

An Interactive Visualization Tool
(requires Flash 5 plug-in)

We are undergoing a point of inversion in matter and culture. From this point on, our technological evolution may increasingly be guided by the recognition of the potential for a climax technology, a state of Meta-Nature. A state as harmonious as nature in the coherence of its design, which, like nature, is only the realization of a potential already inherent in the puzzle that is matter; a state that unlike nature may only bring itself into being through the intervention of humans. And yet like nature, one which exists fully in potential prior to any manifestation in matter; an inherent property implicit in the coherence of basic space. A state which unfolds inevitably out of the most fundamental harmony and symmetry possible in matter. A state which, like nature, is not static but always evolving, but which also, like nature, has a coherence and beauty expressed through perfected energetic efficiency.

Meta-Nature
Essay from December 23, 1999

Evolution, Entropy and Work
A paper presented at the ISSS Conference June, 1998 - PDF

From Nature to Meta-Nature: The Point of Inflection in Time
Edited transcript of a talk delivered at the Planetwork Conference, May 13, 2000

Please Note
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email me and I will send you a passwd.

Eprida
Carbon Negative Energy and Soil Restoration
http://www.eprida.com


Jim Fournier

copyright ©2001-2006 James L. Fournier

updated March 4, 2006

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