They among the global population whom speak of human history as though it must be sanitized; to deny the pain history has inflicted upon humanity through the ages; naively, or purposely ignorant to Reality: without Pain, there is NO GAIN!
But more significant to this presence: those among the global community whom pacify the vocal minority body demanding this paradigm–shift, must deny this happening before an atrocity makes its way.
The ongoing delineation, dissemination of language, particularly in Western Culture in the sphere of social-sexual-moral-gender-racial-political– etc., cultural identity is taking daily conversation down the preverbal rabbit-hole!
It should be clear to any rational observer that Humanity, increasingly affected by this growing discourse is pursuing a trajectory toward chaos, and potential civil-unrest. A development made most evident with the advent of DONALD J. TRUMP; first as presidential candidate, then exponentially when elected 48th President. He should not be deemed a cause, but more the impetus fueled by general discontent in all strata of American populace save for that of the Wealthy!
It might go down in `history’ as a matter of there being a powder-keg’s fuse, waiting to be lit; and Donald just happened to be the lit torch!
This growing crisis of disruption to social-institutional norms is unprecedented since the 20th and now, 21st century for the majority of Western Culture countries. Evidence to this being the case: the growing cry for Nationalism and Racial identity; independent State-hood; termination of global-unity/alliance agreements such as NATO, BREXIT, the dissolution of the European-Union, etc.. The demonstration cry voiced by bands of primarily, young-White members of the global community of western, allied countries.
Pervasive distrust of all the sources and medium of information communications seems to be surpassing the critical-point of no return. Skepticism virally affects any opportunity to gain consensus to that being as true versus false. Rendering remedy for solution highly questionable to attain especially given the diversity, scope, and spectrum of any topic of social discourse.
Of course this gives ample fodder to foes of allied western countries. Through false information and directed propaganda circulated on all forms of pervasive, and highly consumed social media platforms they can easily infuse themselves as accelerant to the current brush fires of discontent, with hopes they will incite violent rage of destruction. And significantly: distraction!
There is no reasonable observable conclusion to this growing condition save for that future historical accounts will ideally speak to clearly; however, in the mean time: keep eyes and ears open to the discourse in order to know when it will be appropriate to DUCK for COVER!
Eugenics:is the practice or advocacy of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits. It aims to reduce human suffering by “breeding out” disease, disabilities and so-called undesirable characteristics from the human population.
It doesn’t take the mind of a Futurist to predict what is in store for Humanity going forward into this 21st Century, and beyond.
The reality to this future is being seeded by events and developments in the here and now.
The technological, biological and social-philosophical advancements being introduced for most of humanity are seamlessly making their infusive way into daily life. Though highly visible by way of the Internet and hand-held electronic communication devices; most are oblivious to the full impact these seemingly defined progressions will impose in both the immediate, and long-term structure of civilized, human community.
The conundrum that exists presently stems from civil-institutions: politics, religion, finance, and other orders configuring modern society, foundations of which are premised upon centuries old edicts and moralities; collide with a new order structure.
A viral, and virtual algorithm, hyper-quantum generated reality beyond comprehension of even those that create the infra-structure to its making.
Artificial intelligence driven algorithms essential to ingest, and digest several Petabytes [1 quadrillion, or 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes] of data, rendering highly sophisticated computations that far exceed human capability to resolve, are increasing assuming responsibility for the critical decision making processes that comprise all fundamental structures of the civilized world. As Quantum-computing hardware and software advance beyond its present state of infancy, the impact on humanity will be incomparable to any former epoch in Human history.
Humanity’s perceived advancement deeper into this 21st Century, demands at least a cursory examination of recent historical harbingers; contributing factors and events paving the way.
It is not essential to delve deep into human history to highlight what is contributing to the evolutionary changes anticipated. In fact, not further than the start of the current century.
The first pivotal event of this Century: the September 11, 2001 attack on the soil of the United States; a monumental life altering event. Well documented and inscribed into the hearts and minds of not just American citizens, but those of all global nations given what followed: twenty years of conflict and many lives lost. However, relevant to this focus is the political, religious, economic and psychological turmoil and chaos that evolved over the first two decades of the century. Leading to the election of a nationalist and divisive political ethos primarily in the United States under the Trump Presidential Administration; but too, one that infectiously spread throughout the developed world. Which ironically, was matched in its ferocity, and deadliness: a Pandemic. A Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) widely labeled COVID-19. A viral contagion purportedly originating from within China.
Disregarding other significant contributing factors of global politics, trade and finance; the pandemic made blatantly evident the ills of 20th Century policy decisions related to global trade and tariffs, just-in-time production streams, off-shore manufacturing of essential services and products, etc.. Leading developed nations found themselves bidding blindly and expensively for the basic essentials in support of their health-care operations such a personal protection equipment, ventilators, medicines particularly vaccine development, production, distribution, and ultimate inoculation for billions of vulnerable global citizens. What premeditated programs designed for such national emergencies found to be either inadequate, or non-existent. Millions of individuals dying prematurely as a result, and potentially leading to the structural and financial collapse of several developed economies. This global event yet to fully play-out remains a challenge to accurately estimate in its potential, the devastation of the social fabric of all nations.
In summary to this point; the world finds itself steeped in chaos, scrambling to survive its Peoples morally, emotionally, and financially. But what is clear and evident: with the rapid advancement of autonomous technologies, administered by super-computers running AI algorithms in key infra-structures of modern society, the role, or need for mass populations becomes less of a priority; especially those of lessor education and/or financial sustainability. Presently the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimate 52 percent of current work tasks will be undertaken by some form of Robotics by the year 2025 (just 4 years away). Though an estimate of 97 million jobs to be created by automation, an equivalent number of jobs are expected to disappear, principally in manual labor, production manufacturing, and service industry. The question that arises: what will all these people do to generate a living wage; plus what are the prospects for future generations of these displaced individuals?
To answer this, and many other yet to be asked, daunting questions to resolve, some may turn to Aldous Huxley’s BRAVE NEW WORLD as a potential futurist world where through genetic engineering humans are artificially borne to a life prescribed to full-fill a specific need ranging from janitor to an elitist bon-ve-vont flourishing off the efforts of all below their borne status. Or any of many utopian, to dystopian sci-fi provocations of a future humanity struggling to sustain its relevance in an increasing technologically administered existence.
However, in conclusion, what is a definite certainty: the present course for humanity to be taken will with certainty, be rife with conflict for the disparaged millions whom find themselves with “so-called undesirable characteristics from the [Robot] population”.
Lest you, and yours find yourselves one of those Eugenically predisposed.
The current phenom to the Art world seems to be a Computer enabled with applicable software capable of manipulating ones and zeros into an as yet to be imagined – imagery. An art-form unique in its presence as to demand not only critical attention, but currency exchange in the form of fiat or crypto. Who’d of thunk it?
Personally, I have enjoyed over the years as hardware and application software advanced, the thrill of digital manipulation either in the form of graphics, photo-manipulation as well as video-animation. But never took the concept of such works being worthy of currency exchange. Ultimately, the value of beauty or artful worthiness remains in the EYE, of the beholder.
To that end, here is a sampling of some of that produced over the decades. Many specifically to contextualize a poem or essay:
This graphic began with a simple sweep of the virtual pen
As one who has spent many hours of his life infused with the need to express what is felt, seen, and heard; to acknowledge a young, inspiring Poet Amanda Gorman [https://youtu.be/FpR7iELvVrI]: to give poetry its place to affectively communicate in so many words, the hearts, minds, and consciousness of the many; gave inspiration to the following in tribute to her glorious achievement(s):
To Be Heard
To write a Poem, is not just words;
It is an individual’s feelings, felt to be heard.
To those whom encounter such a poem;
Know, its meaning is to find an emotional home.
Inspiration, often from the most innocuous place,
Can stimulate a composition of wisdom, hope and grace.
So, understanding that a Poem is more than just words;
Let its next encounter give cause for its meaning to be truly heard.
It has been some time since posting to NAYKD POET, not for lack of want, but truly, finding little that is positive to inspire expression; what ever the topic, and/or, medium of communication conveyance.
This tumultuous era, as a collective: Humanity, we are now experiencing, by my armature examination, is a culmination, in fact a collision, of the facets that constitute the infra-structure of society: civil or unruly.
The basic, principle category components: Science, Religion, Politics, Finance/Economics, Nationalist Culture, Sexuality, Genetics, Technology(ies); all being, presently, challenged to their relevancy, to the individual, and as a collective. The latter being discriminated into groups, or tribes, defined by such criteria, resulting in a matrix of potential, conflicting beliefs, truths, and acceptance.
And, not unlike the trauma imposed upon global humanity during historic revolutionary changes in human development, duly categorized as the: Stone-age, Iron-age, Industrial-age, and now, the Information-age; this latter period likely to be the most daunting to lapse into a state of manageable, universal conformity.
The exponential presence, and societal relevance, of Internet communications, the portable devices making possible instant communication: text, voice, video, are contributing to a climatic change; the temper(ature) of tolerance: capably, willingly assumed, without direct imposition by a ruling-class. When a true, scalable instance of expression, within moments of happening can culminate in violent riot, or the saving of a life, simultaneously witnessed, and responded to, by every globally connected individual, instantly.
The diversity of viewpoint, opinion, on virtually any topic of free expression, or conflation of information, has manifest a vital opportunity, but at the steep cost of credulity: who, or what, to believe to be true, honest, and factual.
What the Information-age appears to have most successfully achieve, to date, is to expose how dangerously disruptive diverse beliefs, and allegiances, to the definable, basic component structures that form an evolving human presence on Earth can be. And, unfortunately, with the ever expanding web of virtual influence of information technologies; matters have greater promise of unbridled upheaval and disenfranchisement.
Not a happy, nor positive projection of time to come; but, awareness to this potential, to this mind, will serve well to temper what ever storm is yet to erupt.
As the title infers, the present course of humanity on the planet is destined toward destruction: self-annihilation. Whether this unwelcome end is manifest by the disastrous effects of climate-change or, equally as bad and potential: thermal nuclear war and the nuclear winter that will ensue.
Regardless of the mechanism, to thwart such potential happening, if there is a solution to be had, it is the Millennial generation, to this current epoch, to take affirmative and permanent action to manifest it.
Inspiring such a movement is Vice documentary production titled: `The Third Industrial Revolution: A Radical New Sharing Economy’ (https://youtu.be/QX3M8Ka9vUA) hosted by Jeremy Rifkin, American economic and social theorist, writer, public speaker, political adviser, and activist, who addresses an American audience of several millennial age men and women, detailing what amounts to a challenging road map to usher in a new economic system. A system presently hinting its way into the lexicon by way of such words as `block-chain’; `share-economy’; bio-system economy’; etc..
The hour and half is stark in Rifkin’s picture painted of the present state of global and earthly affairs detailed by the chronology of events initiated from the start of the 1st industrial revolution, through the second, and to where matters stand today. And the picture is not pretty nor is to where, if matters do not change dramatically, and soon, things are determined to get much worse.
What is clearly evident by way of Rifkin’s presentation; the European Union countries, led by example of Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel; and, China’s President, Xi Jinping; are leading their respective countries through revolutionary policy changes clearly established to lead them on the path to what he refers to as the `third industrial revolution’. And, simultaneously, asks: `where is the United States on this important issue?. And further, for that matter, by extension: all of North America and remaining regions of the world to address what is essentially a global problem demanding a global solution.
It is almost an imperative that those comprising the Millennial generation, supported by those of all previous generations, to watch, listen and respond to what Jeremy Rifkin details in this very informative and inspiring documentary.
In the United States, Millennials will have the opportunity to institute affirmative action by voting in the upcoming mid-term, November 2018 election to draft a new body of legislators, Senators and Congressman. Those acknowledged to be pro-active in the challenges, not solely on matters of climate-change, but too, a heightened awareness of the role smart technologies and systems of value exchange such as block-chain and crypto-currency/asset value exchange; AI infra-structure and autonomous technologies; construct of the share-economy, to ignite a new era of human r-evolution:`The Third Industrial Revolution: A Radical New Sharing Economy’.
In keeping with my typical voice being expressed in poetry; the following is a poem written early in 2010 acknowledging the state of matters then, that, eight years later, seems most appropriate to express in context of the revolution humanity is upon the threshold to embark:
R-evolution of Human-kind
Only a handful of the world’s people are in the know
And what evil doings they do sow
And from it the hatred amongst all does grow
Question to be answered: What is their game?
And from it: What is the gain?
And by it: Who ultimately does the pain?
The saga of this siege has long been played
The life and blood of the masses is the price paid
When does it stop – when does it go away?
Populations of people are all getting smarter
No longer will they serve as the elite’s fodder
The uprising to come will undo this ongoing slaughter
A cataclysm will it take to break the slave chain
Only then will the people of the world take back their rightful claim
In the interests of social science dealing with the theory experimented by psychologist Stanley Milgram ,1960’s, Yale University, on the concept of degrees of separation: `Six degrees of separation is the theory that any person on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries’ (google search). And, the subject of like experiments conducted by Duncan J. Watts, Professor of sociology, Columbia University, and associates, as detailed in his book: Everything Is Obvious – Once you know the answer, (Chapter 4 Special People – Six Degrees of Separation, page 82); I am interested to conduct my own experiment.
Several years back when Stephen Colbert, currently the late-night host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS Broadcast); was the host and political pundit satirist on the Colbert Show, Comedy Central, I have been attempting to get a communication to his attention.
It began when the Colbert Show ran an art competition involving portraits to be submitted rendering Colbert in all his, self-indulgent, narcissistic glory.
To that end, I responded with the following photo-shop rendering:
It was meant to reflect his mastery of satirical yet, poetic, right-wing political punditry to rival the rhetorical eloquence of Shakespeare. It certainly seemed relevant for the time.
Though Stephen Colbert’s stature and image being elevated since his taking the host position of the Late Show formerly held by David Letterman, I’d like to think he’d get a kick, or at least a chuckle, of his portrayal in this dated image.
So, to the experiment: how many individuals will it take to get this image to the eyes of
Stephen Colbert, host of the Late Show broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater, New York City, New York, US of A? And his comment to its accompanying poem written in his honor:
‘Stephen Colbert’
This ode of word to the King
Of the comedy hour
His craft of speak
Is yielding much power
Nightly he espouses
A pundit’s cynical political view
To most who watch
It sounds as something new
The double entendre of his nightly spiel
Is taken by some who think it real
He manifests reasons for thought
A most clever and insightful plot
His wisdom portrayed by his crafty craft
Even all the while making his audience laugh
How great is Stephen’s desire to have you know
That his is not just another COMEDY SHOW
But before the close there’s need for just one more claim:
To all who are aware, Stephen Colbert – is more then just a name!
Humanity is fast approaching the second decade of this 21st century at such speed, if measured by the advancements in computer hardware and software technologies manifesting as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics at the heart of it, its beyond the speed of light.
No where is this to be more evident then that which comes from the fantastical mind-creations of screenplay writers; directors and legions of CGI special-effects artists; editors and, ironically to a lesser degree, flesh and blood Actors.
To witness a sampling of what Hollywood has in store for 2018 and beyond; a fictional projection of a fantastical, and potentially dystopian, future world can be had here (it is a playlist of trailers of 2018 release movies).
The series of upcoming movies from award-winning directors such as Stephen Spielberg and David Cameron, and multi-million production budgets, they do not hold back on their portrayal of what the future has in store for humanity. Unfortunately today, such exposes need the drama of death and destruction, but at the heart of each screenplay, is a potential truth, one day, we may all have to face.
Where Have I been?
Tags: art, commentary, computer, environment, faith, family, humanity, inspiration, Internet, life, News, politics, relationships, religion, science, space, technology, truth, wireless, writing
It has been some time since posting to NAYKD POET, not for lack of want, but truly, finding little that is positive to inspire expression; what ever the topic, and/or, medium of communication conveyance.
This tumultuous era, as a collective: Humanity, we are now experiencing, by my armature examination, is a culmination, in fact a collision, of the facets that constitute the infra-structure of society: civil or unruly.
The basic, principle category components: Science, Religion, Politics, Finance/Economics, Nationalist Culture, Sexuality, Genetics, Technology(ies); all being, presently, challenged to their relevancy, to the individual, and as a collective. The latter being discriminated into groups, or tribes, defined by such criteria, resulting in a matrix of potential, conflicting beliefs, truths, and acceptance.
And, not unlike the trauma imposed upon global humanity during historic revolutionary changes in human development, duly categorized as the: Stone-age, Iron-age, Industrial-age, and now, the Information-age; this latter period likely to be the most daunting to lapse into a state of manageable, universal conformity.
The exponential presence, and societal relevance, of Internet communications, the portable devices making possible instant communication: text, voice, video, are contributing to a climatic change; the temper(ature) of tolerance: capably, willingly assumed, without direct imposition by a ruling-class. When a true, scalable instance of expression, within moments of happening can culminate in violent riot, or the saving of a life, simultaneously witnessed, and responded to, by every globally connected individual, instantly.
The diversity of viewpoint, opinion, on virtually any topic of free expression, or conflation of information, has manifest a vital opportunity, but at the steep cost of credulity: who, or what, to believe to be true, honest, and factual.
What the Information-age appears to have most successfully achieve, to date, is to expose how dangerously disruptive diverse beliefs, and allegiances, to the definable, basic component structures that form an evolving human presence on Earth can be. And, unfortunately, with the ever expanding web of virtual influence of information technologies; matters have greater promise of unbridled upheaval and disenfranchisement.
Not a happy, nor positive projection of time to come; but, awareness to this potential, to this mind, will serve well to temper what ever storm is yet to erupt.
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