Sociocultural Evolution Matters

Sociocultural evolution matters.  And, today, we are thrashing as we lurch from a past that no longer exists into the mist of a future that is only beginning to come into view.  The convulsions erupting in United States and globally are disturbing, frightening, and visceral.  We have the science, if we listen; we have the leadership, if we unify; and we have the resources, if we care.  Voices from the past offer insights, let’s ‘listen’ to a few musings:

“Both in space and time, we seem to be brought near to that great fact – the mystery of mysteries – the first appearance of new beings on this earth.”                                                                              Charles Robert Darwin. Naturalist, Geologist, and Biologist. 1809-1882.

“Biology of man; development of culture over thousands of years, starting very slowly, gaining impetus, until today it is accelerating at a frightening pace.” [Written 1963]                                         Harold F. Blum. Physiology, Photobiology. 1899-1980.

“It’s simply a national acknowledgement that in any kind of priority, the needs of human beings must come first. Poverty is here and now. Hunger is here and now. Racial tension is here and now. Pollution is here and now. These are the things that scream for a response. And if we don’t listen to that scream – and if we don’t respond to it – we may well wind up sitting amidst our own rubble, looking for the truck that hit us – or the bomb that pulverized us. Get the license number of whatever it was that destroyed the dream. And I think we will find that the vehicle was registered in our own name.” [Commencement Address at the University of Southern California (March 17, 1970).                                                                                                                                   Rodman Edward Serling. Screenwriter, Playwright, Television Producer. 1924-1975.

“The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”           Arthur C. Clarke. Science Fiction Writer, Science Writer, Futurist, Undersea Explorer. 1917-2008.

These contemplations stir one to discern: Are we capable of navigating the variability of social evolution, or are we destined to be captive on a sociocultural plateau?  We would love to hear your thoughts.