These essays provide a fresh and intriguing look at today's frontiers in the sciences and humanities. Of the several dozen a few are introduced and reviewed here.
In the discussion about exponential growth, the Bruno Giussani writes that exponential change is a characteristic of this high-tech age but that the general public and most politicians don't appreciate rapid change ("we live in an exponential world …. while exponentiality is significant in the first half of the board [early stages of development], when we approach the second half its effects are enormous, things get crazy, and the acceleration eludes most humans' grasp.") (p. 115-116). Moreover, many social structures and systems as built today will either have to bend or break ("... we still live, for the most part, in a world that doesn't understand and isn't made for exponentiality." [in technological change, resource use, and migrations].
Interestingly, policymakers who look at historical context of their decisions will, if this exponential change continues, find their tasks even more difficult than in the past few decades. In " 'Evolve' as Metaphor" Victoria Wyatt writes people commonly associate evolution with progress. In the practical world, "A keen awareness of history is vital to intelligent decisionmaking" and "Recognizing current global challenges demands a different vision, one that acknowledges history and context." (p. 225-226).
So, looking first at the exponential change trend, then at decisionmaking based on accurate and specific past context, these ideas can also be seen in relation to a third essay. In "Premature Optimization" by Kevin Kelly, he writes that our 21st century world is rapidly changing with different types of peak fitness emerging and falling (speaking of a computer model for positive survival traits, or fitness: "Picture a world crammed with nearly vertical peaks, separated by deep valleys, rising and falling in response to each other …. a 'rugged landscape'. It's a perfect image of today's churning world." (p. 235-236). For an individual, group, a nation, or an alliance of nations to move from one peak fitness level to another sometimes the person, group, nation, or alliance must temporarily change its position and 'move' through a 'valley' where it is not as fit, strong, or stable, to then reach a new peak. This evolutionary or competitive model idea may describe certain corporate restructurings, reforms, social ferment, or in more extreme cases, a condition of sanctions, a fall back to neo-mercantilism, or even fighting in conditions which are temporarily not advantageous. As Mr. Kelly puts it: "Descent to a valley means an organism or organization must first become less fit, less optimal, less excellent before it can rise again. It must lower its mastery and its chance of survival and approach the valley of death. This is difficult for any species, organization, or individual. But the more successful an entity is, the harder it is to descend." (p. 236). There are certain strategies to make move from one area of peak fitness or strength to another more effective and faster. Knowledge and resilience are key (a willingness to have "patience and surrender to imperfection, inefficiency, and disorder"). In this essay about "Premature Optimization" it is probably true that an all-out effort to hold one's position, to be static, is not a winning strategy in a world where so many other 'peaks' and 'valleys' of fitness and success are changing (see also "The Fourth Turning" by William Strauss and Neil Howe: the origins of the "High" or leading generation involve a previous crisis). People and societies have to adapt and grow, some mistakes will occur in the process and have to be accepted. Maybe new exponential growth and knowledge attained will make up for the costs and losses that occur, or may occur, when people, companies, and societies move from one area of peak performance to another.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
S. Snipes
Very interesting; good as an ebook
Reviewed in Italy on September 23, 2018