Difference between revisions of "Main Page/Introduction"

From AdCiv
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(165 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<div style="font-size:115%; text-align:center;">'''We are still nowhere near the height of human civilisation.'''</div>
+
{{TOC left}}
 +
<div style="font-size:115%; text-align:center">'''We are nowhere near the height of human civilisation.'''</div>
 +
[[image:Neanderthal.jpg|120px|right|Despite our apparent modernity we are still at a relatively early (and unsophisticated) stage of our civilisation]]
 +
Not even close. Our present culture is conditioned by centuries of [[existing scarcity|scarcity]] that ought to have disappeared by now, considering our technical capabilities.
  
[[Image:Neanderthal.jpg|right|80px|Neanderthal]]
+
However, automation is advancing rapidly, and in parallel, we are developing ever more effective ways of collaborating and openly sharing knowledge. This means it will become increasingly unacceptable to let needless scarcity continue in the face of what is possible. New thinking and tools are emerging that could change everything.
<div style="font-size:95%;">
+
Not even close. Our present culture is conditioned by centuries of [[scarcity]] that with our technical capabilities ought to have disappeared by now. This scarcity still persists today due to many factors such as self-interest (at many levels), short-term thinking, outdated institutions, and in no small part, monetary economics.
+
  
But [[Closed-loop automation|automation]] is becoming ever more sophisticated, steadily climbing the human career ladder, and in parallel we are developing increasingly efficient ways of collaborating and openly sharing knowledge. This means it will become increasingly unacceptable to let needless scarcity continue in the face of what is possible.
+
Via [[Internet access|the internet]] a new fluid grouping of minds is evolving that is adhoc, distributed and mutually sharing {{en}}  a system that is potentially far more effective at problem-solving and creative technical development than anything that has come before. In some areas, notably [[Free and open-source software|software development]] and [[Free and open-source software/Beyond software|knowledge gathering]], it is well under way {{en}} but this is just the beginning. These 'open' peer-to-peer activities are about to burst out into the physical world enabling us to do things both technologically and economically that have not previously been feasible.
  
Via the internet a new fluid grouping of minds is evolving that is adhoc, distributed, self-organising and yet potentially far more effective than anything we have seen before. These [[open design|peer-to-peer activities]] combined with advanced automation will give us the capability to do things that were previously impossible, both technologically and socially. ''It is the new enlightenment''. In some areas, notably software development and knowledge gathering, it is well under way. But this is just the beginning.
+
''AdCiv.org'' is exploring the emerging possibilities, focusing on developing concepts that could take us to the next logical phase of civilisation {{en}} namely an ecologically sympathetic [[post-scarcity|post-scarcity age]] where [[Fundamental resources|abundant resources]], tools and knowledge could enable a unparalleled standard of living for the entire growing global population. It may sound far-fetched to the uninitiated but the technologies to enable this are developing rapidly, so you might want to prepare yourself...
 
+
Here we explore the emerging possibilities, focusing on concepts to take us to the next phase of civilisation {{em}} an ecologically sympathetic [[post-scarcity age]] where knowledge is freely shared and almost anything becomes possible. It sounds unlikely perhaps but it's absolutely within our reach, and this new era is coming at a rapid pace so you might want to prepare yourself... or perhaps join in.
+
</div>
+
<noinclude>{{refresh|Main Page}}</noinclude>
+

Latest revision as of 02:32, 13 November 2014

We are nowhere near the height of human civilisation.
Despite our apparent modernity we are still at a relatively early (and unsophisticated) stage of our civilisation

Not even close. Our present culture is conditioned by centuries of scarcity that ought to have disappeared by now, considering our technical capabilities.

However, automation is advancing rapidly, and in parallel, we are developing ever more effective ways of collaborating and openly sharing knowledge. This means it will become increasingly unacceptable to let needless scarcity continue in the face of what is possible. New thinking and tools are emerging that could change everything.

Via the internet a new fluid grouping of minds is evolving that is adhoc, distributed and mutually sharing – a system that is potentially far more effective at problem-solving and creative technical development than anything that has come before. In some areas, notably software development and knowledge gathering, it is well under way – but this is just the beginning. These 'open' peer-to-peer activities are about to burst out into the physical world enabling us to do things both technologically and economically that have not previously been feasible.

AdCiv.org is exploring the emerging possibilities, focusing on developing concepts that could take us to the next logical phase of civilisation – namely an ecologically sympathetic post-scarcity age where abundant resources, tools and knowledge could enable a unparalleled standard of living for the entire growing global population. It may sound far-fetched to the uninitiated but the technologies to enable this are developing rapidly, so you might want to prepare yourself...