{"id":69296,"date":"2025-08-05T14:36:54","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T19:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69296"},"modified":"2025-08-15T17:18:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T22:18:48","slug":"todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-ccix-keep-calm-and-carry-on-human-ingenuity-and-technology-will-save-us-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69296","title":{"rendered":"Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCX&#8211;Keep Calm and Carry On\u2026 Human Ingenuity and Technology Will Save Us! Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-header\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Post header\">\n<h1 class=\"post-title published\">Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCX&#8211;Keep Calm and Carry On\u2026 Human Ingenuity and Technology Will Save Us! Part 3<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"available-content\">\n<div class=\"body markup\" dir=\"auto\">\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!p7AI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"292\" height=\"321\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/e33b23af-4132-46e9-b053-b2488914bb72_292x321.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:321,&quot;width&quot;:292,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>In Parts 1 (<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69265\" rel=\"\">Website<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@stevebull-4168\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-ccxiii-keep-calm-and-carry-on-human-ingenuity-and-c45ca1b82eb1\" rel=\"\">Medium<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/p\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-f00\" rel=\"\">Substack<\/a>) and 2 (<a href=\"http:\/\/website\/\" rel=\"\">Website<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull-4168.medium.com\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-ccix-keep-calm-and-carry-on-human-ingenuity-and-6215c6717830\" rel=\"\">Medium<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/p\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-f99\" rel=\"\">Substack<\/a>) of this multipart Contemplation I present the case that humanity\u2019s psychological defense mechanisms (especially denial, bargaining, and techno-optimism) are preventing most from becoming aware of and\/or better understanding the predicaments of societal collapse and ecological overshoot. This not only delays any possible mitigations that might \u2018soften\u2019 the consequences of collapse and overshoot, but because we are seeking solace in illusory and quick-fix \u2018solutions\u2019 we are actually making our situation worse. Most of these \u2018fixes\u2019 are via technical innovations, a problem-solving strategy our species has used since it arose on our planet in order to help it in its adaptation to an ever-changing and unpredictable environment.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you\u2019re new to my writing, check out\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=69137\" rel=\"\">this overview<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>The Root Cause Of Our Predicaments<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have little doubt that the fundamental cause of our various predicaments has been our seemingly relentless growth\/expansion (population and economic) upon a planet with finite resources with the help of innovative tools\/technologies. There are plenty of other contributing factors (with a number of recent ones supercharging our tendencies), but this is the crux of our impossibly-intractable dilemmas: ever-expanding growth on a finite planet by way of technological innovation, especially our resource-dependent ones.<\/p>\n<p>There have arisen a number of consequences to this approach to living by our species, particularly over the past couple of centuries when we began to leverage hydrocarbons to aid us in our innovations. One result is a growing tension between a lot of people\u2019s desires\/expectations for an ever-improving and prosperous future, and the ecological limits of a finite planet.<\/p>\n<p>We have (although some vehemently deny this) very real resource limits on minerals and materials in high demand for almost all modern technologies, exceeding the planet\u2019s capacity to regenerate \u2018renewable\u2019 ones and absorb the waste our existence and technology production creates. This \u2018overshoot\u2019 is driving environmental degradation and the destruction of ecological systems upon which all life depends.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!2h-1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"378\" height=\"288\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:288,&quot;width&quot;:378,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:246421,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6178a5bc-1eb1-4141-88cb-64566f1aa615_378x288.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Trvst.world<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The societal implications from all this are also monumental. From growing social inequality to burgeoning political instability, human societies are experiencing a number of stressors. And we\u2019re making the situation worse by pushing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Technological_fix\" rel=\"\">techno-fixes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>However, as Tainter points out in his text on the collapse of complex societies (see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Collapse-of-Complex-Societies.pdf\" rel=\"\">this<\/a>), even this approach of innovation to \u2018solve\u2019 issues encounters diminishing returns\u2013to say little about the tendency of human \u2018solutions\u2019 to exacerbate the problems they are attempting to address; sometimes almost immediately, but mostly after a relatively prolonged period of time creating a situation where the new problems are not associated with the implemented solutions (non-linear feedback loops are exceedingly complex and difficult, if not impossible, to predict and unravel accurately and lag times cloud any connection between cause and effect). [See:\u00a0<strong>Problem Solving: Complexity, History, Sustainability<\/strong>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?p=68936\" rel=\"\">Website<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull-4168.medium.com\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-clxxxvix-problem-solving-complexity-history-5d1cc6cac665\" rel=\"\">Medium<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/p\/todays-contemplation-collapse-cometh-001\" rel=\"\">Substack<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s overwhelming evidence to suggest that this particular strategy is maladaptive in that it serves to intensify our fundamental predicament of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ecological_overshoot\" rel=\"\">ecological overshoot<\/a>. These technologies, after all, require the continuation and, actually, the significant expansion of the extractive and industrial processes that are greatly adding to our various predicaments\u2013be it compensatory sink overloading, resource depletion, toxin\/pollutant dispersal, biodiversity loss, etc..<\/p>\n<p>All one has to do is consider the projected energy and resource demands of the growing artificial intelligence sector and associated data centres to see where this is likely headed. We will not only continue to pursue\/double-down the pursuit of technologies that \u2018promise\u2019 to \u2018improve\u2019 our world, but also chase them to try and maintain status quo systems (e.g., socioeconomic, sociopolitical, etc.) in the face of diminishing returns on our investments. Damn the consequences.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!ZfBK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"289\" height=\"290\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/a5cfd45b-5255-41a8-ad8e-481a7995deaf_289x290.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:290,&quot;width&quot;:289,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>I have come to appreciate this tendency as part and parcel of the overwhelming need to reduce the anxiety-provoking thoughts that arise from the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cognitive_dissonance\" rel=\"\">cognitive dissonance<\/a>\u00a0that occurs when one experiences or becomes aware of the increasing and obvious symptoms of \u2018collapse\u2019 and overshoot but believes that either all is well or that our various governing systems along with science and technology can solve anything thrown in our path\u2013as well as being pushed by the planet\u2019s profiteers who own the industries required for this approach.<\/p>\n<p>Humanity has experienced a long run of \u2018success\u2019 with this problem-solving approach of technical innovation. For virtually its entire existence our species has been adapting to our planet and its various environments through such innovations as the harnessing of fire, flint knapping, food storage, trade, medicine, animal domestication, irrigation, agriculture, metal working, etc..<\/p>\n<p>The argument that this problem-solving technique has led us into a possible dead-end path is difficult if not impossible for most to consider. We have come to view this approach as not just reflective of our immense ingenuity, but as guarantors of a future of endless possibilities and prosperity. To infinity and beyond\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Enter one of our recent technical developments: social media. A technological innovation that has allowed the sharing of ideas and thoughts on a scale unknown to previous generations. Millions of people can discuss and share in real time on a level beyond the imagining of our species only a couple of decades ago. I still vividly remember the fledgling attempts my late dad and I had back in the mid-1980s communicating via our computers. What has developed since then is astounding. But there is a dark side to this as well that most never even think about.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!iF2c!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"411\" height=\"285\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:285,&quot;width&quot;:411,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:236896,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e4ca237-8666-48be-9987-a6bc38f6519f_411x285.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/uopeople.com\/\" rel=\"\">uopeople.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In particular has been the ability of some to leverage this technology for rather nefarious purposes. At the top of my list for such things is the use of this technology for propaganda and surveillance purposes\u2013especially narrative management\/control by the ruling \u2018class (corporations and governments alike)\u2013and to create\/expand revenue streams in a variety of ways. Combined with increasing knowledge regarding human psychology, computers and their ability to connect millions\/billions of humans have opened the door to some rather \u2018interesting\u2019 manipulations.<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">If you wish to help support my writing and online presence, you can purchase the Olduvai trilogy for just $9.99 CDN. Place your order\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?page_id=22624\" rel=\"\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">And\/or:<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Xiyh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"66\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:66,&quot;width&quot;:204,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:15121,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07eecba5-ccd0-4fba-aabd-12a2b0ad1b22_204x66.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Social Media and Human Psychology<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Social media platforms leverage various psychological factors to attract engagement\/\u2018clicks\u2019, and create habitual \u2018checking-in\u2019 behaviour.<\/p>\n<p>Why do they do this?<\/p>\n<p>The more users, clicks, and revisits, the more money that can be generated through a number of avenues. The sale of advertising space and monetisation of data, what has come to be termed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Dataveillance\" rel=\"\">dataveillance<\/a>, are the largest sources of revenue.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!M0Mh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"283\" height=\"162\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/a308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:162,&quot;width&quot;:283,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:48844,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa308193f-eaad-4d79-bc17-6da628295fb1_283x162.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wikipedia.org\/\" rel=\"\">wikipedia.org<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Most of these platforms offer an ad revenue sharing programme where pages\/sites with a large number of followers can earn from the placement of advertisements directly. Pages can also promote products with trackable links and sponsored posts that can generate significant income.<\/p>\n<p>Additional revenue-generation is created via indirect methods such as building large audiences to give the air of \u2018authority\/expertise\u2019. This can lead to more lucrative sponsorship deals since subscriber lists can be used for direct marketing of products and services.<\/p>\n<p>These platforms benefit greatly from this system by earning a percentage on almost all revenue generated by pages\/sites that use their services. The greater the popularity of the page, the more that the platform can earn from the advertisers it is selling space to. They also collect massive amounts of data on any users and can target their interests for marketing.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Surveillance_capitalism\" rel=\"\">Surveillance capitalism<\/a>\u00a0at its best.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!OweB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"642\" height=\"212\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:212,&quot;width&quot;:642,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:277772,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F646111bb-1b7e-430f-9a6e-ddac820676da_642x212.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/computerweekly.com\/\" rel=\"\">computerweekly.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>To \u2018hook\u2019 users, platforms (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, TikTok) have implemented: \u2018reaction\u2019 buttons and \u2018notification\u2019 systems to elicit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/ca\/blog\/brain-wise\/201802\/the-dopamine-seeking-reward-loop\" rel=\"\">dopamine-seeking feedback loops<\/a>; engagement metrics that help reinforce social motivation and take advantage of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Herd_mentality\" rel=\"\">herd mentality<\/a>\u00a0and the phenomena of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Social_proof\" rel=\"\">social proof<\/a>; the highlighting of trending topics to engage the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fear_of_missing_out\" rel=\"\">fear of missing out<\/a>\u00a0reaction; headlines\/content that trigger\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/emotional-hooks-content\/237469\/\" rel=\"\">emotional hooks<\/a>;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bigthink.com\/the-present\/social-media-algorithms-manipulate-you\/\" rel=\"\">manipulative algorithms<\/a>\u00a0that microtarget interests and create\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Echo_chamber_(media)\" rel=\"\">echo chambers<\/a>; interactive content such as comment boxes, friend tagging, and polls; and \u2018expert\u2019 endorsements to leverage our tendency to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Deference\" rel=\"\">defer to authority<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Enter the Magic of Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Profiteers seeking to use this technology to generate revenue are plentiful and quite a number use the above tactics as well as leveraging the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hype_(marketing)\" rel=\"\">marketing hype<\/a>\u00a0of the latest, greatest science and technology, and the need to reduce\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cognitive_dissonance\" rel=\"\">cognitive dissonance<\/a>\u00a0in the face of growing societal and environmental stressors.<\/p>\n<p>For a number of these pages revenue is generated directly via advertising revenue, affiliate marketing with trackable links, sponsored posts, and \u2018paid\u2019 newsletters. It is further achieved via merchandise, e-books\/courses, technology services, and event sponsorship.<\/p>\n<p>The social media platforms aid in the proliferation of these pages by boosting them if they offer engaging or awe-inspiring content. And, of course, their monetisation tools (especially data harvesting) help to generate revenue for itself.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!4nRX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"260\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:260,&quot;width&quot;:461,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:187596,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/stevebull.substack.com\/i\/170206440?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5db3830b-b6a4-489b-9283-3bfcda53f064_461x260.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alamy.com\/\" rel=\"\">alamy.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>These pages and their posts are mostly sensationalist in nature. They tend to be quite misleading in their exaggeration of \u2018breakthroughs\u2019\u2013I would argue to the point of being fraudulent in the claims and certainly place \u2018profit\u2019\u2019 before \u2018accuracy\u2019. The spread of mis-\/dis-\/mal-information they contribute to is staggering\u2013to say little about their complicity in collecting user data that can be sold to third parties and\/or used to target future advertising and similar sites\/pages to that which have been visited.<\/p>\n<p>By overhyping technological \u2018breakthroughs\u2019, users are lead to believe that the changes\/solutions highlighted can \u2018solve\u2019 our pressing issues in the near term, ignoring the very real limits and hurdles that the \u2018revolutionary\u2019 technology featured in a post faces (e.g., scalability, dependence upon finite resources, continuation of ecological destruction, etc.).<\/p>\n<p>The tendency to overestimate positive outcomes and underestimate negative ones (i.e.,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Optimism_bias\" rel=\"\">optimism bias<\/a>) plays a big role in this as well by attracting users. Because humans tend to prefer hopeful narratives to those that are not, they ignore the downside of chasing or implementing these technologies and\/or the misinformation being provided, choosing instead to believe the hype. The fact that the overwhelming majority of such \u2018breakthroughs\u2019 become investment sinks and never become scalable, commercial, or make it out of the \u2018research labs\u2019 is lost on \u2018believers\u2019.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!RqVB!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"515\" height=\"269\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/f5ab4992-46c2-4674-bfe3-cc9f9c701c57_515x269.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:269,&quot;width&quot;:515,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/adespresso.com\/\" rel=\"\">adespresso.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some of these\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Clickbait\" rel=\"\">clickbait<\/a>\u00a0posts are rather obvious (although a lot are far less so and more \u2018cunning\u2019 in their approach by sharing kernels of actual tech research but then significantly overhyping its potential). If there is no link to the actual research, or no timeline, no mention of hurdles to be overcome, and\/or no evaluation by independent \u2018experts\u2019, then it is likely that the post is simply a spewing of a company\u2019s press release or very selective \u2018reporting\u2019 of early-stage research. And keep in mind that such press releases and selective \u2018reporting\u2019 are primarily carried out in the hopes of attracting investors, and this is as true for academic research that depends upon funding from outside the university\/college to continue as it is for corporate research.<\/p>\n<p>I began seeing such posts in my Facebook feed some time ago. I don\u2019t recall exactly when but it\u2019s likely because someone in one of the groups I am a member of was posting them and I made the mistake of clicking on a few to challenge the obvious hype (most are energy\/resource blind). I soon began seeing these popping up in my feed constantly. They still appear occasionally but not to the degree that they used to because I stopped clicking on them and instead closed the post. I may take a screenshot, but then close the page\/post hoping to \u2018reset\u2019 the Facebook algorithm that keeps feeding them to me, and have actually reported a few for \u2018false information\u2019\u2013not that I believe that will make any difference in FB\u2019s promotion of them.<\/p>\n<p>What I\u2019m witnessing now, however, is many others (some that I believe should know that the claims are false\/misleading\/complete bullshit) reposting the claims, regurgitating the false information, and suggesting\/implying that \u2018salvation\u2019 is right around the corner.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a handful of examples from my FB feed posted by others in just the past month or so:<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Ryiq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"343\" height=\"474.712\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/2291c1f9-4097-4436-9e22-1a6c8eaf2a60_750x1038.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1038,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:343,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!qEn3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"561.4426666666667\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/393fc783-b5f6-4bad-bd72-2a231d8d4476_750x1217.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1217,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:346,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!wijZ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4f84817-9333-4c8a-bf08-d4d1c49bc83a_750x1209.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!wijZ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4f84817-9333-4c8a-bf08-d4d1c49bc83a_750x1209.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!wijZ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4f84817-9333-4c8a-bf08-d4d1c49bc83a_750x1209.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!wijZ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc4f84817-9333-4c8a-bf08-d4d1c49bc83a_750x1209.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img 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srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1KJ0!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9404dbb0-7b11-4da7-80b1-5ae1bd1482cf_749x1206.jpeg 848w, 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srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!x0bG!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg 848w, 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data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/06274714-4e3e-4104-a442-42d81b137c54_750x1068.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1068,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:344,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!k5K2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"355\" height=\"558.06\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/66854a49-0cb7-4f63-98da-ef43575fbc40_750x1179.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1179,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:355,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>You can very easily see several of the psychological mechanisms discussed above in these posts highlighting \u2018breakthroughs\u2019 that will supposedly address our various predicaments: \u201cTrillions of tons of Underground Hydrogen was just found and it\u2019s enough to\u00a0<strong>power Earth for 1,000 years.<\/strong>\u201d Social proof and authority are provided: \u201c&#8230;<strong>Columbia University<\/strong>\u00a0has developed\u2026\u201d Emotional triggers are used: \u201cIn a quiet corner of Switzerland, engineers\u00a0<strong>just did something wild<\/strong>\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These products\/innovations are marketed by the companies pursuing them, highlighting only the supposed benefits, and then further hyped by individuals\/groups leveraging Facebook\u2019s revenue-generating abilities. The overwhelming majority of them are purely theoretical in nature or lab-based prototypes that have yet to be or, more than likely never will be, available commercially. They are posted to attract clicks to generate revenue.<\/p>\n<p>These sites are preying upon people\u2019s scanning behaviour that is increasingly aware of the growing stress in our societies and environments, and seeking adaptive strategies that can be employed to reduce their cognitive dissonance. Their optimism bias towards that often pursued strategy of technological innovation overrides the complexity of the issue(s) they wish to address.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!O3SD!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"382\" height=\"279\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/8a7e66ab-b771-4ad9-bf2a-fcde9f139336_382x279.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:279,&quot;width&quot;:382,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Scratching even lightly at the surface narrative exposes the complexities and negative aspects. But most people do not perform any due diligence regarding their claims. They \u2018trust\u2019 the source and thus believe the \u2018claim\u2019. They make no effort to pull back the curtain and expose the machinations going on behind it. The complexity of issues is ignored.<\/p>\n<p>When I witness individuals that seem quite aware of the complexity and unsustainability of our current systems repost these memes leading others to buy into the overhyped mis\/dis\/malinformation, I am perplexed. Perhaps it&#8217;s because the vast majority of our species are nothing if not very determined in their attempts to reduce anxiety and ignore\/deny the biogeophysical limitations and negative repercussions of our wishful thinking and attempts to sustain the unsustainable\u2013even when they are aware of the impossibility of the claims being made. Despite coming to accept our plight, it appears that if you have the smallest sliver of \u2018hope\u2019 hiding somewhere in your mind these posts can activate it and the bargaining begins.<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!QU_u!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"436\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/db2a7949-e7c3-431f-96cc-d97cf4940414_750x436.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:436,&quot;width&quot;:750,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Heresy is the tale that we cannot, nor should we, be pursuing these technological \u2018wonders\u2019 for that way lies further ecological destruction and the less-than-cheery consequences of ecological overshoot, to say little about that recurrent phenomenon of societal collapse that they contribute to,<\/p>\n<p>But a reminder to all who are firmly entrenched upon or want to jump on the human-ingenuity-and-technology-will-save-us bandwagon: they all require huge finite resource inputs (particularly hydrocarbons) and result in massive ecological destruction. By pursuing them we are making a horrific situation even worse.<\/p>\n<p>At this point in our journey, we can\u2019t afford to continue along this path without making our planet less habitable for all. Without confronting the perpetual-growth machine, we continue to destroy both the present and the future. Unfortunately, humanity\u2019s proclivity to problem solve via technology and the profits this now generates for those who \u2018run\u2019 our societies virtually guarantees that is the path we will follow, exacerbating our overshoot with each step and bringing collapse of our complex societies and ecological systems ever nearer in time to the present.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s our technological-based problem-solving behaviour that is the root of our predicament. And rather than accept and acknowledge this we do the opposite. We celebrate and pursue it at every opportunity. Most cannot accept that we are perhaps no better than yeast expanding in a finite petri dish leaving behind ever-increasing amounts of toxic waste; and just like the yeast we are growing exponentially\u2013a situation that will not end well\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 1456w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 424w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 848w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 1272w, https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!aBpt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png 1456w\" alt=\"\" width=\"369\" height=\"260\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/f65b4c03-a76c-407d-adf7-08a51d6dcf5a_369x260.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:260,&quot;width&quot;:369,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/picture>\n<div class=\"image-link-expand\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset\">\n<div class=\"pencraft pc-reset icon-container view-image\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/cartoonbank.com\/\" rel=\"\">cartoonbank.com<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Relatively recent and relevant articles\u2026<br \/>\nGeorge Tsakraklides:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/georgetsakraklides.substack.com\/p\/technophilia-the-mental-illness-behind\" rel=\"\">Technophilia; The Mental Illness Behind Civilisational Collapse<br \/>\n<\/a>\u201cTechnophilia preys upon a key characteristic of the human brain: we are hyperactive, hyper-thinking beings who look down upon the cessation of any of our activities, while being too proud to simply \u201cundo\u201d our errors as this would be a shameful admission of defeat. Instead, if we invent a new technology that promises to \u201crepair\u201d things, we are saviours and geniuses. The stigma which humans assign to deconstructive and recessive solutions is largely responsible for the worsening situation this civilisation has trapped itself in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Erik Michaels:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/erikmichaels.substack.com\/p\/technology-addiction-and-lessons\" rel=\"\">Technology Addiction and Lessons<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cWhy don&#8217;t we learn lessons and then keep those lessons at the forefront in the mind of society? Primarily due to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com\/2025\/03\/denial-of-reality-part-two.html\" rel=\"\">denial of reality<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com\/2021\/02\/optimism-bias.html\" rel=\"\">optimism bias<\/a>. For instance, there is this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Zgu2VPtSSvw\" rel=\"\">Johnny Harris video that explains the world&#8217;s longest border fence<\/a>. Take a look at all the unintended consequences of our meddling with nature in an effort to engineer all the different things we would like to accomplish. What does this signify exactly? If you answered that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com\/2023\/08\/the-chief-cause-of-problems-is-solutions.html\" rel=\"\">solutions cause problems<\/a>, you&#8217;d be right. However, it is also precisely\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com\/2023\/07\/how-did-we-get-here.html\" rel=\"\">how we arrived at this point in time<\/a>. It is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com\/2024\/01\/how-intractable-is-our-lack-of-agency.html\" rel=\"\">hardwired into our existence and part of our genetic and biological imperatives<\/a>\u00a0to be innovators.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Last Farm:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thelastfarm.substack.com\/p\/on-abundance\" rel=\"\">On Abundance<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cBig picture, our reality is very straightforward: we have crossed 7 of 9\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stockholmresilience.org\/research\/planetary-boundaries.html\" rel=\"\">planetary boundaries<\/a>. Those boundaries do not care one iota about our intentions or our preferred timeline or our political considerations. They do not care about our perceived &#8220;needs.&#8221; They don&#8217;t even care about the fate of our species. They are incapable of knowing or caring about anything because they are nothing more than real world math problems, and no amount of rhetorical manipulation will buy us any more time or leeway from them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Honest Sorcerer<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thehonestsorcerer.substack.com\/p\/societal-collapse-is-not-a-bug\" rel=\"\">Societal Collapse Is Not a Bug<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cWhat we got on our hands here and now is the outcome of a predicament we entered ten thousand years ago. After repeated iterations of the many civilizations ravaged the entire planet, having reduced wildlife populations and the size of natural ecosystems to a mere fraction of their original size, there is no return to the caves, spears and bows either. At least not this century or the next. This civilization has no other option than to go through a long, protracted but nonetheless radical simplification. Even though we will eventually have to leave all modern technology behind, this won\u2019t happen from one day to the next, nor voluntarily for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Art Berman<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.artberman.com\/blog\/reality-blind\/\" rel=\"\">Reality Blind<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cWe are trapped in a reductionist mindset, always searching for a single cause, a single villain, and a single solution. This way of thinking, rooted in left-hemisphere dominance, is not ancient but relatively recent. It took hold with the rise of writing, mathematics, the wheel, and the horse \u2014 technologies that convinced us we could conquer complexity through control. We came to believe that cleverness could substitute for wisdom, and reductionism for holistic understanding. That mistake brought us to our current predicament. Still, we search for the silver bullet, the technology, the market mechanism to save us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Max Wilbert<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/maxwilbert.substack.com\/p\/decolonizing-the-degrowth-movements\" rel=\"\">Decolonizing the Degrowth Movement\u2019s Imaginary Technology<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cIn a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1031069783\" rel=\"\">recent debate<\/a>\u00a0on whether globalizing consumer technology is the direction our movements should be taking, Aashis asserted that \u201cgiven the scale of the problems we face, we need&#8230; to take a critical look at the chains of modernity that prevent us from taking meaningful action. Modern technologies have played a key role in our ecological predicament&#8230;. [and] colonial injustices including ecocides and genocides as well.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n<p>William E. Rees<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/reeswilliame.substack.com\/p\/twenty-four-reasons-why-we-are-hooped\" rel=\"\">Twenty-Four Reasons Why We Are Hooped<\/a><br \/>\n\u201cConsistent with the above, MTI societies have, for the past several decades, purposefully constructed a mythic cult of unlimited economic growth facilitated by continuous techno-progress. This culture-wide narrative is an exemplar of human hubris and eco-ignorance. The growthist mantra is inescapable, being reflected in government policies, our schools and universities, the daily news, business- and stock-market reports (where are the daily state-of-the-ecosphere summaries?) and even dinner conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>What is going to be my standard\u00a0<strong>WARNING\/ADVICE<\/strong>\u00a0going forward and that I have reiterated in various ways before this:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnly time will tell how this all unfolds but there\u2019s nothing wrong with preparing for the worst by \u2018collapsing now to avoid the rush\u2019 and pursuing self-sufficiency. By this I mean removing as many dependencies on the Matrix as is possible and making do, locally. And if one can do this without negative impacts upon our fragile ecosystems or do so while creating more resilient ecosystems, all the better.<\/p>\n<p>Building community (maybe even just household) resilience to as high a level as possible seems prudent given the uncertainties of an unpredictable future. There\u2019s no guarantee it will ensure \u2018recovery\u2019 after a significant societal stressor\/shock but it should increase the probability of it and that, perhaps, is all we can \u2018hope\u2019 for from its pursuit.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you have arrived here and get something out of my writing,\u00a0<strong>please consider ordering the trilogy of my \u2018fictional\u2019 novel series, Olduvai (PDF files; only $9.99 Canadian)<\/strong>, via my\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/\" rel=\"\">website<\/a>\u00a0or the link below \u2014 the \u2018profits\u2019 of which help me to keep my internet presence alive and first book available in print (and is available via various online retailers).<\/p>\n<p>Attempting a new payment system as I am contemplating shutting down my site in the future (given the ever-increasing costs to keep it running).<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in purchasing any of the 3 books individually or the trilogy, please try the link below indicating which book(s) you are purchasing.<\/p>\n<p>Costs (Canadian dollars):<br \/>\nBook 1: $2.99<br \/>\nBook 2: $3.89<br \/>\nBook 3: $3.89<br \/>\nTrilogy: $9.99<\/p>\n<p><strong>Feel free to throw in a \u2018tip\u2019 on top of the base cost if you wish; perhaps by paying in U.S. dollars instead of Canadian. Every few cents\/dollars helps\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/paypal.me\/olduvaitrilogy?country.x=CA&amp;locale.x=en_US\" rel=\"\">https:\/\/paypal.me\/olduvaitrilogy?country.x=CA&amp;locale.x=en_US<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you do not hear from me within 48 hours or you are having trouble with the system, please email me: olduvaitrilogy@gmail.com.<\/p>\n<p>You can also find a variety of resources, particularly my summary notes for a handful of texts, especially William Catton\u2019s Overshoot and Joseph Tainter\u2019s Collapse of Complex Societies: see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/?page_id=55981\" rel=\"\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CCX&#8211;Keep Calm and Carry On\u2026 Human Ingenuity and Technology Will Save Us! Part 3 In Parts 1 (Website\u00a0Medium\u00a0Substack) and 2 (Website\u00a0Medium\u00a0Substack) of this multipart Contemplation I present the case that humanity\u2019s psychological defense mechanisms (especially denial, bargaining, and techno-optimism) are preventing most from becoming aware of and\/or better understanding the predicaments [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,5,6,7],"tags":[2675,16632,22093,31445,1169,14221,786],"class_list":["post-69296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-economics","category-energy-2","category-environment","category-geopolitics","category-liberty","category-survival-2","tag-cognitive-dissonance","tag-ecological-collapse","tag-ecological-overshoot","tag-optimism-bias","tag-social-media","tag-societal-collapse","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69296"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69296\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69311,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69296\/revisions\/69311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/olduvai.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}