Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
In today’s conversation, Nate is joined by professor of psychology and cognitive scientist John Vervaeke to discuss the state of ‘the meaning crisis’, including the social and cultural contexts that have fostered such pervasive loss of connection and purpose.
But I think what makes Parable so popular and intellectually stimulating (aside from the fact that it’s a very exciting book!) is that it takes first principles—effectively social emotions—and develops them into a new politics for the challenges of the world the novel presents.
The coming years will tell how these communities might find continuity between a fractured past and what could become a hopeful future.
I suggest that our personal life goals should be to “lead an examined life and pursue long-term well-being for ourselves and our loved ones within ecological and social limits.” I suggest that our civic goals should be to “create ecologically sustainable, functionally democratic, and secure societies.”
My call to action is both simple and revolutionary: embrace complexity and cultivate genuine dialogue. Develop the intellectual humility to acknowledge that our survival depends on our ability to adapt, collaborate, and think beyond tribal boundaries amid profound, transformational change.
The less work we put into this system, the more we do for ourselves. The more time we spend in celebration of life, the less time we spend supporting hierarchy and lazy elites. And the more we follow that path, the faster this system will crumble.
When I last wrote that Washington in transition was a chaotic—even surreal—political environment, I had no idea just how weird things would get.
Like so many people and organizations, we at Post Carbon Institute have been reflecting and recalibrating since November 5th. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, Trump’s victory, along with his campaign pledges and cabinet nominations, should be an indication that the status quo is in the rearview mirror if not actually crumpled and smoking on the side of the road.
Increasingly, it seems that the ongoing spread of bird flu among cattle and the possible evolution of a strain that can be transmitted between humans will be the biggest story of 2025. I hope I’m wrong.
Someone once told me in reference to a hurricane in Florida that all over the news you see what a tragedy it is. News shows show the destruction and the horrors. But, this person said, remember to look for the helpers—helping, doing their work. The same is true now. Look for the helpers. They’re doing their work.
I light the candles in the dark room as a pledge, to be honest with myself and truthful with others. To do no harm. To create a safe haven, a sanctuary. To stay present. To listen harder. To act with intention. To shine my own light into the darkness no matter how faint it might be.
We don’t need to save the world, but we might want to think about saving ourselves. No, not think, do. We need to do more and think less and maybe not order anything at all.
