JONATHAN ROWSON: Welcome to the “metacrisis”. Now what?
Aug 29, 2023
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Chess grandmaster and metamodernist philosopher Jonathan Rowson joins the podcast to discuss the concept of metacrisis and how it underlies all other crises. They explore the application of chess mindset to problem solving and the relationship between metacrisis, perma-crisis, and poly-crisis. They also delve into the concept of metamodernism and the urgency for radical change in various aspects of life.
The Metacrisis encompasses various interconnected crises, reflecting our inability to comprehend and solve the problems we have created.
Shifting our perspective and context is crucial when facing the metacrisis, viewing it as an opportunity for transformation.
A balanced approach is necessary in responding to the metacrisis, combining both urgent action and long-term vision while acknowledging the complexities of implementation.
Deep dives
The Metacrisis: A Crisis of Inability to Solve Complex Problems
The Metacrisis is described as a crisis that encapsulates and encompasses various interconnected crises, such as generalized AI, climate change, transhumanism, and the collapse of critical thinking. It reflects our inability to comprehend and solve the problems we have created. The belief is that traditional approaches and systems are no longer effective in tackling these issues. This recognition calls for a new consciousness, a complete overhaul in how we approach education, politics, and the economy. While there is a sense of urgency, there's also a recognition that large-scale transformation takes time and requires a delicate balance between reform and revolution. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between the significant problems we face and our limited ability to bring about meaningful change. Spiritual perspectives can provide solace and help us find broader meaning in the midst of this existential dilemma.
The Need for a Shift in Perspective and Context
The podcast emphasizes the importance of shifting our perspective and context when facing the metacrisis. It suggests that rather than seeing the crisis as insurmountable, we should view it as an opportunity for transformation. This involves reevaluating conventional wisdom and recognizing that our current systems are not adequate to address the complexity of the challenges we face. While a complete overhaul may be necessary, it also acknowledges the challenges of implementing such radical change. The podcast encourages a pragmatic approach that combines both urgent action and long-term vision. It highlights the importance of reducing the gap between our sphere of concern, encompassing global issues, and our sphere of agency, where we have direct influence, such as our immediate surroundings and social networks.
Finding a Middle Ground: Reform and Revolution
The podcast explores the tension between the need for reform and revolution in response to the metacrisis. While a radical transformation may be necessary to address the root causes of our problems, it cautions against approaching change with a revolutionary mindset alone. The complexity of the challenges demands a nuanced approach that combines sweeping change with practical, real-world considerations. This middle ground involves recognizing the limitations of revolutionary action and the need for inclusivity, persuasion, and consent. The podcast acknowledges the time constraints imposed by pressing issues such as climate change and AI but emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between revolutionary ideals and the practical realities of implementation. It calls for a both-and approach that incorporates transformative vision while humbly navigating the complexities of daily life.
The Complexity of Crisis and the Need for Prefixes
The podcast episode discusses how the term 'crisis' has become saturated in today's world, with multiple crises ranging from climate crisis to economic crisis. The speaker emphasizes that crisis was originally meant to be temporary and localized, but now it has become more enduring and multifaceted. As a result, people have resorted to adding prefixes like 'meta' to the word crisis to make it more specific. The prefixes indicate that crisis has expanded to encompass various dimensions and requires a more comprehensive understanding.
From Modernism to Postmodernism to Metamodernism
The podcast explores the intertwined concepts of modernism, postmodernism, and metamodernism. It explains that these terms do not strictly follow a sequential order but coexist and interact in the world today. Metamodernism, specifically, is described as the study of how the internet makes people feel and the cultural significance it holds. It goes beyond the optimism of modernism and the critique of postmodernism to acknowledge the existence of meaning and value while recognizing the complexities of power dynamics. Metamodernism aims to incorporate the best aspects of previous eras and emphasizes decision-making processes and problem-solving in a nuanced and artful manner.
Jonathan Rowson (chess Grandmaster, metamodernist philosopher) is one of Britain’s biggest minds and I have invited him onto Wild to talk, well, what’s been dubbed the “meta-crisis” – the fundamental “meaning” crisis at the heart of “all the things” going on in the world today.
Jonathan is a theoretical psychologist with degrees from Oxford and Harvard and a Ph.D on what it means to become wiser. He has worked on “complex collective action” problem solving, was Director of the Social Brain Centre at the Royal Society of Arts and has run events with David Attenborough and Jordan Peterson (not on the same stage!). Jonathan now runs Perspectiva, a research institute that seeks to understand the relationship between systems, souls, and society.
This is a big chat, but I think you’ll find this new and wild idea a helpful navigational tool for, well, “all the things”.
SHOW NOTES
As I flag, my UK friends can preorder This One Wild and Precious Life here.
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