Equilibrium in Systems and Society

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Equilibrium, originating from physics and game theory, signifies stability where systems settle into a mode without individual parts affecting the outcome. In physics, it alludes to objects at different temperatures reaching a common temperature. In game theory, players cannot change strategies for better outcomes. The concept extends to society, indicating that individual values have minimal impact unless implemented as societal constraints, like laws.

Technology is changing the world, in good and bad ways. Artificial intelligence, internet connectivity, biological engineering, and climate change are dramatically altering the parameters of human life. What can we say about how this will extend into the future? Will the pace of change level off, or smoothly continue, or hit a singularity in a finite time? In this informal solo episode, I think through what I believe will be some of the major forces shaping how human life will change over the decades to come, exploring the very real possibility that we will experience a dramatic phase transition into a new kind of equilibrium.

Blog post with transcript and links to additional resources: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2024/03/25/270-solo-the-coming-transition-in-how-humanity-lives/

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