Let me first explain the concept of GAIA to those who are unaware and might well be fighting off the urge to scratch their head. The GAIA I am talking about is a planet mentioned in Isaac Asimov's book Foundation's Edge (1982). Asimov describes GAIA as a super-organism comprising of the whole planet and all its parts living or non-living, with a common planetary conscioussness. All objects, even inanimate ones take part in the planetary consciousness although the extent of their participation varies. Its like all different individuals in this world are united by a single brain. As a result, Gaians are united by a common destiny. There are creatures and humans on it, but damage to any one of them is a damage to whole super-organism and hence to everyone present on that planet and attached to the conscioussness of the planet. So like a giant family they work together and maintain perfect peace, harmony and ecological balance on the planet. They lead their individual lives but at all times their actions are governed by the requirement to protect and prevent decay or damage of each and every part of their planet. The concept in itself is revolutionary and beautiful. GAIA is a world free of crimes, evil, treachery and selfishness unlike our world. Hence it is labelled as the perfect society and ecosystem - the stuff of dreams.
Over the years, the word Gaia has become synonymous with the perfect ecological system. Environmental organisations existing around the world use this term frequently to describe an Earth free from environmental problems - something they strive for. In fact, the company Sanyo's brand vision is : "Think GAIA" representing its commitment to deliver eco-friendly products. But is it really something we should strive for??? I will get back to it in a minute.
Evolution and adaptation to changing climatic and environmental conditions, as we very well know, are essential for our survival. Over millions of years, intelligent life has eveolved on Earth and continues to evolve further. Suppose evolution ceases. So gradually we will struggle to exist with the changing environment as Earth gets older and hotter, sun ceases to shine, universe gets cooler etc. Well a society like GAIA will cease to evolve further as there is no need for it to evolve. It will strive to maintain the perfect eco-system for its inhabitants defying the changing universe. Slowly and slowly as universe will continue to decay, it will become more and more difficult for GAIA to maintain its ecological balance. It would have stopped its technological development ages ago and it will begin to perish having been stunted in its growth by the achievement of a unified planetary consciousness.Let me explain that a bit further. The feeling of individuality is essential for technological, social and mental advancement of the human race. The greatest human achievements, in whatever field they may be, have been possible only because of strongly motivated individuals driven by ambition. Its something that is common to all - the sense of personal achievement. Isn't it something that we all work for? Can you think of anyone who has worked and strived for anything but one or the other kind of personal achievement. In a way, our individuality and the need to compete with others lead to our mental, physical, social and technological advancement - the survival of the fittest. However, in a society like GAIA the individuality is lost and hence the sense of personal achievement is lost. As a result the advancement of the race ceases and it takes a slow but sure path to doom.
This is what I think. Egoistic nature of humans is a necessary evil. But I will surely like to hear your views on it. Even if you have nothing to add I would like to hear a mere yes or no from you. So do post a comment.
Eagerly awaiting your response...
Nikunj.
Reference link for the second image used with the permission of the owner :
http://fantasyartdesign.com
7 comments:
hey!!
the background on gaia was awesome!
I think that we have seen in history the whole concept of evolution and survival of the fittest working brilliantly, and that too the survivors being the ones that evolved.
What matters here is the view point that the "ideal ecosystem" is not constant. and if they acknowledged that then they could be an ideal dynamic ecosystem.
its not about ego and competing with one another. it's in fact about no ego readiness to change.
well..Nickj
i must say u've done a stupendous job!...i mean dat's some work!...
i won't blabber much..but i readily agree wid u dat"egoistical nature of humans is definitely a necessary evil!"..i mean some meanness is necessary to establish our individuality nd 2 go ahead!
well done!
well..thank you everyone...one thing that i'll try to do from my next posts is to keep them short...thanks for your appreciation..
@ Neha - without an ego you wont compete with anyone...let me clarify what i mean with ego here...everyone has an ego when it comes to believing in your abilities...it is because you have an ego and because you believe yourself to have some value and skills and abilities that you are able to take up a challenge and complete it...it is because people have egos that they are able to achieve greater heights...ego is not necessarily degrading as long as it manifests itself in a healthy fashion..
i hope i made it clear...
thanks again..
it was a hell of a post!! :P
well framed... well thought
And yeah the background of GAIA was awesome
(although i had to wiki the word 'GAIA' for a formal defination :P )
But at some points my views are a lil different from urs...
1) Considering GAIA to be planetary organism, changes in universe will bring about changes in GAIA, so it mandatory for GAIA to evolve itself so as to maintain the ecological balance.
If we think the whole universe is one GAIA, then there is no need for evolution at all. Because there is no external factor, so an equilibrium once created will not be disturbed
2) Ego is actually a feeling. But the concept of competition and survival of fittest is far deeper. There is a competition for survival even among bacteria with no brains!
3) we still dont know technological advancement, which is, by far closely related to consumption of resources, is the only way to mental advancement, or the advancement of GAIA. I think spirituality (jiske baare mein i have no idea at all) is a point connected to GAIA.
4)Among all the open systems, that can affect/be affected by surrounding, if GAIA exist, there will be competition - Survival of the fittest. Closed system, like universe, wont need it
5) The ecological equilibrium that GAIA has, can be dynamic! So it can have some distortion aimed to keep the actual balance intact
6) Sometimes some organs of an organism have to sacrifice for the benefit of the whole system. So may be usage of natural resources is not actually bad.
7) Natural resources get consumed in technological development(the one that's taking place now) but they are produced too! although at
a much slower pace.
8) If GAIA is strong, then i believe, technological advancement will be made in spheres like understanding ecology-space so as to maintain the equilibrium, and there will be no resources wasted on personal ease.
The 'societies' of ants are a perfect example. There is no individuality... no ego...(as far as i know) yet it's considered one of the most successful species.
waiting for ur reply....
-mayank ;)
Wow...i was thrilled by such a deep analysis of my thoughts...
well...by and large i agree with you Mayank...i will summarize my stand on each point you have raised below:
1)Both your reasonings are true. Gaia will evolve slowly to adapt to changing universe. This evolution is gradual and natural and is eternal. What I meant was humans as a civilization have advanced tremendously by striving for technological advancements. Once they achieve a perfect eco-system, technological advancements will stop. It will stop because there will be no motivation as well as no need for it. My point of personal achievement and lack of inquisitivity. Humans will be confined to this planet. Suppose after a few thousand years a comet collides with this planet. As a part of Gaia we would be confined to this planet. The race will be destroyed. On the other hand, if we do not achieve a Gaia we would in time spread to other planets etc.
2. I agree. But again for technological advancement you need to have an ego, a sense of personal achievement which the individual pursuing research should get out of his hard work. The survival of the fittest you are talking about is natural selection.
3. True. But I think we all will agree that technological advancement is one big factor in mental advancement.
4. True.
5. True.
6. True
7. True
8. Subject to speculation.
To conclude, Mayank's insight has led me to believe that like inhabiting different planets if humans form different GAIA's we will have all of it. Ego, individuality and advancement of civilization. That should be a perfect society for us. But at a higher level a society of GAIAs will be subject to same problems like our own society.
1) No! again every body has a system to fight adverse conditions...
And Considering Gaia to be intelligent, it will have a foresight. So even when it has a balanced ecological system, it will continue growing it mental abilities to fight for dangers that haunt it's future
2) Actually no, u might even cut ur hand in case u have to choose btw ur life and ur hand. So egoless hand will contribute to the whole body even if it requires end of it's own existence! So personal ego is not important in the units of Gaia if they all have Gaia's interest in mind.
3) Technological advancement doesnt mean destruction of ecology! It's that the methods we use at present is connected to it. May be after 100 years, we will grow but also maintain balance.
conclusion: U make it yaar... mera mood nahi hai :P
Gaia !
A beautiful concept indeed.
I won't comment on, if gaia is the perfect human society or not. In any case, such an equilibrium is impossible in the real world and is against the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
The intriguing aspect of the idea is, that look at our earth. It might in fact, be a very "conscious" being in itself living a life of its own. Of course I cannot argue about the "living" part of it, but there is no way to deny/test the "consciousness" argument.
The delicate ecological balance on our own planet might be the organ-system of a different kind of a conscious being, where the various living beings act as cells, each conscious on their own, at their level, together giving rise to a new, larger self-aware entity.
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