civilization 1

Civilization 1.0The experiment continues

Civilization 1.0• Civilization is an

ongoing experiment• It continues to adapt

and evolve• It is not, however,

evolving into any preconceived utopia

• We make it up as we go along

Why?• Sixty minutes per

hour• Twenty-four hours per

day• Seven days per week• 365 days a year…• Civilization never

stops• It is the culmination

of all our activities

Civilization 1.0• How did this come to

pass?• What does this

civilization look like?

Civilization 1.0• The keyboard was

designed to slow down typists so the mechanical keys would not jam

• We live with that legacy now even though keyboards are no longer mechanical

• This is typical of our civil inheritance

Civilization 1.0• Houses are still being

built with 2x4s, boards and tar shingled roofs even though we have many better ways to build them

• Modern social sciences are based on 18th century physics and 19th century biology

Civilization 1.0• Management

practices are based on military traditions going back over a thousand years, even though the management revolution supposedly took place forty years ago

Civilization 1.0• Most of the things

that make up our civilization are historical accidents

• If we had it to do over again, we’d do things differently – and better

• But the past is sticky• Everything we think

about is somehow linked to old ideas

Civilization 1.0• Is religion still

relevant?• Are some religions

better than others?• Do you put your choice

of religion on hold while you figure out which ones are best?

• Are religions evolving to better reflect human needs and interests?

Civilization 1.0• Built-in corrective

mechanisms keep civilization relatively on track

• What track?• Where to?• What are the

boundaries?

Markets• We have a free market

system to encourage enterprise and innovation and relatively equitable distribution of goods and services

• Improvements are financially rewarded

• Waste is discouraged• Competition is based

on consumer choices

Markets• Marketing has become

a high science• Based on psychology,

demographics, scientific-type surveys, and media technology

• Consumers choose between products and vendors

• Not so much between a product and, say, quiet time

Government• Governments are to

keep the free market fair and opportunities equitable

• They try to create a fair and honest playing field to ensure citizens’ needs are met

• You vote your favourite leaders

Government• Governments need

their checks and balances▫ Lobbyists▫ Advocates▫ Civil disobedience▫ Petitions and letter

campaigns▫ Plebiscites and

referenda

Citizens• As citizens we have

responsibilities • Educate ourselvs on

electoral candidates, issues, policies

• Stay informed as stories evolve

• Vote! And vote wisely• When a vote isn’t

enough, speak up

Specialized Knowledge• Scientists explore and

discover new things about nature, the universe and ourselves

• Applied scientists conduct research and develop new technologies, materials and products

Specialized Knowledge• Management

scientists increase efficiency and effectiveness of processes, methods, programs and projects

Production• We have hard working

people who get things done

• They make, assemble and ship the goods

• They deliver services

Management• Managers make tough

decisions that keep our work organized and moving ahead

• Ensuring tasks and skills are appropriately matched and people are well trained and rewarded

Leadership• Leaders paint a

picture of our common future against the gray fog of the future and point the direction forward

• They motivate us to work toward a better place

Consumers• As consumers we all

benefit from the fruits of our collective labour and wisdom

• We share in yesterday’s utopia

• And dream about tomorrow’s…

Civilization 1.5: Assessment

•What has not changed from the past?•What is different now?

•How sustainable is this system?•How has the system already reinvented

itself?

Civilization 1.5: Assessment

•Is there any other way to run a civilization?

•What could cause it to fail?•What would you choose to do differently?

Civilization 2.0

•What we learn from the past and today’s world will determine the shape of the next civilization

Civilization 2.0• Will Civilization 2.0 be

a webby world managed by a synthesis of artificial and collective intelligence?

Civilization 2.0• Will Civilization 2.0 be

a bio-mimicry world, based on a modern understanding of man’s inherent place in nature?

Civilization 2.0• Will Civilization 2.0 be

auto-regulating, providing an appropriate range of efficient responses to nature’s demands?

Civilization 2.0• The pace of change is

accelerating with no relief in sight

• Terrorist actions, rogue states, failed states and the global economic recession have not deterred the march of progress

Civilization 2.0• One thing that is

emerging with greater clarity is that organizations are needed more than ever

• Collaboration, not the old-fashioned charismatic leader, will be needed to find our way

Civilization 2.0: The Way Forward

• Only organizations can provide the number of experts and mix of skills needed to come to a reasonable understanding of the complex modern world

• And not just any organization, at that

Civilization 2.0: The Way Forward

• Only an organization that is highly organized around the central purpose of matching the complexity of the global civilization will be able to read the trends, foresee changes and plot a course for survival

Civilization 2.0: The Way Forward

• Only an organization that sees itself as a collective intelligence emerging from the interaction of the diverse intelligences of its members…

• Only this organization will be able to survive, bringing its members along in a protective envelop

Civilization 2.0: The Way Forward

• Individuals and their organizations must now form collective intelligence to match the diversity in their own continuously unfolding civilization