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Writer's picturePete Ward

Anthropolis Mission Statement


Apocalypse

The claim of human dominion over Mother Nature is being debunked by the accelerating decline of the artificial world man has created in his own image. Due to the disregard for following the ecological directive, humanity—in no uncertain terms—is failing the objective of sustainable evolution. The continuation of our species now hinges on our acknowledgment of this reality and our collective will to demand an alternative.


The colonial claims of cultural supremacy have been an illusion, made evident by the consequences of cultures that have lost sight of their connection to the natural world and commonality among their own species. Those who appeared on the shores of foreign lands—occupied by indigenous peoples living sustainable lives—had arrived because their own culture was built on generations of conflict and had failed to evolve to a level of subsistence living provided by the bounty of the lands within their own borders. Although those conquered may have been intrigued by the fancy ships and attire of their oppressors, they had little reason to respect those who prioritize conquest over collaboration and force their beliefs upon others at the end of a musket. Imagine what the world would be like today had the European explorers returned home with the sustainable knowledge of countless cultures—instead of spoils, such as gold and slaves.


It is the emphasis on competition and conquest that has built the infrastructure of corporate culture in which we are embedded, environments that deprive us of simple community-based living and exposure to the ecological cues from which our DNA evolved. The dog-eat-dog mentality of colonialism and capitalism is the cause of our collapsing global ecosystem and diminished biodiversity. The narrative of capitalism being the best and only option for society has long been touted by those who most benefit from it. So successful has been the suppression by the demagogue and his sycophants of any attempt at change to the system that serves them that we dare not utter an alternative "ism." It is time we display our contempt for those incapable of seeing the forest through the bars from within the cage which confines us all. Those who lack empathy and vision for human evolution and instead choose to perpetuate that which is destroying not just us, but the global ecosystem in its entirety.



The Anthropolis mission is to present an alternative reality for humanity to the one created for us by the "Titans of Industry" during our industrial adolescence. To initiate an honest evaluation of the successes and failures of all cultures, past and present, to then present an eclectic, universal formula which serves humanity in its entirety — directed by 3.8 billion years of ecological R & D. By leveraging current anthropological knowledge and advanced scientific technology, we can demonstrate that sustainable living is closely tied to the inherent human experience, irrespective of cultural differences. In a world facing dwindling natural resources and biodiversity loss, we have the responsibility to revolutionize societal and industrial structures by shifting from profit-driven governance to meeting universal human needs guided by ecological wisdom.


The Anthropolis aim is to present sustainable communities as alternatives to the suburban model created to benefit the fossil fuel industry that led to the “great acceleration,” which now threatens the future of humanity and global ecology. To prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that communities built on true anthropological needs of connection and support for each other in natural settings are far more desirable than being subjected to environments dominated by unnecessary modes of transport and the parking lots, streets, roads, and stroads built to support their use. To contrast the differences in an ability to acquire all your needs within walking distance from your home as opposed to navigating on slabs of asphalt in a device 500 times your own mass to meet friends and family, get groceries, or find a trailhead.


The fossil fuel industry has, for too long, perpetuated a false narrative for the need of their products and consequential societal and environmental impacts, even going against the findings of the scientists they hired for research. As a result of their relentless pursuit of profit and overreaching government influence, they have squandered billions of tons of precious natural resources to create unnecessary products and infrastructure that could have been used for community development. They have, with great success, used psychologically manipulative tactics to exploit our vulnerabilities with disregard for true anthropological needs and ecological outcomes.


At Anthropolis, our faith is in the science of ecology above that of politics for developing solutions to the problems of our ethos. Ethical politicians, at this stage of the game, can only shroud ecological and environmental policy behind economic promises, while the unethical use diversion tactics to redirect blame away from their corporate financiers. However, none are willing or able to outright admit that the monster that is the perpetual growth model is leading us toward self-destruction. Dystopia doesn't sell, so to attain or retain power they must blame each other for the failing matrix they are indebted to defend. It is, therefore, the responsibility of those with the means to clearly illustrate optimistic visions that will unequivocally put our current modus operandi to shame.


Process:


Phase 1: The Industrial Revolution progress report.


  • Discuss the repercussions of corporate pursuit for profit above that of equality. Highlight the detrimental effects of anthropocentrism and ecological disregard by prominent figures in industry, past and present. Address the risks associated with individualism, machismo, and nuclear armament in our technological and ecological ethos. Emphasize the importance of establishing a balance of the masculine and feminine in the processes of governance.


  • State the importance of leveraging collective human knowledge for designing and implementing industry and infrastructure. Provide examples of industries that failed to conduct necessary scientific due diligence, resulting in harm to human and global ecological progress. Consider the Eco Directive while evaluating the pros and cons of time spent in a car, on screens, and in the suburbs in comparison to time spent with face-to-face interactions in walkable communities and physical activity in nature.


  • Accept that the exponential growth model in pursuit of GDP is a catastrophic failure which requires a systemic design overhaul and will not be solved with band-aid solutions.


Phase 2: Define and propose the Ecological Revolution.


  • Promote widespread rejection of numerous systems established in the Industrial Revolution which are inadequate in meeting fundamental human requirements and are contributing to human conflict and environmental deterioration. Establish the need for industry focused on housing, community, and sustainability, characterized by the same level of commitment seen during the “great acceleration” era.


  • Advocate for Culture Fusion by establishing an international think tank to explore equitable and sustainable aspects of human culture, both historical and contemporary, and amalgamating them for innovative solutions. Celebrate cultural diversity and shape a universal culture through the utility of humanity's combined knowledge.


  • Collaborate with experts in anthropology, ecology, biomimicry, etc., to differentiate genuine human needs from harmful desires. Raise awareness of manipulative advertising tactics that promote unnecessary consumption.


  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of suburban living and nuclear family structures compared to historical communal living in villages with shared resources. Consider anthropological group sizes for community development.


  • Prioritize child development and intergenerational socialization by fostering collaborative group activities and creating communal spaces that strengthen bonds.


  • Reduce corporate influence to encourage diverse styles that reflect the collective identity within individual villages.


  • Design autonomous communities where residents actively participate in development and maintenance, promoting communal ownership and shared resources. Encourage product libraries, repair shops, and recycling facilities to reduce personal ownership and waste.


  • Focus on creating sustainable infrastructure that enhances human experiences while respecting ecological principles.


  • Promote alternative modes of transportation within villages, such as bikes and e-bikes, while storing cars on the outskirts for inter-village travel. Develop supportive infrastructure for non-motorized and human assist transportation.


  • Restore wildlife migration routes and a sense of connection and adventure by removing roads, fences, and walls between villages.


  • Implement greenhouses and living roofs for indigenous food production within and around villages. Seek wisdom from indigenous communities and their ancestors for sustainable practices.


  • Eliminate the influence of the oil and gas sectors in politics. Hold them responsible for ignoring the scientific knowledge about the consequences of their activities, and require them to fund a new World's Fair that advocates for alternatives to the short-sighted and harmful model they promoted in the fair of 1939.


  • Produce a documentary illustrating a positive vision of a world if we had followed science and reason at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Emphasize the importance and rewards of transitioning to equitable, sustainable practices.


  • Repurpose industrial areas like the "rust belt" for manufacturing prefabricated homes and villages to address housing shortages and prepare for climate-induced migrations, leveraging geographical advantages for sustainable development.


Presenting viable alternatives of what could have been and what could be will prompt a shift in mindset, fostering a desire to nurture a sustainable and harmonious relationship between human behavior and the environment. By respecting ecological boundaries, our goal is to lay the foundation for a new industrial era that not only meets humanity's basic needs but also ensures ecological justice for all beings and our planet. Through a deep understanding of human needs and ecological limits, we can vividly depict appropriately sized self-sustaining communities that provide housing, food, employment, and entertainment for all residents equally. Communities and lifestyles envisioned as far more appealing than the profit-driven urban sprawl that currently dominates much of our landscape. By combining artificial and ecological intelligence as guiding principles, Anthropolis seeks to enhance our understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth and establish frameworks for responsible stewardship and the human experience nature intended.

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