2017 Maps of Meaning 06: Story and Metastory (Part 2)

TL;DR

Human beings grapple with the complexities of the world and rely on cooperation and the ability to adapt to navigate through it.

Transcript

[Introductory music] So I guess the case that I was making last time, at least in part, was that... You're one of...- One way of conceptualizing the fundamental problem ... that human beings face is... To conceptualize as an ongoing struggle with complexity. And... Complexity... ... emerges as a consequence of... The, sort of, finite bo... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Complexity is the fundamental problem that human beings face, as they are surrounded by things they don't fully understand.
• 🆘 Cooperation with others greatly enhances individual cognitive resources and helps solve the problem of complexity.
• ♻️ The Darwinian notion of evolution provides an explanation for how human beings adapt to unpredictable environments by generating variance.
• 🖐️ Sexual selection has played a significant role in shaping human evolution, with females selecting mates based on markers of health and cognitive abilities.
• 🥺 Human beings have multiplied their dominance hierarchies, leading to the development of cognitive flexibility and the ability to succeed in multiple domains.
• 🧑‍🏭 Consciousness acts as an error detection and rectification system, improving automated adaptability and functioning unconsciously.
• 🤳 Human beings have conserved motivational systems for self-maintenance and self-propagation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do human beings solve the problem of complexity?

Human beings cooperate with others to multiply their cognitive resources and better navigate the complexities of the world. By working together, they can understand and solve problems that they individually might not be able to.

Q: How does evolution contribute to our ability to handle complexity?

Evolution allows for the generation of variance and adaptation to unpredictable environments. Random changes through mutation and sexual selection have shaped our cognitive abilities, enabling us to respond to and thrive in complex situations.

Q: What role does sexual selection play in human evolution?

Sexual selection has driven the development of cognitive abilities in humans. Females have selected mates based on markers of health and cognitive prowess, resulting in the expansion of cortical functions and cognitive flexibility.

Q: How do human beings navigate multiple dominance hierarchies?

Human beings have the unique ability to succeed in multiple dominance hierarchies due to their cognitive flexibility. By being adaptable and creative, they can excel in various domains and establish their own dominance hierarchies.

Key Insights:

• Complexity is the fundamental problem that human beings face, as they are surrounded by things they don't fully understand.
• Cooperation with others greatly enhances individual cognitive resources and helps solve the problem of complexity.
• The Darwinian notion of evolution provides an explanation for how human beings adapt to unpredictable environments by generating variance.
• Sexual selection has played a significant role in shaping human evolution, with females selecting mates based on markers of health and cognitive abilities.
• Human beings have multiplied their dominance hierarchies, leading to the development of cognitive flexibility and the ability to succeed in multiple domains.
• Consciousness acts as an error detection and rectification system, improving automated adaptability and functioning unconsciously.
• Human beings have conserved motivational systems for self-maintenance and self-propagation.
• The individual perceives the world and sets goals within a narrative framework, manifesting as a micro-personality at the highest resolutions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Human beings face the problem of complexity, surrounded by things they don't fully understand, including themselves. Cooperation with others multiplies cognitive resources to solve this problem.

• The Darwinian notion of evolution offers the best explanation for how human beings deal with complexity, as it allows for the generation of variance and adaptation to unpredictable environments.

• Sexual selection plays a significant role in human evolution, with females selecting mates based on markers of health and cognitive abilities, leading to the further development of cognitive flexibility and intelligence.