The system isn’t perfect; it is perpetuating

Recently, I came across a debate among several renowned authors and professors discussing the future of life. One side argued that overall, life is improving globally, while the other side contended that quality of life will deteriorate in the future.

Initially, I found myself aligning with the optimistic viewpoint, as they presented compelling data. Nearly all major indicators of quality of life have shown improvement over the decades, and they argued convincingly that this trend will continue.

However, there is a prevalent belief that we are at a crucial juncture where progress may reverse. This perspective reflects a certain narcissism, a tendency to believe that everything revolves around our time. This outlook is not unique to our era but has been observed throughout history.

The more I delved into the debate, the more I found the arguments of the optimists to be logical. The pessimists, on the other hand, relied on conventional criticisms, accusing optimists of being out of touch with reality and driven by greed. They also highlighted potential sources of great destruction, such as nuclear weapons, cyber-attacks, and global conflicts.

Viewed through the lens of systems thinking, it becomes apparent that both sides are describing different facets of the same system. This system has existed for ages and will continue to exist. This does not imply that the Earth or humans will endure indefinitely, but rather points to the enduring systems of life that persist throughout history.

Many principles of systems thinking suggest that there will always be a mix of good and bad, and that perfection is unattainable. However, achieving a sense of harmony within the system is possible because the system is inherently designed to perpetuate itself. It is not concerned with ensuring fairness among all parties.

As humans, we struggle with this inherent unfairness. We aspire to care for the less fortunate, to eradicate disease, and to ensure that each generation surpasses the last in terms of well-being. If these aspirations are not realized, the pessimists' predictions of future despair may come to pass.

Both viewpoints are valid in their own right. We can strive to improve the human condition on Earth while acknowledging that future challenges will arise. These challenges coexist with moments of glory within the same system, and we cannot separate one from the other.

Ultimately, the system does not cater to our comfort or strive for fairness; it seeks balance to perpetuate itself. While we debate the future, the systems and subsystems continue to operate, largely unnoticed.

This debate underscores the idea that we can argue for or against almost any system. However, true understanding requires us to acknowledge both sides and recognize how they are interconnected within the same system.