To help save the humans, start by considering why we can not agree on important issues.
Several human survival obstacles require tackling intertwined problems holistically. When obstacles are complex and interconnected, addressing them in isolation is ineffective. Meeting intertwined existential threats, however, such as weather extremes, pollution, global food shortages, fresh water supply issues, energy shortages, public health crises, resource sharing and ideological wars, will require innovations in human consensus.
Consensus Failure
Lack of actionable global agreement on major issues is a meta-survival obstacle that blocks progress on other obstacles. Solving consensus failure must begin, but human consensus failure itself blocks a timely solution to its own problem. In other words, we often can not agree that we disagree, or we can not agree that our collective disagreement is a problem. A blocked situation beyond these two makers is gridlock caused by various failures to compromise. Luckily, world power has been consolidated to the point that our species needs only those humans with the financial ability to make a difference to “work it out” and the rest will follow. Getting the power brokers of the world united–since this task faces intertwined problems of cognitive biases, polarization, lack of trust, and communication breakdown–requires a catalyst. It may be a great influx of planetary riches, or a catastrophic event, either real or invented.
The Plan
The Plan to Remedy Global Consensus Failure on Human Survival Issues, known hereafter as “the Plan,” will act holistically on intertwined problem areas.
Step 1: Platforms for Dialog. The first step in the plan is to foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. This involves creating platforms for open dialogue and participation, where all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, can come together to discuss and find common ground on human survival issues. This will help build trust, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote a sense of shared responsibility.
Step 0: The Event. Due to human nature, the Plan will require a catalyst. A major event, such as a new kind of pandemic, a global supervillain, an invasion of giant dinosaurs, or an ultimatum given to earth by extraterrestrial aliens, some threat along with some hope of great reward, is required. Global collaboration that begins and results in success can then be extended to cover all human survival issues. Humans pressed by a global need to work together will do so, as shown by major events in human history.
Step 2: Data Sharing. The Plan emphasizes the need for accurate and timely information. It calls for the establishment of a global data-sharing mechanism that enables the collection, analysis, and dissemination of reliable data on various survival issues, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. This data-driven approach will help identify patterns, trends, and potential solutions for these intertwined problems.
Step 3. Truth and Relevance Must Win. Lies and the lying lairs who tell them must be exposed and stopped. Checks and balances must be restored and institutionalized globally with rules of governance to prevent humanity from making collective poor choices due to the trickery and deception humans have long practiced to enrich a few powerful sectors of the collective population. Truth will come to light naturally as a consequence of open data sharing (step 2) and discussion.
Step 4. Sustainability Plans. The Plan recognizes the importance of addressing the root causes of global challenges. It highlights the need to tackle issues such as unsustainable consumption and production patterns, lack of access to basic needs and services, and systemic inequalities. By addressing these underlying causes, the Plan aims to mitigate the negative impacts of intertwined problems on human survival.
Step 5. Inclusive development. The Plan calls for the integration of social, economic, and environmental considerations into policies and practices to ensure a holistic approach. This includes adopting sustainable technologies, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing inclusive and equitable policies that prioritize the well-being of all individuals.
Step 6. Open Governance. The plan also recognizes that effective governance and institutional frameworks are crucial for addressing intertwined survival issues. It underscores the need for transparent and accountable institutions at the global, regional, and national levels. This includes strengthening international cooperation, improving governance mechanisms, and enhancing the capacity of institutions to effectively address these challenges.
Plan Summary
The Plan here recognizes the complexity and interconnections of various problems. By taking a holistic and integrated approach, it aims to foster collaboration, promote sustainable development, and address the root causes of intertwined challenges. This comprehensive strategy acknowledges that real progress in other areas can only reach heights of cooperation required by addressing these issues collectively and systematically. Overall, the Plan to remedy global consensus failure on human survival issues is just one possible plan. Others are invited to improve upon it, or create something else entirely.
How Can You Help Save the Humans?
Perhaps at this point what humanity most needs are agreement workers, people who act like both diplomats and fact checkers on important issues, who are intelligent, careful, honest, likable, reliable and dedicated to making a difference. Agreement workers could be leaders on Social Media and elsewhere in various corners of the world, the new breed of grass roots innovators who help others, using compassion and tact, come around to courageously seeing genuine problems and who motivate and excite people about taking action on real solutions.
What you can do on this site to help save the humans is simple; use the search box to look for answers and to ask the questions you have. It may take a while, but we keep track of unanswered questions and generate new articles based on your searches. Thus, this site will grow with new articles and features. Look at the recent articles to get an idea about what others have been searching for and asking.
Thank you for helping to save the humans!