Review of Lectures 7-12 PDF

Created by Turbolearn AI Review of Lectures 7-12 Overview of the Course The course is divided into two main parts: models of the environment and human behavior. The second half of the course focuses on human behavior, with lectures 7- 12 covering the following topics: Lecture 7: Transition f...

Created by Turbolearn AI Review of Lectures 7-12 Overview of the Course The course is divided into two main parts: models of the environment and human behavior. The second half of the course focuses on human behavior, with lectures 7- 12 covering the following topics: Lecture 7: Transition from models of the environment to human behavior Lecture 8: Models of human behavior Lecture 9: Humanity as an animal that imagines Lecture 10: Humanity as a rational being Lecture 11: Humanity as a social and political creature Lecture 12: Implications of human behavior and environmental models Lecture 7: Conditions of Life "Life is a complex and multifaceted concept that is difficult to define." The conditions of life are the fundamental requirements for life to exist on a planet. These conditions include: Water Energy Organic molecules A stable environment The conditions of life are critical to understanding environmental risk, as they provide a basis for assessing the potential impacts of environmental perturbations on life. Models of Life There are several different models of life, including: Page 1  Created by Turbolearn AI Model Definition A hierarchical model of life that categorizes living organisms based Ladder of Life on their complexity and organization. Gaia A model that views the Earth as a single, self-regulating system that Hypothesis maintains the conditions necessary for life. Autopoietic A model that views living organisms as self-organizing systems that Model maintain their own structure and function. Risk to Life Risk to life is a critical concept in environmental science, as it provides a basis for assessing the potential impacts of environmental perturbations on living organisms. Risk to life can be assessed at different scales, from individual organisms to entire ecosystems. Exoplanets and the Goldilocks Zone Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system. The Goldilocks zone is the region around a star where the temperature is just right for life to exist. Exoplanets that fall within the Goldilocks zone are considered to be potentially habitable. Planet Distance from Star Temperature Earth 93 million miles 15°C Trappist-1e 39 million miles 0°C Kepler-452b 140 million miles 10°C Trappist System The Trappist system is a planetary system that consists of seven Earth-sized planets that orbit a single star. Three of the planets are thought to be potentially habitable, making the Trappist system a fascinating target for astrobiological research. Page 2  Created by Turbolearn AI Planet Size Distance from Star Trappist-1b 1.09 Earth radii 10 million miles Trappist-1c 1.06 Earth radii 12 million miles Trappist-1d 0.77 Earth radii 15 million miles The search for life beyond Earth is an exciting and rapidly evolving field of study. With the discovery of exoplanets and advances in technology, scientists are now able to search for signs of life on other planets. The Building Blocks of Life The building blocks of life are the essential components that make up living organisms. These include: Carbon: the basis of all life on Earth Water: essential for life as we know it Energy sources: necessary for life to exist and thrive The Conditions of Life The conditions of life refer to the specific set of circumstances that allow life to exist and thrive. These include: Temperature: the range of temperatures that support life Pressure: the range of pressures that support life Chemical composition: the presence of essential chemicals and nutrients The Diversity of Life The diversity of life on Earth is vast and complex, with different types of organisms adapted to different environments. Type of Organism Characteristics Eukaryotes Complex cells with a nucleus, found in plants and animals Prokaryotes Simple cells without a nucleus, found in bacteria and archaea Archaea Ancient microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments Page 3  Created by Turbolearn AI Extremophiles Extremophiles are organisms that thrive in extreme environments, such as: High temperatures: above 100°C High pressures: above 1000 times atmospheric pressure High salinity: above 10 times the salinity of seawater Viruses Viruses are small particles that infect cells and replicate inside them. They are not considered living organisms, but play a crucial role in the ecosystem. "A virus is a piece of bad news wrapped in a protein coat." - Unknown Biomes Biomes are large ecosystems that support a diverse range of life. They can be found on land and in water, and are characterized by specific types of plants and animals. Biome Characteristics Desert biome hot and dry, with limited vegetation and animal life Rainforest warm and humid, with dense vegetation and diverse animal life biome the ecosystem of microorganisms that live inside and on the human Human biome body The Definition of Life The definition of life is a complex and debated topic. There are over 100 definitions of life, and no consensus on a single definition. "Life is a self-sustaining chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution." - Carl Sagan The Search for Weird Life Page 4  Created by Turbolearn AI The search for weird life refers to the search for life forms that are significantly different from those found on Earth. This could include life forms that use different biochemistries or have different physical properties. Type of Weird Life Characteristics Life based on silicon uses silicon instead of carbon as the basis of life uses liquid methane instead of water as the Life based on liquid methane solvent Life with a different genetic uses a different genetic code than DNA or RNA code The concept of life detection is crucial in understanding the conditions for life on other planets. The ladder of life detection is a compilation of heuristics that allow us to determine whether something can be called life. Criteria for Life Detection The criteria for life detection include: Quantifiability: Can the evidence be measured and quantified? Repeatability: Can the results be repeated and verified? Detectability: Can the evidence be detected and observed? Compatibility: Is the evidence compatible with what we know of life on Earth? "Compatibility is one of those features that really control the evidence. It's critically important because it allows us to determine whether the evidence is consistent with what we know of life on Earth." The Ladder of Life The ladder of life is a hierarchical structure that ranges from simple biofabrics to complex life forms. The ladder includes: Page 5  Created by Turbolearn AI Level Description Biofabrics Simple organic molecules that are not necessarily alive Simple Life Forms Basic life forms that exhibit some characteristics of life Complex Life Advanced life forms that exhibit complex behaviors and Forms characteristics Darwinian The highest level of life, characterized by evolution and Evolution adaptation Examples of Life Detection There have been several examples of life detection in the past, including: Old Microfossils: Fossilized remains of ancient microorganisms found on Earth Galileo Spacecraft: The Galileo spacecraft was used to study the Earth's atmosphere and detect signs of life Micromegas: A hypothetical example of a life form that is used to illustrate the concept of life detection Extinction Events and Existential Risk Extinction events have occurred throughout Earth's history, and there is a risk of future events. The five major extinction events in the fossil record are: Event Timeframe Ordovician-Silurian Extinction 450 million years ago Late Devonian Extinction 365 million years ago End-Permian Extinction 250 million years ago Triassic-Jurassic Extinction 210 million years ago Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction 65 million years ago Culpability and Existential Risk Culpability refers to the responsibility of human actions or inactions that contribute to existential risk. Climate change is an example of an existential risk that is caused by human activities. Page 6  Created by Turbolearn AI "Culpability is something that bothers us. Our hand in the process bothers us. Climate change really bothers us." Risk Prioritization Risk prioritization is the process of evaluating and ranking different types of risks. This can help us to focus on the most critical risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Risk Type Description Existential Risk Risks that threaten the survival of humanity Environmental Risk Risks that affect the natural environment Societal Risk Risks that affect human societies and cultures Transition to Human Behavior The next section of the course will focus on human behavior and the inner and outer operating environments. This will help us to understand how humans interact with the environment and how we can respond to environmental challenges.## Understanding Human Behavior and the Environment Human behavior plays a crucial role in understanding environmental risk. To comprehend this relationship, we need to model human behavior and its impact on the environment. What Makes Us Human? "What is that special thing that makes us human?" This question has been debated for centuries, with various answers proposed, including: Wisdom Language Rationality Free will These characteristics are thought to distinguish humans from other animals. However, to truly understand what makes us human, we need to explore our evolution and development as a species. Page 7  Created by Turbolearn AI Human Evolution Time Period Event 100,000 years Emergence of Homo sapiens sapiens ago Cognitive revolution, marking the beginning of modern human 50,000 years ago behavior Our evolution is closely tied to our relationship with the environment. Understanding this relationship is essential for mitigating environmental risk. Aristotle's Approach to Humanity Aristotle's theory of categorization helps us understand what makes humans unique. He notes that humans are animals, but with a rational soul that sets us apart from other animals. Characteristic Shared with Other Animals Unique to Humans Gregarious nature Bees, wasps, ants, cranes Rational soul Sensitive soul Animals Rational soul Aristotle's theory of the souls proposes that humans have a rational soul, enabling us to think and reason, and a sensitive soul, which we share with animals. The Epitome of Rationality: Newton Isaac Newton's discoveries, such as calculus and the universal law of gravity, represent the epitome of rationality. His work laid the foundation for understanding the environment and human behavior. The Concept of Perfectibility The idea of human perfectibility, first proposed by Turgot in 1750, suggests that humans can be guided towards a better future through scientific methods and rational intelligence. Page 8  Created by Turbolearn AI Philosopher Contribution Voltaire Optimism in the 18th century Condorcet Perfectibility and limitless progress Immanuel Kant Perfectibility and the growth of rational intelligence However, this idea has been criticized for being overly optimistic and neglecting the role of emotions in human behavior. The Role of Emotions in Human Behavior David Hume argued that reason and passion are intertwined, and that emotions play a crucial role in human welfare. "Reason ingenuity contrivance mathematics had no influence over our actions and could never. The nature of a particular object is pointed out by reason and experience but we would not have be concerned with it unless emotions extended towards it." Adam Smith further developed this idea, showing that selfishness can be a driving force for human progress, as seen in the concept of the invisible hand of the market. Concept Description Invisible hand of the The underlying mechanism by which individual selfishness market leads to socially beneficial outcomes Malthus and the Population Principle Malthus pointed out a fundamental biological constraint on human behavior, which is the population principle. This principle states that population growth is limited by the availability of resources, leading to competition for those resources. The Cluster of Authors: Competition, Evolution, and Limits A cluster of authors, including Robert Wallace, Adam Smith, Malthus, Darwin, and another Wallace, centered around the idea of competition, evolution, and limits. They recognized that human behavior is influenced by underlying laws of nature. Page 9  Created by Turbolearn AI Author Contribution Robert Wallace Early work on evolution and natural selection Adam Smith Concept of the "invisible hand" in economics Malthus Population principle and its impact on human behavior Darwin Theory of evolution through natural selection Wallace Independent development of the theory of evolution Darwin's Influence on Human Behavior Models Darwin's work on evolution had a significant impact on human behavior models. He applied the principles of evolution to human behavior, recognizing that humans are part of the natural world and subject to the same laws as other living organisms. "Darwin literally points to Malthus and says, 'you know, in a letter I happen to read for amusement Malthus, and it struck me almost immediately, evolution.'" The Convergence of Ideas: Competition and Economics The idea of competition, which emerged from the cluster of authors, began to underlie more aspects of human behavior, including economics. John Stewart Mill recognized that human behavior is driven by a desire to possess wealth and that rationality plays a key role in achieving this goal. "This model of human behavior is concerned with an agent who desires to possess wealth, is capable of judging the comparable efficacy of obtaining it." Rationality and Human Behavior Rationality is a key component of human behavior models. It refers to the logical consistency in seeking to obtain goals. "Rationality, once again, it's not passion, it's just logical consistency in seeking to obtain your goals." Page 10  Created by Turbolearn AI The Extension of Darwinian Evolution: Psychology The next phase of human behavior models concerns itself with the extension of Darwinian evolution and its impact on human behavior through psychology. The Leading Edge of Models: Thinking Fast and Slow The leading edge of models of human behavior is represented by the work of Kahneman and Tversky, who developed the concept of thinking fast and slow. "System 1 and 2, so this goes back to Kahneman, System 1 and 2 goes you know, it really emulates Hume's, admonition that we have to keep emotion and rationality or passion and rationality, you know, in the same in the same breath." The Pathway from Evolution to Modern Interpretations The pathway from evolution to modern interpretations of human behavior is clear. It begins with Darwin's work on evolution and extends through psychology to the modern concept of thinking fast and slow. Stage Contribution Darwin Theory of evolution through natural selection Freud Psychoanalysis and the role of the unconscious William James Pragmatism and the importance of experience Kahneman and Tversky Thinking fast and slow The Challenge of Modeling Human Behavior Modeling human behavior is a complex task. It requires a deep understanding of the underlying laws of nature and the interactions between humans and their environment. "We really don't have enough information. There really is, you know, dependency between the parts. It really is complex." Page 11  Created by Turbolearn AI The Neo-Darwinian Synthesis The neo-Darwinian synthesis is a tendency to reduce all explanation to evolution itself. This approach has been influential in economics and other fields. "At the core, the neo-Darwinian synthesis is the tendency to reduce all explanation to evolution itself."## Theory Reduction and the Darwinian Model The concept of theory reduction suggests that it's possible to house all disciplines under one roof. This idea is exemplified by the Darwinian model, which accounts for both the content and form of active strategies. The capacity for rational thought is itself the product of genetic evolution, making evolutionary theory inclusive of psychology, sociology, and economics. The Problem with Theory Reduction While the idea of theory reduction may seem appealing, it's not without its problems. The neo-Darwinists argue that culture is not an untethered thing, but rather it's tethered to human behavior, which is biological. However, this raises questions about the role of biology in determining human behavior. The Interplay between Biology and Culture Complex organisms, such as humans, are the result of interactions between DNA, enzymes, cells, organs, personal histories, social entanglement, and political aspects. These interactions require explanation at different levels, and it's not a big deal to say that humans are biological, but they also have other things that need explanation in terms of their behavior. Level of Explanation Description Biological DNA, enzymes, cells, organs Personal Personal histories, experiences Social Social entanglement, relationships Political Political aspects, institutions Reflexivity and Consciousness Page 12  Created by Turbolearn AI One special thing about humans is their capacity for reflexivity, which is made possible by their consciousness. This means that humans can think about the models used to describe them and choose not to follow the predicted behavior. The Complexity of Human Behavior Human behavior is complex and cannot be reduced to a single level of explanation. It requires a holistic approach that takes into account multiple levels of structure and organization. Political Ecology and the Need for Integrated Models Political ecology is the study of the relationships between humans and their environment. It requires integrated models that take into account multiple levels of explanation, including ecological, political, cultural, and demographic factors. The Importance of Knowledge and Integrated Models Knowledge is a key factor in understanding human behavior and the environment. Integrated models are necessary to deal with the complexity of human behavior and the environment. Heuristics for Integrating Models One heuristic for integrating models is to simplify the model of human behavior using an ideal type. This was formalized by Max Weber and is based on the idea of creating a simple model that captures the essential characteristics of human behavior. Ideal Types: Homo Economicus and Homo Sociologicus Page 13  Created by Turbolearn AI Ideal Type Description Homo Insatiable, lazy, and impatient. Only looks to the future and has a Economicus limited discount function. Homo Altruistic, dependent on the past, and influenced by past injustices. Sociologicus "Homo economicus is a model of human behavior that assumes individuals are rational and self-interested. However, this model is limited and does not capture the complexity of human behavior."## Environmental Scales and Human Scales In the context of climate change, it's essential to consider both environmental scales and human scales. These two scales are interconnected and influence each other. Type 1, 3, and 4 Expenditures Expenditure Description Type Homosociologicus: Spending everything to be concerned about Type 1 future societies. Homo Economicus: Only spending when climate change affects Type 3 personally. Political Servant: Fulfilling a model of human behavior as a Type 4 political servant. The 42 k Event The 42 k event refers to a significant drought that occurred around 42,000 years ago. However, there is a discrepancy between those who believe it had a massive impact and those who question its existence. Proving the Climate Signature To prove that the climate signature of the 42 k event existed, we need to: Page 14  Created by Turbolearn AI Prove that the climate really did have that signature. Prove that there was a change in terms of where people lived. Prove that there was a drought that impacted their lives. Response to Simplistic Models "Following early 20th century anthropological thought, works published by HCS have tended to present past societies as isolated, homogeneous, with internal characteristics that make each more or less vulnerable to environmental disruption." This response highlights the limitations of simplistic models that: Miss the diversity within societies. Miss the connections between societies. Overlook the complexity of human behavior. 5 Pathways to Resilience In response to the Little Ice Age, societies demonstrated resilience through: Diversification: Spreading risk across different activities. Migration: Moving to new areas in search of resources. Innovation: Developing new technologies to adapt to changing conditions. Social Organization: Organizing communities to respond to environmental challenges. Cultural Adaptation: Adapting cultural practices to changing environmental conditions. Scenario Planning Scenario planning is a method of anticipating possible futures by creating plausible scenarios. It's a surrender to the inadequacies of modeling, acknowledging that we don't have a perfect model of human behavior. Key Principles of Scenario Planning Each scenario is equally plausible. Scenarios are not probability representations. Scenarios are used to standardize our approach to looking at the intersection between climate models and human models. Page 15  Created by Turbolearn AI Examples of Scenario Planning Dutch Shell's scenario planning in the 1970s. The IPCC's use of scenario planning to model the intersection between climate models and human models. How Scenario Planning Works Scenario planning involves: Broad speculation about possible futures. Refining scenarios over time as more information becomes available. Considering multiple scenarios to anticipate possible outcomes. Utopias and Scenario Planning Scenario planning can be used to explore utopian ideas, such as: Imagining a future with little green men. Considering the possibilities of a perfect world. However, as we refine our scenarios, we must focus on the conditions that make them possible.## Environmental Risk and the Science of Knowledge The concept of environmental risk is crucial in understanding the impact of external events on our lives. These events, represented by red dots, can be thought of as COVID-19 and climate change, which can affect us despite our attempts to ignore them. The Need for a Science of Environmental Risk A science of environmental risk is necessary to get ahead of the problem. This science is about integrating knowledge to understand the impact of external events on our lives. Models of Science Page 16  Created by Turbolearn AI Model Description A simple model of science that includes the environment Q1, past Q1-Q4 evidence Q2, past evidence of human behavior Q3, and human behavior Q4 A model that integrates all knowledge and guidance, evident in the Gilgamesh's Lapis Lazuli tablet, to understand the environment and human Model behavior Micromegas' A model that produces knowledge but lacks purpose, working across Model Q1-Q4 Darwin's A biologically centric model that focuses on Q1 and Q2, dominating Model models of human behavior A model that steps away from the game and watches it in the Beck's Model context of environmental purpose, playing all quadrants simultaneously Understanding the Future The future is represented by different versions of Q4, which have a real impact on our actions and understanding of the world. We can apply simplistic models to the scales we learn from environmental models. Models of Human Behavior Model Description Homo Sapiens A biological model that has limits to how long we can last on the Sapiens planet An economic model that only sees the future in a diminishing Homo Economicus way, with a window of about 30 years Homo A model that says the past and future matter, and we should be Sociologicus worried about the future and care about people Homo A model that serves people, as seen in Gilgamesh's 126 years as Administratus a good administrator Gilgamesh's Ethics Page 17  Created by Turbolearn AI Gilgamesh's ethics is about serving people and applying a model of motivation to every human being. This ethics is brilliant and answers many questions. Motivation and Models What motivates us is up to you. The models are important to know, but they can't motivate us. We need to step beyond the models to understand why we do what we do. Climate Change and Human Behavior The dramatic footage of Fort McMurray sets home the reality of climate change and its impact on people. It's about helping people and understanding the importance of environmental risk. Page 18