Update 3: OCTOBER 31, 2019


This feels like the week when Superstruct got serious.  For the first couple of weeks after the initial GEAS announcement there was an overwhelming sense of shock, then the novelty and excitement of the new possibility of Superstruct was carrying us along.

Now though, awareness of the possibility of effective extinction before 2050 is starting to become awfully familiar, even ordinary, and we're starting to have to get very real in our attempts to avoid that future.

 

Consolidation and cooperation

This week's GEAS warning that our Superstructing has been too unstructured and perhaps even too indulgent felt a bit like an unwelcome intrusion at first, until we remembered the stakes.  Consolidation of our efforts and interaction with the existing powers-that-be are just as essential to our future survival as bottom-up discussion and innovation, and this is reflected in the week's SEHI missions.

 

Mystery and machinations

In fact it seems we have some catching up to do.  Someone has been acting decisively for some time.  With the news of the oil eating microbes discovered in Alaska I'm wondering who is behind it?  Who had the incentive?  Business or governmental interests?  Super-empowered angry individuals?  And indeed, 30 years after the peak of the once-mighty Prudhoe Bay field (and hence of Alaskan oil production) who still cares enough?  Alaska now produces around a fifth as much oil as it did at its peak in the 1980s - isn't it just cruel to cripple production further, or has this engineered microbe in fact been doing its work for many years?

 

Protests and progress

As you may be picking up, I've been feeling a little bleak this week, so let's look to some of the good news going on around our world.  Perhaps the obvious place to start is with the impressive mobilisation of the protests over Audrey Chen's arrest, and her eventual release.  In its own way it's terrifying that it ever got so far, but all's well that ends well I guess.

Perhaps far more significant in the long run is the development of the Foundation of Hope.  Not only has 2019Beverley's brainchild united a number of important superstructures, but importantly, it is a figurehead for those moving beyond the bounds of GEAS' initial 6 week Superstruct experiment.   The establishment of the independent Foundation of Hope forum alongside other innovations like http://struct.ning.com/ and Reconstruct show that the positive repercussions of Superstruct could echo outwards for years to come.

 

Debate and discussion

There are fascinating discussions to join on topics as diverse as transportation, design, finding energy for agriculture, harnessing energy through architecture, manufacture, a political new world order and an ongoing conversation as to the practicality of harnessing the proliferation of algal blooms as a fuel.

 

Faith and the fundamentals

It is also fascinating to see revsparker's perspective speaking to many - with Faith is Power and Everyday Heroes already evidencing a widespread attraction, bringing hope to many as well as attracting the attention of existing organised religion.

Meanwhile, PlatonicJensen has been following the example of his legendary namesake and exploring the bounds of the kind of future we might need, want, or indeed be able to craft, while alumino bring news of what PlaNetweaver suggests might become a new continent!

 

Narratives and the next generation

Clearly, the overarching narratives of our time will not end with Superstruct, but Superstruct appears to having a significant impact, and indeed birthing some very interesting new stories of its own.

But we need more.  Avantgame has posted a new video on how to improve our Superstructing efforts - go watch it and then put it to use. Take two or three existing superstructures and 'brain blast' them as she describes, not forgetting to sign and date any contributions you make - e.g. "~ DarkOptimism 30th Oct 2019"

If we collectively manage to add a generation to humanity's survival horizon in 6 short weeks it will be a historic achievement, and then that new generation may take the harvest from the seeds we sow and use it to dwarf our achievements, pushing the horizon ever further back towards true sustainability.

Let's give them that chance.

 ~DarkOptimism (Shaun, Santa Maria, Azores) and csven (Sven, New England), October 31, 2019

 

PREVIOUS REPORTS FROM AROUND 2019: 
Week 3 Reports:  RAVENOUS
Week 2 Reports:  QUARANTINE,  RAVENOUS,  POWER STRUGGLE,  OUTLAW PLANET, GENERATION EXILE 
Week 1 Reports:  QUARANTINE,  RAVENOUS,  POWER STRUGGLE,  OUTLAW PLANET, GENERATION EXILE