A new thought: Human Social Evolution

If you are like most people, you have been influenced to think that, as human beings, we are living in a fully evolved civilization. But nothing could be further from the truth. Contrary to popular opinion, human beings are most likely in the early stages of their social evolution.  Many well respected scientists have said that if the history of the universe were condensed into one full year, then humans would have been on the earth for less than two hours.

The Infancy of Human Evolution

Using the one year time frame, the Big Bang would have occurred on January 1^st and Earth would have been formed around September 25^th.  The first humans would have arrived between 10:00pm and 11:00pm on the last day of the year - December 31^st.  As amazing as it may seem, we are therefore in the infancy of human evolution.

Most people don’t know this or, if they do, they find it hard to believe.  After all, humans can send a person to the moon, fly around the world in a few hours, invented smart phones to communicate, and process complex equations utilizing powerful computers.  However, one of the little known secrets of human evolution is that - throughout history - most people remain satisfied with their world because they believe that they have evolved to the highest extent possible. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and even the Nazi Germans all thought that they had evolved to the highest level possible for humanity.  History, however, has shown they were all wrong.

The case can be made that, biologically, we are quite advanced. However, wide-spread prejudice, poverty and violence in our global society indicate that we are still in the very early stages of human social evolution. The world is comprised of people of different experiences, genders, races, cultures, physical features, religions, sexual orientation, financial means, etc.  It is logical to assume that the most advanced human society would celebrate and support this diversity in a way that would lead to wide-spread prosperity and peace.

Tolerance vs. Intolerance

Unfortunately, human society has not come close to evolving to the Tolerance stage of social evolution.  Intolerance - the lack of respect for people who are different, and the lowest level of human social evolution, is the rule not the exception. Tragically, the manifestations of intolerance (prejudice, discrimination and hatred) are commonplace in every country in the world.  

The good news is that there are many people who demonstrate the second stage of social evolution-Tolerance. They recognize that diversity exists. They may not like or agree with people who are different. However, they choose to tolerate them. This reduces the violence caused by intolerance. However, it does not lead to a harmonious society.

Concern vs. Empathy

There are a smaller number of people who demonstrate the third stage of social evolution - Concern. They do more than tolerate others. They are concerned about the well-being of people who are different from themselves. Unfortunately, this concern is frequently pity for the plight of the people who are different.

The fourth stage of social evolution is Empathy. In this stage people have an intellectual identification with the perspective of people who are different. The individuals who demonstrate this social ability are often extraordinarily successful in society because they have the ability to connect with many more individuals than people without this skill.  Empathy is not the highest state of human social development because it inherently is rooted in a subtle arrogance of the people demonstrating the trait.

Interness

The final and most complex state of human social evolution is a state that I have named “Interness.” In this state people may maintain many of their personal perspectives; however, they develop a deep emotional connection with the perspectives of people who are very different.  They approach human interaction from a state of perfect equality where neither party is superior in any way.  This is the highest state of social human evolution because it creates the perfect balance between human beings who are inherently different. A society demonstrating this state of social interaction will celebrate and support diversity in a way that leads to wide-spread prosperity and peace.

Diversity Matters

People evolve socially when they interact with diverse groups of people on a regular basis. Fortunately, globalization and the internet have exposed more people than ever before to diverse groups of people. This has rapidly moved the youngest generations of people away from the stages of intolerance and tolerance. As a result, a higher percentage of people are moving toward the evolutionary stages of concern and even empathy.

However, Interness is an extremely difficult state to attain because it requires that people internalize the cultures of diverse groups of people around the world. This stage of social evolution can only be reached when most people on earth spend considerable time on a daily basis with many people who are very different. The good news is that the world is on a path to this stage of human social evolution; the sadder news is that we are evolving slowly.

What stage of human social evolution are you in? 

And are you interested in moving to the next stage?

The Influence of Weather

Having recently experienced, first-hand, “blizzard of the century” in the Northeast, weather has been on my mind and has made me realize that weather can be a great influence on individuals, on businesses, and on communities. 

Let’s start with community-building.   Although the circumstances were not what I would have "chosen," it was wonderful seeing all of my neighbors out at the same time - shoveling out cars.  We’ve never done anything as a group before and it became a time of socializing and communication, in addition to the drudgery of moving snow.   I couldn’t believe how much easier it was to stick with the laborious chore as soon as I started talking to my next-door-neighbor.   We all came together for those few brief hours – our
"community" coalescing a direct result of the weather.  

Turning to business, weather can influence in more nefarious ways.  Hurricanes and blizzards shut down businesses recently, which affects the economy and people’s incomes.   Even outside the "business" world, weather affects how our food is produced and the price of agricultural goods – bad weather in states such as Florida and California can swing prices drastically.  Those prices can then affect other products as well, such as the price of feed, for instance.

   

Weather can be more subtle, too, especially when it comes to how it affects individuals.  As someone who grew up in the Northeast, I remember how difficult it was to be in class, thinking about schoolwork, in the spring.   My mind wandered outdoors and away from my lessons.   The same happens with work: people tend to be more productive on rainy days than sunny days.  Changes in weather and atmospheric conditions can hurt people’s health, also.  There are smoggy days in some cities when it’s dangerous to breathe the outside air, and those with asthma are affected by both smog and changes in temperatures, and are told to be careful or stay indoors.  

It’s clear that weather has influence over all of us in many ways…  How does weather influence you, at home, or at work?  

Influence and the New Normal

When we started this blog, one of the topics we said we’d be talking about was the “new normal; ”  that is, what people are doing to adjust to the post-2007 era, which has also been called the “great recession.”  Features of the "new normal" have included high unemployment, rock-bottom-low interest rates, lagging consumer confidence, and a stagnant housing market.

Since 2007, stories have emerged from various media, such as ABC news, about  how the public has been coping with this “new normal.”  Oftentimes, they illustrated how people have increased their “belt-tightening” – adjusting to lower incomes and lost jobs.  In some cases, there are silver linings, such as appreciating a “simpler” lifestyle.  These include “a newfound gratitude” for basic values, such as family, home and health.  How has it affected the general public?  From economizing on household and clothing expenditures, including food, to revising college plans for children. 

While consultants and advisors, like McKinsey, made early predictions about how the “new normal” would play itself out in business, we now have years of hindsight to fill-in that vision.  We can see how the bad economy, trying to right itself, has influenced the work environment in a number of ways.  

In the world of manufacturing, for instance, the “new normal” has meant even leaner and more efficient organizations.   Companies are focusing on making more long-term, structural changes to processes  and technology infrastructures, which will boost their productivity while cutting costs.  That’s meant major layoffs, cost-cutting, and many “transformations.”  

And, to throw a monkey-wrench into already difficult processes, the influence of severe weather conditions  – another  “new normal” – has led organizations to learn how to plan, prepare for, and deal with disruptions in productivity.  

So what can employees expect in 2013?   Workers can expect a 3% pay raise - that’s about it.  It’s even less if you’re in the government sector.  Yet there may be a change when it comes to promotions.  Companies are looking to keep their valuable employees – the ones who were left doing double the work for the same pay.  “During hard times when companies were asking fewer employees to do more for little or no change in compensation, promotions were few and far between. That’s changing, too, says David Van De Voort, a Buck Consultants principal.”   So there’s hope for promotions.  Like everything else, it will depend on the influence of the opening job market – where employees see better opportunities, they will leave.   

How has the “new normal” influenced change in your life? 

The Influence of (Grown) Children

It’s become almost trite now – the story of how a couple’s life changes when a new baby enters the picture. Or how a woman suddenly find herself thrown into the role of soccer mom -  or even tiger mom.  Nothing is new about the parenting tirades on permissiveness, lack of manners, traveling, or schools.  It’s become a lot of predictable noise, hasn’t it?

What we don’t seem to hear a lot about is how our children later affect us – what their influence is on their parents – as they get older.  By older, I mean as they maneuver through college and beyond. Sure, there are lots of articles about the new “empty nest” and what to do, how to survive, etc.  But what about the new relationship with the children when they are home? Or “visiting”?  

To be even more specific: what happens to the role that parents have later?  For those of us who once influenced everything about a child’s life – from what sports they participated in to what movies they saw, from who they played with to where they went on vacation (if anywhere...).  Parents create or take up all the “activity” and leisure time of their children until the kids go off and leave.  What happens when that role no longer exists?  And then – even better – when it becomes reversed?    

Over the weekend, we ran into another couple at a party and had a conversation on this topic.  Or rather, we ended up with this topic – our dialogue started out on a different track and veered into children.  “How do you find new music to listen to these days?” the mother asked me?  “I listen to what my children are listening to!” was my reply.  And their faces lit up – so did they!

What new, wonderful groups had we heard about through our children?  Well, Guster, of course.  (They also had discovered Guster.)  And did I know about Michael Franti?  (and Spearhead, which you may know from their hit Say Hey (I love you), they asked?  No, I didn’t - so I got a fabulous short history of his music and experiences.  The conversation about how our children’s influences went on from there.

When I had two boys the last thing I imagined was that in 15 – 20 years they would help to influence - and even define  - my taste – from the type of music I would be listening to, to the programs and movies I watch.  But that’s what happened.  For example, I still think the music that I had loved as a teenager and in college is good – don’t get me wrong.  I wouldn’t give it up for anything. But it’s 20 years old now – not fresh and new.  It’s fun and nostalgic – but I still like to hear new music and learn what’s going on, aside from what’s the top of the charts on radio. 

So I’m proud to say I'm learning from my children.  From music to television to movies – they shared with me over the years, over vacations and holidays.  While I may take them to see a Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, they also want to be sure to see Argo and they discovered Quentin Tarrantino.  When we stay at home in the evening, I’m  just as likely to watch Top Gear or Dr. Who with them – as I might lure them into becoming hooked on Downton Abbey with me.  

 And isn’t it wonderful?

I’m learning new tastes – hearing and seeing the world through their eyes – allowing these freshly-minted young adults to influence me for a change.  How delightful and unexpected.   I hope it soon becomes a trend that everyone’s talking about soon.  If they do, you can note that it started here….  

Strategic Influence and Guns

It’s a sensitive subject now – guns in America.  And the way a person comes to the issue often depends on a number of strategic influences – so it’s a key topic to explore the world of “influence.”

The topic has arisen again in our social dialogue because of the most recent violence in Newtown, CT.  The fact that so many small children lost their lives drew national – even international – attention.  Many of those who were touched by this terrible event have searched for ways to move forward, to deal with the tragedy and grief.  A lot people, for example, moved to the gun issue.  

This was not the case for everyone.  Some migrated towards the legal obligations around reporting imminent threats to children, for example, or mental health, or even genetics.  But the resounding story, these days, is on the gun issue.  And it’s loud and furious, with Vice President Biden interviewing  factions and pushing for more “research” and President Obama making his own statement with his goals.

What’s always interesting is where the lines are drawn and what happens that may not have been predicted.   For example, while the debate escalates, gun sales are booming – as those who are fearful of what may happen “buy now” in panic mode.  In fact, some are saying “manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with the high demand for guns and ammunition seen around the country.”

And a new “influence” group has taken shape because of  Newtown:  children.    They can’t vote and they can’t buy guns, but they’ve been introduced to the debate on both sides, bringing a new “twist” on an issue that’s been hotly debated by adults.  Children are influencing the discussion – with their letter-writing campaigns – as well as being influenced – through programs that try to help them deal with their fears. 

So the same questions are being asked as have been asked in the past, with new players and influencers.  Whatever the results, the influence of the events in Newtown have surely been felt by many throughout the country.  And because of the influencers on both sides of the debate – it will, no doubt, be a long and drawn-out process.