The Good Ancestor

1. Embrace Deep-Time Humility to Transcend Short-Termism

We must accept the reality that our personal stories from birth to death, and all the achievements and tragedies of human civilization, will barely register in the annals of cosmological time.

Cosmic Perspective. Deep-time humility involves recognizing the insignificance of human existence within the vast expanse of cosmic history. This perspective shift helps to counter the pathological short-termism prevalent in modern society, where attention is narrowly focused on immediate concerns. By understanding our place in the grand scheme, we can better appreciate the long-term consequences of our actions.

Overcoming Temporal Myopia. The tyranny of the clock, digital distractions, and the acceleration of modern life contribute to a culture of short-term thinking. To combat this, we must actively cultivate a sense of deep time through art, metaphor, and experiential journeys. These practices allow us to grasp the immense timescales involved in cosmic and geological history, fostering a sense of humility and responsibility.

Practical Applications. Experiencing deep time can be achieved through various means:

• Visiting geological sites to witness the Earth's history firsthand
• Stargazing to contemplate the vastness of the universe
• Engaging with deep-time art installations like the 10,000 Year Clock
• Reflecting on the lives of ancient trees that have witnessed centuries of change

By embracing deep-time humility, we can expand our temporal horizons and make decisions that benefit future generations.

2. Cultivate a Legacy Mindset to Benefit Future Generations

Becoming a good ancestor is a formidable task.

Beyond Personal Gain. A legacy mindset shifts our focus from personal achievements and familial inheritance to the well-being of all future people. This involves considering how we will be remembered by those we will never meet and striving to leave a positive impact on the world. It requires a conscious effort to act in ways that benefit future generations, even if it means sacrificing short-term gains.

The Death Nudge. Reminders of our mortality can prompt us to consider our legacy and make decisions that benefit future generations. Studies show that people who are encouraged to think about their personal legacy are more willing to donate to future-oriented causes. This highlights the importance of confronting our mortality and considering how we want to be remembered.

Intergenerational Gifts. Leaving a transcendent legacy involves passing on gifts to future generations, whether it's a thriving planet, an era of peace, or a cultural treasure. This requires a shift in mindset from being consumers to being stewards, ensuring that we leave the world in a better state than we found it. By cultivating a legacy mindset, we can transform our daily actions into acts of intergenerational care and responsibility.

3. Champion Intergenerational Justice for a Fairer Future

The moment has come, especially for those living in wealthy nations, to recognize a disturbing truth: that we have colonized the future.

Equity Across Time. Intergenerational justice calls for a fair balance between meeting the needs of current and future generations. This involves recognizing the rights of futureholders and ensuring that their interests are considered in today's political and economic decisions. It challenges the practice of discounting, which devalues the well-being of future people.

Moral Motives. The case for intergenerational justice rests on several key arguments:

• The Arrow: We are responsible for the future consequences of our actions.
• The Scales: Future generations will far outnumber those alive today.
• The Blindfold: We should create a world we'd want to be born into, regardless of the generation.
• The Baton: We should treat future generations as we would want past generations to have treated us.

Seventh Generation Thinking. Inspired by indigenous cultures, seventh-generation thinking encourages us to consider the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation to come. This long-term perspective promotes a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the well-being of future people and the planet.

4. Practice Cathedral Thinking: Plan Beyond a Single Lifetime

When we build, let us think that we build forever.

Visionary Planning. Cathedral thinking involves undertaking projects that extend beyond a human lifetime, driven by a vision that transcends immediate needs. This approach requires a commitment to long-term goals and a willingness to invest in projects that may not yield immediate benefits. It is about creating a legacy that benefits future generations.

Historical Examples. Throughout history, societies have engaged in cathedral thinking:

• The construction of Ulm Minster, which took over 500 years to complete
• The building of London's sewers after the Great Stink of 1858
• The creation of the US Constitution, designed to endure for centuries

Adaptability and Resilience. Successful long-term planning requires building adaptability and resilience into the original design. This involves creating systems that can evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, ensuring their longevity and effectiveness.

5. Employ Holistic Forecasting to Navigate Civilization's Pathways

Right now we are facing a man-made disaster of global scale, our greatest threat in thousands of years: climate change.

Beyond Prediction. Holistic forecasting involves envisioning multiple pathways for civilization, rather than attempting to predict a single future. This approach acknowledges the inherent uncertainties of the future and prepares us for a range of possibilities. It requires considering the interconnectedness of global systems and the potential for unforeseen events.

The S-Curve. The S-curve serves as a reminder that nothing grows forever. Civilizations, like organisms, follow a pattern of growth, maturity, and decline. Understanding this pattern can help us anticipate potential challenges and adapt our strategies accordingly.

Civilizational Pathways. Three potential pathways for the future of civilization:

• Breakdown: A collapse due to ecological and technological crises
• Reform: Incremental changes that prolong the existing system
• Transformation: A radical shift towards a more sustainable and equitable society

By employing holistic forecasting, we can better navigate the complexities of the future and make informed decisions that promote long-term well-being.

6. Strive for One-Planet Thriving as a Transcendent Goal

The most important question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we being good ancestors?”

Beyond Material Progress. One-planet thriving involves meeting the needs of all current and future people within the ecological means of a flourishing planet. This requires a shift away from the pursuit of endless economic growth and towards a more sustainable and equitable model of development. It is about living in harmony with nature and respecting the limits of the Earth's resources.

Symbiotic Relationship. Recognizing our symbiotic relationship with the planetary whole is crucial for achieving one-planet thriving. This involves understanding that human beings are not separate from nature but an integral part of the living world. It requires a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all life and a commitment to preserving biodiversity.

Practical Steps. Achieving one-planet thriving requires a range of actions:

• Transitioning to a circular economy that minimizes waste
• Investing in renewable energy sources
• Promoting sustainable agriculture and land management practices
• Reducing consumption and promoting a culture of sufficiency

By striving for one-planet thriving, we can create a world that is both prosperous and sustainable for generations to come.

7. Deep Democracy: Empower Future Generations Politically

We desperately need to become long-termist in our way of thinking and acting.

Beyond Short-Termism. Deep democracy seeks to extend the time horizons of democratic government and rescue it from the myopic focus on short-term gains. This involves creating political institutions that represent and safeguard the interests of disenfranchised youth and future generations. It challenges the power of vested interests and promotes a more inclusive and participatory form of governance.

Guardians of the Future. Establishing public officials or institutions with the specific remit to represent future citizens is a key step towards deep democracy. These guardians can scrutinize government policies, advocate for long-term investments, and ensure that the voices of future generations are heard.

Citizens' Assemblies. Involving civil society in deliberative assemblies, based on sortition, can help shape policy on long-range issues. These assemblies can provide a forum for informed discussion and decision-making, ensuring that the interests of future generations are considered alongside those of current citizens.

8. Regenerative Economy: Design for Ecological Civilization

The individualistic philosophies of the last century have generated huge concentrations of wealth—but at the same time put us on the road to social, political and environmental collapse.

Beyond Speculative Capitalism. A regenerative economy aims to create a system that meets human needs within the biophysical means of the planet, generation after generation. This involves shifting away from speculative finance and towards investments that promote long-term ecological and social well-being. It requires a fundamental rethinking of our economic values and goals.

Circular Economy. Implementing circular economic practices, where resources are continually reused and waste is minimized, is crucial for creating a regenerative system. This involves designing products for durability, repairability, and recyclability, and promoting closed-loop systems that eliminate waste.

Cosmo-Local Production. Embracing cosmo-local production, where goods are designed globally but manufactured locally, can reduce transportation costs and promote community resilience. This involves utilizing open-source designs and distributed manufacturing technologies to create more sustainable and equitable economies.

9. Cultural Evolution: Storytelling and Design for the Long View

The Good Ancestor emerges as the most necessary and the most hopeful, providing keys to create profound and lasting change.

Shaping the Ethnosphere. Cultural evolution involves consciously shaping the ideas, beliefs, and values that permeate society. This requires promoting long-term thinking through storytelling, art, music, and design. It is about creating a cultural environment that supports and reinforces the values of intergenerational justice and sustainability.

Science Fiction. Science fiction can serve as an early warning system, engaging us with the risks of technology and resource exploitation. By exploring possible futures, it can inspire us to act now to prevent or minimize potential disasters.

Experiential Futures. Immersive experiences, such as virtual reality simulations, can help us connect with the realities of future worlds. By allowing us to feel, hear, and even smell the future, these experiences can foster empathy and motivate action.

Last updated: March 1, 2025