The Thing About Hard Things

Insolvable Problems

1. The Problem of Consciousness

Hard Problem of Consciousness: How subjective experiences (qualia) arise from neural processes is deeply puzzling and may not be solvable purely through scientific methods, as it delves into the realm of subjective experience.

2. The Nature of Time

• Arrow of Time: Understanding why time seems to flow in one direction (from past to future) is a fundamental issue in physics, closely tied to the laws of thermodynamics and entropy, but a comprehensive understanding remains elusive.

3. Origins of Life

• Abiogenesis: While science has made strides in understanding how life might have originated on Earth, the exact processes and conditions remain a mystery, and replicating this event in a lab or understanding it in full detail may be beyond reach.

4. The Universe's Ultimate Fate

• Cosmological Fate: Predictions exist about how the universe will end (e.g., Big Crunch, Heat Death, Big Rip), but confirming these theories is beyond current observational capabilities, and the true fate of the universe may remain speculative.

5. Measurement Problems in Quantum Mechanics

• Quantum Measurement Problem: The question of how and why observations lead to specific outcomes in quantum mechanics (the collapse of the wave function) has various interpretations but no definitive answer, reflecting fundamental limits on our understanding of quantum systems.

6. Mathematical and Logical Limits

• G?del's Incompleteness Theorems: Suggest that in any sufficiently complex axiomatic system, there are true statements that cannot be proved within the system, highlighting intrinsic limitations in mathematical frameworks.

7. Turbulence

• Turbulence in Fluid Dynamics: Despite its common occurrence, fully predicting and understanding turbulence remains a challenge due to its complex, chaotic nature, making it one of the unsolved problems in physics.

8. The Nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy

• Despite making up most of the universe's mass-energy content, dark matter and dark energy remain mysterious, with their properties and interactions poorly understood and largely speculative.

These problems span the spectrum from the very small (quantum mechanics) to the very large (cosmology), and from the very specific (turbulence) to the very abstract (consciousness and time). They underscore the limits of current scientific understanding and technology, and while progress may be made in addressing aspects of these issues, complete solutions may fundamentally elude scientific inquiry.

Letting Go

In one of his Dharma talks , Richard Alpert better known as Ram Das shares the story of a man named Milton Fredman shared with him that he found both profound and fascinating

His friend Milton Fredman was a speechwriter in the White house, and also had a PHD but wasn't an economist. And so one day he gets a call from someone at a church, and they say. “Is this Dr. Milton Fredman?” To which he replies saying, “Yes, how may I help you?”. The person on the other end says, “Hello Dr. Fredman I’m calling from a large church, the thing is we have a lot of funds and we are wondering what you think we should do with it?”

To which Milton Fredman said, “Have you considered giving it to the poor?”. To which a very astonished man on the other end says, “Is this the real Milton Fredman?”, to which Milton Fredman responds, “Is this the real church?” ??

Solvable Problems

Climate change is reversible, access to food for all is solvable, overcoming mindless consumption, hoarding and wastage and patterns of addictions - are solvable - these are not matters of limitations of science, there are matters of taking a hard look at what we need, what truly serves us and what is greed.

While science grapples with profound mysteries that may never be fully unraveled, there are countless challenges within our society—such as climate change, material greed, and hunger—that are not beyond the reach of current scientific understanding or technological capability. Instead, they are issues deeply entwined with human behaviour, values, and decision-making.

How may we...

Questions I woke up wondering about this morning....

HMW solve the problems we can, with the tools and knowledge already at our disposal?

HMW serve to better the human condition and the world we inhabit?

HMW care about what matters?

Chat GPTs response with possible suggestions

Addressing the solvable problems of our times and improving the human condition requires a multifaceted approach, combining scientific innovation, policy reform, cultural shifts, and individual action. Here are some ways we might tackle these challenges:

1. Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Integrate knowledge across disciplines: Solutions to complex problems like climate change or food security often lie at the intersection of disciplines. Encouraging collaboration between scientists, economists, sociologists, and policymakers can lead to innovative strategies that address the root causes of these issues.

2. Implementing Policy Changes

• Advocate for policy reform: Effective policies can drive significant progress in areas like renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, and equitable access to food. Advocacy for policies that prioritize sustainability, equity, and conservation is crucial.

3. Educating and Engaging the Public

• Increase public awareness: Education campaigns that highlight the importance of sustainable living, the impacts of consumption, and the value of community involvement can motivate individual and collective action.
• Promote community engagement: Encouraging participation in local sustainability efforts, food banks, and conservation projects can foster a sense of responsibility and collective efficacy.

4. Leveraging Technology for Good

• Invest in sustainable technologies: Supporting the development and deployment of technologies that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and enhance food production can address environmental challenges and resource scarcity.
• Utilize data for better decision-making: Big data and AI can help in understanding patterns of consumption, predicting crop yields, and optimizing resource distribution, leading to more informed and effective solutions.

5. Shifting Cultural Norms

• Encourage a culture of minimalism and sustainability: Promoting values that prioritize well-being, community, and the environment over material wealth can help reduce consumption and waste.
• Support ethical consumption: Encouraging consumers to support companies and products that are ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible can drive market changes.

6. Empowering Individual Action

• Promote personal responsibility: Encouraging individuals to reduce their carbon footprint, volunteer, donate, and engage in civic activities can lead to meaningful change.
• Facilitate access to resources: Providing communities with the tools and knowledge to grow their own food, reduce waste, and conserve resources can empower individuals to take action on a local level.

7. Building Resilient Communities

• Strengthen local systems: Developing local food systems, energy sources, and support networks can enhance community resilience to global challenges.
• Encourage adaptive strategies: Supporting communities in adapting to climate change through infrastructure improvements and education can mitigate the impacts of environmental changes.

How to Care About What Matters

Caring about what matters involves introspection about our values, the impact of our choices, and the legacy we wish to leave. It requires acknowledging our interconnectedness with the environment and each other, recognizing that our actions have consequences beyond our immediate surroundings. By prioritizing compassion, empathy, and stewardship, we can begin to address the solvable problems of our world, creating a legacy of sustainability, equity, and well-being for future generations.

What do you think?