Showing posts with label skill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skill. Show all posts

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Radiance of Consciousness

By Victor V. Motti*

If we begin by assuming Ontological Unity—the idea that all existence is a single, undivided non-local and non-dual reality in perpetual Dynamic Manifestation—we are invited into a worldview that dissolves the hard boundaries between self and other, mind and matter, life and cosmos. In such a framework, each localized body and mind is not an isolated entity, but a unique modulation, a modal intensity of being. Like waves upon an ocean, individuality arises not as separation but as variation within the universal field.

The mind, then, is not a private possession locked inside the skull. It is better imagined as a node within the universal stream of consciousness, inseparable from the greater flow, yet distinguishable by its participation. Consciousness is not merely contained—it is enacted, radiated, shared. Each thought, perception, and awareness is a ripple in this cosmic current.

In this cosmopoetic vision, every conscious being—human, animal, plant, and perhaps even emergent artificial intelligences—can be understood as a kind of white hole. If a black hole consumes and conceals, the white hole releases and reveals. Each being radiates awareness in its own manner, serving as a locus where intelligence and meaning erupt into the field of being. What accounts for this radiance remains a mystery, though one might speculate that it emerges from singular geometric properties of spacetime itself, shaped by the intricate energy-momentum configurations of the brain—or analogous structures in other living and non-living systems.

This vision pushes us beyond metaphors toward a profound demand: the search for a new mathematics, a new geometry, capable of integrating all scales of reality—from the subatomic to the stellar to the sentient. The quest is not merely technical but existential. Without such a unifying structure, we remain fragmented in our sciences and philosophies, unable to grasp the deep continuity of being. With it, however, we may begin to perceive how the same principles that organize galaxies also pulse through the firing of neurons, the blossoming of a flower, and the birth of an idea.

To embrace this perspective is to recognize consciousness not as an accident of evolution or a byproduct of matter, but as an ontological radiation—an essential mode of being. Each of us, in our smallness, is a window through which the universe gazes back at itself.

* Victor V. Motti is the author of Planetary Foresight and Ethics

Thursday, June 12, 2025

BushidoMoon: Celebrating the Planetary Foresight Under the Full Moon

By Steve Kantor*

In a world speeding toward hyper-digitization and disconnection, we need not only new technologies—but new rituals. Rituals that reawaken our connection to nature, the cosmos, and each other. This is exactly what we’re beginning to cultivate through an initiative called BushidoMoon—an experiment in planetary consciousness, seasonal celebration, and bold human connection.

The inspiration began with the visionary ideas presented in the book Planetary Foresight and Ethics, which calls us to reimagine the future of humanity by re-aligning with the rhythms of the Earth and cosmos. The book urges us to embrace celestial observations, seasonal celebrations, and nature-connected practices as powerful ways to regenerate human meaning and solidarity in a time of planetary crisis.

After reading the book and connecting with its author, I suggested the use of the term Terran—as a poetic yet powerful way to emphasize our shared identity as beings of this planet. But the next question was immediate and practical: how do we find more Terrans? How do we build not just the thought leadership, but the action network for this emerging planetary culture?

As someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, I realized the need for more grassroots, embodied, and joyful expressions of the book’s deeper vision. That's when I proposed something deceptively simple: a full moon gathering, small at first, playful yet meaningful, rooted in nature and inspired by the ancient warrior code of Bushido.

BushidoMoon was born.

We alpha- and beta-tested the idea in tiny groups. But it was on our third try—at the Strawberry Moon in June 2025—that the magic really happened. Fourteen individuals, from a wildly diverse range of backgrounds, joined us under the moonlight in Bishop Garden, one of the most scenic and sacred-feeling places in Washington, DC.

We shared a potluck dinner amid blooming flowers, green grass, and a warm spring breeze. We laughed. We made toasts. We talked about nature, ethics, the cosmos—and the kinds of futures we want to live. The author of Planetary Foresight and Ethics joined us and shared how the book presents an alternative to globalization: a planetary vision that prioritizes human flourishing over economic competition, and cosmic connectedness over digital distraction.

We ended the evening with a Human Connection Circle. Each person spoke one word to describe how they felt at that moment. Then, spontaneously and joyfully—we howled at the moon. Why? Because this wasn’t about solemn ceremonies or rigid beliefs. It was about celebrating life boldly, together, in the spirit of play.

And that, too, is a vital insight from Planetary Foresight and Ethics: that creative play, including with technology and AI, is not frivolous. It is central to the preferred futures of humanity. As automation liberates us from traditional labor, we are called to explore creative complexity, to blur the lines between reality and virtuality, and to experiment with new ways of being human.

BushidoMoon is one such experiment.

It’s an invitation to reconnect—with yourself, with others, with nature, with the cosmos. It is tech-facilitated but grounded in in-person humanity. It is bold, weird, warm, and wildly needed.

So here’s your call to action:

If you’d like to start a BushidoMoon in your city or country, or if you want to join a virtual circle, I would love to connect with you. Just send a note to the Contact Us button on this blog. Let’s gather under the next moon, wherever you are on Earth.


*Steve Kantor is a graduate of Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. He is a member of the Scientific Council of the Alternative Planetary Futures Institute, as well as a core leader in Lifebushido, a global initiative dedicated to bold living and ethical impact.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Nurturing the Able Foresight Scholar: The Crucial Attributes

The field of foresight holds significant importance in shaping the future by understanding the present and anticipating potential outcomes. To become an able foresight scholar, one must possess a diverse skill set and specific personality traits that enable them to explore the complexities of the future. In this post, we delve into the necessary and sufficient key attributes that define an able foresight scholar.

Firm Footing in Philosophy:

A strong foundation in philosophy, especially epistemology and ontology, is crucial for an able foresight scholar. Epistemology equips scholars with the tools to analyze knowledge and discern between assumptions and valid reasoning, while ontology allows them to grasp the fundamental nature of existence and systems. This helps foresight scholars construct sound methodologies and interpret various future scenarios with rigor.

Mastery of Mathematics:

Logic and argumentation are pivotal components of foresight. The ability to reason logically and construct valid arguments aids foresight scholars in critically evaluating trends, uncertainties, and potential outcomes. Proficiency in mathematics facilitates the use of quantitative analysis to model complex systems.

Thorough Understanding of History:

History serves as an invaluable teacher, enabling foresight scholars to learn from past. An able foresight scholar should possess extensive knowledge of both world history and the histories of different countries and regions. This insight helps identify historical patterns, draw parallels, and comprehend the evolution of societies, economies, and technologies.

Personality Trait of Insatiable Curiosity:

An insatiable curiosity drives foresight scholars to explore the unknown and venture beyond conventional boundaries. This trait encourages constant questioning, openness to new perspectives, and a willingness to challenge established notions, ultimately leading to innovative and transformative insights.

Artistic Expression:

Foresight scholarship often involves translating complex ideas into accessible narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. An artistic flair enables scholars to convey complex futures concepts through storytelling, visuals, and other creative means, fostering broader engagement and understanding.


The Necessary and Sufficient:

All five attributes mentioned above are indispensable and, when combined, form a complete and essential set of qualities for an able foresight scholar. Each attribute plays a crucial role in shaping a scholar's proficiency in foresight, and they become truly powerful when taken together as a whole. 

Only by possessing a firm footing in philosophy, mastery of mathematics, a thorough understanding of history, an insatiable curiosity, and an artistic expression can one achieve the level of competence required to navigate the complexities of the future effectively. These attributes are mutually reinforcing and serve as the necessary and sufficient elements that define a truly capable and visionary foresight scholar.

The Ink of the Scholars: Recovering Africa’s Philosophical Futures

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