Learning log 9 - coevolution

For this learning log I focused on two articles: (1) “Coevolutionary ecological economics” by Giorgos Kallis and Richard B. Norgaard, and (2) “Innovation Versus Environmental Protection Presumptions” by David L. Hawk.

In the previous learning log we were talking about resilience, about how a system continues existing after a disturbance, by adapting and overcoming difficulties without losing its function. This learning log is, for me, an addition to the previous one. In the first article, the authors present issues on how different systems evolve together; therefore, it is a broader view on what the previous learning log was focusing on (the evolution of one system).

Here the authors present the feedback concept. They say that systems coevolve according to the feedbacks that they receive from other systems. In this case, in order to keep coevolution, they argue that diversity is a key issue. Allowing diversity includes “having respect” for differences, which needs the non-selfish behavior that is also shown in the first article.

This took me to a reflection about our society today, where differences are not well accepted. I mean real differences. One may say that we have cultural differences, and so on, however, we all live in the same market centered model, pursuing the similar goals, with the same values. Therefore it is just a slight variance, not a diversity of models and values.

 If there was a respect for different values, different views on development, there would not be such a thing as “Globalization”.  And now we see that our economic model is starting to fail in the entire world, as it is the same model all around the globe, we are all “fighting” for the same set of resources to reach the same goal, and as it is cited in the second article: “(...) with a resource available to all, the greediest herdsmen would gain—for a while. But mutual ruin was just around the corner. ( op cit Hardin op cit Lloyd)”

So, could we state that the unsustainability of society (in cultural, economic and ecological levels) is due to lack of respect and selfish behavior, which, as a result does not allow the existence or real diversity and therefore, coevolution and resilience of the systems?