Foundation for the Future

I was listening to The Skeptics Guide to the Universe and they were discussing the growing drought in California and the consequent pressure on the California aquifer and many other aquifers in similarly serious condition.  With the serious repercussions that a lack of water in highly populated areas would have both locally and globally as many people die, those who can afford to relocate to other regions and increase the pressure on their water and other resources, I think this is a serious problem that needs attention.  Those conditions combined with climate change and it's implications, which are equally potentially catastrophic (and intertwined with the water issue) have me wanting to join with others to do what I can to safeguard and promote the future of humanity.  I would like to join with an participate in an organization along the lines of a Foundation for the Future.

My conceptualization of such an organization draws on the inspiration of fictional organizations such as Asimov's Foundation and Roddenberry's United Federation of Planets.  The other side of the survivalist coin, such an organization would also be aimed at survival and obtaining the best possible outcomes, but for all rather than merely for self and tribe.  I see the mission of such an organization including such elements as:

1. Endeavoring to predict "Failure Modes" for humanity or significant sections of it.  (i.e. avoiding Great Filters if we can)
2. Once predicted act in two manners simultaneously:
1. Gather resources (technological, interpersonal, financial, political, etc.) to direct at minimizing the probability and/or severity of such a "Failure Mode"
2. Gather resources (technological, interpersonal, financial, political, etc.) to direct at assisting humanity adapt to and survive the occurrence of such a "Failure Mode"
3. Work to promote habits in the general populace generally aimed at minimizing the probability and/or severity of "Failure Modes" both foreseen and unforeseen:
1. Promotion of Critical Thinking and Rationality
2. Promotion of Tact, Respect, and Diplomacy
3. Promotion of Education - STEM and Humanities both
4. Other "Habits of Highly Effective Humans"

Does anyone know of such an organization I can participate in?  If not, what can we do to create one?

Just a thought as I sit here trying to solve the world's problems and dreaming of better tomorrows.

A Proposal for the Improvement of American Democracy

Before going into my proposal for alterations to the electoral system of the United States Federal Government, I will first state upfront what I consider the the design goals to be.


1) The first words of the Constitution are "We the People of the United States..." indicating that in the view of the framers, and myself, that the government should, ideally arise from the people. Through the 19th and 20th centuries we have improved our achievement of that premise be allowing an increasing percentage of our population the rights and responsibilities of voting. In view of this the primary design goal should be the the striving for maximal voter participation, or at the very least minimizing the difficulties for anyone to participate.  That said - Corporations are *not* people - they are entities created for the purpose of commerce and have no business in the realm of politics.  Their interests are amply and sufficiently represented by the actual people that they are composed of.

2) It is my belief that is is through discussion, debate, and civil discord that we are strengthened, hence my moniker's nod to the fictional Vulcan philosophy of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. As such, a strong American Democratic system should allow for as many different perspectives as possible to have a seat at the table for discussions on our national will.  At present the pressures of the "first past the post" system force the politics of the United States into a two party system that loses much of the nuance of different voices and opinions in the condensation of many perspectives along a full spectrum into two polar parties each of which averages opinions and endeavors to represent a large portion of the population, and in doing so, naturally, does not represent it well.


In order to accomplish these things and eliminate gerrymandering and other election shenanigans, I think we should modify our existing federal electoral system in the following ways:

1) Fix the Citizens United error and minimize the influence of money in politics - political discussions should be about ideas, not money. There are many good efforts underway at present to attempt to rectify this issue, such as WolfPAC, Move to Amend, Reclaim Democracy and others. In returning to the fundamentals of democracy this alteration supports the first design goal.

2) Eliminate representative districts. Senators can still represent states, but Representatives are re-designated to represent the portion of the population that elected them. People vote for parties rather than people, seats are allotted to the parties to fill based on the percentage of the votes they received. If a Representative does not adequately represent the interests of the party that they represent, the party has the authority to replace them with another representative. It is the ideas not the people that are being voted on. If Republicans get 25% of the vote, they get 25% of the seats. If the Tea party gets 30% of the vote, they get 30% of the seats, and so on for Democrats, Greens, Progressives, Socialists, Constitution Party, Libertarian Party, etc. It is to the benefit of people of every political stripe to make sure that their view and that of others like them is represented as accurately as possible. This should break up the two party system and allow more voices at the table, thus supporting design goal number two.

3) Eliminate the Electoral College, the presidency is decided by popular vote. Perhaps with an instant run-off system in the case of a tie. This supports design goal number one.

4) Follow Oregon's lead and automatically register all eligible voters. Voting isn't mandatory, but it is made as easy as possible for anyone who wants to to participate and make their voice heard to do so. This supports design goal number one.

5) Election Day is a mandatory national holiday. Potentially move it from November to the 4th of July to minimize disruption to business and harness the historic and emotional zeitgeist to maximize voter turn out to make sure that the government of the people by the people for the people most accurately reflects the voice of *all* the people.  This supports both design goals.

Just a thought as I sit here trying to solve the world's problems and dreaming of better tomorrows.