Draft:Moloch (Concept)

The concept of Moloch, as distinct from the figure that has evolved from a mythical and terrifying pagan god, worshipped by ancient civilizations, has emerged as the symbol representing the hard to visualize repercussions of unchecked growth and competition. This symbolic use was notably brought into modern discourse through Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl" and Scott Alexander Siskind's essay "Meditations on Moloch." When this new representation is re-deified, Moloch can be considered the God of Coordination Failure.

Modern Interpretation and the Metacrisis

In the modern context, Moloch symbolizes the collective human inability to effectively address global crises and existential risks due to competitive, growth-driven mindsets. This is evident in the current state of the world, where rapid technological and societal changes have outpaced our ability to manage their consequences effectively.

Human Uniqueness and the Superorganism Concept

Humans are unique in their ability to modify their environment and pursue specific goals, often without considering broader impacts. This has led to the formation of a 'superorganism' - a globally interconnected species that relentlessly extracts resources and pursues narrow objectives, often at the expense of the larger ecosystem. This concern can be represented by a Malthuisan Trap, which occurs when population growth outpaces agricultural production, causing famine or war, resulting in poverty and depopulation.

AI and the Metacrisis

The advent of AI technology exemplifies the pursuit of narrow goals. While AI has the potential to solve significant problems, it also risks exacerbating the metacrisis if used without wisdom and a broader understanding of its implications.

Moloch as Coordination Failure

Moloch represents a failure to coordinate for the collective good, which is exacerbated by the inability for humanity to agree on what the collective good is. Pursuing individual or narrow goals, and challenges in policy design that lead to perverse incentives typically leads to detrimental outcomes for the whole, a phenomenon evident in various societal and environmental issues.

Addressing the Metacrisis

Overcoming the metacrisis requires binding intelligence with wisdom and pursuing collective goals that consider long-term impacts. This involves a fundamental shift in understanding and addressing global challenges, moving away from fragmented, narrow goals towards a more holistic approach. It also requires an awareness of Social Traps, also known as Multi-Polar traps.

Technological Solutions

Emerging collaborative technologies, such as blockchain, decentralized social media, offer potential tools to address the metacrisis. These technologies could facilitate more collaborative, transparent, and equitable approaches to global challenges. Having a strong understaning of Moloch and finding ways to measure it will allow for systems change.

Philosophers who are addressing Moloch

Modern-day philosophers addressing the concept of Moloch, particularly in the context of unrestrained growth and its societal impacts, and economic systems which fail to represent the include various thinkers who explore related themes in their work.

Daniel Scmachtenberger: A renowned thinker and speaker, particularly known for his insightful contributions in the realms of civilization design, existential risk, and sustainable futures. His intellectual journey is marked by a deep commitment to understanding and addressing complex global challenges, notably the dynamics of 'Moloch' and 'Multipolar Traps.' A key aspect of Schmachtenberger's approach is his emphasis on holistic and systemic solutions. He advocates for redesigning social systems in a way that aligns individual incentives with collective well-being, thereby mitigating the effects of Moloch and avoiding Multipolar Traps. His suggestions often include novel governance models, economic restructuring, and fostering a culture of collaboration and long-term thinking.

Nate Hagens: Nate Hagens is an influential thinker and communicator in the fields of energy, environment, and economics, best known as the host of the podcast "The Great Simplification." In his podcast, Hagens explores the complex interplay between societal systems, resource limitations, and economic theories, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges facing modern civilization. Hagens' work primarily revolves around the concept of societal and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the interconnectedness of energy systems, ecological constraints, and economic structures. Hagens delves into topics such as resource depletion, economic theory, and the limitations of growth in a finite world. Hagens' approach is characterized by a holistic understanding of the global economy and its dependency on natural resources. He frequently discusses the need for a fundamental rethinking of economic and societal models to address the looming challenges of resource scarcity and environmental degradation.

Scott Alexander Siskind: In his essay "Meditations on Moloch," Alexander explores the "Curse of Moloch," a concept that our society demands sacrifices from individuals and communities for progress and success, often disregarding their well-being or the long-term consequences. This leads to a society that prioritizes efficiency and productivity over empathy and care, perpetuating a culture of exploitation and individual achievement at the community's expense. Alexander advocates for a reevaluation of societal values, emphasizing empathy, care, and sustainability alongside productivity and growth​​​​​​.

Noam Chomsky: A highly cited modern philosopher, Chomsky has written extensively on linguistics, cognitive science, politics, and history. His critiques often involve social structures and their impact on individual and collective behavior, resonating with the themes of Moloch in terms of societal demands and the cost of progress​​. Slavoj Žižek: As a modern Marxist philosopher, Žižek comments extensively on culture, society, theology, and psychology, focusing on our worldviews shaped by various ideologies. His work aligns with the Moloch theme by critiquing societal structures and their impacts on individual and community values​​.

Cornel West: An American philosopher focusing on politics, religion, race, and ethics, West's work often addresses the societal challenges faced by marginalized groups, which can be seen as a critique of the systemic sacrifices demanded by society, akin to the Curse of Moloch​​. Martha Nussbaum: Her work spans a range of topics, including ethics, feminism, political philosophy, and animal rights. Nussbaum's development of the Capability Approach, in collaboration with Amartya Sen, focuses on enhancing individual capabilities and well-being, offering a counter-narrative to the Moloch theme of sacrificing individual well-being for societal progress​​.

Charles Eisenstein: A writer and speaker whos work focuses on the themes of interconnectedness, community, and the transformation of societal systems challenges the traditional narratives of separation and competition that underlie many of our current social and economic structures echoing the destructive forces represented by Moloch. In his influential book, "Sacred Economics," Eisenstein explores how our current economic system, driven by interest, competition, and scarcity, leads to outcomes that undermine community, ecological health, and genuine well-being. His perspective sheds light on how systemic forces, much like the concept of Moloch, create situations where collectively detrimental outcomes arise from individually rational decisions. Eisenstein advocates for a shift towards a more holistic economic model that values cooperation, sharing, and the well-being of all life. His vision for a more connected and empathetic world challenges the very foundations of Moloch-like dynamics in our society, proposing pathways to transcend these systemic traps.

Alasdair MacIntyre: MacIntyre's work on ethics, morality, and political philosophy, particularly in his book "After Virtue," critiques modern societal structures and moral frameworks, resonating with the Moloch theme's emphasis on societal demands and individual sacrifices​​.

Daniel Dennett: As a cognitive scientist and philosopher, Dennett's work on free will and philosophy of mind engages with themes of individual autonomy versus societal structures, relevant to discussions around Moloch and societal demands​​.

Philip Kitcher: Working in the philosophy of science, Kitcher's focus on the philosophy of climate change and the criteria for "good" science aligns with the Moloch theme by addressing the societal and environmental costs of unrestrained scientific and technological progress​​. Peter Singer: A consequentialist philosopher, Singer's work, particularly in the realm of utilitarianism and animal rights, challenges societal norms and priorities, advocating for a more altruistic and empathetic approach to progress, countering the Moloch theme's focus on efficiency and productivity at the expense of empathy and sustainability​​.

Amartya Sen: Sen's work in welfare economics and justice, particularly his development of capability theory, emphasizes the importance of enhancing individual capabilities and well-being, contrasting with the Moloch theme of societal progress at the expense of individual sacrifice​​.

Judith Butler: Butler's work on gender, politics, ethics, and the self, particularly her theory of gender performativity, critiques societal structures and cultural pressures, relevant to the Moloch theme of societal demands and individual sacrifices​​.

Conclusion The modern interpretation of Moloch highlights the urgent need for collective action and wisdom in addressing the complex, interconnected crises facing humanity. It calls for a profound shift in perspective, from individualistic, growth-centric approaches to more holistic, cooperative strategies for the future.