The Need and Feasibility of the UN to Lead the Human Community in Creating a Digital Planet(014)
— An Open Letter to UN Secretary-General Guterres and Global Sages
“Timing is less important than location, and location is less important than harmony among people.”
“Gongsun Chou” in the book “Mencius”
Favorable weather and climate are not as important as favorable terrain and topography, and favorable terrain and topography are not as important as favorable human relations and morale.
Explanation by Topal.
5.2 The Core of Cognition
The framework of cognition discussed earlier depends on the development of human civilization within the context of historical and epochal changes. On the other hand, the core of cognition relies on the progress of human technology within the broader perspective of historical and epochal changes.
In recent decades, a series of unprecedented new technologies, new modes, and new concepts have emerged intensively. These include the internet, blockchain, AI, NFT, metaverse, digital earth, big data, as well as 5G, 6G, Web2, Web3, and so on. What do they mean, represent, and foreshadow? Or in other words, where do their fundamental value and significance lie? To this day, people have had divergent opinions and no clear consensus has been reached.
Fig. 46 illustrates our understanding of new elements such as new technologies, new modes, and new concepts. In a certain sense, the entire “core of cognition” section can be regarded as an explanation and interpretation of this diagram within a specific scope. Therefore, we will not provide further explanation here. After this section is completed, it may be helpful to revisit the diagram and see if the positioning and role of various new elements are clear.
Today, we say that the UN must Self-help and must have feasible measures and plans to do so. Where can we seek these measures and plans? In our view, there are three logical angles or perspectives, all of which are related to these new elements.
The first is to follow the trend of the times and rely on the power of heaven’s timing to Self-help.
The second is to expand new living space and rely on the power of favorable terrain to Self-help.
The third is to leverage new technological advantages and rely on the power of harmony among people to Self-help.
According to Mencius, the third perspective is the most important. We believe that the ideal approach is to integrate these three perspectives into a larger angle and organize these three logical angles into one comprehensive logic. This section on the “core of cognition” aims to achieve this goal.
Conforming to the trend of the times.if the UN leads humanity into the metaverse and builds a digital earth for Self-help, it is indeed in line with the historical trend and the trend of the times. Regardless of the difficulties and dangers ahead, we should continue to move in this direction without hesitation, because this is the future of humanity. If the UN cannot step forward and lead human society to consider and strive for the future, then who else on this planet has the ability, qualification, and possibility to do so? This is undoubtedly the UN’ responsibility and obligation. Moreover, once the UN conforms to the timing and leverages the power of the universe to save itself, no force, including global capital, can stop it.
Some may ask, why is it said that the UN leading humanity into the metaverse and building a digital earth is in line with the trend and trend of the times? What is the basis? Our macro research earlier suggested that the world is entering a new civilization transition period. Entering the metaverse and building a digital earth are in line with the trend of this new civilization transition. Here, let’s take a micro perspective. If the UN’ self-preservation plan not only accommodates these new technologies, models, and concepts but also allows them to each have their place and play their respective roles, fully demonstrating their maximum value and significance, can it be regarded as indirectly illustrating that this plan conforms to the trend and trend of the times?
After all, these new elements can appear and continue to spread and form influences on a global scale, which must have their historical value and significance. That is to say, their emergence in recent decades, especially in the past ten years, is a manifestation of historical development and the trend of the times. Of course, most people do not deny that these new technologies, models, and concepts indeed represent the future. But what do they actually signify and want to tell humanity? It seems that no one has responded to this question yet. If this UN self-preservation plan can fully respond to these questions, reasonably explain their fundamental value and significance in this era, even explicitly define their definition, position, value, and significance, and finally, show that all these new elements are indispensable organic parts of this plan, then can it be considered as another basis for this plan to conform to the historical trend and the trend of the times.
Expand new living space. In the early 17th century, the American founders in England believed that they had a divine mission to establish a new society based on their religious beliefs. However, the English church could not accept their beliefs and viewed them as heretics and separatists. Continuing to struggle in England would not change anything, and changing their beliefs was also impossible. So, they made a cognitive shift and boarded the Mayflower, risking their lives to cross the ocean to North America. Here, they could act according to their own beliefs and ideals, even planning and building a new country.
This cognitive shift led to the creation of the only superpower in the world today, the United States, and made them agents of change. The situation of the American founders back then is very similar to the self-rescue situation described by the UN today. Both wanted to change the unreasonable reality of society, avoid violent conflicts with established interests, and open up a new territory. The only difference is that the founders of the United States opened up the North American continent, while today’s rescuers are expanding into the metaverse.
Without the emergence of these new technologies, new models, and new concepts, we could not imagine where we could find new living and development space for humanity. It is precisely because of these new concepts and models that the expansion of the metaverse digital earth space has a chance to become possible.
Especially the new technologies, new models, and new concepts needed to expand new living and development space. The American founders had to rely on England and Europe for everything, which was extremely difficult. Today, all of these new elements are almost tailor-made for expanding the metaverse and creating digital space. They can be used directly without authorization or transfer. Building a digital earth for humanity is actually building an infinitely vast space that is millions of times larger than North America. The UN’ seizing and utilizing this huge advantage provides a solid foundation for self-rescue, saving humanity, and saving the earth.
Leveraging technological new advantages. How to define, interpret, and view these new technologies, models, and concepts also belongs to the category of cognition. Their roles and values may vary greatly in different cognitive environments.
In the previous cognitive framework, Toffler’s third wave was mentioned. Based on this, we believe that humans are transitioning from the industrial civilization era to the wisdom civilization era. However, throughout human history, any evolution or transformation of human civilization has always been driven by technological progress. So, if this civilizational transformation has indeed begun, what are the core technologies or groups of technologies driving it? Answering this question inevitably involves our cognition of these new technologies, models, and concepts.
In the 18th century, steam engine technology was invented. In 1705, the Newcomen steam engine was introduced for pumping water in coal mines. At that time, human cognition was still in the stage of improving or upgrading old industries. It was not until a century later, in 1807, that the steamship “Clermont” was introduced, and in 1829, the steam locomotive “Rocket” was introduced. New industries such as ships and trains were discovered, and the global industrial revolution was ignited. Obviously, when steam engine technology was applied to improve old industries, it undoubtedly had this technological advantage. But when applied to new industries, this technology played its completely new advantages. Let me explain. When a new technology comes out, its technological advantages can be divided into two categories: existing technological advantages and completely new technological advantages. Existing technological advantages mainly affect existing industries and the improvement and upgrading of old industries. Therefore, it is easy to discover and leverage. On the other hand, completely new technological advantages mainly affect unknown industries and new industries, which are difficult to discover and leverage.
But ultimately, it depends on people’s cognition. Using steam engine technology as an example, if people’s cognition of the technological advantages of steam engine technology always stayed in the improvement of old industries, there would be no later global industrial revolution, and there would be no transition of human society from the agricultural civilization era to the industrial civilization era.
So, today, with so many new elements represented by new technologies emerging, what does it mean, and where are their new advantages embodied? If, as we understand it, under the leadership of the UN, human society enters the metaverse and builds a digital earth, what will happen?
Without going into too much detail, there are over 700 million people worldwide living in extreme poverty, according to data from the World Bank②. According to Pew Research Center’s data shown in the chart above, that number is over 800 million. Even if we were to move them to the digital world of the metaverse and gather their consensus, they could “print their own money and use it themselves.” This would create a magnificent force of people! Before this, neither the UN nor any other sovereign country could possibly unite such a large human consensus in an instant. It is only because of new technologies, new models, and new concepts such as blockchain, Web3, metaverse, and digital earth that this possibility has truly appeared on earth for the first time.
“The way of the universe is simple.” The self-rescue of the UN and humanity is actually very simple. As long as these 700–800 million people in extreme poverty start building the digital earth and making money in the metaverse, once the demonstration effect appears, other low-income people, who make up 51% of the world’s population, will inevitably enter as well. This will create a new global consensus with over 60% of the world’s population, and new thinking will emerge once people in the metaverse leave poverty behind and have sufficient food and clothing. The new rules and order of human society will also naturally emerge. This is “By stripping of desire quiescence is achieved, And the world arrives at peace of its own accord.” and it is also “Mission accomplished, The people all say, ‘It happened naturally.’.”
Therefore, we can see that new elements represented by new technologies have created all the necessary conditions and prerequisites for the UN to quickly gather huge human consensus and strength in this new era. Gathering human consensus and creating a better world is the greatest value and significance of these new elements represented by new technologies.
Through this section, we will see that it is the interaction and permeation of these new technologies, new models, and new concepts that have merged into one big perspective (entering the metaverse) and one big logic (building the digital earth) in our proposed UN self-rescue plan. Thus, we can start with the concepts of “metaverse” and “digital earth” as the breakthrough point of this understanding. We have heard a lot about the metaverse, and there are countless interpretations of it. However, our interpretation may be completely different and may open another window for you to understand the metaverse.
(to be continued)
The English translation is mainly done by AI and is inevitably not accurate enough. Please refer to the original Chinese text below for a more accurate understanding.
5.2 认知的内核
前面认知的框架，是在历史和时代变化的大趋势下，取决于人类文明的发展。而认知的内核，是在历史和时代变化的大视角下，依赖于人类技术的进步。
最近这几十年来，一系列前所未有的新技术、新模式、新概念密集涌现了出来。譬如，互联网、区块链、AI、NFT、元宇宙、数字地球、大数据，以及5G、6G、Web2、Web3，等等。它们究竟意味着什么，代表着什么，预示着什么？或者说，它们最根本的价值和意义，究竟在哪里？直到今天，人们也一直是众说纷纭、莫衷一是。
图46表达的是我们对新技术、新模式、新概念等这些新元素的认知。整个“认知的核心”这一节，在一定范畴内，也可以认为就是对这图中的认知，在做具体解释和说明。所以，这里我们就不另做解释。等这一节结束，不妨再回头来看看，这个图中对各种新元素的定位和作用，是不是都清楚了。
今天，我们说联合国要自救，必须有可行的自救措施和方案。该从哪里去寻求这类措施和方案呢？在我们看来，宏观上无非是三个角度，或者说三条逻辑。而且，它们都与这些新元素有关联。
第一个，顺应时代大潮流，承天时的力量自救。
第二个，拓展生存新空间，借地利的力量自救。
第三个，发挥技术新优势，聚人和的力量自救。
按照孟子的说法，第三种最重要。而我们认为，最理想的模式，是能将这三种角度，融合成一个大角度，将这三条逻辑，组织成一条大逻辑。这一节“认知的核心”，就想尝试这一点。
顺应时代大潮流。如果联合国引领人类社会进入元宇宙，打造数字地球进行自救，确实是符合历史大趋势、符合时代大潮流的话。那么，无论前面有千难万险，我们都应该义无返顾的朝这个方向走下去。因为，这就是人类的未来。如果联合国都不能站出来，引领人类社会为未来考虑、为未来努力，那么，这个星球上，还有谁有这种能力、有这种资格呢、有这种可能？这无疑是联合国义不容辞的责任和义务。更重要在于：联合国一旦顺应天时、借天道之力自救。其他无论什么力量、包括全球资本的力量，也是阻挡不了的。
或许有人会问，凭什么说联合国引领人类社会进入元宇宙、打造数字地球就是符合大趋势、大潮流的，有什么依据？前面，我们的宏观研究认为，全球正在进入一个新文明转型期。进入元宇宙、打造数字地球，是顺应新文明转型趋势的。这里，我们再从微观角度看。如果联合国自救方案，不仅能将这些新技术、新模式、新概念都包容进去，还能让它们在里面各得其所、各司其责，充分发挥各自最大的价值和意义。算不算从侧面说明了这个方案符合大趋势、大潮流。
毕竟，这些新元素能够出现，并能在全球范围内持续流传、形成影响，一定不是无缘无故的。必然有它的时代价值和意义。就是说，它们能在这几十年、尤其是近10来年内，集中涌现出来，本身就是历史发展和时代潮流的一种显现。当然，大多数人都不否认。这些新技术、新模式、新概念确实代表着未来。但是，它到底预示着些什么，想告诉人类些什么？似乎还没有人来回应这个问题。如果这份联合国自救方案，能全面回应这些问题，合理解释它们在这个时代的根本价值和意义。甚至将它们的定义、定位，价值和意义都说的明明白白。最后，还能像图46所示意的那样，这些新元素都是这个方案的有机环节，每一个都必不可少。缺了它们，这个自救方案就无法成立。那么，可不可以认为，这也是本方案符合历史大趋势和时代大潮流的一种依据。
拓展生存新空间。17世纪初，身处英国的美国创立者们认为，他们肩负着建立基于其宗教信仰的新社会的神圣使命。可是，英国教会不能接纳他们的信仰，视其为异端、分离主义者。留在英国继续抗争，根本改变不了任何东西，意义显然不大。要他们改变信仰，更不可能。于是，他们变通了一下认知。乘坐“五月花”号，离开英国，冒着生命危险，远渡重洋来到北美新大陆，在这里，他们完全可以按照自己的信仰和主张行事，即使是规划和建设一个新的国家。
事实证明，他们这样一个认知的转变，成就了今天世界上的唯一超级大国 — — 美国。也让他们成为改变世界的人。当年那批美国创立者的情况，与今天我们描述的联合国自救情况极为相似。都是想要改变不合理的现实社会，都是要避免与现实既得利益集团发生激烈冲突，都是要去开辟一片前所未有的新大陆。只不过，美国的创立者开辟的是北美大陆。而今天的救助者开拓的是元宇宙。
如果没有这些新技术、新模式、新概念的出现，我们根本不可能想象还能在哪里寻找到人类生存发展的新空间。正是因为有了这些新概念和新模式，开拓元宇宙数字地球空间才有机会成为一种可能。
尤其是拓展生存发展新空间所需要的新技术、新模式、新概念。当年的美国创立者，一切都要依靠英国和欧洲输出，可以说是千难万难。而今天，所有这些新元素，都几乎可以说是为拓展元宇宙、为打造数字空间量身定做的。无需授权、无需转让，直接拿来用行了。人类打造数字地球，实际上是在打造一个比北美新大陆还辽阔千万倍的无限空间。联合国率先抢占和利用好这样一个巨大地利优势，无论是自救、救人类，以及救地球，都具备了坚实的基础。
发挥技术新优势。如何定义、如何解释、如何看待这些新技术、新模式、新概念。同样属于认知的范畴。它们在不同的认知环境中，所发挥的作用、呈现的价值也可能完全不同。
在前面认知的框架中，谈到了托夫勒的第三次浪潮。我们据此认为，人类正在由工业文明时代向智慧文明时代转型。可是，纵观人类几千年发展史。人类文明的任何一次进化、转型，都必定是技术进步驱动的。那么，如果这次文明转型的确开始了。那么，驱动它的核心技术，或者技术群又是哪些？要回答这个问题，也必然牵扯到我们对这些新技术、新模式、新概念的认知。
18世纪，蒸汽机技术发明了出来。1705年，用于煤矿抽水的纽可门大蒸汽机就问世了。当时，人类的认知，还停留在对旧产业进行改进或改良阶段。直到1个世纪后，1807年，蒸汽机船“克莱蒙号”问世。1829年，“火箭号”蒸汽机车问世。轮船、火车等新产业被发掘出来，全球工业革命才被引爆。很显然，蒸汽机技术应用于旧产业改良，它无疑具备这个技术优势。而应用于新产业开创，这项技术就发挥了它的全新优势。这样解释吧，一项新技术出来了，可以将它的技术优势划分为两类：一类是现成技术优势，一类是全新技术优势。现成技术优势主要作用于现成产业、旧产业的改良和升级。所以，它很容易发现，也很容易发挥。而全新技术优势主要作用于未知产业、新产业，不易发现，也不易发挥。
但归根到底，还是取决于人们的认知。还是以蒸汽机技术为例。假如人们对蒸汽机技术优势的认知，始终停留在对旧产业改良上，恐怕就没有后来的全球工业革命，也没有人类社会由农耕文明时代向工业文明时代转型这回事了。
那么，今天，这么多以新技术为代表的新元素集中涌现出来。究竟意味着什么，它们的新优势又究竟体现在哪里？如果如同我们认知的，在联合国引领下，人类社会进入元宇宙、打造数字地球。那将会怎样？
别的不说，全球处在极端贫困线上的人口就有7亿多，这是世界银行的数据②，按上图皮尤研究中心的数据是8亿多人。哪怕先将他们迁徙到元宇宙数字地球上，先将他们的共识凝聚起来，“自己给自己印钱、自己用自己印的钱”。这就可以形成一股宏伟壮观的人和力量！在此之前，无论是联合国，还是其他任何主权国家，都没有任何可能在一瞬间凝聚这么庞大的人类共识。正是因为有了区块链、Web3、元宇宙、数字地球这些新技术、新模式、新概念，这种可能性才第一次真真切切的在地球上出现了。
“大道至简”。联合国自救、人类自救，其实真的非常简单。只要这7–8亿极端贫困人口开始打造数字地球、开始在元宇宙中赚钱。示范效应出来后，其它占世界人口51%的低收入人口也必然进入。这就有了全球60%以上的人口，这就可以形成新的全球共识。人们在元宇宙中，一旦告别了贫穷，衣食足、仓廪实了，自然就会有新的思维涌现，人类社会的新规则和新秩序也就自然而然出现了。这就是“不欲以静，天下将自正”，也是“功成事遂，百姓皆谓我自然”
由此可知，以新技术为代表的新元素，创造了联合国可以在这个新时代，迅速凝聚人类巨大共识和力量的所有先决条件和必要条件。而凝聚人类共识、开创人和天下，正是以新技术为代表的这些新元素最大价值和意义所在。
通过本节梳理，我们将会看到。正是由于这些新技术、新模式、新概念的相互作用和相互渗透，三个角度、三条逻辑，最终在我们倡导的联合国自救方案中，融汇成了一个大角度（进入元宇宙）和一个大逻辑（构建数字地球）。于是，这个认知的核心突破口，我们就可以先从“元宇宙”与“数字地球”这两个概念切入。元宇宙我们已经听到很多了，数字地球概念，还鲜少有人提及。元宇宙虽然有无数人谈及，也有无数种解释。但我们的解释，可能完全不同。或许，能为你打开认知元宇宙的另外一扇窗。
① 皮尤研究中心网页
② 世界银行网页
(未完待续)
