This Blog Post uses analogy to explore why there are natural limitations to how much and how fast we can achieve change.
The Speed of Light
Rapid change and enormous growth are often looked upon as positive features of innovation. We have learned over the past 4 plus decades of rapid technological innovation that this is not always true. The following analogies are used to explore why this is the case.
The teachings of the speed of light: Throughout history, humanity has looked to nature for examples through which to learn more about life and human activities. Physics teaches us that in our universe there are universal laws (although our understanding of said laws change over time as scientific knowledge grows). These laws establish parameters that define the behavior of energy and matter. Currently, physics is chasing a set of equations that (in theory) will explain how everything came into being and how all physical elements continue to interact to sustain our universe on all scales (nano, micro, macro, and super macro).
One such law is the speed of light. Science has established that the fastest achievable speed within our universe is the speed of light perhaps other universes have other parameters): 186,000 mi/sec. The current understanding of energy or matter – in physics, is that they are two sides of the same coin – and that matter changes as it moves faster and faster and approaches the speed of light. In general, as matter approaches the speed of light, it undergoes physical changes that require more and more energy to be invested for every incremental increase in speed. It’s impossible to invest sufficient energy to allow matter to exceed the speed of light.
Physics tells us that within any given system (in this case, the universe) there are rules which ensure that no element within the system (in this case, matter) can aggregate too much energy relative to other elements in the system. In other words, any given element cannot control a disproportionate amount of the system’s resources and utilize those resources exclusively for their own benefit.
Rules of Nature & Binding a Community
Based on our speed of light example, we might infer that an equitable distribution of resources is a necessary ingredient for the healthy operation of any system. Rules not only provide limits, but also bind the individual elements of a community together. We might further argue that any individual or organization that experiences excessive success or distress (compared to societal norms) should subsequently experience a new set of pressures that ensures they can remain within community parameters and maintain the health of the system.
Building is a very competitive arena and innovation is beginning to rapidly change how forward companies do business. The speed at which this change can be constructively absorbed by individuals, companies and building networks is unknown. But, if we all try to move too quickly, it is quite possible we will hit barriers that are currently unknown to us.
Cancer
Another analogy which explores the concept of system limitations, is the cancer analogy: Within the human body or other biological entities, any cellular element that continues to feed off surrounding cells and available energy resources purely for its own growth – places stresses on the surrounding systems it is a part of — is defined as cancerous.
This logic may be extended to all kinds of systems, whether economic, political, military, business, social, etc. Any entity that acts solely or predominately for its own growth – and exceeds community norms that allow for a equitable and sustainable distribution of resources – ultimately will be perceived as toxic (or cancerous), or as a threat to the system.