Book · 2010 · Science
The Myth of Progress
Toward a Sustainable Future
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Tom Wessles has this really great book called The Myth of Progress which talks about complex system science and essentially what that is is decentralization and um the the benefits of having diversity within a community and the fact that any any power that's you know centered in one specific place ends up having imbalances and has less resiliency.
Why people recommend it
The Myth of Progress by Tom Wessels is an ecological exploration of complex systems science, offering profound insights into sustainability, decentralization, and the vital importance of biodiversity within natural and human communities. On Behind the Bastards, the host recommended Tom Wessels' book during a September 2021 episode of the weekly spinoff series titled It Could Happen Here Weekly 2. Discussing ecology, complex systems, and social organization, Andy highlighted the book to explain how complex system science demonstrates the inherent dangers of centralizing power in one specific place. Andy emphasized that Wessels' work clearly outlines the benefits of maintaining high levels of diversity and decentralized structures within any community to ensure long-term resilience and adaptability. By drawing on the book's ecological principles, the host illustrated how natural systems mirror healthy human organizations and why rigid, centralized hierarchies often fail when confronted with environmental or social disruptions. The recommendation reinforced the podcast's broader analytical framework regarding systemic collapse, local autonomy, and sustainable living, encouraging listeners to look to natural ecosystems for lessons on how to build more robust, diverse, and resilient human societies capable of weathering future crises through decentralized cooperation and ecological awareness.
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“Tom Wessles has this really great book called The Myth of Progress which talks about complex system science and essentially what that is is decentralization and um the the benefits of having diversity within a community and the fact that any any power that's you know centered in one specific place ends up having imbalances and has less resiliency.”