Book SummarySuperabundance, by Marian L. Tupy and Gale L. Pooley

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Superabundance

The scholarly foundation and development of the notion that resources are diminishing, coupled with concerns about increasing populations, are firmly embedded in a doomsday perspective.

Throughout human history, the idea of an approaching apocalypse has often resurfaced.

This section explores humanity's long-standing intrigue with apocalyptic narratives, originating from ancient tales and religious beliefs that portrayed a transition from a perfect condition to a state of decline. The authors delve into the ancient perspective, originating from Greek and Roman eras, that society is continuously oscillating between periods of deterioration and revival, underscoring the idea that civilization is always in a dynamic balance of diminishing strength and revival. Finally, they delve into the notion of Christian eschatology, viewing the unfolding of human history as part of a divine scheme culminating in a final reckoning.

Ancient myths and religious narratives frequently convey prophecies of an impending decline and desolation.

Tupy and Pooley delve into the widespread occurrence of narratives forecasting societal decline and collapse across various cultures. They underscore the recurring theme in various faiths that implies a regression from a previously idyllic state. The Bororo people of South America tell myths of a time when there was no sickness or hardship. The recurring theme across various cultures indicates an innate inclination to view time as a regression from an era characterized by prosperity and magnificence.

The authors broaden their historical examination to include the period of classical Greece. The poet Hesiod depicted a series of progressively deteriorating epochs, starting with an era in which humans existed in a blissful state, akin to deities and devoid of grief. He depicted the course of history as a continuous descent from a splendid bygone era into successively worsening periods, ending in a bleak Iron Age characterized by constant labor and sorrow from dawn until dusk, with the persistent danger of annihilation looming after nightfall. The writings of Sallust, Tacitus, and Livy, distinguished chroniclers of Roman history, frequently conveyed a grim perspective, intimating that the integrity and simplicity of bygone eras surpassed the moral standards of their own times. It was commonly thought that humanity had fallen from a previously attained golden era.

Other Perspectives

• Some myths emphasize the cyclical nature of time rather than a linear progression towards decline.
• The focus on narratives of collapse might overshadow the fact that many ancient myths and religious narratives also contain elements of hope, salvation, and the eventual triumph of good over evil.
• Some contemporary interpretations of faiths argue for a more nuanced understanding of history that recognizes both advancements and setbacks over time.
• The Bororo people's myths may reflect an idealized version of the past rather than an accurate historical account.
• The idea of a past golden age can be seen as a rhetorical device to critique contemporary society rather than a literal belief in historical regression.
• Other Greek writers and philosophers, such as the historian Thucydides, focused more on human agency and political factors in history rather than a mythological cycle of ages.
• The concept of a continuous decline is subjective and may not account for advancements and improvements in various aspects of human civilization over time, such as technology, medicine, and human rights.
• Their accounts may reflect the specific political and social contexts in which they were written, rather than a general pessimism about Roman history.
• The perception of moral decline could be influenced by nostalgia and idealization of the past, rather than objective deterioration in moral standards.
• The belief in a past golden era may overlook the progress in social justice, human rights, and equality that has been made since those supposed idyllic times.

The cyclical nature of societal collapse and renewal in ancient thought

The authors delve into an analysis of the past that views events as part of repeating patterns, exploring the concept of decline more thoroughly. Hinduism and Buddhism, two ancient belief systems, held the view that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation and destruction, which they often linked to the moral behavior of society. Plato expanded on Hesiod's idea, proposing that the progression of eras corresponded with the Earth's periodic rotations, a period in which a golden age emerged while gods directly guided human affairs. Ancient philosophers such as the Pythagoreans and Stoics embraced the idea of infinite, cyclical universes in which events are destined to repeat endlessly.

Tupy and Pooley delve into the ancient Greek concept of anacyclosis, which posits that political systems naturally progress through a series of recurring phases. Polybius characterized the trio of essential governance systems, noting that while they start with commendable qualities, they often devolve into their respective degenerate states: despotism, elitism, and anarchy. This process, he contended, would perpetuate itself endlessly, as every system of governance would ultimately succumb to its inherent inconsistencies. Despite the persistent hope for a transformative leader who could herald an era of abundance akin to the renaissance brought about by Caesar Augustus, the expectation of devastation followed by rebirth persisted.

Other Perspectives

• The notion of endless cycles does not necessarily imply a lack of progress or evolution; many interpretations within these religions allow for the possibility of escape from the cycle, such as achieving moksha in Hinduism or nirvana in Buddhism.
• The idea of gods guiding human affairs is a religious or spiritual belief, which may not be accepted by those who adhere to secular...

Superabundance Summary The empirical data-supported model shows a rise in resource availability, a concept linked to Julian Simon's research.

Counterargument to Malthusian principles

In this section, the authors underscore the importance of human ingenuity, reflecting the perspective of economist Julian Simon, who was confident that the limitations of resources could be overcome through the encouragement of innovation, arguing that Simon's perspective provides a more accurate depiction of the relationship between population growth and the availability of resources.

Human ingenuity is underscored as a force that surpasses the limitations imposed by resources.

The publication authored by Tupy and Pooley features Julian Simon as the central figure challenging the tenets of Malthusianism. As the human population expands, our most valuable asset, human intelligence, not only fosters creativity and innovation but also devises strategies to overcome the accompanying challenges. Contrary to leading us towards scarcity and conflict, the growth in population actually drives progress by broadening the group of people who can tackle problems and create new solutions.

The authors consider the perspective introduced by Simon as a transformative shift, indicating that resources are not merely derived from limited...

Superabundance Summary The bedrock of societal frameworks and advancements in thought set the stage for a period distinguished by substantial innovation, which is referred to as the "Great Enrichment."

Significant moments in history denote key junctures in the progression of humanity.

This section of the book delves into the vast evolutionary history of humankind, tracing our development from ancestors resembling primates within African woodlands to the formation of initial human societies. The authors highlight key developments that have enabled human progress and prosperity, including the transition to bipedal locomotion, the utilization of tools, control of fire, and the development of language and cooperative social behaviors.

Humans evolved from tree-dwelling apes to bipedal beings traversing the grasslands.

The investigation into the advancement of humanity by Marian L. Tupy and Gale L. Pooley begins with an exploration of the way our tree-dwelling ancestors transitioned to an upright gait on the African grasslands. The shift from lush rainforests to dry grasslands, brought about by the shifting of the Earth's plates, necessitated that our ancestors adapt to a terrain fraught with severe difficulties.

The authors argue that the transition to walking on two legs was the essential element in the evolutionary change. The evolution to bipedalism improved...