<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail-flex-shrink-0 gmail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-relative gmail-items-end"><div><div class="gmail-pt-0"><div class="gmail-gizmo-bot-avatar gmail-flex gmail-h-8 gmail-w-8 gmail-items-center gmail-justify-center gmail-overflow-hidden gmail-rounded-full"><div class="gmail-relative gmail-p-1 gmail-rounded-sm gmail-flex gmail-items-center gmail-justify-center gmail-bg-token-main-surface-primary gmail-text-token-text-primary gmail-h-8 gmail-w-8"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail-group/conversation-turn gmail-relative gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-min-w-0 gmail-flex-col gmail-agent-turn"><div class="gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 gmail-md:gap-3"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-max-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-flex-grow"><div dir="auto" class="gmail-min-h-8 gmail-text-message gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-items-end gmail-gap-2 gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-[.text-message+&]:mt-5"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 empty:hidden gmail-first:pt-[3px]"><div class="gmail-markdown gmail-prose gmail-w-full gmail-break-words gmail-dark:prose-invert gmail-dark"><p>Here's a refined version of your email:</p><hr><p>The final portion, addressing the "point of crisis," was omitted:</p></div></div></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="margin:0 0 0 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><div class="gmail-group/conversation-turn gmail-relative gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-min-w-0 gmail-flex-col gmail-agent-turn"><div class="gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 gmail-md:gap-3"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-max-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-flex-grow"><div dir="auto" class="gmail-min-h-8 gmail-text-message gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-items-end gmail-gap-2 gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-[.text-message+&]:mt-5"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 empty:hidden gmail-first:pt-[3px]"><div class="gmail-markdown gmail-prose gmail-w-full gmail-break-words gmail-dark:prose-invert gmail-dark"><p>\u201cThe real problem of humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, <b>and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall</b>.\u201d</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div class="gmail-group/conversation-turn gmail-relative gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-min-w-0 gmail-flex-col gmail-agent-turn"><div class="gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 gmail-md:gap-3"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-max-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-flex-grow"><div dir="auto" class="gmail-min-h-8 gmail-text-message gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-items-end gmail-gap-2 gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-[.text-message+&]:mt-5"><div class="gmail-flex gmail-w-full gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 empty:hidden gmail-first:pt-[3px]"><div class="gmail-markdown gmail-prose gmail-w-full gmail-break-words gmail-dark:prose-invert gmail-dark"><p>E.O. Wilson's phrase "terrifically dangerous" stood out to me as carrying a dual valence\u2014both positive and negative\u2014reminiscent of the often-cited Chinese term for crisis, \u5371\u673a (w\u0113ij\u012b), which combines "danger" (\u5371) with "opportunity" (\u673a) which I think is close to the idea of "critical point" in complexity,.</p><p>Here are some Chinese phrases using <strong>\u673a</strong> (pronounced "j\u012b") in the context of criticality, critical points, or critical moments:</p><ol><li><p><strong>\u5371\u673a</strong> (w\u0113i j\u012b) \u2013 <strong>Crisis</strong> or <strong>critical situation</strong></p><ul><li>This term combines <strong>\u5371</strong> (w\u0113i, danger) and <strong>\u673a</strong> (j\u012b, opportunity or crucial moment), referring to a situation where danger and opportunity coexist. It is often used to describe moments of great risk or critical turning points, where swift decisions are necessary.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>\u5951\u673a</strong> (qì j\u012b) \u2013 <strong>Opportunity</strong> or <strong>critical juncture</strong></p><ul><li>Refers to a crucial or decisive moment when a significant change or opportunity arises. Often used to describe turning points in events or decisions that can lead to a favorable outcome.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>\u65f6\u673a</strong> (shí j\u012b) \u2013 <strong>Timing</strong> or <strong>critical timing</strong></p><ul><li>Refers to the opportune moment or perfect timing for taking action. It emphasizes the importance of acting at the right moment in a critical situation.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>\u8f6c\u673a</strong> (zhu\u01cen j\u012b) \u2013 <strong>Turning point</strong></p><ul><li>Refers to a critical moment or event that leads to a positive change or reversal of fortune, often in situations where things seemed bleak or difficult.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>\u673a\u9047</strong> (j\u012b yù) \u2013 <strong>Opportunity</strong> or <strong>critical opportunity</strong></p><ul><li>Refers to a critical or rare chance for success. It conveys the idea of seizing the moment when a crucial opportunity presents itself.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>\u673a\u7f18</strong> (j\u012b yuán) \u2013 <strong>Fateful moment</strong> or <strong>critical chance</strong></p><ul><li>This term carries a more philosophical or fateful connotation, suggesting a critical moment of chance that can shape one\u2019s destiny.</li></ul></li></ol><p>These phrases emphasize the interplay of critical moments, timing, and opportunity, reflecting how "\u673a" can represent a crucial or pivotal aspect in decision-making and events.</p><p>Also, \u673a\u7406 (j\u012bl\u01d0) is often used to describe the underlying principles or mechanisms driving a system's behavior to critical points / phase transitions.</p><ul><li>\u590d\u6742\u7cfb\u7edf\u7684\u673a\u7406 (fùzá xìt\u01d2ng de j\u012bl\u01d0): the underlying mechanisms of complex systems</li><li>\u81ea\u7ec4\u7ec7\u4e34\u754c\u7684\u673a\u7406 (zìz\u01d4zh\u012b línjiè de j\u012bl\u01d0): the mechanisms of self-organized criticality<br><br><br></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">_________________________________________________________________<br>Stephen Guerin<br>CEO, Founder <br><a href="https://simtable.com" target="_blank">https://simtable.com</a><br><a href="mailto:stephen.guerin@simtable.com" target="_blank">stephen.guerin@simtable.com</a> <br><br><div><a href="mailto:stephenguerin@fas.harvard.edu" target="_blank">stephenguerin@fas.harvard.edu</a><br><a href="https://hwpi.harvard.edu/eps-visualization-research-laboratory/home" target="_blank">Harvard Visualization Research and Teaching Lab</a><br><div><div><div><span style="font-size:12.8px"><br>mobile: (505)577-5828</span></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 12:16\u202fPM Prof David West <<a href="mailto:profwest@fastmail.fm">profwest@fastmail.fm</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-4099770611109315439"><u></u><div><div style="font-family:Arial"><i>"The real problem of humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous."</i> Edward O. Wilson.<br></div><div style="font-family:Arial"><br></div><div style="font-family:Arial">davew<br></div><div style="font-family:Arial"><br></div></div>-. --- - / ...- .- .-.. .. -.. / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .<br>
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