These Two Books Contain the Sum of All Human Knowledge
Renaissance Humans, #32
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” —Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough For Love
Welcome to the Renaissance Humans Newsletter, where I focus on sense-making and story-telling in the turbulent twenties. The Renaissance (“rebirth,” in French) spanned from the 14th to the 17th century and marked a period of cultural, artistic, and intellectual renewal in Europe. A Renaissance Human fosters curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and character in a journey of never-ending learning. They cultivate Mind, Body, and Spirit, in service of Community, and oriented to the Transcendentals.
The screenshot below is an old joke/meme that haunts social media like a hungry ghost, periodically seeking sustenance in the form of human attention. Here’s a Business Insider article describing the phenomena:
I want to talk about two other books, which, while they don’t contain the sum of all human knowledge, certainly do explain a great deal of the current moment.
Revolt of the Elites
In The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy, Christopher Lasch1 makes a critical analysis of contemporary American society, focusing on the growing divide between elites and the general populace. In the 1995 book, Lasch argues the elite class—comprising professionals, executives, and intellectuals— has become increasingly disconnected from the rest of society, leading to a breakdown in democratic values and social cohesion. This detachment leads to a loss of shared values and a weakening of the social fabric that binds society together. Lasch critiques the idea of meritocracy, arguing that it promotes arrogance and entitlement among the elites, while fostering resentment and alienation among those left behind.
This system undermines the sense of community and solidarity essential for a healthy democracy. He notes the decline of public institutions, such as schools, churches, and community organizations, which once served as the bedrock of civic life. These institutions have been weakened by the rise of individualism and consumer culture, leading to a fragmented society.
Lasch also addresses the moral and cultural decline he perceives in contemporary society, criticizing elites for abandoning traditional values and embracing a relativistic, postmodern worldview. This shift erodes the foundations of democracy and leaves society vulnerable to authoritarianism.
In the end, he advocates for a return to a more populist, community-oriented form of democracy, where power is decentralized, and citizens are actively engaged in public life. Lasch believes this is necessary to restore trust in institutions and bridge the gap between the elites and the masses. This pairs well with Robert Putnam’s findings in The Upswing, which chronicled America’s slow erosion of civic associations from the late the 1960s.
Revolt of the Public
In The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium, Martin Gurri examines the impact of the digital age on politics, society, and the authority of established institutions. In the 2018 book, Gurri, a former CIA analyst, argues that the rise of digital media, particularly social media, has empowered ordinary people while simultaneously undermining traditional authority figures and institutions. We are in the fifth wave of human communication technology— significant phases or revolutions, each driven by major technological innovations bringing great changes. Here’s a short snapshot of each:
Oral Communication (Prehistoric to Early Civilization): First form of communication. Knowledge, culture, and traditions were passed down through spoken language and storytelling. No written records existed, so people relied on memory and verbal transmission.
Written Communication (Around 3200 BCE to 15th Century): Invention of writing systems— cuneiform and hieroglyphics, which revolutionized how information could be stored and shared. Papyrus, parchment, and paper increased the ability to preserve knowledge over long periods.
Print Communication (15th Century – 19th Century): The Gutenberg press in the mid-15th century marked a major breakthrough—Mass production of books, pamphlets, and newspapers allowed for widespread dissemination of knowledge, contributed to the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment.
Electronic Communication (19th Century – Late 20th Century): Began with the invention of the telegraph, followed by the telephone, radio, and television. These technologies enabled instantaneous communication over long distances, changing how news and information were shared globally. Radio and TV spread propaganda and advertising, as Adam Curtis so beautifully lays out in The Century of the Self documentary series.
Digital Communication (Late 20th Century – Present): Advent of the internet, computers, and mobile technology. Communication is now faster, more interactive, and global. Social media, emails, instant messaging, and video conferencing transformed how people interact, creating a more connected world.
The waves of communication technology Gurri references are very “The Medium is the Message” McLuhanesque, and portend a period of disruption as humans adjust to the revolutionary possibilities of the digital age.2 He argues the combination of smart phones and social media has eroded the power of elites to control the narrative. In the past, governments, media, and other institutions could manage public opinion through centralized control of information. However, in the digital age, this is no longer possible, leading to a crisis of authority. Gurri claims the public, fueled by access to vast amounts of information, has become increasingly skeptical and distrustful of elites. This has led to revolts against established power structures, visible in movements such as the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, and various populist uprisings across the world.
He describes how the public, empowered by digital platforms, often exercises what he calls "negative power"—the ability to protest, disrupt, and delegitimize, without necessarily offering constructive alternatives. This has led to a destabilization of political and social institutions as established powers struggle to adapt to this new reality.
Gurri also highlights the decline of the traditional, hierarchical model of politics, what he terms the "industrial model." Based on top-down communication and centralized control, the industrial model is increasingly obsolete in a world where information flows freely and horizontally. The public now expects transparency and participation, something traditional institutions are ill-equipped to provide.
One of the key challenges of the day is how governance can function in this new environment. Governments face difficult in maintaining legitimacy and authority while constantly under scrutiny and public criticism. The book suggests that new models of governance, more responsive and adaptable to the demands of the digital age, are needed.
Gurri is cautious about the future of authority and democracy. He argues that the digital age has unleashed forces that are difficult to control, leading to a perpetual state of disruption. While this may empower individuals, it also poses significant risks to the stability and functionality of democratic systems.
So What
To quote my Frog Brother Sam Alaimo, What Then? Lasch and Gurri have slightly different but complimentary prescriptions. We likely need a mix of both their takes.
Lasch: Return to a more populist, community-oriented form of democracy, where power is decentralized, and citizens are actively engaged in public life, restoring trust in institutions and bridging the gap between the elites and the masses.
Gurri: We need new models of governance—more responsive and adaptable to the demands of the digital age, to maintain the visibility the public demands of its elites.3
Here are a few implications, as far as I can see:
Rig for heavy seas—It will be a bumpy ride.4 We can do as the Stoics and focus on what is under our control. Which leads to:
Civic engagement. Rebuild the connective bonds our of local lives— humans interacting with humans in meatspace. Get involved, in whatever manner your work and personal schedule allows, in your local community. Exercise media literacy and look beyond your tribe for understanding of the world. We need an educated citizenry to keep this bold experiment going.
No one is going to fix this stuff for us. There’s no magic technology—just real humans talking to each other and coming into messy correspondence. It will be a muddle, but it beats tyranny or anarchy.
Currere Certamen Tuum
For a great piece from Matt Taibbi about one of Lasch’s other books, The Culture of Narcissism, click here.
McLuhan’s Tetrad of Media Effects is also worth exploring further.
Singapore’s work with Digital Democracy can be instructive.