The Flow of Life and of History
By Conrad Ho, Hong Kong, August 25, 2017
We all know that the strength of the individual is very small, and that of the Universe is much greater. We all know that the momentum of personal development is weak (governed by fate), and the development of the Universe has a much stronger momentum (governed by physical laws). I believe all of the readers would agree to this view: when an individual or even the whole human species faces the greatness of the Universe and the operation of the physical laws, those who tag along will prosper, and those who go against will perish.
This judgment reveals the importance of understanding the history of the Universe and Life – knowing and following the course of the Universe and Life is the way to prosperity. The consensus among scientists for the moment about the course of the Universe and Life is: following physical laws to accumulate information (i.e. learning) so that the total system moves towards greater complexity. All actions that go against the laws of physics and development as well as all actions that seek only shortcuts and no understanding (so no information is accumulated), which ultimately fail to create a system of greater complexity, would be a waste of efforts in the very least and might be harmful in the more serious cases.
What are the advantages of becoming a more complex system? Take for an example. There are two buildings, one with only three pillars and the other with 30 pillars. Which mechanical system is more complex? Of course the latter. Which is more stable after losing one of the pillars? Of course the latter. The more complex the system is, the greater would be its stability. As simple as that.
When Conrad Ho teaches a class, facilitates a balance or even does anything, he would always try to tag along the course of the Universe and Life. I operationalize this vague and seemingly impossible principle to become a workable guideline: see if the action would create a more complex external system (i.e. the Universe) and a more complex internal system (i.e. myself), no matter how minute the effect is. If it does, I continue; if it does not, I do something else.
In the past few decades, scientists have tackled several major difficulties in their pursuit of understanding the history of the Universe and Life, partly because of interdisciplinary researches, and partly because of the emergence of new and better technologies. Scientists have concluded some megatrends from the big history. If you can generalize some optimal ways of handling matters in the individual perspective from these megatrends, you will thrive.
