What Should Be The Focus Of Enlightenment 2.0?

Prof. (Dr.) John Torday, a Developmental Physiologist from UCLA with a strong interest in how and why physiology has evolved, participates in Risk Roundup to talk about Enlightenment 2.0.

Beyond Arts and Science-Driven Enlightenment 1.0

While Enlightenment 1.0 (arts and sciences driven) began in the 17th century, humanity is now at a crossroads. Much of it seems to be due to the growing disconnect between leadership and self-serving agenda, science and activism, systems and sustainability, and more.

The world is witnessing not only the power struggle between the political ideologies, the geopolitics of the emerging technologies, the impact of technology transformation, globalists versus nationalists, culture warriors to climate warriors, changing nature of religion, and more. Unfortunately, the battle of ideas and ideologies is dividing not only citizens but also countries, leading to the rapid rise of pessimism and intolerance. Furthermore, dual-use technologies, the controlling communication power of social media, and the growing source of information are becoming a cause of great concern.

As seen across most nations, the systems at all levels are becoming increasingly divisive. The divisiveness is not just due to political ideologies but also due to changing models, globalization, and more. Interestingly, while the globalists are organized and prepared in the ongoing battle, the nationalists seem to be gathering momentum as well. So, who is winning the fight, should this be the battle, and where is humanity going?

It is crucial to understand that scientific knowledge has not been the only driver of political decision-making over the years. Cultural beliefs, emotions, self-interest, and values have all played their role in nations’ political discourse and decision-making that is increasingly becoming more divisive, complex, transnational, instrumentalized, agenda-driven, and short-sighted than ever, bringing into question the very nature of human existence.

The Growing Need For Purpose-Driven Enlightenment 2.0

Science has become a deductive practice, and the Enlightenment 1.0 that the western world enjoyed over the years is waning due to our lack of effort in understanding and focusing on the meaning of life. There is a need for a new approach to Enlightenment, to focus on an eastern knowledge and understanding of the essence of our existence and how our individual purpose ties into it.

To be specific, there is a need for revitalizing the dormant ancestral memory in each of us to provide guidance and clarity on what everyone should spend their time, energy, and focus on. Because to evolve our universe, we need to advance our ancestral lineage and have the means to remember and revitalize our ancestral memory. We need to understand our purpose, and we need to finish the work our ancestors started. It is where Enlightenment 2.0 should focus on.

Now is the time to discuss developing tools and technology to drive Enlightenment 2.0 to safeguard our individual and collective future!

For more, please watch the Risk Roundup Webcast or hear the Risk Roundup Podcast

About the Guest

Prof. John S. Torday is a Developmental Physiologist from UCLA based in the United States. His lung development career was launched four decades ago by the serendipitous finding that a simple molecule like cortisol could effectively accelerate fetal lung development. This phenomenon changed reproductive medicine overnight, reducing the preterm infant mortality rate from as high as 70% to nearly zero for preterm births. As a working scientist, this made no sense but was im