The Story of the Noosphere
This series of short films explores the ways humanity is building the nervous system of a superorganism, called the noosphere. The noosphere is a term used by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin to describe a “mindsphere” surrounding our planet. In these short 5-7 minute videos, they explore the eight core conditions that have given rise to the emergence of the noosphere across five major stages of human development (Paleolithic; Neolithic; Classical; Modern; Future). As we deepen our understanding of this noosphere we begin to discover a collective sense of meaning and purpose that will help us address our global challenges.
The Story of the Noosphere, is hosted by Brian Thomas Swimme and produced by Human Energy Project. Human Energy was founded to share a new scientific and cosmic story introducing the Noosphere as a source of meaning for future generations in our globalizing world. The project addresses the challenges of unprecedented technological and social change which, together with the scientific picture of an aimless universe, have created a crisis of orientation.
Humankind is experiencing a cosmic transition as we continue to interconnect technologically and cross-culturally. Together we are forming the Noosphere, a shared sphere of culture, technology, and thought weaving human beings into a mindful global envelope, even a new form of life as a superorganism. This process has existential and world-historical significance for all of us.
Throughout this series, we explore the conditions that gave rise to the noosphere:
1. Heredity
The transfer of genetic and cultural information from parents to offspring, generation to generation.
2. Tools
Instruments and technological devices that aids in accomplishing tasks.
3. Self-Consciousness
Conscious of one’s own acts or states as belonging to or originating in oneself : aware of oneself as an individual.
4. Communication
A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.
5. Population
A body of persons or individuals having a quality or characteristic in common, the total of particles at a particular energy level.
6. Trade
To exchange (something) for something else, typically as a commercial transaction.
7. Cerebralization
The developing capacity of a species to form an idea, mental image or understanding something
8. Convergence
To come together and unite in a common interest or focus.
As a word, “noosphere” is a loose synonym for three different meanings: the history and destiny of Homo sapiens; an emerging planetary nervous system, an emerging superorganism. Throughout this series, we explore the conditions that gave rise to the noosphere across five different stages of humanity.
• Paleolithic (300,000 – 11,000 years ago)
• Neolithic (11,000 years ago – 3,000 BCE)
• Classical (3,000 BCE – 1400 CE)
• Modern (1,400 CE – present)
• Future