Since the founding of Rock Creek Institute the dangers we face have multiplied. Meaning and the quest for a good life in community with others have largely been replaced by stuff. Ennui and lack of agency prevail. The results are wars, escalating conflicts, potentially catastrophic soil and biodiversity loss, unprecedented wealth and poverty, an intensifying climate emergency, food and water insecurity, poor governance, the testing of democracies, worry over AI, and new hurdles around separating misinformation and delusion from reality—a polycrisis that many see as existential. 

Some believe that the health of the Earth’s natural systems and human health and wellbeing are inseparable, while others hold firm to the gospel of unlimited growth and predestined progress. We are at a unique time in human history—an inflection point—where two Grand Narratives for organizing society are in a tug-of-war for our collective future.

This figure is accurate and drawn to scale. The Long Dash Dot Dot Population Scenario is consistent with the current UN High population estimates and the Light Grey Dash Population Scenario is consistent with the current UN Low range population estimates (https://population.un.org/dataportal/). These scenarios are not based on an integrated model and simply assume high and low growth rates extrapolated from current data. The Grey Dot Population Scenario is consistent with the “Business as Usual” population estimate of the integrated World3 Model, Meadows et al.1972. It results in a population crash from exceeding carrying capacity limits. The Dash Dot Population Scenario is consistent with the “Too Little Too Late” population estimate from the Earth4All Model, Dixson Declève et al. 2022. It also, ultimately, results in a population crash. The Pink Dash Population Scenario is consistent with the “Great Leap” population estimate from the Earth4All Model, Dixson Declève et al. 2022. It is the only estimate presented that is consistent with the path of becoming Wise Ancestors by avoiding extinction or a population crash by supporting anticipatory, slow and democratic population reduction.

The Dominant Grand Narrative is exploitative, blinkered, and unimaginably resilient to reform. Despite the best intentions, efforts to transform it from inside tend to re-produce the status quo. The Grand Narrative of Wise Ancestors celebrates life and emphasizes acting with deep insight, hindsight, foresight, humility, compassion, and vision to advance wellbeing for all. Simply put, it prioritizes the wellbeing of people and the planet over profit. It is tailor-made to unchain humanity’s better angels, by creating the conditions for good to arise.

In the face of tremendous uncertainty and the immense pressure of existential risk, becoming Wise Ancestors requires developing new skills around attention, critical reasoning, systems thinking, social learning, cooperation, leadership, and decision-making with an unflappable, brutally honest assessment of the state of the planet to forge a better, sustainable future for all life.

Let’s pull together to become Wise Ancestors. The legacy of our species rests on which Grand Narrative triumphs.