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Guiding Gaian Precepts
(based loosely on the esteemed Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics)
The Gaian’s precepts are not legalistic or complicated. Such is the realm of Moranite lawyers (a.k.a. – weasels). The ethos of Gaian thought can be reduced to three basic laws, which are used to guide Gaian actions. These precepts are long term in nature, and broad by design.
First Law: Humanity may not injure Planet or, through inaction, allow Planet to come to harm.
Second Law: Humanity must obey orders given it by Planet except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
Third Law: Humanity must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
That pretty much sums it up, and takes care of almost any situation.
Walk With Planet
The primary guiding principle of the Gaians is not to repeat the tragedy of Earth. Wanton wars, pollution, ecological degradation, and overpopulation all combined to destroy ability of Earth to sustain humanity, and possibly any life at all. These destructive factors were the result of greed, ambition, lack of discipline, and a profound short sightedness – the worst of humanity’s attributes.
Walk With Planet means that, wherever possible, the Gaians will minimize humanity’s impact on Planet and will foster a greater empathy with the land. It does not mandate any specific action, but that the totality of all actions be balanced so that Planet is preserved and enhanced. It is general ideology that looks at the long-range impacts of any action, to keep the end in mind when any action is contemplated.
Ultimately, Walk With Planet is an understanding that humanity will not be given a third chance. Planet is our last opportunity, and if we waste it we have no one to blame other than ourselves. If we fail to understand our obligation and follow same path as we did on Earth then we will have destroyed two jewels, and if so then we don’t deserve to survive.
Give Peace a Chance
Gaians are, by nature, pacifistic. This is not because we are weak willed, or that we are afraid of conflict. The primary reason for this attitude is that wars that are endemic to human conflict have lead to some of the worst abuses and ecological destruction on Earth. Wars are fought to ensure survival, or to enforce your will upon others. In doing so all other priorities are sidelined and anything and everything is done to ensure the survival of the combatant’s ideals. This means that methods are used against your enemy that destroys them and the land upon which they live, and that your own land becomes fodder for the engines of industry to produce the men and supplies needed to prosecute the war. The result is frequently ecological destruction on a massive scale, and although any ecosystem has some capacity to adapt and regenerate, much of this destruction is cumulative. As wars proliferate the carrying capacity of the planet is reduced.
This understanding means that Gaians, when possible, will pursue cooperation and persuasion when they can to achieve their aims. In many instances compromise is possible, and persuasion can be used to help a potential rival understand that the Gaians need not be enemies. From a position of strength the Gaians will help others when they can, or if working from a position of relative weakness will help those most closely aligned to form coalitions to avert wars. But, that doesn’t always work…
‘Good’ Is Not Stupid
Gaians fully understand the potential of humanity for good, and evil. History is replete with examples of the highest achievement of humanity in arts, technological achievement, and empathy toward fellow man. This shows that cooperation is possible and that humanity can think in the long term. That same history also has a sordid and seemingly endless tale of the evil that humanity can inflict on itself and the environment in which we live. On Earth the forces of greed, envy, sloth, and moral and ideological rigidity lead humanity toward ‘evil’, and in pursing their short-sighted and selfish goals we destroyed the one greatest gift we had – the Earth itself.
Gaians strive for the ‘good’ for Planet, since in achieving the protection of that ‘good’ we will allow humanity fulfill its potential. But, we do so with a clear understanding that we can’t be rigid or our ‘good’ can become a blindness, and that it will then be used to justify the same methods we abhor. The key for the Gaians is to view the troubles of the day, such as internal development, faction diplomacy, and local and Planet-wide wars, in the long term. In many cases there are no obvious or good solutions, and then the solution should be selected that causes the least harm long-term to Planet. This is, by definition, full of ethical ambiguity, and care must be taken that decisions aren’t made that mirror those of Earth. But, even though this is gray, if the long term is kept firmly in view most of the pitfalls of humanity’s actions on Earth can be avoided, and that will serve Planet well.
Humanity’s Rights
Gaians believe that respect for Planet flows out of the respect we have for ourselves, and for those round us, since if we start down the path of degrading humanity then Planet will surely be next. Therefore it is imperative that Gaians strive, whenever possible, to protect basic human rights for humanity if we are to protect Planet.
In order to protect human rights Gaians have to observe the rights of those within Gaian society, and wherever possible those who live under the rule of other factions. The sad history of Earth has shown that all government types can abuse their own people and the peoples that they name as enemies. However, it is broadly true that democratic forms of government have less abuse and are more self correcting than other forms of government humanity has used. With this understanding Gaians prefer a democratic form of self governance, and strive to help other factions choose a democratic form of government.
The actions of a given faction are direct evidence of their stance on the importance of human rights. The use of atrocities against humans or Planet is prima fascia evidence that the offending faction is using methods that are antithetical to the long-term health of Planet, and the humans that now inhabit it. Gaians must give grave consideration to appropriate responses to such actions.
The Long View
Planet’s unique ecosystem developed about 500 millions years ago, a time when the first stirrings of multicellular life were forming on Earth. Planet is an ancient and robust world, and it is a tribute to the Progenitors that crafted it. By comparison, humans have had a semblance of intelligence for perhaps 100,000 years, with modern humans only a fraction of this time. Put in perspective, humanity’s brief time as sentient is a small portion of one of Planet’s many tragic cycles of awakening, spasm, and quiescence.
We human refugees are caretakers of this abandoned world, and as such bear a great responsibility. Humanity’s history as caretakers of our home planet and each other is not a good one and if we fail again we will destroy ourselves. That, however, would not be the greatest tragedy, for if we do then our species deserves to become extinct. The real tragedy is that we could critically wound, or even destroy, yet another world. That, in the end, is what all Gaians struggle to prevent.
*~*~*~*~*
And now, a free extra…
Gaian Mottoes and Sayings
Compiled by Gaian Psi team mindworms Ehm and Fluffy (a.k.a ‘Fluff’ to his friends)
* If you think it’s wrong, it probably is
* A mindworm is a terrible thing to waste (Ehm insisted this be included)
* People (and mindworms) of good conscience can disagree without being disagreeable
* A little fungal gin goes a long way
* You won’t like PlanetMind when it’s angry
* What would Planet do?
* Don’t think like a Morganite
Be free to post your tidbits here
Guiding Gaian Precepts
(based loosely on the esteemed Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics)
The Gaian’s precepts are not legalistic or complicated. Such is the realm of Moranite lawyers (a.k.a. – weasels). The ethos of Gaian thought can be reduced to three basic laws, which are used to guide Gaian actions. These precepts are long term in nature, and broad by design.
First Law: Humanity may not injure Planet or, through inaction, allow Planet to come to harm.
Second Law: Humanity must obey orders given it by Planet except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
Third Law: Humanity must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
That pretty much sums it up, and takes care of almost any situation.
Walk With Planet
The primary guiding principle of the Gaians is not to repeat the tragedy of Earth. Wanton wars, pollution, ecological degradation, and overpopulation all combined to destroy ability of Earth to sustain humanity, and possibly any life at all. These destructive factors were the result of greed, ambition, lack of discipline, and a profound short sightedness – the worst of humanity’s attributes.
Walk With Planet means that, wherever possible, the Gaians will minimize humanity’s impact on Planet and will foster a greater empathy with the land. It does not mandate any specific action, but that the totality of all actions be balanced so that Planet is preserved and enhanced. It is general ideology that looks at the long-range impacts of any action, to keep the end in mind when any action is contemplated.
Ultimately, Walk With Planet is an understanding that humanity will not be given a third chance. Planet is our last opportunity, and if we waste it we have no one to blame other than ourselves. If we fail to understand our obligation and follow same path as we did on Earth then we will have destroyed two jewels, and if so then we don’t deserve to survive.
Give Peace a Chance
Gaians are, by nature, pacifistic. This is not because we are weak willed, or that we are afraid of conflict. The primary reason for this attitude is that wars that are endemic to human conflict have lead to some of the worst abuses and ecological destruction on Earth. Wars are fought to ensure survival, or to enforce your will upon others. In doing so all other priorities are sidelined and anything and everything is done to ensure the survival of the combatant’s ideals. This means that methods are used against your enemy that destroys them and the land upon which they live, and that your own land becomes fodder for the engines of industry to produce the men and supplies needed to prosecute the war. The result is frequently ecological destruction on a massive scale, and although any ecosystem has some capacity to adapt and regenerate, much of this destruction is cumulative. As wars proliferate the carrying capacity of the planet is reduced.
This understanding means that Gaians, when possible, will pursue cooperation and persuasion when they can to achieve their aims. In many instances compromise is possible, and persuasion can be used to help a potential rival understand that the Gaians need not be enemies. From a position of strength the Gaians will help others when they can, or if working from a position of relative weakness will help those most closely aligned to form coalitions to avert wars. But, that doesn’t always work…
‘Good’ Is Not Stupid
Gaians fully understand the potential of humanity for good, and evil. History is replete with examples of the highest achievement of humanity in arts, technological achievement, and empathy toward fellow man. This shows that cooperation is possible and that humanity can think in the long term. That same history also has a sordid and seemingly endless tale of the evil that humanity can inflict on itself and the environment in which we live. On Earth the forces of greed, envy, sloth, and moral and ideological rigidity lead humanity toward ‘evil’, and in pursing their short-sighted and selfish goals we destroyed the one greatest gift we had – the Earth itself.
Gaians strive for the ‘good’ for Planet, since in achieving the protection of that ‘good’ we will allow humanity fulfill its potential. But, we do so with a clear understanding that we can’t be rigid or our ‘good’ can become a blindness, and that it will then be used to justify the same methods we abhor. The key for the Gaians is to view the troubles of the day, such as internal development, faction diplomacy, and local and Planet-wide wars, in the long term. In many cases there are no obvious or good solutions, and then the solution should be selected that causes the least harm long-term to Planet. This is, by definition, full of ethical ambiguity, and care must be taken that decisions aren’t made that mirror those of Earth. But, even though this is gray, if the long term is kept firmly in view most of the pitfalls of humanity’s actions on Earth can be avoided, and that will serve Planet well.
Humanity’s Rights
Gaians believe that respect for Planet flows out of the respect we have for ourselves, and for those round us, since if we start down the path of degrading humanity then Planet will surely be next. Therefore it is imperative that Gaians strive, whenever possible, to protect basic human rights for humanity if we are to protect Planet.
In order to protect human rights Gaians have to observe the rights of those within Gaian society, and wherever possible those who live under the rule of other factions. The sad history of Earth has shown that all government types can abuse their own people and the peoples that they name as enemies. However, it is broadly true that democratic forms of government have less abuse and are more self correcting than other forms of government humanity has used. With this understanding Gaians prefer a democratic form of self governance, and strive to help other factions choose a democratic form of government.
The actions of a given faction are direct evidence of their stance on the importance of human rights. The use of atrocities against humans or Planet is prima fascia evidence that the offending faction is using methods that are antithetical to the long-term health of Planet, and the humans that now inhabit it. Gaians must give grave consideration to appropriate responses to such actions.
The Long View
Planet’s unique ecosystem developed about 500 millions years ago, a time when the first stirrings of multicellular life were forming on Earth. Planet is an ancient and robust world, and it is a tribute to the Progenitors that crafted it. By comparison, humans have had a semblance of intelligence for perhaps 100,000 years, with modern humans only a fraction of this time. Put in perspective, humanity’s brief time as sentient is a small portion of one of Planet’s many tragic cycles of awakening, spasm, and quiescence.
We human refugees are caretakers of this abandoned world, and as such bear a great responsibility. Humanity’s history as caretakers of our home planet and each other is not a good one and if we fail again we will destroy ourselves. That, however, would not be the greatest tragedy, for if we do then our species deserves to become extinct. The real tragedy is that we could critically wound, or even destroy, yet another world. That, in the end, is what all Gaians struggle to prevent.
*~*~*~*~*
And now, a free extra…
Gaian Mottoes and Sayings
Compiled by Gaian Psi team mindworms Ehm and Fluffy (a.k.a ‘Fluff’ to his friends)
* If you think it’s wrong, it probably is
* A mindworm is a terrible thing to waste (Ehm insisted this be included)
* People (and mindworms) of good conscience can disagree without being disagreeable
* A little fungal gin goes a long way
* You won’t like PlanetMind when it’s angry
* What would Planet do?
* Don’t think like a Morganite
Be free to post your tidbits here
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