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Prof. Pierre Lvy, FRSC, CRC

CULTURAL EVOLUTION

Toward the 4th Renaissance...


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Five invention stages, or

layers , in human history

Paleolithic from 300 000 Neolithic from 10 000 Classic from 800 Modern from + 1500 Contemporary from + 2000


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Understanding Cultural Evolution

Every stage contains and assumes thepreceding.

A major invention is never un-invented Each actual cognitive-social-cultural form is an

original mix / reinterpretation of basic majorinventions.

Cultural evolution is continuous, non-linear andsurprising.


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Symbolic Cognition

Symbols transformedby massively distributed nano-

automata. Digital medium.

Symbols reproducedand transmitted by industrial

machines. Printing press, electronic media.

Small group ofcipheredsymbols. Alphabets, money, indian

numerals, I-Ching...

Permanentsymbols manipulated by static tools. Writing

systems. Transientsymbols manipulated by biological human functions

and first tools. Spoken language, music, danse, images...


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KnowledgeMathematical experimental techno-sciences of culture

(symbolic cognition). Reflexive collective intelligence. Mathematical experimental techno-sciences of (material)

nature. Emergence of human pre-sciences from

decomposition of philosophy and theology. Open questionning. Universal horizon. Knowledge deduced

from first principles (demonstration). Metaphysics.

Emergence of rational cosmology and natural pre-sciences. Art of interpretation (texts, oracles...). Sacred arts.

Literature. Systematic written knowledge: mathematics,

astrology, alchemy, medicine, architecture...Oral knowledge embedded in myths, rituals, tools.


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SchoolSocial pedagogy. Life-long open collaborative learning.

Distributed, interconnected and reflexive research on

human sciences. Knowledge commons institutions. Mass pedagogy. National history, literature and arts.

Adaptation to the needs of industry and nation-state.

Learning of natural sciences. State institutions. Elite universalist pedagogy. Critical thinking. Meditation on

virtues. Study of classics. Theologico-political training.Grammar, dialectic, rhetoric. Academic, monastic, clericalinstitutions. Cast pedagogy. Repetitive scholarly exercices. Strict

discipline. Computing, writing, reading, understanding,

wisdom. primary school. Temple institutions. Emotional and social intelligence. Identification, imitation,

habits.


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Economy

Knowledge economy. Researchers,innovators and learners in stigmergic

communication Industry. Engineers, blue collars

Monetary economy. Merchants,

craftsmenAgriculture. Shepherds, farmers.

Direct predation. Hunters, gatherers

Capital: Reproduction source Work: Service to the source


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Political frameworkHypermedia, transparent, global public sphere. Network ofinnovative mega-cities. Legitimation by collective

intelligence. Power of creative civilized conversations. Homogeneous public sphere. Modern democracies. Human

rights. Legitimation by people and ideology. Totalitarianism.

National power.Magistrates, civil administrators. Citizenship. Classic

democracy / republic. Aristocratic legitimation. Great

empires. Power of literati. King-priests. Palace-temples. Calendars, history. Frontiers,

districts. Tribunals. Divine legitimation. Power of scribes. Families and clans. Chiefs. Power of wariors and shamans.


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DominationSurveillance and real-time management of multivariatecomplex human networks. Influence. Recycling of dissidence

and diversity. Authoritarian mandatory institutions for all the people:

schools, factories, armies, hospitals, camps. One-way media

and mass propaganda. Homogenized people. Universal pretense. Colonization. Large scale slavery.

Homogenized elites.Armed bureaucracy. Taxes. Forced sedentariness. Serfdom.

Nomad warrior organization. Razzia, abduction.


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ReligionConvergence of traditions. Creative syncretism.

Religious symbols and rituals understood as

traditional mind-guiding tools.

Personal salvation. Symbolization of sacrifice.

Non-idolatry. Universalism. Alphabetic sacred

texts. From prophets to sages, saints and monks Temples. Complex calendars. Theology. Priests.

Oracles. Divination. Hermeneutics. Heroic archetypes. Initiation. Ritual. Sacrifice.

Ancestors cult. Shamans.

Non-mediated understanding of sacred texts and

relation with divinity. Worldly historical

salvation. Materialist ideologies.


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Evolution of the Mediasphere (From 2000) Ubiquity, interconnection and automaticmanipulation of symbols. Massively distributed social

computing. Knowledge economy.(From1500) Massive mechanical reproduction

distribution of messages. New languages (movies, etc.)

Progress of scientific notations. Industrial economy.

(From 1000) Universalization and digitalization of

writing reduced to + / 30 signs. Notation of numbers

by position, zero. Money, trade.(From 3000) Autonomous technical memory of language.Ideographic signs. Arithmetics, measurement units.

Agriculture, livestock breeding.(From 300 000) myths, rites, oral transmission.

Direct predation.

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