What Sloths Teach Us About the Superorganism

What Sloths Teach Us About the Superorganism

In this week's Frankly, Nate reflects on the multiple metaphors brought to mind via a single photograph, which depicts a sloth climbing a barbed wire fence in Costa Rica. Beyond evoking compassion for a species that's on the receiving end of human intervention into its ecosystem, the image raises larger ideas about the response of animals, including humans, to artificial cues and novel environments. Just as the sloth mistakes a fence post for the safety of a tree, modern humans mistake consumption, speed, and certainty for meaning.

Moving beyond just the image, Nate unpacks the word "sloth" itself as one of the original seven deadly sins, offering a reimagining of what today's seven moral failings might be in the context of a global economic superorganism. Apathy, righteousness, and anthropocentrism might be today's major vices, which each have consequences for the environment and our relationship to it.

Can we stand our ground locally against the global superorganism? How can we begin to reclaim agency and compassion – both for ourselves and the ecosystems we are inextricably a part of? Do our instincts no longer serve us in a world so rapidly and radically changed?

(Recorded October 13th, 2025)

Show Notes and More

Watch this video episode on YouTube

Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie.



---

Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future

Join our Substack newsletter

Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners

Jaksot(356)

The Human Superorganism - TGS Animated Series Preview

The Human Superorganism - TGS Animated Series Preview

The second part of The Great Simplification Animated Series is now available! Visit http://thegreatsimplification.com to view now.

9 Maalis 20222min

Paul Ehrlich: "Was the Population Bomb Defused?"

Paul Ehrlich: "Was the Population Bomb Defused?"

On this episode, we meet with Professor Emeritus of Population Studies at Stanford University and author of The Population Bomb, Paul Ehrlich. Ehrlich discusses what has happened with the human popu...

2 Maalis 20221h 16min

Peter Ward: "Oceans - What's the Worst that Can Happen?"

Peter Ward: "Oceans - What's the Worst that Can Happen?"

On this episode, we meet with author and paleobiologist Peter Ward. Ward helps us catalogue the various risks facing Earth's oceans, how the Atlantic Ocean's currents are slowing due to warming, what ...

23 Helmi 20221h 15min

Josh Farley: "The Past, Present, and Future of Human Cooperation"

Josh Farley: "The Past, Present, and Future of Human Cooperation"

On this episode we meet with ecological economist and Professor in Community Development & Applied Economics and Public Administration, Josh Farley.  Farley explores the importance of human cooperatio...

16 Helmi 20221h 16min

Energy Blind - TGS Animated Series Preview

Energy Blind - TGS Animated Series Preview

The first part of The Great Simplification's animated series is now available! Visit thegreatsimplification.com to view now.

9 Helmi 20221min

Herman Daly: "Toward an Ecological Economics"

Herman Daly: "Toward an Ecological Economics"

On this episode, we meet with ecological economist and professor emeritus at the University of Maryland, Herman Daly. Daly discusses the biophysical underpinnings of human economies, and how a social ...

2 Helmi 20221h 6min

Daniel Schmachtenberger: "Bend Not Break Part 1: Energy Blindness"

Daniel Schmachtenberger: "Bend Not Break Part 1: Energy Blindness"

On this episode we meet with founding member of The Consilience Project, Daniel Schmachtenberger. In the first of a five-part series, Nate and Daniel outline the macro risks and pathways for civilizat...

26 Tammi 20221h 33min

Chuck Watson: "From MAD to NUTS: Risk, Nukes, & Climate Change"

Chuck Watson: "From MAD to NUTS: Risk, Nukes, & Climate Change"

On this episode we meet with risk expert and consultant, Chuck Watson. Watson analyzes the types of risk we face in the modern world - from climate change to nuclear arms - and how the decisions of e...

19 Tammi 20221h 26min

Suosittua kategoriassa Tiede

rss-mita-tulisi-tietaa
tiedekulma-podcast
rss-poliisin-mieli
utelias-mieli
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-laakaripodi
rss-opeklubi
rss-lihavuudesta-podcast
sotataidon-ytimessa
hippokrateen-vastaanotolla
rss-vaasan-yliopiston-podcastit
rss-ammamafia
rss-ylistys-elaimille