Exploring Dataverses and Metaverses: Echoes of Indigenous Wisdom
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After a period of contemplation following a severe battle with breast cancer, I feel called by Gaia to re-engage with my work. New international projects and opportunities for collaboration have emerged.
There are partners to work with, students to guide, masterclasses to deliver, and cluster economies to develop, all aimed at reconnecting humanity with nature.
Nature holds the solutions to our most pressing challenges. As a human species, recognizing our identity allows us to thrive on this planet. We can adapt to its surprises and redesign our environments to ensure a safe and comfortable future for generations to come.
Since learning to listen to the Earth’s stories around 2011-2013, Gaia has been my guiding force, inspiring my writing and actions. With over 600 stories published, I am now eager to amplify her message.
My mission is to advocate for Gaia, sharing insights on designing improved human systems—creating cities that can withstand diseases like malaria, and fostering rural areas that produce healthy landscapes for food and resources.
This narrative addresses dataverses and metaverses, as well as the role of digital 3D design in architecture. Our designs will prioritize health in both buildings and infrastructures, alongside education in essential 21st-century skills.
I plan to share these narratives across my preferred platforms, unless an alternative publication piques my interest. However, my loyalty remains with my current editors.
Age of Awareness. Better Marketing. Blue Insights. Change Your Mind, Change Your Life. Climate Conscious. DataDriven Investor. Globetrotters. Heart Revolution. Illumination Curated. Know Thyself, Heal Thyself. Literary Impulse. Living Out Loud. Predict. Publishous. Regenerate the Future. The Apeiron Blog. The Creative Cafe. The Startup. The Writing Cooperative. Tiny Life Moments. Unpopular Opinions. Weeds and Wildflowers. Wild Women Writers
Let’s observe who engages with this message and who is receptive to it. I don’t pressure; I draw people in through intention.
I follow Gaia’s flow, which has been my path since 2011-2013. The planet spins at approximately 1670 kilometers per hour—can you grasp that speed? That’s about 1038 miles per hour!
In response to a request from my reader Astoria Bob, I will write about our great-great-great-granddaughter, Merlinda, who lives in the year 2222. Humans will still exist, but how will they thrive in that future?
Do you write science fiction? Tag me; I want to know!
Let’s dive into the connection between dataverses, metaverses, and indigenous songlines, and why it’s significant.
The concept is straightforward: we navigate a complex world guided by common sense and our conscience.
Although the path may be slow and challenging, comfort is not our ultimate goal. We have been gifted an extraordinary experience, and we must cherish it before it's time to depart.
“Just do right.” — Maya Angelou
Insights from Paul Baran, 1962
What’s the deal with modern technology, you may wonder? Let’s clarify some concepts. Paul Baran’s theories from 1962 regarding information technology provide a foundational view.
Information represents a flow that can manifest in various patterns.
On the left, we see traditional companies like Facebook or Amazon, which often operate with linear business models, leading to excessive waste and pollution.
Modern, ethical companies strive for a different approach.
In the center, we have our governments, which are decentralized across countries, states, provinces, and municipalities. A common issue is the tendency to delegate responsibilities while retaining control at higher levels.
Our current systems are often top-down, with leaders who may overlook the ongoing changes.
They operate globally to locally, while we work locally to globally.
They approach from the outside-in, while we focus on the inside-out.
They employ top-down strategies, while we embrace bottom-up methods.
On the right is a structure resembling bamboo roots or rhizomes, which are currently reshaping our world.
Rhizomes (representing distributed and individual power) and rivers (indicating flows) illustrate the potential for designing fully distributed systems in this digital age.
Of course, we must create the intersections for these flows!
We cannot simply present a data pool without guidance. Systemic designers are essential in dataverse and metaverse projects to define our collective vision.
That WHAT should always align with being humanly fair and environmentally sound.
Does this still sound straightforward?
Excellent! If not, feel free to pose questions in the comments. I’m happy to elaborate if needed.
Defining Dataverses and Metaverses
Let’s clarify some terminology: what exactly are dataverses and metaverses?
A database is merely a collection of data.
However, when data is distributed across intersections (as seen in Baran’s right-side illustration), we create a dataverse with designated nodes, facilitating information flow to various directions.
Key questions include:
- What are we creating and why? What is our overarching goal?
- What are the nodes? What information do we need to achieve our objectives?
When designed effectively, AI embodies a dataverse. Numerous designs exist, but follow my colleagues, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz and the tech-savvy individuals at Illumination and similar platforms, for deeper insights.
Want an example of an ESG dataverse? ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance.
We’re currently designing a cluster economy in Greece focused on local communities and the sea. We integrate satellite data with human observations, citizen science, and tourism, engaging young students.
What about metaverses?
In essence, dataverses handle data flows and information.
However, if transactions (agreements) and monetary exchanges are involved, a metaverse is necessary. Ethereum is a prominent community if you wish to delve deeper. They recently accomplished The Merge, drastically reducing energy consumption by adopting a fully distributed model, shifting from mining cryptocurrencies to farming them.
Is this solely about business models? Absolutely not! This encompasses governance, equitable voting systems, local post-industrial production, and all areas of human advancement.
Let’s ensure our designs are rooted in common sense!
We require a world that is both humanly fair and environmentally sound, adaptable to the planet’s surprises.
Just yesterday, I mentioned Gaia creating new volcanoes…
Indigenous Songlines
What Paul Baran envisioned in 1962 was recognized by indigenous cultures long before. In Australia, these are known as songlines, and my Australian friend Dr. John Frederick Rose is actively designing AI Songlines. Although he doesn’t frequently write about them—like many of us, he enjoys poetry and Zen gardens—his focus is on AI Songlines.
Feel free to seek his perspective; he’s willing to share his knowledge. Indigenous peoples should be central to new systems, asserting their roles and being respected.
We are the elders, and the younger generation will craft their world in their unique ways. Normal citizens will easily adapt to new tools and design their individual layers.
In the initial design phase, ESG must bring practical wisdom and experience to the table. With my 58th birthday approaching and having faced life-threatening challenges last year, I aim to assist citizens and professionals in their design endeavors.
Don’t hesitate to ask your questions, dear young friends!
No question is foolish, and I will always respond…
Education and Inspiration
Meanwhile, my work in education and inspiration continues. I strive to make this accessible. Together with numerous changemakers, we design cities, rural landscapes, dataverses, and metaverses.
I’ll share insights about Mike’s and my digital nomad business model. If you’re interested in joining our vibrant community of learners and doers, feel free to explore our website.
We’ve established an Abundance 4 ALL YouTube channel for inspiration, featuring our own explanations and a collection of videos that have motivated us, which may inspire you too.
Among them is Maya Angelou’s video, The Power of Words. She has been a significant influence in my life!
I’m also available on LinkedIn for my professional systemic design endeavors. Please don’t hesitate to connect and ask questions publicly, allowing others to benefit from the answers. My goal is to promote education and inspiration on social media—nothing more!
I’m currently focused on tangible projects related to olive oil production and sustainable energy models, along with seaweed initiatives like the ESG dataverse mentioned earlier. Just yesterday, I received another request for bamboo projects...
I am passionate about it!
Wishing you all success in creating a better world than what we currently have.
And remember to enjoy life with your feet in the sea and your hands in the soil. Gaia possesses all the answers, and if we listen attentively, she will guide our species toward safety and prosperity.
I am a systemic designer, a (digital) nomad, a social and environmental change-maker, and a coach for impactful leaders and lifelong learners. Stay connected through our website Abundanism.com.
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Thank you, Gaia, for inspiring my Wild Writing © Désirée Driesenaar, 2023