The Anthropolis Manifesto is a response to what has in fact manifested from the American settlers' Manifest Destiny —a term used to describe their belief in a divinely ordained mission to redeem the world through the spread of a human centric ideology. Beliefs that would prove contrary to science and reason and ultimately become an existential threat to creation. The authors of Project 2025 intend to perpetuate this narrative of American exceptionalism, but fail to acknowledge that the real opposition they face is in response to the hubris of man’s proclaimed dominion over nature and disregard for ecological law. Proof of divine intervention to their mandate is evident not at the ballot box, but in the form of raging fires, storms, and rising sea levels. It is a universal truth that those who advocate for what is unsustainable are destined to manifest their own destruction—and set in motion our planets sixth mass extinction.
The colonial claims of cultural supremacy have been an illusion, made evident by the actions of cultures which lost sight of their connection to the natural world and commonality within their own species. Those who appeared on the shores of foreign lands—occupied by indigenous peoples living sustainable lives—had arrived because their own culture was built on generations of conflict and had failed to evolve to a level of subsistence living provided by the bounty of the lands within their own borders. Although those conquered may have been intrigued by the fancy ships and attire of their oppressors, they had little reason to respect those who prioritize conquest over collaboration and force their beliefs upon others at the end of a musket. Imagine what the world would be like today had those seeking riches had returned home with knowledge of sustainable practices acquired from the wisdom of countless cultures—instead of gold and slaves.
It is the emphasis on competition and conquest that has built the infrastructure of corporate cringe in which we are embedded, environments that deprive us of simple community-based living and exposure to the ecological cues from which our DNA evolved. The dog-eat-dog mentality of colonialism and capitalism is the cause of our collapsing global ecosystem and diminished biodiversity. The narrative of capitalism being the best and only option for society has long been touted by those who most benefit from it. So successful has been the suppression by the demagogue and his sycophants of any attempt at change to the system that serves them that we dare not utter an alternative "ism." It is time we reclaim our agency from those incapable of seeing the forest through the bars from within the cage which confines us all. Those who lack empathy and vision for human evolution and instead choose to perpetuate that which is destroying not just us, but the global ecosystem in its entirety.
The claim of human dominion over Mother Nature is being debunked by the accelerating decline of the artificial world created with good intentions, as well as hubris and naiveté. The brash choices of our industrial adolescence set in motion our dependence on systems that break the laws of ecology, which need to be followed for sustainable evolution. The continuation of our species now hinges on our acknowledgment of this reality and our collective will to demand an alternative.
The mission
The Anthropolis mission is to present alternative solutions for human problems and question the ones created through belief in American exceptionalism by the Titans of Industry during our industrial adolescence. To initiate an honest evaluation of the successes and failures of all cultures, past and present, for the creation of eclectic, universal formulas which serves all humanity — directed by 3.8 billion years of ecological R&D. By leveraging current anthropological knowledge and advanced scientific technology, we can demonstrate that sustainable living is closely tied to the inherent human experience, irrespective of cultural differences. In a world facing dwindling natural resources and biodiversity loss, we have the responsibility to revolutionize societal and industrial structures by shifting from a competitive profit-driven economy to one meeting universal human needs through collaboration guided by ecological wisdom.
Anthropolis rejects the notion of the suburban model as the pinnacle of human habitiation. Created to benefit the fossil fuel industry, leading to the great acceleration and the rise of corporations—and their government influence—which now control literally every aspect of our lives. Anthropolis presents communities built on true anthropological needs of connection and support for each other in natural settings, in contrast to being subjected to ill-conceived environments dominated by unnecessary modes of transport and the parking lots, streets, roads, and stroads built to support their use. The Apropolis model clearly defines and illustrates truly functional communities that offer the ability to acquire all your needs within walking distance from your home, as opposed to navigating on slabs of asphalt in a device 500 times your own mass to meet friends and family, get groceries, or find a trailhead.
The fossil fuel industry has, for too long, perpetuated a false narrative about the need for their products and the consequential societal and environmental impacts, even going against the findings of the scientists they hired for research. As a result of their relentless pursuit of profit and overreaching government influence, they have pumped 2.3 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and squandered billions of tons of precious natural resources to create unnecessary products and infrastructure that could have been used more purposefully for community development. They have, with great success, used psychologically manipulative tactics to exploit our vulnerabilities with disregard for true anthropological needs and ecological outcomes.
At Anthropolis, our faith is in the sciences of anthropology and ecology above that of politics for developing solutions to the problems of our ethos. Ethical politicians, at this stage of the game, can only shroud ecological and environmental policy behind economic promises, while the unethical use diversion tactics to redirect blame away from their corporate financiers. However, none are willing or able to outright admit that the monster that is the perpetual growth model is leading us toward self-destruction. To attain or retain power, they must draw attention away from the failing matrix they are indebted to defend.
Anthropolis seeks to collaborate with any and all who possess the will, desire, or means to participate in the development of environments which serve true anthropological needs based on an understanding and respect for ecological realities. It takes a village to save the world.
Process:
Phase 1: The Industrial Revolution progress report.
Discuss the repercussions of corporate pursuit for profit above that of equality. Highlight the detrimental effects of anthropocentrism and ecological disregard by prominent figures in industry, past and present. Address the risks associated with individualism, machismo, and nuclear armament in our technological and ecological ethos. Emphasize the importance of establishing a balance of the masculine and feminine in the processes of governance.
State the importance of leveraging collective human knowledge for designing and implementing industry and infrastructure. Call out by name the "titans" who failed to conduct necessary scientific due diligence regarding the long term consequences of their products. Justifiable shame for those in the past creates incentive for those in the present to consider their legacy.
Consider the Eco Directive while evaluating the pros and cons of time spent in a car, on screens, and in the suburbs in comparison to time spent with face-to-face interactions in walkable communities and physical activity in nature.
Accept that the exponential growth model in pursuit of GDP is a catastrophic failure which requires a systemic design overhaul and will not be solved with band-aid solutions.
Phase 2: Define and propose the Ecological Revolution.
Promote widespread rejection of numerous systems established in the Industrial Revolution which are inadequate in meeting fundamental human requirements and are contributing to human conflict and environmental deterioration. Establish the need for industry focused on housing, community, and sustainability, characterized by the same level of commitment seen during the “great acceleration” era.
Advocate for Culture Fusion by establishing an international think tank to explore equitable and sustainable aspects of human culture, both historical and contemporary, and amalgamating them for innovative solutions. Celebrate cultural diversity and shape a universal culture through the utility of humanity's combined knowledge.
Collaborate with experts in anthropology, ecology, biomimicry, etc., to differentiate genuine human needs from harmful desires. Raise awareness of manipulative advertising tactics that promote unnecessary consumption.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of suburban living and nuclear family structures compared to historical communal living in villages with shared resources. Consider anthropological group sizes for community development.
Prioritize child development and intergenerational socialization by fostering collaborative group activities and creating communal spaces that strengthen bonds.
Reduce corporate influence to encourage diverse styles that reflect the collective identity within individual villages.
Design autonomous communities where residents actively participate in development and maintenance, promoting communal ownership and shared resources. Encourage product libraries, repair shops, and recycling facilities to reduce personal ownership and waste.
Focus on creating sustainable infrastructure that enhances human experiences while respecting ecological principles.
Promote alternative modes of transportation within villages, such as bikes and e-bikes, while storing cars on the outskirts for inter-village travel. Develop supportive infrastructure for non-motorized and human assist transportation.
Restore wildlife migration routes and a sense of connection and adventure by removing roads, fences, and walls between villages.
Implement greenhouses and living roofs for indigenous food production within and around villages. Seek wisdom from indigenous communities and their ancestors for sustainable practices.
Eliminate the influence of the oil and gas sectors in politics. Hold them responsible for ignoring the scientific knowledge about the consequences of their activities, and require them to fund a new World's Fair that advocates for alternatives to the short-sighted and harmful model they promoted in the fair of 1939.
Produce a documentary illustrating a positive vision of a world if we had followed science and reason at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Emphasize the importance and rewards of transitioning to equitable, sustainable practices.
Repurpose industrial areas like the "rust belt" for manufacturing prefabricated homes and villages to address housing shortages and prepare for climate-induced migrations, leveraging geographical advantages for sustainable development.
Presenting viable alternatives of what could have been and what could be will prompt a shift in mindset, fostering a desire to nurture a sustainable and harmonious relationship between human behavior and the environment. By respecting ecological boundaries, our goal is to lay the foundation for a new industrial era that not only meets humanity's basic needs but also ensures ecological justice for all beings and our planet. Through a deep understanding of human needs and ecological limits, we can vividly depict appropriately sized self-sustaining communities that provide housing, food, employment, and entertainment for all residents equally. Communities and lifestyles envisioned as far more appealing than the profit-driven urban sprawl that currently dominates much of our landscape. By combining artificial and ecological intelligence as guiding principles, Anthropolis seeks to enhance our understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth and establish frameworks for responsible stewardship and the human experience nature intended.