Dr. Andrew Schmookler's ideas arose during the counterculture movement, sparked by a spontaneous vision in Golden Gate Park. That spark evolved into The Parable of the Tribes—a body of work that has crystallized over the last 50 years.

The Core Idea: The Parable suggests that Modernity was inevitable for any organism in any universe, and that humans created a system that breaks all the rules of evolution. In this interview, Dr. Schmookler walks us through this vision and explains why this message is so urgent today.

Much like the pivotal movements of the late 60s—from the Clean Air and Water Acts to the first warnings of climate change and the fight for civil rights—Dr. Schmookler’s work remains partially understood and ahead of its time.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The origins and evolution of The Parable of the Tribes.
• The intersection of evolution, social structure, and human nature.
• A unique 80-year perspective on how much the world can change.
• A reason for true optimism regarding our future.

I am honored to share this interview and this important work. I hope you enjoy the conversation with Dr. Andrew Schmookler.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Read the first chapter of The Parable of the Tribes
• Explore Dr. Schmookler’s extensive body of work

The 10,000 Year Problem

Ten thousand years ago, humans lived differently. Before the era of kings, borders, and ownership, we were cooperative and deeply connected. We had enough.

Then, something changed.

This podcast is an inquiry into that change. Was it inevitable? What was lost? And most importantly: can we get any of it back?

I'm Chris Burcher. Through conversations with scientists, thinkers, and those doing the hard work of imagining a new way forward, I'm exploring who we were, who we are, and who we want to be. This isn't about romanticizing the past—it's about understanding it so we can survive the present.

Subscribe now to join the journey.

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