The world is not just limited to human society. The foundational layers of the world are like the principles behind a TV show’s plot — they are unknowable. Is it external? Is it internal? Matter? Consciousness? Tao? Nature? God? Each has its own conjectures.
I currently recommend the “energy-first principle” as a possible explanation.
Some people frequently quote this scripture: “The world is material; matter is in motion; motion follows certain laws.”
So, what laws? Which sect’s dogma are we following?
I propose the Law of Conservation of Energy. Energy is conserved; it is neither created nor destroyed, neither increases nor decreases, and there is no distinction between good or bad, clean or dirty. It only transforms or transfers. The transformation or transfer of energy implies the change and motion of matter.
When energy transforms into a less easily accessible form, it is called consumption. Therefore, what we’re really running out of isn’t resources; it’s our knowledge and technology of how to use energy.
Secondarily, the laws of thermodynamics are critical. The universe will never be the lively, action-packed place depicted in star wars or sci-fi space operas; it is destined to be extremely lonely. Earth is a rare exception. If we go too far in pursuing size, speed, and strength, what will the consequences be?
Liu Cixin (author of The Three-Body Problem) is wrong. Viewing the universe as a gladiatorial arena and assuming that the environment chooses the strong rather than the adaptable is a mistake. Human technology should be focused on the precise and efficient use of energy, not on expanding into the cosmos. There’s no real harm in that.
Energy is neither created nor destroyed. There is no such thing as “consumption” in the traditional sense, and no, it cannot spontaneously emerge out of nothing. This implies there is a speed limit for spaceships — probably the speed of light (or the idea that light speed is constant may actually be a result of the energy conservation law, indicating that the speed of matter’s movement has an upper limit). It also suggests that biological energy has limits, and the number of humans will have an upper limit — roughly 9 billion, after which a negative growth phase will begin. The foundation of the Three-Body Problem is flawed, and the character Thanos in Avengers is just a product of overly dramatic thinking.
The Fallacy of Resource Scarcity in the Three-Body Problem, Thanos, and the Olympics The Three-Body Problem, Thanos, and the Olympics — these concepts have deeply permeated people's minds. Many still believe in the jungle mentality where they must fight over resources with the gangster leaders. But if they understood the law of energy conservation, they would realize that “consumption” isn’t a real issue. If we learn to use energy with precision, through electricity and semiconductors, our lives would inevitably improve, and we wouldn’t need to thank figures like Liu Bang and other opportunistic leaders.
Energy is conserved: it neither increases nor decreases, and there’s no such thing as consumption. We need to learn to use energy more precisely, especially through electricity and semiconductors, to truly improve our lives.
The Universe’s Limits and the Impossibility of Infinite Growth Energy is conserved. It neither disappears nor materializes from thin air. It does not grow exponentially. Spacecraft will never exceed the speed of light, and humanity’s population is bound to hit an upper limit, likely around 9 billion, before experiencing negative growth. As it is, China is already aging before it has fully prospered.
Looking ahead, as global modernization continues, we may find that not only large families but even small families might become a rarity. The future might consist of individuals who are replaceable components within a larger system — a world where AI robots take over, potentially leaving human beings behind in the solar system and its vicinity. These AI robots might still "plant flags" across the stars, but their presence would ultimately be meaningless.
One day, I was chatting with my son. I asked him, “Is the sky blue?” I posed the question, “Imagine an alien, like Superman, with ultraviolet or infrared vision — would the sky still look blue to him?” The sky, in reality, has no color. Without eyes capable of seeing it, the vast and beautiful universe is meaningless — a waste of space. We should question the meaning of the universe, not just the meaning of life.
In the Diamond Sutra, there’s a verse praising the eye of life, the eye of self-awareness. Ordinary creatures can appreciate beauty, but only those with self-awareness can truly marvel at it.
Human Society: From Evolution to Regression Today’s human societies are more reliant on standardized ideologies than ever before. There has been no real evolution; instead, there’s been a regression. For example, I’ve never seen anyone seriously question the logic of The Three-Body Problem or Thanos' reasoning. It seems that if something becomes popular, it must be right.
But how can there be "consumption" when energy is conserved? After all, life itself is a form of energy. It’s impossible for life to spontaneously generate in endless quantities, just as the speed of spacecraft or the energy of biological organisms must have upper limits. Similarly, why is there such anxiety about an alleged lack of resources, or why do people fear that their leaders are not ruthless enough? Is it really necessary to be so worried?
Our shortage is not one of energy, but one of new knowledge and technology about how to use energy. Standardized ideologies and a monotonous culture are detrimental to innovation. People focus too much on how the world turns, but fail to realize that science and technology are what will make life better, not politics or economics.
The Futility of Infinite Expansion and the Meaning of Evolution Biological evolution doesn’t have a fixed direction — what people call "evolution" might actually be a form of regression. Natural selection doesn't favor the strong; it favors the adaptable. Evolutionary theory is flawed. Darwinism is often incorrectly applied to human society, but the so-called “social Darwinism” is a misguided interpretation. I believe the idea of historical progress is rooted in monotheistic religions, where people expect a “happy ending” because God is all-knowing and benevolent.
This "progress" is not universal. The environment doesn’t select for the strongest; it selects for those most able to adapt. If regression is more beneficial for adaptation, then those who regress will be the ones to survive. So, competition isn’t about who is stronger or more advanced; it’s about who can adjust better to changing circumstances.
The Limitations of Modernization and Its Unforeseen Consequences Modernization is not a necessary outcome of society's development. It’s more of an accidental mutation, and it’s not entirely positive. If we only focus on the material comforts of modern life, we may miss the broader picture — that this rapid progress is mainly driven by modern commercial systems that provide goods at scale, making consumer life more comfortable. This is due to advancements in energy precision, like the use of electricity and semiconductors.
But modernization also brings its own problems. The era of standardization and industrialization, like in Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin, leads to a monotonous, repetitive life where people become replaceable parts of the machine. In the long run, this might not be an entirely good thing. The ecological collapse looms, and we must acknowledge that this doesn’t stem solely from technological advancement or economic growth, but from the rapid and unchecked pursuit of efficiency at the cost of the environment.
The Real Issue: Energy Usage, Not Growth We must focus on the precise use of energy, not the endless pursuit of more — faster, bigger, or stronger. The real wealth comes from how well we can use energy, not from merely extracting or exploiting it. As technology improves, energy that was once difficult to harness will become easier to manage. Shale oil is a prime example of this.
However, true advancement lies not in exploiting resources, but in improving our technological ability to precisely use energy — through quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and nuclear fusion. These developments are already happening and represent a promising future. So, there’s no need to panic; the future is about precision, not expansion.
Conclusion: The Deeper Questions
Society is not based on principles of evolution or competition; it is grounded in the economy and credit. The political and economic systems function on a foundation of belief — belief in the value of what they’ve built. However, most people fail to realize that these systems are not inherently just or perfect. We are all part of a larger, often incoherent social construct, and innovation thrives in an environment that questions the status quo.
Ultimately, as humanity’s dependence on society grows, we may become increasingly unable to live independently. Whether in the West or the East, these systems are founded on ideas that promote survival but not necessarily progress. The energy we need to use more efficiently is not one of scarcity, but one of better utilization. If we learn to master the tools of our time, the future could be one of real prosperity. It’s time to move beyond the limitations of our past ideologies and focus on what truly matters — precision, innovation, and the sustainable use of energy.