Abandoning the Protection of Nature is the Death of Our Society's Immune System.

I often repeat in my materials a thought that seems paradoxical: we don't need to protect nature — we need to protect ourselves, the people.

Those who think more broadly and systematically should think about how to protect the whole society, all of us, from the foolishness of some people, part of this very society.

It's this: protect people from people!

In reality, there's no paradox. The police protect society from criminals. They protect people from people.

An ideal state (in theory!) should function in the interests of the whole society, all people.

But we live in a far from ideal world! And in this real world, to speak of an “ideal state” is about the same as talking about “ideal health” or a “perfectly functioning organism”: of course, it would be nice! It's a pity, though, that no one has ever seen such an ideal.

For me, it's easiest to talk about the relationship between society and the state in terms of ecology. In terms of complex systems. This is not even an attempt to draw an analogy or simplify or make more vivid what I am talking about. Quite the contrary! This is practical essence, which many, unfortunately, do not understand.

All this is complex biological systems!

Society and the structures of government and power within it are a complex biological system.

Just as the “external” natural environment is not some “external environment,” but an integral complex biological system. Like a matryoshka, for the simplicity of understanding: one system is embedded in another system, and they are both part of an even higher-level system.

I even apologize to my readers who now say: “So why are you chewing these kindergarten-level questions for us? Why are you feeding us this intellectual porridge? Do you think we're idiots?!”

Alas, but that is precisely the problem!

We, as a society as a whole, are indeed idiots, unable to forecast the future and understand the consequences of our actions!

Society is idiotic! Otherwise, how can you deliberately destroy your own habitat and ignore the consequences? I'm not talking about individuals, I'm talking about the overwhelming processes inside the unified organism of society.

It sounds harsh. It sounds cynical and rude, but it's true: our society as a whole is idiotic!

Let's consider a simple scheme:

— Society — this is all people together;

— State — this is a small part of society, constituting the legal (legitimate) authority and carrying out management functions over society.

I'm giving my short definition of concepts because no universal definitions exist. The word “state” has more definitions than the word “love.” One might speak of a love for fried potatoes, and another of love for children or country. Yet it's just one word.

Based on the only correct, in my opinion, understanding of the state as part of the social system, any conflict between society and the state is a dangerous disease. In extreme forms, such a sick society is affected by revolutions or civil wars. Something no one needs even close!

I have always written that any social activity is always about building connections in society. It is always about seeking mutual understanding. I mean constructive social activity.

Alas and alack, even this now needs clarification!

— We need to clarify “constructive social activity,” something that not so long ago was implied: no “destructive” social activity existed nor could exist by definition.

— We need to clarify “natural ecological system” because the attractive phrase “ecological system” is now applied to anything.

— We need to clarify the degree of “scientificness” of scientific data we refer to: scientific institutes are impartial only in an ideal world. In reality, scientific research is simply sold.

Doesn't it seem that our society has gone mad?!

For me, for example, the rule: “Smoking at a gas station (GS) is prohibited” is unambiguous and not subject to repeal or revision. However, we are now told at the state level: “Of course, smoking at GS is strictly prohibited, but for business development and for Chinese tourists, we will make an exception. They will be allowed not only to smoke at GS but also to set up grills and barbecue.”

The last reserves are being developed as tourist zones. What was unthinkable yesterday is being legalized. At the highest state level. How so?

There are two problems:

— On one hand, both government agencies and (especially!) business structures are solely addressing today's issues. Money here and now. Budget deficit replenishment at any cost here and now. There is simply no strategy!

— On the other hand, the connections in society are destroyed. Central authorities do not receive objective information from regional officials. Scientific expert assessment is not considered. The authorities do not hear people or public organizations. For a very short time, through active engagement in social media and direct appeals to governmental bodies, we managed to draw the attention of the authorities to at least the most critical problems. We managed to break through the information blockade and restore the severed connections. But, it seems, the tightening control over the internet cuts off all connections completely. At least until we can find new channels of communication with the government.

We, our public request, are such an immune system of society, just like the immune system of any living organism or any complex natural ecological system.

And now, such an immune system of our society is dying before our eyes.

And this is a misfortune for both ordinary people and the state. This is a COMMON problem! And it needs to be solved from both sides: both from the side of state officials to reach out to society and from the side of ordinary citizens to continue attempts to build dialogue with officials. There is no other way to succeed! This is a unified society, a single coherent system!

I am not talking only about the problems of our country. The problem is the same in all countries — the internet as a space of free communication is over. And now this is the most critical issue. Until we find ways to discuss environmental problems in society and to raise these problems before the government, we cannot solve any of them.

And yes, there is a solution! This is also one of the systemic principles of any complex system. We just don't know this solution yet — technological changes in society are happening too quickly. And we need to find this solution as soon as possible!

© PAVEL PASHKOV