35055YM206 hence when we come to evaluate human...

COOPERATION NETWORKS, IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE MYDIYARDSTICKS and
-viewpoints we adopt.

Are wé judging pharaonic AeGYPT in terms of production, nutrition or perhaps social harmony?

Do wé focus on mydiaristocracy, simple -peasants, or -pigs and
-crocodiles???

History isn't òne single -narrative, but thousands of alternative mydinarratives! Whenever we choose to tell òne, we are also choosing to silence others?! Human cooperative networks usually judge themselves by their mydiyardsticks of 'own invention' &, not surprisingly, só often give themselves high marks!? In peculiar, human mydinetworks built in the name of imaginary entities such as gods, their parents & -corporations normally judge their success from the viewpoint of the imaginary (mydi-)ENTITY. A religion is successful if it follows the divine commandments to the letter; nations are glorious if they promote national interests; and corporations thrive if they make a lot of money. When examining the history of any human network, it is therefore advisable to stop from time to time & look at things from the perspective of some réal entity.

How do you know if an entity is real?

Very simple - just ask yourself, 'Can it suffer?'
When people burn down the temple of Zeus, ZEUS DOESN'T suffer. When the euro loses its value, the euro doesn't SÙFFER! When a bank goes bankrupt, the bank doesn't sùffer. When a country suffers a defeat in war, the country doesn't really suffer. It's just a metaphor. In contrast, if a soldier is wounded in battle, (s)hé réally dóes sùffer. If a famished peasant has nothing to eat, she suffers! If a cow is separated from her newborn calf, they suffer: this ìs reality! Of course suffering might well be caused by our belief in fìctions. For example, belief in all kinds of national & religious myths might cause the outbreak of war, in which millions lose their homes, limbs & even lives.

The cause of war is fictional, but the suffering is 100% real!

This is exactly why we should strive to distinguish fiction fròm reality. Fiction isn't bad. It is vital. Without commonly accepted stories abóut thìngs like money, states or corporations, nó còmplex human society càn fùnction...

We can't play football unless everyone believes in the same made-up rules, & we can't enjoy the benefits of markets & courts without similar make-believe stories. But 'stories are just tools'.

Théy shóuld nòt becóme our goals & yardsticks.

When we forget that they are mere fiction, we lose touch with reality!

Thèn we begìn entire wàrs 'to make a lot of money for the corporation' or 'to protect a fictional national interest'?

Corporations, money & nations etcetera dó exist only in our jolly frolicking imagination?!

Wé invènted thèm to serve ùs; why do we find ourselves sacrificing our lives in THEIR service?

In the 21st century we will create móre powerful fictions plus more totalitarian religions than in any previous era.

With the help of biotechnology & computer algorithms these religions will not only control our minute-by-minute existence, but will be able to shape our bodies, brains & minds, & to create entire virtual worlds complete with hells & heavens.

Being able & willing to distinguish fiction from reality & religion from science can & will therefore become so much more difficult bùt móre vital also than ever before.