In a world where change occurs rapidly and unexpectedly, it is natural for us humans to seek security. We want control, stability and predictability. But when we focus too much on creating a sense of security by eliminating variation, we can create uncertainty on a larger, more global level. What starts as a simple desire to build a stable and predictable system can quickly develop into a fragile network, vulnerable to the natural fluctuations of both ecosystems and societies. And while the security we create for ourselves feels secure in the short term, it can actually lead to systemic collapse in the long term.
To address this, we need new ways of thinking.
We need creativity and innovation that not only aims to create more control, but that is in tune with both natural ecosystems and the sociological needs of us humans. By understanding the value of variation, and learning to live in it instead of trying to eliminate it, we can create long-term security – both for ourselves and for the planet.
The systems we build to create security – but at what cost?
It’s easy to understand why we seek to create stability in our lives. Using technology, innovation and systematic planning, we seek to eliminate the natural fluctuations that exist in both nature and our lives. In agriculture, for example, we have created methods to ensure more predictable harvests, often with the help of machinery and artificial fertilizers. Modern food production means that we can have food all year round, regardless of the weather or season, and we no longer see the variation in our diets in the same way as before. A burger tastes the same every time, coffee is always the same, whether it’s winter or summer.
The same thinking applies to many of our other systems. We build cities, communities and industries that are designed to meet our immediate needs, often without considering the long-term effects on nature and ecosystems. By chasing this uniformity, the security we get from the predictability and constancy of everything, we risk breaking the natural cycles that support us, which in turn leads to uncertainty in the world.
But the security we create by eliminating variation is not sustainable in the long term. We lose biodiversity, we deplete the soil, and we consume resources that we simply cannot replace. When we strive to “control” nature to suit our needs, we build systems that are vulnerable and at risk of collapse when the variation becomes too great to handle.
Creativity as a path to innovation in harmony with nature
To meet these challenges and create a more sustainable system, we need to rethink and use creativity in a new way. Creativity is not just about coming up with new ideas, but also about challenging old ways of thinking and being willing to question what we see as norms and “safety.” Instead of trying to master and control nature through uniformity, we must use creativity to find solutions that are adapted to natural variation.
It is about creating innovations that work in harmony with our ecosystems, rather than trying to transform nature to suit our needs. This could be by developing agricultural techniques that promote biodiversity, by creating cities that are more adapted to the natural fluctuations of weather and climate, or by developing products and services that not only meet our needs, but also take into account the ecological and sociological impacts in the long term.
One of the greatest challenges lies in understanding why variation is important. Variation is not only a natural part of the world, it is a fundamental condition for life and development. When we try to eliminate variation and create uniformity, we create a false sense of security that cannot be sustained in the long term.
The Value of Variety – A New Understanding of Security
It is easy to think that security comes from being able to predict and control every aspect of our lives, but real security lies in understanding and accepting that the world is complex and full of variation. If we can learn to adapt to natural cycles, rather than trying to eliminate them, we can create a more sustainable and stable system in the long term.
For example, if we ate food in line with the changing seasons, we would not only reduce our impact on nature, but also create a more diverse and nutritious diet. We would rediscover the joy of variety and gain a deeper understanding of how we are part of natural cycles. This understanding can spread to other areas of our lives, from how we build our cities to how we manage our resources and products.
When we live in harmony with nature’s variation, we are not only more sustainable, but we also create a system that is more resilient to change. Instead of creating systems that collapse quickly as the world changes, we can build solutions that are flexible and adaptable – and that is where creativity and innovation play a crucial role.
Long-term global security through variation
If we can embrace variation, if we can understand that there is no single reason why things happen and that we must live with that uncertainty rather than try to eliminate it, we can create a more sustainable and just world. It is not about eliminating variation or controlling every aspect of our lives, but about building a global system that can manage variation in a way that benefits both people and the planet.
For every change that occurs on a global scale, there is no single cause. Every system and every event is the result of many different factors that influence each other in ways that we cannot always predict. Even if we truly understand all the parts of a system, it does not mean that we understand the whole system, because we live in a world where cause and effect are not linear. By accepting this complexity and variation, we can build a system and create human values that are sustainable and can handle changes in the future.
Creativity, innovation, and an understanding of the value of variation are the keys to creating long-term security. By working in harmony with nature and the sociological needs that exist, rather than trying to eliminate variation, we can build a global system that is not only sustainable but also just – a system where security comes not from controlling, but from understanding and adapting to the world in which we live.
