SOS #63    J. Morris Hicks    (7-21-20)  
4 Reasons for HOPE re Scientists' Warnings
In Chapter Four of Outcry, we summarize the conclusions of nine "big picture" scientists. What do I mean by "big picture?" I mean those scientists who step outside their primary specialties in drawing conclusions regarding much broader issues that affect our future as a species.


If you have read our book, you know that their collective conclusions do not bode well for our future. So why do I remain optimistic? Because I know of at least...

Four reasons why they might be wrong

Listed below are four variables that may end up working in our favor when it comes to our longterm survival as a species. Some of the scientists may be knowledgeable on one or two of these variables, but I suspect that none are up-to-speed on all four. 

For that reason, I believe that it is quite possible that they have drawn the wrong conclusions about our ultimate demise as a species. Here are those  four variables that may help us most in our quest to survive: 

1. The Protein Myth.   I am fairly sure that more than half of those scientists have little appreciation for what a global shift to plant-based eating by all humans would do for the health of our biosphere -- not to mention our physical health as individuals. It seems that many of the scientists in Chapter Four seem to buy into the  protein myth  about our ill-perceived need  to consume animal-based foods in order to be healthy. And because of that myth --  a host of incredibly powerful, plant-based solutions to the world's most serious health, hunger and sustainability crises never even make it to the table for consideration.
 
2. Systemic Change.  The concept of widespread systemic change in the way we live and the tremendous positive impact it could have on our long-term survival. Well-intentioned actions by individuals may help buy some time -- but those independent, uncoordinated actions won't bring about widespread systemic change to the harmful, wasteful and grossly unsustainable system in which we are living.  This variable could be a game changer, particularly with the assistance of the next variable. 
 
3. AI.  The potential of well-leveraged artificial intelligence to assist us in developing sustainability solutions that far exceed our collective imaginations in 2020. This could be another game-changer in the way we go about solving extremely complex problems quickly and efficiently. 
 
4.  Superior Leadership. This is perhaps the most powerful variable of all. As a former corporate executive, process improvement consultant and founder of an executive search firm, I applaud Dr. Deming's conclusions about the three keys to solving our most daunting problems. As he told my former colleague Bill Conway over three decades ago:

We must have three things, Bill:
#1 Leadership. #2 Leadership. #3 Leadership


As for the nine scientists , let's imagine that all of them were extremely well-versed in these four critical variables --all of which could play a key role in our ultra-sustainable way of life in the future: the Protein Myth, Systemic Change, AI  and Leadership . If that were the case, I would like to think that they might ALL agree that we still have a fighting chance to survive as a species.

As for Dr. Deming, I met him in May of 1990 in Washington, DC -- and shared a personal anecdote about that meeting in SOS Memo #55. After scolding me a bit in public that day, he calmly suggested to me in writing:  Keep on learning. Study optimization of a system.

And that's exactly what I have been trying to do for the past thirty years. By simply leveraging the four variables above, we could soon be living incredibly enjoyable, meaningful and satisfying lives that nature might be capable of sustaining indefinitely. 

Oh sure, we'll have to give up some habits that we've been enjoying for the past few hundred years -- but we will replace them with an overall superior way of living. 


The Bottom Line. Collectively, I believe that we are capable of creating a virtual paradise on Earth for all humans -- but we are running out of time. 

I truly believe that we have the wherewithal to create a system of green living that can work in perpetual harmony with nature.  In our book, Outcry, we describe a vision of how we might begin to move from today's highly inefficient way of living to a sustainable paradise for all humans. 

Please get the book, share it with others and help spark the global conversation on this most crucial of all topics: our future as a species.


J. Morris (Jim) Hicks

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PS: While it may sound self-serving, we sincerely believe that the more people who read Outcry -- the more people will be talking about our sustainability dilemma that we all face together. And as soon as that conversation becomes widespread enough and loud enough -- we can be well on our way to learning how to live in harmony with nature indefinitely.

To help jumpstart the essential global conversation that I keep mentioning, I am now offering to conduct  Zoom conferences free of charge to any group of six or more people.  I look  forward  to Zooming with you and your group in the near future. Shoot me an email and let's get started.

In preparation for those sessions, I have developed a one-hour format consisting of an opening statement followed by a slide show, discussion and Q&A with the attendees. The sessions that you organize will be far more interesting and productive if attendees have read Outcry in advance.

Our book, for a host of environmental reasons, is  only available as an e-book on Amazon . As such, it contains hyperlinks to hundreds of references and videos, is less expensive, does not kill any trees and does not have to be manufactured and delivered. 

You can join my mailing list and/or find all of my previous postings by visiting the SOS Memos page on my website Here are a few of them where you can see how my vision has evolved since that first "creative idea" on 9-21-18:

As always, I am just trying to spark a global conversation about what is needed. By sharing a vision of what I believe is possible, I hope to influence others to think bigger, better and bolder. 
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As for speaking, I continue to search for mainstream audiences who may have an interest in learning more about a realistically hopeful vision for our future - and their role in making that vision come true.

In the months ahead, I will continue to focus on the urgent need for a totally reinvented greening of our civilization - beginning with a model in the USA that could be applied globally over the next fifty years. 

Upcoming talks : There are lots of open dates on my calendar as my next scheduled public talk is  at Camp Plant-Stock in Black Mountain, NC, on August 15, a "live" week-end affair that has been converted into an online, virtual event instead.

As for the specifics of my topic, I invite you to  contact me directly  about how I might tailor my presentation to best suit an audience you may have in mind: 

Universities,  churches,  think-tanks, legislative bodies, environmental  organizations, alumni associations, leadership clubs, PTA's, family, neighbors  and/or civic groups who may appreciate a message of reality and hope for our future. 

Please let me hear from you directly regarding any ideas or questions you may have.

What else can you do to help? Three things:

1. Live as greenly as possible while doing all that you can to raise the awareness of "big picture" solutions that are crucially necessary for saving our civilization.

2. Share this BSB and my  "Mama Ain't Happy" BSB with prominent journalists, thought leaders and/or elected officials whom you respect. They need to learn a lot more about the many reasons why  Mama ain't happy.

3. Here are a few more GRATOLA-related blogs that you can share with your most powerful friends, leaders, journalists and movie producers.



Click here for links  to all blogs and SOS Memos since 2016

Until next time, just remember...

Humanity is on a collision course with Nature.
A damaged Nature will survive. We may not.
We must change course to avert an ecological disaster.

This SOS Memo series was created by:

J. Morris (Jim) Hicks 
CEO, 4Leaf Global, LLC

I welcome your feedback and/or questions at:  jmh@4leafglobal.com

In the past two years, I have spoken at a  VegFest in
Fort Myers, at  vsh.org  in Honolulu and Kahului, Maui, the   College of the Holy Cross  in Worcester, MA, a  Plant Powered Manhattan  event in New York, at a lakeside health conference in  South Haven, Michigan, in Buffalo, NY, at the University of Scranton, at Dr.  Fuhrman's  Golden Gate Health Getaway  in California and at the Healthy World Sedona Health and Sustainability Conference in AZ.

To schedule a presentation at a venue near you, please contact me at   jmh@4leafglobal.com


Promoting health, hope and harmony on planet Earth

Moonglow J. Morris Hicks

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