Planetary Realism

2 days ago

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The article explores the concept of 'Being-on-a-Planet' through the lens of Planetary Realism, emphasizing Earth's complexity beyond just a 'whole' to a system of interconnected spheres.
Key spheres discussed include the Lithosphere (Earth's crust and geological history), Biosphere (global ecosystems), Atmosphere (protective gaseous layer), Technosphere (human-made technological systems), and Noosphere (sphere of human thought and knowledge).
Planetary Realism advocates for sensory scaffolds—tools in art, science, and technology—to perceive and interact with Earth's processes that are beyond immediate human perception.
The Technosphere is highlighted as having its own agency, with examples like Starlink satellites showing how human exclusion zones operate independently of direct human intervention.
The Noosphere is presented as the sphere of planetary cognition, where human and machine intelligence contribute to Earth's self-awareness, with emerging discussions on Planetary Sapience and the role of AI.
The article concludes with a vision for the future where interdisciplinary collaboration enhances planetary awareness, leading to policy and infrastructural interventions based on sensory scaffolds.

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