Competitive Exclusion Principle

The competitive exclusion principle is an ecological principle stating that when two competing life forms attempt to occupy the same niche, only one outcome is possible: One life form will drive out the other. If any members of the other remain, it is only because they have adapted, and are now living in a slightly different niche. The principle applies to all kinds of competitive agent, which includes both genetic and memetic life forms.

In particular, the competitive exclusion principle applies to the battle for niche succession that is going on right now between Homo sapiens (a genetic life form) and the modern corporation (a memetic life form). The niche is control of the biosphere. There can be only one winner. The loser will adapt by becoming the equivalent of a servant or slave to the winner. The analysis of A Model in Crisis argues that the modern corporation is very close to winning this epic battle on a global basis, and has already won it in some countries, such as the US. This makes them the New Dominant Life Form.

 

The Dueling Loops

The most popular page on the site by a factor of 3. This paper presents a simple model showing why activists have been unable to solve the sustainability problem, and an alternative solution strategy based on high leverage points.

The Phenomenon of Change Resistance

This is the key concept that starts people thwinking, and causes them to explore the rest of the site. The concept is subtle, but has the potential to change the sustainability problem from insolvable to solvable.

The Powell Memo

The most eye popping short read (7 pages) on the site, if you have never heard about it. The memo was written in 1971.

The Dueling Loops Videos

These average 8 minutes. They give a quick introduction to the Dueling Loops model and how it explains the tremendous change resistance to solving the sustainability problem.
 

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