In Isaac Asimov’s seminal science fiction space opera series, Foundation, he introduces the concept of psychohistory. Psychohistory is a fictional science which leverages history, sociology, and mathematical statistics to make general predictions about the future behavior of very large (trillions) human populations, such as that of the Galactic Empire.

Elon Musk cites the Foundation series as one of his biggest influences. In collaboration with the Arch Mission Foundation, SpaceX even launched the Foundation Trilogy, encoded in a “5D quartz laser storage device” into space, with Starman in the driver’s seat of a Tesla roadster.

As we enter the 2020s, it feels like the end of the PAX Americana and the Bretton Woods world. Demographic collapses, planetary boundaries, nuclear Armageddon, runaway artificial intelligence, genetic/biological weapons, and pandemics all threaten the survival of our species.

Generational Theory, also known as Strauss-Howe generational theory, posits that every 20-25 years, recurring generational personas/archetypes emerge, unleashing a new era (turning) embodying a cyclical social, political, cultural, and economic climate. These “turnings” line up with the following generations.

1. Baby Boomers (born 1943-1960)
   Age of the (American) High (1st Turning - 1946-1964)
   Archetype: Prophet (Idealist)

2. Generation X (born 1961-1981)
   Age of Awakening (2nd Turning - 1964-1984)
   Archetype: Nomad (Reactive)

3. Millenials (born 1982-2004)
   Age of Unraveling (3rd Turning - 1984-2007)
   Archetype: Hero (Civic)

4. Generation Z (born 2005-2025)
   Age of Crisis (4th Turning - 2008-??)
   Archetype: Artist (Adaptive)

In 1997, Strauss and Howe published a book on this topic.

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” -Mark Twain

It sounds a bit like psychohistory. Now, in psychohistory, there’s is the problem of unpredictable, or Black Swan, events.

Recently, a friend sent me an episode of the Soberish podcast. In it, Jessa Reed describes a visionary dream she had on the morning of 9/11.

The aliens in her dream told her:

First, dichotomies would dissolve. Then, there are three groups of people that will bring in the new world:

1. The Arsenal - destroying the old world. The “SJW crowd” that cannabalistically eat the old world (and themselves).

2. The Image Setters - creating the new world. The artists and creator economy.

3. The Repair - healers, new Medicine people, oracles.

Now, I realize the insanity of citing a reference from a meth-dream described by a woman who woke up on 9/11 “with a dick in her mouth.” However, this is a useful frame to understand the archetypal role to play in this Age of Crisis.

There are plenty of people eager to burn and plenty of people image setting. However, this is a time for Medicine… to heal through this Fourth Turning.