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The ProSocial World Paradigm: How Anthropology, Indigenous Wisdom, and the Evolved Nest Could Save Our Societies

by Mitchell Ryan Distin, PhD January 23, 2025

(Published in the online magazine This View of Life on Jan. 23, 2025) In 1859, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species forever changed how we understand the natural world—and our place …

January 23, 2025 0 comments

Scientist & Writer

Howdy fellow friend of the Homo genus! Welcome to my blog/mind. Enter at your own peril! I'm Mitchell Ryan Distin PhD—Evolutionary biologist, historian and philosopher of science, social architect, aspiring writer and shitty poet, 1-figure entrepreneur, professional globetrotter, and occasional rabble-rouser on behalf of our beleaguered planet. Professionally speaking, I am a research fellow and co-organizer of the Multilevel Selection Initiative at the nonprofit Prosocial World, as well as the CEO/Director of The New People Foundation—a new 501-3(c) nonprofit ThinkTank where we try to solve modern problems by mixing evolutionary science with a dash of Indigenous wisdom. Want to connect? Email me at [email protected]—unless you’re a Russian spam bot, in which case, buzz right off, Putin.

The New People Foundation is a brand spankin' new 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to solve big problems by doing something radical: combining the sharp edges of science with the deep roots of Indigenous wisdom. Why? Because modern solutions alone are like trying to fix a leaky boat with duct tape—they might work for a minute, but you’re still going to get soaking wet. Here, we believe in the interdependence of all Life and sustainable solutions—because, spoiler alert: we only have one planet. There ain't no planet B, Elon. Whether it’s teaching, researching, or rolling up our sleeves for hands-on projects, we’re here to prove that progress doesn’t mean conquering Nature—it means finally learning to live with her without screwing everything up. Our vision? It's still a work in progress, but it goes something like this: a future where humanity stops throwing tantrums at Mother Earth and starts acting like the responsible, self-proclaimed "wise" species we keep pretending to be (Homo sapien = latin for "the wise human"). So, if you're ready to stop playing with fire and start building a better world, come join us. Together, we can evolve a future worth bragging about and finally live up to our name.