Michael Jacob , Parham Pourdavood

A study of human social systems at planetary scale examines whether our technology, economy, culture, and flows of information are component-processes in a unified, living system. Through a biological lens of structure, function, and geographic mapping of social systems, we consider this total human ecosystem from evolutionary and developmental principles. The health of this system depends on its capacity for preservation and innovation, that is, beyond mere survival. We focus on how principles of evolvability are utilized by planetary-scale systems for innovation and plasticity. Information and communication technologies irreversibly interconnect humanity: the preservation of this socio-technological niche, and further innovation thereof, could facilitate a major evolutionary transition from ecosystem to organism. Here, we explore how this principle of evolvability underpins the One Health of the total human ecosystem, as a resilient, planetary-scale human organism.