The ascent of the anthropostrome: A point of view on the man-made environment

The anthropostrome is used to denote the collective constructs of human artifacts and is characterized by repetitive geometrical moduli, centralized energetic cyclons, and constrictive restraints to functional freedom of both human and non-human elements. This unified, self-perpetuating, man-made environment is a high-level integrative structure where organism-like features are developing while ocosystem-like features persist. Due to pervasive integration, urban-industrial men generally fail to perceive the colonial nature of the autonomous unit which produced them Direct contacts with the world outside the anthropostrome are scare, and most information and sensory experience are supplied by the anthropostrome itself In spite of temporary or localized regressions, the global trend is apparently toward growth of the total anthropostrome Expansion of urban systems will presumably be accelerated until environmental degradation and resource shortages act as natural constraints The need for containment of the anthropostrome’s growth and for control of its swift noogentic development while avoiding injury to men is possibly the next challenge to man’s evolutionary potential