"Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive."
Jamais Cascio
"Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive."
Jamais Cascio
Jamais Cascio, born on May 27, 1964, is a renowned futurist, author, and researcher known for his work on the intersections of technology, environment, and society. His quote, "Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive," offers a profound insight into how we can approach challenges in our increasingly complex world.
At its core, the quote contrasts two important concepts: resilience and sustainability. Sustainability is often discussed in terms of long-term survival—how systems, communities, or even the planet can endure over time without depleting resources or causing irreversible harm. It's about maintaining a balance and ensuring that we don't consume or destroy more than what can be replenished or healed.
Resilience, on the other hand, goes a step further. While sustainability aims for survival, resilience is about adaptability and growth in the face of unforeseen challenges. It’s not just about enduring hardship but about emerging stronger from it. Cascio highlights that resilience involves the ability to bounce back from disruptions, whether they are environmental, social, or economic, and continue to develop and progress.
The idea that "the goal of resilience is to thrive" emphasizes that resilience is proactive rather than just reactive. It’s not merely about returning to a previous state after a disruption but about evolving to meet new realities. Thriving implies growth, innovation, and the ability to harness challenges as opportunities for improvement.
In today’s world, where unpredictable events—ranging from natural disasters to economic crises—are increasingly common, Cascio’s distinction between sustainability and resilience is more relevant than ever. While sustainability remains essential for the long-term health of our societies and planet, resilience ensures that we can adapt to and overcome the unexpected, ultimately enabling us to not just survive but to flourish.
In conclusion, Jamais Cascio's quote encourages us to think beyond mere survival. It challenges us to build systems, communities, and individuals that are not just sustainable but resilient—capable of thriving in the face of uncertainty and change.