Abstract
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
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References Cited
Bateson, G., 1972, Steps to an ecology of mind; San Francisco, Chandler, 512 p.
Beklemishev, W. N., 1969, Principles of comparative anatomy of invertebrates, vol. 1, Promorphology: Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 490 p.
Boulding, K. E., 1978a, Ecodynamics. A new theory of social evolution: Beverly Hills, Sage Publications, 368 p.
—, 1978b. Sociobiology or biosociology?in Boulding, K. E., M. Grene, G. Holton, D. L. Hull, P. L. Van Den Berghe, S. L. Washburn, and E. O. Wilson, Sociobiology and human nature: London, Jossey-Bass Publ., p. 52–71.
Boyden, S., 1977, L’étude écologique intégré des établissements humains: Impact Sci. Soc., v. 29, p. 173–184.
Burnet, F. M., 1971, “Self-recognition” in colonial marine forms and flowering plants in relation to the evolution of immunity. Nature, 232, p. 230–235.
Cardwell, D. S. L., 1972, Technology, Science and History; London, Heinemann, 317 p
Durkheim, E., 1964, The rules of sociological method: New York, The Free Press, 318 p.
Ellul, J., 1964, The technological society: New York, Random House, 449 p
—, 1977, Le système technicien: Paris, Calmann-Lévi, 361 p.
Galbraith, J. K., 1979, The nature of mass poverty: Cambridge, Mass., Harvard Univ. Press, 117 p.
Gould, S. J., 1980a, The promise of paleobiology as a nomothetic, evolutionary discipline: Paleobiology, v. 6, p 96–118.
—, 1980b, Is a new and general theory of evolution emerging?: Paleobiology, v. 6, p. 119–130.
Grassé, P. P., 1973, L’evolution du vivant—Matériaux pour une nouvelle théorie transformiste: Paris, Albin Michel, 400 p.
— 1978, Biologie moléculaire, mutagenèse et évolution: Paris, Masson, 218 p.
Hamilton, E., 1930, The Greek way to Western civilization: New York, Norton and Co., 254 p.
Hirsch, F., 1977, Social limits to growth: London, Routledge and Kegan Paul, 208 p.
Keynes, J. M., 1932, Essays in persuasion: New York, Harcourt, 315 p.
Marcucci, M., and P. Passerini, 1980, Science, technology, weapons, and duration of the species. Impact Sci. Soc., v. 31, p. 33–36.
Monod, J., 1971, Chance and necessity: An essay on the natural philosophy of modern biology: New York, Knopf, 180 p.
Muller, H. J., 1953, The uses of the past. Profiles of former societies: New York, Oxford Univ. Press, 394 p
Mumford, L., 1967. The myth of the machine: Techniques in human development: New York, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich.
Odum, H. T, 1980, Energy, economy and environmental Hierarchy: Troisièmes Assises Internationales de l’Environment, Conference 5, Paris, Pre-print.
Passerini, P., 1978, Knowledge and entropy—An evolutionary outlook: Catastrophist Geol., v. 3, p. 16–28.
Reich, C. A., 1970, The greening of American: New York, Random House, 433 p.
Roszak, T., 1973, Where the wasteland ends. Politics and transcendence in postindustrial society: New York, Doubleday, 451 p.
Sagan, C., O. B. Toon, and J. B. Pollack, 1979, Anthropogenic albedo changes and the earth’s climate. Science, v. 206, 21 December p. 1363–1368.
Theodor, J. L., 1970, Disjunction between “self” and “non self” in lower invertebrates: Nature, v. 227, p. 690–692.
Washburn, S. L., 1978, Animal behavior and social anthropology,in Boulding, K. E., M. Grene, G. Holton, D. L. Hull, D. L. Van Den Berghe, S. L. Washburn, and E. O. Wilson, Sociobiology and Human Nature: London, Jossey-Bass Publ., p. 72–90.
Wilson, E. O., 1975, Sociobiology, the new synthesis: Cambridge, Mass., Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press, 690 p.
Winner, L., 1977, Autonomous technology: Technics out-of control as a theme in political thought: Cambridge and London, The MIT Press, 386 p.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Passerini, P. The ascent of the anthropostrome: A point of view on the man-made environment. Environ. Geol. Water Sci 6, 211–221 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509929
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02509929