Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
What is Anthro-complexity? What makes humans different? How can we respond with wisdom, at scale, to our entanglements? Welcoming polymathic thinker and renowned complexity practitioner Dave Snowden, in dialogue with Tim Adalin.
Dave's previous conversations on Voicecraft / Altered States Of Conversation:
"Civilisation, Science & Spirituality" youtu.be/uXvWQzGcNCo
"Artificial Intelligence & Human Reasoning" | Metacrisis vs Polycrisis" youtu.be/TrMZL55Nzl0
Access the shownotes & learn more about Voicecraft podcasts, events, courses and membership network @ voicecraft.io/content/e142-anthro-complexity-entanglement-wayshaping-and-addressing-existential-threat-w/-dave-snowden
Learn more about Dave and Cynefin @ thecynefin.co/team/dave-snowden
Find Dave's blog series on Anthro-complexity: thecynefin.co/anthro-complexity-1-3
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Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:10 What is anthro-complexity?
8:33 Entanglement, not relationship?
15:45 Orientation and the ancient debate that still structures how we think
23:05 Why workshops don't work (and what does)
34:30 You can't simplify a falcon into a pigeon (and have it still be a falcon)
45:25 Three dangers: appropriation, distraction, destruction
53:04 Who is this actually for?
57:30 Demes: the forgotten structure humans evolved to live in
1:04:55 Do we need new shamans?
1:42:50 Changing how decision-makers listen
1:55:00 The limits of dialogue and what comes next
Listen to the full outro song by Cantrips titled 'The Big Break' @ youtu.be/Qaj-stBL4W0
What is Anthro-complexity? What makes humans different? How can we respond with wisdom, at scale, to our entanglements? Welcoming polymathic thinker and renowned complexity practitioner Dave Snowden, in dialogue with Tim Adalin.
Dave's previous conversations on Voicecraft / Altered States Of Conversation:
"Civilisation, Science & Spirituality" youtu.be/uXvWQzGcNCo
"Artificial Intelligence & Human Reasoning" | Metacrisis vs Polycrisis" youtu.be/TrMZL55Nzl0
Access the shownotes & learn more about Voicecraft podcasts, events, courses and membership network @ voicecraft.io/content/e142-anthro-complexity-entanglement-wayshaping-and-addressing-existential-threat-w/-dave-snowden
Learn more about Dave and Cynefin @ thecynefin.co/team/dave-snowden
Find Dave's blog series on Anthro-complexity: thecynefin.co/anthro-complexity-1-3
---
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:10 What is anthro-complexity?
8:33 Entanglement, not relationship?
15:45 Orientation and the ancient debate that still structures how we think
23:05 Why workshops don't work (and what does)
34:30 You can't simplify a falcon into a pigeon (and have it still be a falcon)
45:25 Three dangers: appropriation, distraction, destruction
53:04 Who is this actually for?
57:30 Demes: the forgotten structure humans evolved to live in
1:04:55 Do we need new shamans?
1:42:50 Changing how decision-makers listen
1:55:00 The limits of dialogue and what comes next
Listen to the full outro song by Cantrips titled 'The Big Break' @ youtu.be/Qaj-stBL4W0
