The Biospheric Humanitarian: An Emergent Group
The Biospheric Humanitarian: An Emergent Group by Dr. James McManis
A New Human Emerges to Face Global Challenges
Inspired by Dr. James McManis’s original thesis on the emergence of Biospheric Humanitarian. Click here to download Dr. McManis’s original thesis.
In studying and working closely with James McManis, I came to understand a profound, urgent truth—one that has shaped not only my thinking but the mission of Conceivian. James' work explores the emergence of a new kind of human being in response to the most significant threats and challenges of our era. This is the biospheric humanitarian, a person who stands not for fame or fortune, but for a career of service, driven by emotional fortitude and a deep connection to the planet.
James envisioned the biospheric humanitarian as akin to Nietzsche's Übermensch—rising above personal needs to dedicate their life to something far larger than themselves. Whether as entrepreneurs, educators, activists, or even quiet contributors, these individuals are prepared to confront the complex issues of environmental degradation and social injustice. James, a student of Oshima Sueo, a philosophy professor at Rice University, studied how individuals commit themselves to a path of non-violent, conscious action that serves both humanity and the Earth.
Through James' mentorship, I designed my own mission: to clean the soul of business, an industry that I believe is spiritually sick and in dire need of transformation. This mission is very real, very serious, and profoundly timely.
Key Insights for the Entrepreneurial Biospheric Humanitarian
For entrepreneurs, this framework offers a powerful lens to reshape both purpose and action. We believe that the distinction of being a biospheric humanitarian is critical to the kind of human being we are committed to serving at Conceivian. It is a call to take on greater missions—missions that are rooted in service to something bigger than ourselves.
James McManis and I both understood that biospheric humanitarians possess certain key traits:
Emotional Fortitude: Prepare yourself emotionally for the long and difficult journey ahead. The challenges facing our world—environmental collapse, social inequality, systemic injustice—require deep resilience and commitment.
Resourcefulness Beyond Wealth: True wealth for the biospheric humanitarian isn’t financial but lies in the ability to bring together human and ecological resources for long-term impact. Entrepreneurs must learn to marshal networks, partnerships, and solutions that extend beyond traditional profit models.
Service as the Ultimate Career: Entrepreneurship itself becomes a path of service. It’s not about personal gain, but about creating ecosystems, ventures, and solutions that repair our fragmented world. The work you do should have a tangible, positive effect on both people and planet.
Localized Action with Global Reach: The greatest work often begins with local communities, but a biospheric humanitarian’s vision is always global. As an entrepreneur, think about how your efforts scale beyond the immediate. What you fix at home has ripple effects for the world.
Commitment to Something Larger: James always envisioned the biospheric humanitarian not as an isolated figure, but as someone deeply connected to larger social and environmental systems. Entrepreneurs who take on this identity will find that their work isn’t just a business—it’s part of a larger, interconnected mission to heal the Earth.
A Framework for Entrepreneurial Action
Here’s how you, as an entrepreneur, can take on this crucial role of a biospheric humanitarian:
Redefine Success: Shift from seeking financial milestones to understanding your legacy in terms of environmental and societal impact.
Build Resilience in Your Mission: Train yourself to endure obstacles, not with aggression, but with a deep, steady commitment to positive change.
Work in Collaboration: Biospheric humanitarians don't act alone. Build networks, align with movements, and create partnerships that expand your ability to influence both locally and globally.
Think Culturally: Don’t focus only on the product or service you offer. Think of the ecosystem you are building and how it touches broader environmental and human systems.
Invitation to Take On Great Missions
At Conceivian, we are committed to guiding and supporting this new breed of human being. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who answer the call to become biospheric humanitarians will find a path that transcends small personal needs and leads to profound service to humanity and the planet.
This is your invitation to step into something bigger, more meaningful, and more necessary than ever before.
