The Goddess at the Helm is an examination of where society is heading and how to change its course, written by Tyler Folsom, software engineer and professor. The book examines our age’s foundations, built on the sands of mathematics, science and religion. Society’s myths have failed, and creating new myths is of the utmost importance. We have been suckered into believing myths of danger from violence, when the reality is otherwise. Wealth has been siphoned from the 99% to the 1%, while the existential danger of human extinction from a heating planet has been ignored, led by corrupt politicians and the media. The technology to move to sustainability is robust and offers better profits than business as usual, which clasps fossil fuels in its death grasp. Driverless technology can lead to a sustainable post-automotive age if we produce vehicles that weigh less than their riders and focus on the transit-oriented driverless systems that are in service today. Trends in software and hardware will shortly result in computers that are as fully intelligent as people. Robots have taken factory jobs, and we can expect computers to eliminate many white collar jobs. Since computers are providing society with ever more wealth, it behooves us to radically redistribute that wealth and free ourselves.

From the Introduction:

THE UNFOLDING FUTURE will leverage advances in cybernetics. Cybernetics originated as the study of electromechanical control systems, and then morphed into anything controlled by computers. The term “cyber” comes from the Greek kubernetes, which means helmsman. The critical question is, “Who will steer our course?” Following outmoded patriarchal thinking is dangerous; we may do better with a helmswoman. Men cannot abdicate responsibility, however, but must delve into their own feminine hearts to understand and cooperate with women on this journey. Men and women must tap into their own inner divinity to lead us into the next age. Each of us must serve as the goddess at the helm. Let's review our course so far, that we may let the stars guide us to our new destination. These waters are unfamiliar, but not totally uncharted. Avoiding shipwreck on the rocks requires that we use our heads, hearts, and guts. We have misplaced our faith in science. Science does an excellent job of organizing our perception of the universe and enables our technologies. Science is what we make it; it is a planet wandering the night sky and not a fixed star by which we can navigate. Can we turn to religion? Throughout the ages, people have had deep spiritual insights, finding the subtle cosmic energy that guides our course. Lesser men have attempted to codify the insights of the prophets into religions that proscribe our actions. But without the dynamic of the unfettered spirit, religion ossifies into an empty shell. How then do we proceed? Look at the marvelous journey of the last few centuries, tap into our divine power, wrest the helm from the mad captain, and set a new course for a world that works for everyone.