Adaptability second law:
We are designed to fail individually and thrive collectively.

A Flawed Design, How Our Biology Keeps Us Stuck.

Are we humans, just survival machines running on old software? Is that our endgame: a species-wide marathon where the finish line is not dying? Because whether you want to attribute to God, chance, aliens, or some cosmic force, the architecture of our mental hardware seems less like the work of a benevolent craftsman and more like a crude, brute-force prototype designed to minimize risk, conserve calories, and default to comfort, like an evolutionary austerity program engineered into our brains

This ancient system, which helped us survive in the past, now quietly shapes our decisions, biases, and behaviors without us noticing. And yes, it has its upside—our survival record so far attests to that—but the less flattering corollary is how this same wiring can be reverse-engineered and make us incredibly hackable by anyone sufficiently clever, predatory, or Machiavellian enough to weaponize it. Savvy marketers, corporate strategists, and algorithm designers have become maestros at exploiting these deep-seated drives, turning our need for safety, pleasure, and validation into endless consumption cycles and clickbait loops that feel satisfying but leave us emptier and more anxious than before. Think dopamine-fueled feedback loops dressed up as “engagement” metrics.

But the bigger problem, the one that’s harder to laugh off, is this: in a world changing faster than our wiring can process, instincts that once protected us might now be liabilities. Faced with accelerating technologies, climate uncertainties, and global instability, we often double down on comfort and safety instead of adaptation and growth, like someone refusing to upgrade their outdated software because the old version still technically works, even as the system keeps crashing.

So the real question isn’t whether we’re built to survive. We clearly are. The question is whether we’re built to evolve past survival mode—past the mental shortcuts and ancient defaults that were great for outrunning saber-teeth tigers but are less helpful for navigating a future that looks more like a moving target. If we can’t, then the uncomfortable truth is this: we might be running a survival program that’s already outlived its usefulness, mistaking stagnation for stability, and mistaking survival for progress.

The Paradox of Dopamine

We can look at adaptability both from an individual and a collective perspective. From an individual perspective, one of the most surprising barriers to adaptability lies in dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with motivation and reward. Paradoxically, dopamine is not only released when we make progress—it’s also triggered by behaviors that keep us stuck:

• Blaming Others: Shifts responsibility outward, preserving the illusion of control.

• Complaining: Validates feelings of frustration without creating solutions, offering short-term emotional relief.

• Proving We’re Right: Reinforces rigid beliefs, discouraging exploration and learning.

These behaviors create neurochemical loops that reward inaction disguised as control. Instead of propelling us forward, we become anchored in cycles of emotional defense—releasing energy in frustration instead of action.

This is the essence of our flawed design: the same brain chemistry that fuels motivation can also reinforce stagnation. The question, then, is how do we escape this biological trap and transform individual potential into collective movement?

II. Getting Unstuck: From Individual Failure to Collective Success

The lessons from physics: Releasing Energy for Change

From the time-independent Schrodinger equation, Potential + Kinetic = Total Energy, we know that potential energy—the stored energy of a compressed spring or a raised object—becomes valuable when converted into kinetic energy or motion. Until then, it is like a Quantum Cinderella waiting to be awakened by some charming Probability Prince. 

If this is true for physics, by following a simple inference rule, we can safely extend this energy pathway to people; after all, we can’t escape the fact that we are made with the same fabrics and are ruled by the same laws as the universe.

Emotionally and intellectually, we carry vast potential energy through aspirations, frustrations, and unspoken truth (the last being a genie in a bottle, unruly, powerful, and deceitful). But this energy remains dormant until we ignite it with the proper catalysts to produce outputs. 

It takes deliberate action—like striking a match or pushing a domino—to release it (by deliberate, I’m referring both to conscious and unconsciously driven catalysts since I cannot dissociate both states from the ontological perspective, although someone could argue that they are different nature)

There are 3 types of Kinetic Energy

Vibrational Kinetic Energy and Individual Growth

Vibrational kinetic energy is associated with oscillatory motion, like the strings of a violin or gas molecules. This constant vibration can be compared to self-knowledge and personal development. By vibrating at a higher frequency, we become attuned to our emotions, thoughts, and intuition, promoting inner growth and a greater understanding of ourselves.

• Individual Improvement: Internal vibration drives us to seek new experiences, question our beliefs, and expand our horizons. It's like tuning a musical instrument: the more we vibrate, the richer and more complex our inner melody becomes.

• Healing and Transformation: Vibration is also linked to the processes of healing and transformation. We can overcome emotional blocks and limit behavior patterns by releasing stagnant energies and vibrating at a higher frequency.

Rotational Kinetic Energy and the Expansion of Consciousness

Rotational kinetic energy is related to circular motion, like a spinning wheel. This image can be associated with the expansion of consciousness and the understanding of a broader picture. By rotating around our axis, we can see the different facets of the same issue, connecting the dots and forming a deeper understanding.

• Improvement of Perception and Understanding: Rotation allows us to see things from different angles, unveiling patterns and connections that previously went unnoticed. It's like turning a kaleidoscope: a new pattern is revealed with each movement.

• Continuous Learning: Rotation (even in a spiral way)  symbolizes the process of constant learning. By rotating around our axis, we are always in motion, absorbing new information and expanding our knowledge.
  
  

Translational Kinetic Energy and Action in the World

Translational kinetic energy is associated with linear motion, like a rolling ball. This image can be related to our ability to act in the world and to cause change. We exert our strength and influence our environment by moving towards a goal. 

• Force of Change: Translational movement represents our ability to transform the world. By acting purposefully, we can overcome obstacles and create a better future.

• Social Impact: Translational energy drives us to connect with other people and to work together to achieve common goals. It's like a wave that spreads, carrying the energy of change.

III. Breaking the Dopamine Loop: Practical Strategies for Energy Conversion

To overcome the biological traps of blame, complaint, and defensiveness, leaders must act intentionally to reprogram the brain’s reward systems and guide their teams through energy transformation..

1. Disrupt the Negative Feedback Loop:

• Name the Pattern: Recognize when you or your team are stuck in cycles of blame or self-justification.

• Interrupt It: Replace complaints with questions like, “What can we learn?” or “What’s one step we can take now?”

• Rewire the Reward: Celebrate attempts, experiments, and progress rather than perfection.

2. Activate Vibrational Energy (Self-Awareness):

• Encourage Reflection: Create spaces where people can share emotions and uncertainties safely.

• Challenge Comfort Zones: Ask questions that spark curiosity and push people beyond defensive patterns.

• Model Vulnerability: Lead by example—admit your doubts and struggles to normalize imperfection.

3. Amplify Rotational Energy (Alignment and Resonance):

• Foster Shared Narratives: Connect individual experiences into a collective story that builds belonging and purpose.

• Explore Multiple Perspectives: Facilitate structured debates and brainstorming to expand thinking and connections.

4. Channel Translational Energy (Action and Execution):

• Prototype Quickly: Start small and iterate. Progress comes from momentum, not flawless execution.

• Track Learning Metrics: Focus on attempts and adjustments, not just outcomes.

• Celebrate Movement: Recognize forward steps to reinforce energy flow and collective confidence.
  
  

IV. The Physics of Leadership: Sustaining Collective Energy

In physics, resonance amplifies energy by synchronizing individual vibrations. Leaders can replicate this effect by aligning emotional, intellectual, and narrative energy across a group, creating a system where movement sustains itself.

The “It Gets Better” campaign exemplifies this principle. What began as personal pain became collective energy through shared storytelling. Videos, messages, and networks created waves of resonance that expanded the movement’s reach and impact, demonstrating how individual vulnerability can spark widespread transformation.

This is the role of the adaptive leader—to harness the energy that is already present but locked and to guide its release into purposeful momentum.

V. Conclusion: Redesigning Movement from Flaws

In many ways, we are flawed by design—wired for comfort and self-preservation, yet constantly called to adapt and evolve. Our biology rewards patterns of defense, blame, and complaint, even as our environment demands courage, experimentation, and collective action.

But flaws are not failures—they are opportunities for innovation. By recognizing and redirecting our biological tendencies, we can turn internal resistance into momentum, just as Croft transformed personal pain into global impact.

The invitation is clear:

Break the dopamine loop and deceive your masters who created the faulty program!  Shift from reactive comfort to proactive learning. Share your story, build collective resonance, and guide energy toward action.

Because the greatest transformations don’t start with perfection—they start with movement. And movement begins when we stop clinging to certainty and embrace the energy of possibility.

Bonus Track: One Tool and a Benchmark

IYI public narrative as a tool to move from individual failure to collective success.

Interestingly, Marshall Ganz’s Public Narrative Framework provides a practical structure for getting unstuck and moving from individual failure to collective success, breaking it into three key movements:

1. The Story of “Self” – Activating Potential Energy:

• Sharing personal experiences reveals vulnerability and values, unlocking emotional reserves.

2. The Story of “Us” – Building Rotational Energy:

• Connecting personal stories generates shared identity and momentum, aligning individual energy with collective focus.

3. The Story of “Now” – Converting Energy into Action:

• A call to action directs emotional and intellectual tension toward tangible movement, turning stored energy into real-world impact.
  

IYI the best example of a collective narrative that I know:  James Croft and “It Gets Better”: Energy in Motion

James Croft’s story provides a striking example of how energy potential—pain, shame, and isolation—can be transformed into collective action.

As a young boy, Croft faced bullying and discrimination for being gay. At age seven, he was called a “fag,” and later, his school principal declared publicly that “homosexuals deserve our pity and prayers.” These moments created an emotional reservoir of fear and alienation—a buildup of potential energy without release.

Croft could have remained trapped in cycles of resentment and blame, feeding his dopamine-driven need for validation through anger or defensiveness. Instead, he redirected his emotional tension into storytelling, turning personal struggle into a Story of “Self” that resonated deeply with others.

By sharing his experiences, Croft connected his pain to the collective struggles of LGBTQIA+ youth, amplifying his message into a Story of “Us.” This resonance led to the “It Gets Better” movement—a surge of kinetic energy aimed at preventing suicides and offering hope through videos and support networks.

The movement illustrates how, when shared, vulnerability can transform from isolated emotion into collective impact. It also demonstrates how leaders can act as catalysts, releasing stored energy and directing it toward synchronized, purposeful action.

You can appreciate his initial and famous speech in the following link; 

I recommend seeing this short video at least 3 times, taking notes on what you feel and understand every time, and then making a parallel with Ganz's structure since it is so packed with insights that it feels surprising every time.