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MENTAL MODEL · M3341

Medea Hypothesis

Medea Hypothesis
CultureHigh supportMythology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

As the antithesis of the Gaia hypothesis (which posits that life makes the Earth more habitable), the Medea hypothesis posits that multicellular life has a tendency toward self-destruction. Life activities can lead to environmental degradation (e.g., the Great Oxidation Event, Snowball Earth), ultimately causing mass extinctions. It is named after the Greek mythological figure Medea, who killed her own children.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

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Reflexive catastrophe. It reminds us that success often carries its own poison. The prosperity of human civilization (life activities) is leading to climate warming (environmental degradation), which may not be an anomaly but rather a certain fate of life. It is necessary to break this self-destructive cycle through wise intervention.

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Contrary to the Gaia hypothesis: life tends toward self-destruction and reduces planetary habitability (e.g., the Great Oxidation Event). The planet does not self-regulate toward the good.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medea_hypothesisZH · Explicit
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