High Modernism
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Proposed by James C. Scott, it refers to an overconfidence in scientific and technological progress, attempting to forcibly reshape complex social and natural ecologies with rational, geometric, and standardized order (often leading to disasters).
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
A warning for top-level design. When you try to formulate a 'perfect process' to regulate everyone's behavior, be wary of falling into High Modernism and ignoring the 'practical wisdom' at the grassroots level.
Anchor fast decisions
Refers to the strong modernism of the 20th century that used scientific rationality and centralized planning to transform society, believing that social order can be designed as a whole, often ignoring local knowledge.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9E%81%E7%AB%AF%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E4%B8%BB%E4%B9%89verified
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