Reflections on Productivity

Xuefeng

February 11, 2008

The authoritative Modern Chinese Dictionary defines productivity as:

“The ability of people with labor capacity, combined with means of production (tools and objects of labor), to conquer and transform nature. Humans are the decisive factor in productivity. Productivity is the most dynamic and revolutionary element in production. The level of productivity development marks the extent of humanity’s conquest of nature.”

This definition feels unscientific, awkward, and incomplete. It’s unsettling, particularly the notion of "conquering nature."

Why must we conquer nature? Isn’t living in harmony with nature a better approach? The atmosphere, earth, mountains, rivers, plants, animals, birds, insects, and all other elements are integral parts of nature. Why should we aim to conquer them? Humanity itself is part of nature; claiming to conquer nature implies humans conquering themselves. Wouldn’t peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit be more sensible?

Why must we transform nature? Nature is inherently beautiful and perfect. If we alter it, what would the results be? Would it lead to rising temperatures, melting glaciers, diminishing species, desertification, soil acidification, fishless rivers, polluted skies, soil erosion, floods, and ecological imbalance? Could such transformation eventually lead to nature’s collapse?

Therefore, the definition of productivity needs to be reexamined.

Lifechanyuan defines productivity as:

“Any factor capable of production is productivity.”

The Earth is productivity because it produces plants, flowers, and crops and indirectly sustains wild animals, livestock, birds, insects, and humans. Rivers, lakes, and oceans are productivity because they nurture countless fish and shrimp. The atmosphere is productivity because it supports all life on Earth. Sunlight is productivity, especially through photosynthesis, which provides energy essential for life on Earth. When we observe nature, we are amazed to discover that nature itself is productivity.

A once-popular saying declared, “Science and technology are the primary productive forces.” However, this statement is narrow and biased. It would be more accurate to say that nature is the primary productive force.

Humans are not the decisive factor in productivity. The decisive factors are sunlight, air, water, and the Earth. Without humans, nature would continue to thrive. But without sunlight, air, water, or the Earth, what could humans decide? A more accurate statement might be: “Humans are the primary factor in the destruction of nature.”

The claim that “the level of productivity development marks the extent of humanity’s conquest of nature” is incorrect. Here, productivity essentially refers to advancements in science, technology, and human expertise. To be precise, this statement should read: “The level of human productivity development marks the extent of humanity’s destruction of nature.”

Merely discussing productivity holds little value. The real question is this: If sunlight, air, water, and Earth are the true productive forces, and if nature is the ultimate productive force, then where does nature originate? Did it fall from the sky by chance?

This morning, while working in the cucumber field, I noticed something fascinating: every cucumber vine grows tendrils about half a foot apart. What are these tendrils for? They are used for climbing. When a tendril cannot reach any support, it grows straight. But upon finding support, it coils tightly around it, enabling the vine to grow upward. How clever cucumbers are!

Behind my backyard bar, climbing plants resembling Boston ivy scale vertical walls, even reaching the rooftop. How do they climb? Their thin stems periodically produce "feet" that secrete a sticky liquid. This liquid adheres tightly to surfaces, allowing the plants to scale walls and cliffs. How ingenious these climbers are!

But think deeper: are cucumbers and climbers truly intelligent and wise? Of course not. Their ingenuity reflects the wisdom of their Creator. Nature continuously enlightens us, revealing that an extraordinarily intelligent being exists behind it all—a being we call God (the Greatest Creator).

So, what is productivity? Answer: The Greatest Creator is productivity.

Who is the primary productive force? Answer: The Greatest Creator is the primary productive force.

When this understanding becomes clear, everything simplifies. Humanity only needs to revere the Greatest Creator, respect LIFE, cherish nature, and follow the way of the Greatest Creator. When we do so, nature will beautifully arrange everything for us. There’s no need to conquer or transform nature. Simply live according to its laws, and all will be well.

If we insist on using our limited human intelligence and skills to conquer and transform nature, the more we conquer and alter, the worse the situation becomes, leading to increasingly dire outcomes.

(Comments and rebuttals are welcome.)