Despite taking social distancing very serious, I happen to talk virtually with many people, probably more than ever. As I am more comfortable in small groups, I have to admit that those discussions have been the most inspiring I had in a long time, although I spot something.
On one side of the spectrum, some of the people I talk or listen seem desperate to come back to 2019, not taking this time to make adjustments or corrections to a world that has prospered for many, at the unacceptable price of killing our ecosystem, bearing millions of people in poverty, bringing inequality back to pre-world war levels. Those people were having a good life in 2019. Yes, there was a lot of stress, overtime, and they were rushing life...but most of them progress in their professions, and have enough to get by. The system just works fine for them, so there is little reason for adjustment.
On the other side, where most of the activists reside, there is the claim that this should be the chance to change direction, to stop the growth madness and work to eliminate poverty, extreme inequality and system collapse. They are fairly critical with the system, and have many reasons to do so, because they are aware of the flaws, or they live them in their own skin. Although things are working well for me, I am more on that side, as I agree that it is not acceptable that we have the means to eradicate poverty, moderate inequality and lead a sustainable life, but we are not willing to change anything, even if it would benefit us now and the next generations to come.
The problem is that those who do not want to back to 2019, lack a clear proposal, a clear plan... An exciting vision of the world that is both realistic and inspiring. We need a vision, and we need it now.
I would like to ask those friends of mine who are willing to go back to 2019, even if that means more unnecessary infrastructure, more housing, more speculation, more inequality...that they review their life in deep detail... That instead of consider them as individuals, they understand that we are RELATION, and we cannot isolate from the others. We depend on others wellbeing to function: other humans, other species, the ecosystem...and no money is enough to substitute this.
For those who would like to break the game as it is and start from scratch, I do share their anger and disappointment, but we ought to bring a new narrative to the table. We need to circulate visions that expand our imaginary and create the first steps for the society we want. It is as important to be the stopper of further destruction of the ecosystem as the leaders of the future management of development of the commons. It is daunting, as we cannot afford to fail and time for testing is running out.
Hoping you did not buy many things, and since you will travel to exotic places, you may take this chance to grab a pen and paper, turn of all your devices, and start writing your vision. Then you will share it, discussed and improve it, till you feel it part of you. Later you will progressively act to apply that vision, whether is your own or the sum of the contributions of many visionaries...
You will embrace the adventure of leading the future without poverty, envy, competition and destruction. To live the life of care, gift, collaboration and restoration. A lot of damage, and a lot of pain has been already done... to people, other species and our ecosystems. Yet we can restore some, yet we can prove that we are sorry, and we are willing to spend the rest of our lives to give what we got.
Life is too short and too wonderful to pretend we only care of ourselves, don't you think?
Corrected with https://www.corrector.co/
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