Rise of the Global Nomad Movement 

Sunday Ramblings

What does it mean to be a global nomad? Or the real question is: are you defined fundamentally more by your culture, race, origins, etc., or instead by your dreams, aspirations and interests? I have lived in five countries over the last twelve months, thanks partially to the fact that it has never been cheaper, faster and more convenient to fly yourself across the globe in almost no time. We are among the first generation in history able to move so freely and so frequently, and relatively cheaply.

Borders and physical locations are becoming less and less relevant. It also has never been easier to communicate instantly. Now if that is not a miracle of modern living I don’t know what to call it.

Let’s go back 100 years ago. Imagine the delays and complications of going on a trip to, say, Myanmar in 1914. The weeks long boat trips, the handwritten letters sent to your family. My point is that the recent convergence of communication, travel and mobile technologies are in fact setting the stage for the global nomad movement to gain momentum over the next decades.

Do you believe that your national and cultural origins will become more or less important over time?

This super-connected environment has, for better or worse, created a world of limitless choice. Faced with higher and better individual alternatives, one’s aspirations and interests are likely to become a central factor driving personal decisions. Life choices will be driven more by what one controls vs. the origins/race he has inherited.

If more people are in a position of making better decisions for themselves, as choices have never been more available and easy to act on, then it is fair to guess that a movement of global nomads will keep gaining importance going forward.

That’s good news. I hope it will be the catalyst for a world that is more diverse, open, tolerant and more inclusive.

Happy Sunday ☺

P.s. as you would expect I’ve written this post at an airport lounge.