What kind of future are you planning for?
Growing up, the wisdom I accrued from society was to work one’s fingers to the bone in your heydays to build a portfolio of comfort that one can retire with.
This occurred in a period when increasing life expectancy, booming markets, a revolution in science and technology, increasing globalization, abundant natural resources and periods of relative global peace, an era where global headwinds did little to disturb stability and calmness around, which allowed individuals to make retirement decisions with great confidence.
Humanity was then driving on a road named “Progress”. However, as it stepped into the 21st century, concerning voices, sitting on the fringes, started to make noise. In the coming decades, “polycrisis”, “collapse”, “breakdown”, “dark clouds”, “perfect storm” and other similar phrases began to make headlines. Uncertainty, as a factor, started to figure prominently in the planning matrix. The evolving, unfavourable macrocosm started to have a negative bearing on our microcosm. For us, as individuals, this would imply following Darwin’s advice to adapt to the environment, over time, to survive and thrive.
Researchers have discovered that several plants, animals and birds have rapidly evolved in the last few decades to survive the inhospitable conditions. But, are we?
Are the majority of us still caged into planning the old ways, when fear of the unknown is constantly prodding our thinking? The billionaires are working in secrecy to isolate themselves from such a future.
So, what if the lingering pain in your body that you dismissed turns out to be something sinister: ca**er? What if the huge investments you made suddenly evaporate due to an economic shock? Or what if you are left with no loved one to share all the materialistic fortune you have amassed? What if the dream home you have built is reduced to rubble due to floods, wildfires, and hurricanes or becomes inhabitable due to extreme heat? Essentially, what if all the pain and sacrifices you made for a future of your liking is not to be lived?
John Maynard Keynes, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, predicted in the 1930s that in coming decades, with economic prosperity, increased productivity, and the use of machines, people would drastically cut down on their working hours, 15 hours a week, and spend their time on leisure (cooking, reading, gardening or spending time with family), activities that are supposed to give them happiness. For those living hand to mouth, they don’t have the choice but to sweat blood, sweat and tears, maybe 15 hours a day. But, what about the rest?
Each one of us differs and is surrounded by circumstances unique to us. However, some basic questions on philosophy on life transcend national, political, and other societal boundaries.
“What do you want from your life?” “Are you sacrificing your present for the future?” “Are you missing the small doses of happiness in your quest for big dreams?” ..so on and so forth.
From what I have experienced, this moment of reflection is only about temporarily stepping back and not stepping down in your life.
About me: I am the author of the book Homo Unus: Successor to Homo Sapiens, a book that helps to make sense of the world we live in.
