Sep 28, 2020
Why This Is the Scariest and Coolest Moment to Live In
A letter for the generations that must make the difference to survive on planet Earth
Dear Millennials & Gen Z,
Hi! Thanks for being alive today, and spending your precious time reading my spontaneous writing. The truth is, it would have been so much easier to be 50 years old today. We would not have many worries about the future, because we would not be here to see our disaster party (streamers fall from the sky). I’m not saying they don’t care; I’m saying they will not be here (unless a hidden tech company releases tomorrow anti-ageing pills) to see further pandemics, ravaging fires, death of nature, an increase of poverty, technologies which have never been seen before, robots being part of our day-to-day lifestyle, and innovation popping out from our eyes. Not all is bad, I wouldn't do that to you, dear reader.
We are in a fascinating and petrifying era. An era where the next 10 years will define the future of the species living on Earth (intriguing drum sound in the background). I am sorry to tell you, but the burden was left to three groups of people: Millennials & Gen Z, the large multinational companies, and governments. Our role is essential. We need so many types of people to solve our crisis and provide fantastic innovations. From engineers for energy transitions and designers of recycling systems to tech lawyers to human and animal rights entrepreneurs and activists, we have to focus on making the difference.
Anyone, with any background, can make a difference. Consume differently, produce differently, innovate wisely. The so-called jobs of the future are interesting, but it’s more interesting to see people making this an excuse not to act. We live in a broken and healed society. We are between utopias and dystopias.
Yes, blah blah, it sounds cliché. It is! Because it’s the truth. I’m usually an optimist with the climate crisis, global pandemics, extreme poverty, income inequality… Lately, I am jumping to the other side. I feel anxious, confused, and lost about WHAT I have to do in the next years to help solve our grand challenges. The answer lies in anything you love which can be transformed into the global healing of our societies and environment. Yes, I know, we still have those people who don’t want to do this, and it’s fine. We are not in a test where we are checked on from a different galaxy (or I hope). BUT, if we want to live. No, let me rephrase: If we want to have a healthy and happy life surrounded by nature and our loved ones, we need to help and serve a common goal.
- Devil on my shoulder voice: Em, excuse me, are you suggesting we should be collective?
YES, I am. It’s the only way out. Through innovation, commitment, technologies, re-construction of our energy system, societies, consumption and production. In our time, we have seen technologies never seen before, and this is just the beginning. We have seen robots interacting with humans, economies growing at fast rates, and the slow destruction of our home by the hour. This is why we live in the coolest and scariest moment. We walk every day in a tightrope hoping not to fall. Let’s not! Let's choose life. Let's choose a world more inclined to a utopia than a dystopia. Let's make the most out of our last 10 years or so to make an admirable difference.
