There is a Chinese curse which says “May you live in interesting times.” Like it or not, we live in interesting times. These are times of danger and uncertainty; but this is also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind.
Technological advances that are life-changing appear so rapidly people now suffer from decision-paralyses, afraid to buy now because the next better things is just about to be released.
Social media has increased the amount of information we can get, but with this comes disinformation, so what can you trust to make decisions?
Medical advances are extending lives, but as people age and live longer, the quality of life becomes a valid question that we have not yet figured out how to handle.
Global consumerism makes the variety of products and services we can purchase much broader, but the connected supply-chain has introduced cyber threats as well as increasing our risk of pandemics.
In recent history, we've learned how our very national politics can be influenced and disrupted by foreign players, driving distrust for our institutions and government entities.
But, the most interesting of all is the breakdown of our community fabric.
People were once united by living in the same geographic location, attending the same schools and churches, and living at the same economic level. Today, based on ease of moving around and social experiments over the last 40 years, people are less connected. Being less connected with your neighbors leads to less interaction and having less in common, which results in less understanding, compassion and trust. Distrust is the foundation upon which division is created.
Our country is severely divided.
This is a curse I hope we survive.
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