Endtimes #4
Fellow (non)travellers,
An unforeseen effect of the COVID-19 virus might be a well needed reset to the consumption economy, we’ve been stuck in. This interview with Li Edelkoort underlines the issue and it is a must read!
“For several years we have understood that in order to survive as a species and to keep the planet going we need to make draconian changes to the way we live, travel, consume and entertain. There is no way we can continue to produce as many goods and the many choices we have grown accustomed to. The debilitating mass of information about nothing at all has numbed our culture. There is a growing awareness amongst younger generations that ownership and the hoarding of clothes and cars is no longer even attractive.
But somehow the human psyche is resistant and wants to test if things will just dissipate by themselves, waiting and biding our time while we are doing business as usual. Therefore the sudden stop on all of this by the virus takes decisionmaking out of our hands and will just slow things down to another, frightful pace in the beginning.”
On this issue there are some signs, like the reduction in air pollution, and how the pandemic can help humanity survive the ecological crisis. There’s also an article about how China is merging is social scoring app with virus scanning, which is also the blueprint for a dystopic future that might unravel.
Spare some time for challenging your assumptions about modern society, and stay safe!
Coronavirus offers "a blank page for a new beginning" says Li Edelkoort
The coronavirus epidemic will lead to “a global recession” but will eventually allow humanity to reset its values, says trend forecaster Li Edelkoort.
Air Pollution in China Drops Dramatically During Coronavirus Slowdown : Goats and Soda : NPR
Air pollution levels have dropped dramatically as power plants and factories have slowed down — potentially saving lives. But the public health benefits aren’t so simple to calculate.
5 ways coronavirus could help humanity survive the ecological crisis – EcoHustler
This pandemic is a further wake up call things need to radically change and many of the emergency measures help the planet too
Coronavirus: The Case for Canceling Everything - The Atlantic
Social distancing is the only way to stop the coronavirus. We must start immediately.
The first economic modelling of coronavirus scenarios is grim for the world
Global expert Warwick McKibbon, who modelled Sars and Mers epidemics, says all countries likely to experience sharp hit to growth
In Coronavirus Fight, China Gives Citizens a Color Code, With Red Flags - The New York Times
A new system uses software to dictate quarantines — and appears to send personal data to police, in a troubling precedent for automated social control.
What Happens in Vegas if No One Stays in Vegas? - The New York Times
Companies that rely on people traveling around the globe for business and pleasure are struggling to predict exactly how the coronavirus will ultimately affect them.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable because VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) is the new normal. If you’re not confused you’re probably not thinking about the future enough!