We are in a very unique time in our history, and we are radically shifting from one age to the next. Think of the Industrial Age... it started in the 1700's in Britain and spread throughout the world. First it was the spinning wheel and centralized banks, then it turned into iron factories and steam engines and into the 1900's. It didn't start overnight.
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We're moving towards a new age as well, but much faster. It was the Internet that started this change, and it is only 35 years old. Think how far we've come in 35 years. How fast computers became mainstream and integrated into our lives. Facebook is only 13 years old. The iPhone and blockchain are both about 10 years old. Think how far we've come since Instagram came out 5 years ago.
Humans have more access to knowledge and people than we've ever had in recored history. Our greatest challenge is not losing the understanding and intimacy that humans developed over time. With so much access to knowledge, right or wrong, we could lose the power to tell the difference. With so much misinformation and distracting lies posing as truths in front of people daily, we will likely lose the trust that develops intimacy.
Things are changing and it is happening faster than we can basically comprehend living through it. Here are a few hypotheticals to think about.
Five years ago people would go to bars and events to meet people to date or "hook up" with. Now most people plan dates on dating apps. What happens in five more years if these apps become the standard for dating and people stop having that "magic" moment when you meet the love of your life? Do relationships become less valuable because they are so easy? Will we lose the "thrill of the hunt"?
Five years ago California made automated cars street legal, but a human had to be there to take control. Now, California has made it legal to have self driving cars with no human. What happens in five years when people are not allowed to drive in certain areas and it must be mainly automated? How many jobs will be lost? How much more time will people spend on the Internet if they don't have to drive?
Five years ago McDonalds tested online ordering. Now they are rapidly testing self ordering kiosks. What happens in five years when the entire restaurant is basically automated and needs far less staff? Where will people get their first jobs? Where will the youth learn discipline and a work ethic? Will that just make the youth more dependent on governments and grow up that way?
Things are changing fast and we've got to realize this before it is too late. We have to start coming up with real solutions to fix a major job crisis coming in our near future. We have to start coming up with real ways to educate our youth and give them the basic social and work skills that they'll need to live a prosperous life. We have to find a way to maintain truth and intimacy. The information age is not going to be a good thing if we only consume bad information.
We all need to sit back and really think about the future and what it will hold if we continue to ignore this rapidly changing age. At the same time, imagine the possibilities if we plan for the world we are creating.
I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this blog.
Please tell me what you think in the comments below.
Thanks for reading.
