It’s a common occurrence for us to be introspective at the turn of one year to another. In all honesty, I think this is a better time than most to be taking stock of where we are headed as a society. As the year 2019 gets going, we are at the cusp of numerous changes. Some of these changes I am a very enthusiastic supporter of, certain others I have great concern about.
Technology is enabling an unlimited future for the human civilization
I am very intrigued by the possibilities that technology is enabling for human civilization. Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G connectivity and many other innovations have been potent buzzwords for some time already. 2018 was a year in which it seemed like whatever sphere of human activity one looked at, these technologies and their application was dominating the conversation. In my opinion, 2019 will be a year in which the convergence of next generation technologies begins to become the norm.
Social Media will come of age in 2019, becoming a tool of responsible empowerment
Perhaps in response to a new world of possibilities enabled by technology, we as human beings too are evolving in how organize ourselves as a society and relate to each other. Social media has been a powerful force in shaping human behavior for some years already. While we often seem to concentrate on the negative about social media trends, in my experience 2018 was a year in which I noticed a more mature use of such platforms. For the instances of trolling and self-indulgent use of social media that seem to draw all the attention, I noticed a more sophisticated use emerging in the contrasting spheres of marketing and activism. In addition, people are also rediscovering the simple pleasure of unplugging from the online world and socializing in the real one. I have a strong hunch that some of the over emphasis on ‘living’ online could well be replaced by people seeking to have more real world contact, in 2019.
From Reality TV to embracing Reality: The rise of the era of podcasts and individual content creators
I believe we as humans have a tendency to overindulge in a newfound convenience for a time, before familiarity leads us back to a more balanced perspective. Only a couple of years ago, it seemed that virtually all media content was leaning towards ‘Reality TV’ and its variations. Before one could identify the gathering trend, however, the focus had shifted on to true ‘Reality’ content, with podcasts and individual content creators emerging as a real and viable alternative to legacy media. In my opinion, social media too will experience a similar arc, with people retreating from the overindulgence of endless selfies into a far more sincere use of the platforms.
A transfer of power: 2019 will see the crowd & the community take control back into their hands
Talking about sustainability and social justice, 2018 saw the empowerment of individual and collective initiatives. One of the fundamental challenges that socially conscious initiatives face is funding. Through the means of crowd-funding and other similar targeted interventions by groups of concerned citizens, breakthrough ideas found a platform and voice. By going straight to the community and bypassing institutional funding, crowdfunding is enabling new models that will, in my opinion, greatly empower positive disruptions. And even if we look to apply this funding model to purely commercial innovations, I believe inventors and innovators will be hugely empowered through informal funding in coming years. Not only will this result in more empowered small enterprises, I am of the opinion that ethical innovation will emerge as a powerful influence because of this simple but effective mechanism.
And end to polarized extremes: balancing advancement with humanity
Some trends this year created cause for us to look inwards at where we are going as humanity and our social consciousness. Whether it is the condition of refugees in Australia and Europe or the radical views expressed by some about border control between the US and Mexico, or the ongoing strife in Syria, economic stress and cultural differences reflected polarized views and extreme opinions. I feel this could be a result of a relatively static economy that has lasted a whole decade since the 2008 crisis. Human communities have a tendency to become more insular and closed during such periods, especially as opportunistic politicians exploit concerns and fears. In the long run, I believe the human tendency to listen to our good intentions will prevail. However, I do believe that we need to remain aware of the downside of a connected and over-stimulated but under-employed population, globally.
Technology enables optimism and hope to carve a new world order bereft of social strife
Even as a more educated, better connected and more empowered world comes into focus in 2019, our main struggles and issues will be the same age-old challenges that have always confronted humanity. For all the ways in which the world reinvents itself, in my opinion the fundamental story of humanity is always the conflict between the best and worst of ourselves. In this New Year, I would like to initiate a deeper conversation than the inspiration to lose a few kilos or to overcome a bad habit or two. By all means, let us aspire to be healthier and happier in our personal lives, after all a more fulfilled individual is the basis of a better world. However, as we stand at the cusp of great changes that have the ability to completely reshape the world around us, let us also make the most of the ability to organize and communicate. One of my basic reasons for optimism and hope is that, thanks to technology, we have the means to address our needs in unprecedented ways that can make widespread poverty and lack of opportunities obsolete. I believe our collective will and good intentions, as a civilization, have the opportunity to be far more transformative than has ever been possible in the past.
A new kind of New Years wish: Make the year about someone else, not about you
I would encourage my readers to think how they can contribute to this moment in time and history in the making, and instigate positive changes in whatever little way they can. Let one of our New Year resolutions be to become involved with our communities in ways that go beyond being a passive consumer and to manifest a more fair, peaceful and ultimately more joyful world.
Wishing you a prosperous 2019 filled with exciting opportunities, mindfulness and compassion for all.
