Change – The fundamental question about adoption
What are the fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves when facing yet another unknown?
What can we do when we face uncertainty? This article gives an insight into the fundamental questions we should ask ourselfs in order to adapt to a new world.
As a species, we have always doubted our ability to achieve great things. In 1936, the New York Times declared that a rocket would never be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere. Yet we have taken small steps towards colonising other planets.
When the Voyager I spacecraft was launched on 5 September 1977, few believed that it would survive its journey through the solar system and continue to send data and images back to Earth. It has now left our solar system and will continue to be the most distant man-made object from our planet. Voyager I was the result of collaboration between the world’s leading scientists and nations. It is the best example of what humanity is capable of when challenged by the unknown. It is this spirit of progress that defines the Cross the Rubicon Foundation.
What are the fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves as we face yet another unknown?
Today we face massive changes in our planetary, socio-economic, political and social systems. Some would argue that these changes have been precipitated by our own actions, inactions and inability to create a symbiotic relationship with our natural environment and neighbouring communities, nations and regions. But apportioning blame is pointless. The only answer is progress; progress based on the need for sustainable, resilient development that puts people and planet first.
Put simply, the world does not need to change – we do.
We have experienced seismic shifts before, and we will again. Think of the industrial revolutions we have gone through, which decimated rural populations, led to increased urbanisation and ultimately the digitalisation of our world. Artificial intelligence and automation will have a similar effect in the near future. Coupled with the effects of climate change, pandemics and geopolitical conflicts, it is clear that humanity has reached a tipping point. Major social change is inevitable.
I believe that humanity is facing its greatest challenge yet – not its continued biological evolution, but its social evolution. Biologically, we are approaching a state of organic perfection, yet we mistreat the temple that is our body on a daily basis. The congregations of comfort and convenience have threatened our very wellbeing, leaving us open to a myriad of diseases and symptoms that we can and should treat ourselves. New ways of working, shopping, living, travelling, socialising, relaxing and exercising are on the horizon. Many old social models and the businesses that serve them will disappear.
Humanity has turned health and welfare into a business whose mission is not human progress but profit. There is a pill for everything. Good food will be harder to find than over-processed fast food. Access to clean water will soon be a measure of wealth, not just a prerequisite for good health. We have created a human Ponzi scheme in which there will be few winners.
The reciprocal relationship between health and social costs (health, drugs and welfare) per person that exists today is broken. I believe it is time to develop a new way of ensuring human health, fitness and progress. Change must come from within each individual. Without an understanding of the need for change or an appreciation of the impending change, disruption is inevitable.
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