Published on 3/25/20 while reflecting on seismic shifts coming due to our collective response to covid-19.
Come gather ‘round people, wherever you roam,
Give yourself a moment, to reflect on this poem.
Let’s face it.
Failures of the old paradigm are stacking up. Our administration has failed us, markets exposed bare, the media drives narratives not facts, “capitalist” corporations seeking bailouts.
Is this the end?
I believe humans are clever and resilient. And amidst the chaos, we have an opportunity.
Turn off Netflix. This is a wakeup call.
More people will realize the power structures are NOT looking out for our best interests.
The governments don’t have your back. The media doesn’t have your back. The economic machine doesn’t have your back.
Occasionally our interests align, but when the goin’ gets tough we’re on our own. History is littered with examples, yet cognitive dissonance and collective amnesia reign supreme.
Many people will keep their head in the sand, it’s too much to handle. “If our leader du jour isn’t in charge then who is!?”
No one has it under control. Scary to think about. Scary to consider we each must take personal responsibility. What if I’m not good enough?
Keep your eyes wide, the chance won’t come again
On the other hand, this realization is empowering. If we want change, it’s precisely our responsibility to make it happen. The barriers we hide behind are constructs of our own mind.
Amidst uncertain times, full of pain and suffering, there is much to be optimistic about.
Humans everywhere are forced to put “real life” on hold. We temporarily reprioritize away from consumption & status games and instead focus on survival, community, and connection.
Some might realize “crises mode” makes them feel more alive than wage-slave-cubicle hell. WE ARE NOT WIDGETS.
The masses will start to question things. If the government can print money to bail out the banks then why do we pay taxes?
Deep held assumptions will waiver. Chaos creates opportunity. Entrepreneurs will seize opportunities to serve a new paradigm.
We have a choice
The blue pill
We fall back to our old patterns. We concede liberties to power hungry politicians to “save us.” It’s tempting, I admit. Waiting to be saved sounds appealing. But at what cost?
Our leaders operate under “let no crisis go to waste.” Is that who we want making our decisions? Do we want to kick the can down the road AGAIN? Fool me once.
Don’t concede our liberties to our woefully inept, over-reaching, underprepared governments. We must avoid the “patriot acts” that emerge out of the covid-19 crisis.
The red pill
We face harsh realities with eyes wide. We band together, leverage our collective intelligence. We build more resilient systems this time.
Question assumptions. Shift foundational values. Reduce systemic risks.
Separate money from state (bitcoin), relocalize our food, defend our right to private communication, and shift towards more localized decision making.
A balkanization is on the horizon. Antifragility is our aim.
Think about it… a pile of multi-disciplinary mental horsepower just received the gift of free time. Humanity united under a common enemy.
Entrepreneurs will satisfy new market demands, the people will band together, and community-led initiatives will emerge. This is not the end, this is the beginning.
You were made for this.
Are you ready to heed the call?
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
-Bob Dylan, The Times They are a Changin
