Today, we live in a world in which transformations are taking place every minute. At times, it is hard to relate to the pace of change, and especially the older generations feel lost in the ocean of life. Positive and negative changes have indeed made this experience of living in the 21st century even more interesting than the Harry Potter series.
While sipping coffee, listening to the rustling of leaves, and feeling the caress of a light cool breeze, a multitude of questions arise deep inside, each more weighty than the last, as to whether we realise as a species the impact of the post-modern world or not. The twelve questions raised below are of utmost importance, as answers to them are essential for the longevity of Homo sapiens. The only proviso is that these questions may make more sense to people older than 30 years, as they have tasted the flavour this world has to offer and may appreciate the depth of these queries.
The first question: Why is it that we live in times where humans have exceeded 8 billion, but humanity is regressing so fast?
According to Credit Suisse’s Global Wealth Report (2024) and Oxfam’s Inequality Report (2024), the richest 1% of the world own around 45–50% of global wealth. The top 10% own about 85–90%, whereas the poorest 50% own less than 1% of all wealth. Why?
Why is it that technology has brought people far away closer but has made people closer, distant and aloof? Why is it that our contact lists are huge in comparison to the past, but our relationships are poorer?
The fourth question: Why is it that rich people have to walk miles to digest food, whereas poor people have to walk miles to find it? The rich live to make money and end up spending it on their health. The poor have none for even their basic needs.
Why is it that people pay for nakedness, whereas millions have no money to cover theirs? This industry is estimated at 200 billion dollars a year, an amount enough to clothe and provide a home to most of the poor people in the world.
The sixth question: Why is the moral code, in control for centuries, being ripped away with such alacrity, and is it being accepted by society? In its absence, what mechanism would there be to control the animalistic urges of the human race?
We live today in the era of the “illusion of knowledge”, and as it becomes more complex and the deep thinking of our species erodes, maybe we will end up in a place where our very survival as a species becomes seriously threatened
Why, according to current data, does the new generation, specifically Generation Z, report higher rates of depression and mental health concerns compared to previous generations, despite living in an AI-driven world with benefits which no previous generation had?
Why are humans developing technologies at breakneck speed, which one day could lead to their own annihilation as a species? Who is going to control the future: humans, corporations or algorithms?
The ninth question: What is truth? With a world increasingly controlled by algorithms, how can one discern fact from fiction? When AI can fabricate speech, faces and facts, how do we preserve reality and trust?
Instead of listening to the distress call of nature, why are we ourselves digging our graves by inviting the Armageddon of climate change to wipe us off the face of the planet?
Why are we, after a relatively peaceful epoch of history, again inching towards a third world war, which may appear far away but, as history teaches, can occur anytime because of a host of reasons?
And the last question: What is humanity’s destiny beyond our planet? With such a divided polity, can we ever become united enough to realise that, as Carl Sagan once said, this pale blue dot called Earth, which, despite being of zero significance in the cosmos, is our home nonetheless, will not be able to sustain us for long, and we need to find other places to live? Would this remain a wish, or will we as a race come together to make it a reality one day?
These are profound questions and need deep thought by thinkers across the globe. No single country can come up with an action plan of its own. It needs co-operation never seen before in history. But the scary fact is that we appear more divided as a species than ever. In the first quarter of this century, there is hardly an example where a serious issue has been solved through negotiation and common policy. AI is further acting as an agent of division, and as it gathers momentum, it is feared it may not augur well for humankind.
What I propose is simple. The above and other very important questions should be put out to the public, and there should be a detailed discussion. Inclusivity is our only recipe for reaching a consensus. Exclusion based on wealth, religion, colour, caste and other ins and outs would further enhance our problems.
As Stephen Hawking said, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.” We live today in the era of the “illusion of knowledge”, and as it becomes more complex and the deep thinking of our species erodes, maybe we will end up in a place where our very survival as a species becomes seriously threatened.
Need to wake up. Time to think.