Seeds of swift change were sown in 2005 that will further take root in ’06. These 6 Signs represent choice points for human kind and if we choose wisely, the direction of the world will significantly be altered for the good in the coming decade. Some of my facts and analysis were borrowed from Futurist Magazine, Jan. 2006 and Ode Magazine’s Dec. 2005 editions. Here are my reasons why the events of 2005 are planting seeds of hope for the coming decade:
Self-Empowerment---The Reign of Experts is Nearly Over.
In the past ten years, with the help of technology and the internet, individuals now have access to the world’s collective knowledge. Today 15% of the world is on line. In the next ten years, it is estimated that almost half of the world will have access to the internet.
Old hierarchical structures in politics will crumble. Self organizing systems will grow like a new idea whose time has come. Citizens will cast aside their cynical complaints and begin to revitalize their own neighborhoods, parks, schools and cities. Making a unique contribution is the world will be easier. No more complaining about “why bother with politics----nothing will ever change.” Change through creative individual action will be abound.
Baby Boomer’s Turn 60---Enter Their Legacy Years.
Seventy five million baby boomers are beginning to enter their wisdom years. The passion they exhibited in the 60’s will refocus. This time around, boomer revolution-evolution will utilize extraordinary personal wealth and power to reshape individual and cultural initiatives (think Bono and Gates). Outside the government and other previously known structures, Boomers will have a new-found desire to leave legacies that resonate with an aging soul. Women Boomers who become free of daily child-rearing duties will especially become visible leaders in the coming decade.
Meaning-Making Will Become Foundation for Life.
In 2005, purpose-of-life books dominated the best selling lists. Honoring the individual pursuit of meaning for each person’s life has become almost a national obsession. During the coming decade, our cultural will become more honoring of all spiritual and life paths as a way to create purposeful meaning.
Strident systems such as fundamentalist religions and political parties will resist this trend as narcissistic and dangerous. Therefore more conflict between those who want to force their structures and narrow view of life’s purpose onto others will continue to clash with the desire for empowered individual to improve the condition of the global society. Polarization will continue as systems (and world views) confront one another but gradually a new era of individuals working together to improve all of humanity will prevail in the next decade.
The Welfare of the Few Will Become the Welfare of the Many.
In 2005 hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, disease, poverty and war demonstrated our oneness. Aid and action across cultural boundaries became more evident as the global community rallied for the least among us. We visually and emotional understood the interconnectedness of systems and people.
Military action as the only way to assure security was deeply questioned as conventional force had little effect on combating world-wide terrorism. Awareness of the root causes of terrorism grew with a new appreciation and concern for the freedom and health of women as necessary to create stable societies. The next decade will be the turning point where wealthy nations and individuals directed their concern for the least among us.
Power Reframed. Corporate, political, sports, religious and scientific scandals ran rampant in 2005. The age-old adage that all power corrupts rang true. As the individual is empowered power will be revisited. Power “for and with” will take hold as we reject “power over others.”
The political scandals planted new seeds and questions of what is moral public behavior. The “triple bottom line” of planet, profit and people will firm take root in corporate America. Baby boomer’s influence and wealth will combine with young global citizens who will use corporate power to create meaningful products especially in the environment. Women, minorities and other disenfranchised groups will implement new definitions of power for the many rather than the few. No longer will social activist groups shy away from power. They will learn how to leverage power in new and influential ways.
Intelligent Design Meets “What The Bleep”: In 2005 Intelligent Design became a house hold word and spawn the science versus religion debate. This renewed debate will see dramatic changes in the coming decade “…..
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