The Machine Age and the Modern Industrial Ages are behind us.
We are now entering the Digital Age and all of its associated complexities.
Our future is unknown and quite unknowable due to the vast number of variables.
Let us try to imagine what is ideally possible for humanity.
….. WE START NOW …..
In every land and Nation profound changes are currently at play. The chief cause being the development of the Smart Phone. This tiny hand held device gives the adult or child hitherto untold power at affordable costs. The cell phone changes everything. Our World will never be the same whether for good or for evil. Only in time, as in several generations, will we begin to know the longer term effects. Here are some possible changes that may become realities.
LET US DREAM BIG
START WITH EDUCATION
All progress towards an enlightened human society begins with Early Education. Parents must be properly informed about the importance of prenatal health, nutrition, and good parenting habits. All working parents will have maternity leave to optimize the needs of the infant. Healthy mental stimulus of the developing infant will become common place. Preschool will start at an earlier age where appropriate. The entire K-to-12 curriculum will be transformed to suit the individual child where each one will succeed. What are the expected goals of this new universal education program?
Adults of the future will be emotionally mature, excellent communicators, endowed with love and compassion and empathy for each other (As by the Golden Rule). Adults will be ruled by logic and reason rather than by emotional over-reactions. We will no longer be subdued by the struggles between Heart and Head. Our lives will become more rational. The healthy and curious child will easily learn these principles when properly guided.
The Racism of today will gradually evolve into one of Cultural Differences, differences that are embraced in a healthy spirit of appreciation. We will enjoy a vast array of individual cultures that add to the texture of the entire Global Community. The challenge now is how we get to that condition where peace and abundance is sustainable in a loving and giving environment. A one-world spirit is the goal.
The motivating force for change will be partly driven by our rapidly accelerating Global Warming. We can no longer grow and pollute as in the past century. Constant industrial growth is not sustainable. We must engineer a system of balance and fairness to all human inhabitants. We have the knowledge how to do this but are presently lacking the political will. We also know that wars will not solve anything for long. We know peaceful ways are better ways.
For details about some future educational needs, please go to:
CULTURE OF THE CLASSROOM
JOBS FOR ALL
A balance is required between the growth of jobs and population. More jobs can be created by going to a shorter work week for all. Production efficiency increases on the farm and factory will assure an ample abundance of all our necessities. Luxuries will become largely out of fashion as people move away from materialism toward more human values and creative leisure time … doing rather than having and owning.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Solar and wind generated electricity has the potential to catapult the less developed countries to a par with the advanced countries. They may then surpass the older and crumbling economies as they create new and more efficient structures for modern living. The sun shines equally on each Country. The darkest lands may then become the brightest.
A STEADY LIFE sans INFLATION
Boom and bust, pestilence and wars, have marked our past. Our built-in-inflation policy is outmoded. This policy benefits the fortunate and penalizes the many. The planned 3% growth rate is no longer sustainable, so the question is “Can humans create a balanced zero-growth system for a sustained peace and harmony?” The answer is “Maybe.” It all depends upon the ability of humans to control their egos and tendencies of greed. Advanced cultures may achieve this by wiser early education for all people. We either meet this challenge or continue with Feast and Famine as before.
REJOICE IN CULTURAL VARIETY
The past few centuries were characterized by cultural warfare and dominance to the level of destruction of the Other. The American Indian is but one example of culture destruction. We are now entering a period of respect and admiration of these subdued people and their ways and culture. When the Europeans first encountered these native tribes there was a cultural clash and the natives had no defenses.The arrogant and aggressive Europeans soon outnumbered and conquered the natives. Each side deemed their own ways to be superior and attempts at integration soon failed. Three centuries later, the natives still refuse to adopt the ways of the whites. Maybe they have a point, considering Global Warming and other problems associated with greed and materialism. The destructive culture of the Whites worked well for awhile, but it is unsustainable due to the limits of Earth’s resources. We are thus starting to learn some advantages of the Indian ways.
The native Indian is gentle, loving and honest; quite distinct from the savage that he has been portrayed. His values are with his family rather than with material possessions. His children were never whipped nor punished as in other cultures. Compliant behavior was attained by gentle coaching. The children learned survival skills from direct experience in their environment, something rare in our school systems.
The assumed superiority of the Euro-American cultures must give way as we learn to respect all peoples. The colonial system has had its day with its temporary gains and ultimate destruction. Some reversals of power and prestige are now to be expected. Several Asian countries are poised to lead the way forward, hopefully to a balanced and sustainable economic and human-friendly governing system. There is enough for all of us.
CIVILITY IN HUMAN DISCOURSE
America has always struggled with the lack of civil discourse when electing a new President. In the eyes of the World, during our 2016 campaign, we must seem to be totally backwards and uncouth. We can do better. We should do better. We MUST do better in order to set higher standards for our youngsters and for the Nation. … How is it possible to become a Nation of higher morals and integrity when each new generation is weaned on Political Attack Ads ? … Even a fine early education program would be totally undermined by this continued immature discourse by officials in our government. America will eventually pass through this uncouth stage and grow into maturity. … How wonderful if we ever enter the stage of Honesty and Truth in Politics.
DEMOCRACY NEEDS FIXING
Democracy seems to be fairly successful in smaller countries such as Singapore, Switzerland, and the Nordic nations. America, with 50 States of distinct cultures, may be too big to manage as a democracy. Our central government in Washington D.C. is too weak to govern in modern times. Great changes are overwhelming the ability to keep pace. Our hope lies with the 50 States which are not so complex and can make suitable changes as required. The State of California has often taken the role of leadership with other States later following until the Federal Government finally catches up. Now in the year 2016, it is quite uncertain if this huge dysfunctional burden can be lifted fast enough. Delays can lead to chaos! Sadly, the powerful elite seem to like it that way!
OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME
It is essential to create peace, stability, and brotherhood in every Earthly culture. That requires a replacement of all of our destructive, competitive materialistic tendencies. The profit motive and worship of the almighty dollar are not compatible with higher human values and major changes are needed. Police and soldiers will always be with us, but ownership of guns and weapons of terror needs to be tightly controlled. The profit motive of making and selling weapons will be gone. Hunting animals for sport will not be missed in the advanced culture. Incremental progress will be made toward a World Government charged with International laws and peace keeping. Early detection and reform for children with special needs will be part of an advanced education system.
Many more unknowns lie ahead, such as family formation choices and population growth (or decline). Many young people today have little or no interest in raising a family. Others have chosen the single lifestyle. Will traditional marriage fade away? What will then be the purpose of peoples lives? Will they choose to serve a higher purpose or become hedonists? How will education effect these choices?… Go to the page entitled … One True God ? for a discussion about who or what to worship.
SUMMARY
All changes are accelerating due to the advances in communications such as the Smart Phone plus all the other marvels of the digital age.
Clearly, the ideals mentioned in this page are highly dependent upon a greatly modified system for education of our new parents and children.
For more information please click below:
CULTURE OF THE CLASSROOM
Many generations of wiser education will be required before we can all enjoy a world that is designed for all humans to live and to thrive.
… A worthy objective indeed! …
THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
slowly growing to completion
The foregoing is based on many decades of critical observations and deductions.
Gil Patchett, b. 1928, Naturalist and Author, fifth generation Californian and U.C. Berkeley graduate.