Now Is the Time
What does it mean to be human in the 21st century? To be present in our mind and our body? To ask ourself, are we prepared for the challenges of the future? Can we take this crisis as an opportunity to change our mindset, to open up to new learning and creativity?
“We grow in the direction of the questions we ask …”
If it is indeed true that we grow in the direction of the questions we ask then at a time like this we necessarily become those questions. So perhaps it’s a choice between feeling angry (scared; unsafe) and leaning towards those questions that always need to be asked?
Can this crisis open up new avenues for socialised learning and creativity? One of the most encouraging patterns emerging is, at long last, digital tools being embraced outside the bubble of corporate training and communications for a purpose other than selfies, mischief-making and virtue signalling.
“Long may it reign”
The restrictive social distancing measures imposed by governments across the world have triggered a collective impulse to connect online. With more time to hand, many are engaging with free online courses and directly or indirectly upskilling during the lockdown. The question is how far-reaching the impact will be and will it be the tipping point to accelerated growth? Or is it just further activating people who are already digitally engaged?
Connecting In New Ways
The fundamental challenge is one of psychobiology and behaviour change as opposed to just a straight forward learning issue. A person might, without being aware, relish the victimhood status of not being able to do certain things for themself because they “like” to be helped and rescued.
If this is the case, what may be needed, now more than ever before, is for authorities to trust in the ability of individuals to deal with complexity, not only in terms of community action but also on a human scale; with a sense of empathy newly calibrated for the 21st century. Only then might a little help from tools, technology and the holding of spaces support the nurturing of our intrinsic curiosity.
