Reflect, Reimagine, and Reset

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, Pandemics, , , , , , , , ,

“The pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world.” Klaus Schwab – Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Way back in 2010 when I launched this Blog, its purpose was to focus on reimagining. What will the world look like in twenty years? Ten years into that journey, the word reimagine seems like the right choice. The quote above from Klaus Schwab captures it well. While the pandemic may indeed serve as a catalyst for reflection, reimagining, and an ultimate reset, we have been here before – only to return to the status quo.

One of my favorite explanations of a Great Reset comes from economist Tyler Cowen. He believes in cyclical theories of history, where good times sow the seeds of their own destruction. In so doing, it introduces the possibility of a great reset. Look no further than the Roaring Twenties for an example of that theory in action. The use of that language by Klaus Schwab is telling. In a recent Article, he describes the emerging signals that indicate a reset is possible. Having witnessed that radical changes to our lifestyles are possible, Mr. Klaus views it as a silver lining of the pandemic. Almost instantly, the crisis forced businesses and individuals to abandon practices long claimed to be essential, from frequent air travel to working in an office.

However, he goes on to state the challenge: the level of cooperation and ambition this implies is unprecedented. In a world demanding global cooperation, we are heading in the opposite direction. How then do we leverage the pandemic as a catalyst? It has always been about catalysts. The greatest human progress was built on the back of catalysts. I explored the role of catalysts in This Post that looked at historical catalysts and the catalysts on the horizon. The poll in the post was taken prior to COVID-19. If this pandemic were to serve as a catalyst, the World Economic Forum created the map below to point the way.

The Great Reset Roadmap

It is a great opportunity that should not go to waste. Can we reflect, reimagine, and reset? Explore more about the pandemic via these earlier posts.

FEATURED: A Post Pandemic Society

 

 

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