This is an age of publicity. We are told repeatedly that the human material progress continues unabated, propelled by few 'magical' members. Salute these icons, who tirelessly run the tables for the entire mankind. Celebrate their achievements, fame, wealth, and social rankings.
Time to realise that our 'ethical' values have become delusions. In their place, welcome a modern set of 'maverick' values, invented by markets. Too naive to expect any 'future -fit' values or 'value-fit' nations. Markets have only 'relative' values for goods, services, and 'people.' Honour the omni present 'markets, ' that create the world order, confirm our presence in it, and even decide the sizes and directions of our shadows.
This is also an age of identity-based politics. Let us box people into groups based on any conceivable identity. Let us create fragmented, disconnected communities in a connected world by presenting or misrepresenting our 'super' cultures. These boxes can be the much-needed escape valves for powers that be, when economies fail.
Cultural purity is a must in our echo chambers, tribal caves and in our 'highbred, ' island nations. Do not allow citizens to get out of the 'designer' labyrinths in societies. Terminate alien cultural gardens. Weaponize cultures, including the illusory ones, and use them to decide national boundaries. Part with peace and multi culturalism. No cultural osmosis, no shared history, and no shared cultures for us. No strategic forgetting plans to bury our divisive ideas and traditions.
Places of worship are perfect divisive platforms. Let us fight over them. Do not encourage quieter forms of worship. No 'doctrine of honey' for us.
This is an age of increasing inequality. Let us grow wealth, for the sake of growth. Let us help 'elites' and the 'discardable' preserve their status. Social ladders are not for all. Do not tame the towering titans. Do not discourage speculators. Self-ruled nations need not take hard decisions for 'fairer' redistribution of wealth. Equality as a concept can continue, as a far-away rainbow. Let the trust deficit and self-goals in democracies continue. Let governments be empowered more, at the cost of the ruled.
These are some disturbing observations that are being questioned in this book. The domino effect of actions pursued by the powerful and social systems in general in our societies, on the lives of common men, is its central theme. Societies can significantly minimize some of these adverse effects, if they opt for some unconventional approaches. The book suggests few actionable, alternate ways of dealing with the grave situation.
Too late for a reboot?