What’s Next
Over the past couple of days, I have
read three articles from three of the most esteemed publications in the
world. They speak to big global themes
that will likely define the next decade and beyond:
From the New York Times, a column by
David Brooks on the increasing ethnic diversity of America, and its
implications for race, politics, and alliances.
My takeaway: entrenched power dynamics will eventually give way to a
more fluid and tolerant social structure, but how long will that transition
take and how smooth will it be?
From the Financial Times [log-in needed], a story about
how rising wages in developing countries are pushing multinational companies to
further automate their production processes.
My takeaway: we always lost more jobs to the machines than to lower-wage
countries, but that is going to accelerate even more, so how will we adjust our
educational and vocational infrastructure in response?
From the Wall Street Journal, a story
about how a growing global middle class, informed by social media and emboldened
by their resulting connectivity to others like them in other countries, are no
longer accepting the status quo as their lifelong fate. My takeaway: how much blood will freedom
cost, and what will the newly free do with their hard-fought prize?
As time permits, I would like to think
on this more, on at least three planes.
First, as a Christian: what does this mean for representing Jesus in
2013 and for broadcasting His message to more and more people? Second, as a parent: how can I best prepare
my children to be happy, prosperous, and influential in the world they will
grow up into? Third, as an urbanist:
what will thriving cities look like, and what can be done by a range of actors
to get to that?
That’s all I have for now: questions, no answers. I welcome your reactions.
Comments