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A Nudge to Catastrophe

America stands on a precipice.

That is not hyperbole.  That is fact.  Ripped by political tension and growing inequality laid bare by a pandemic it is showing the age of an almost 250 year old republic.

Add to that lingering racial prejudice and lack of empathy we are clearly at a crossroads of where to turn next.  One of those choices ends in complete disaster.

Time to get Vegas odds?  No.  
Time to think.  Yes.

Exactly what I feel has been on the decline. Critical thinking.  Every man, woman and child needs to above all develop this faculty if not for anything then for self preservation.  Of themselves therefore their community and consequently of this species.

The so called rapid pace of innovation and development is often making headlines but as well known historian Yuval Harari points out someone has to take the contrarian if not realistic view of what the unintended consequences of all this development mean for humanity.

I would posit that even the intended consequences bear large scrutiny.  To underscore this point I can point the readers to a plethora of media messaging and nudges and hints aimed at the average consumer to help them make believe that the messaging is suggesting what is a normal lifestyle.  Lacking in the message is - please look before you leap.  Unlike the (relatively ineffective) cigarette warnings or the 'Drink Responsibly' lame messages there is nothing to prevent someone from buying a larger refrigerator or truck without evaluating if they really need that on their property.  Assuming they have property.

Look at the recent commercials from Lowes or Volkswagen as an example and the subtext is 'Go Bigger'.  Not figure out how you can eat less (oh by the way you may be obese) or use space wisely but just do it.

Did we mention you also have the ability to borrow at low low rates that shoot up after you drive around the block (in that bigger than most people's homes) SUV?

Yuval will point out that the likes of Facebook tout their zero cost platform to connect global audiences and humanity as a game changer but indeed it is designed to get eyeballs on a tiny screen and keep them there for as long as it takes to sell Band Aids to Hawaii vacations to Pet food to Chevys or Toyotas.

It is NOT about having people use it to form meaningful friendships but is resulting in more damage through mental anguish and bullying and depression and so on.  A big boon to big pharma who cannot sell their pills fast enough.

Education and the purveyors of said commodity are also in the spotlight following the desire to move the process from verdant campuses to streamed content to a screen near you.  More screen time?  No human connection?  Really?  Where is the value?  As Sir Ken Robinson has oft pointed out we have to really work hard to make sure people LEARN not just study.  Bring on the Learning Revolution!

Think about it.
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