An Inflection Point in History

Which are the most probable trajectories, as We, the People, embark on a new course in the wake of a profoundly partisan, adversarial election?  Are we on the cusp of an historical inflection point as we attempt to engineer a sane approach to the 21^st Century?   How will our great-great-grandchildren evaluate our efforts?  Or, will our slow and inadequate response to the scientific reality of climate change create the Sixth Extinction – and, render that question moot?

As I begin these ruminations in November of 2020, with the Most Divisive Election slowly fading from view, the possibilities seem simultaneously awe-inspiring and overwhelming. 

No, we are not yet experiencing a repeat of the French Revolution, but the words of Charles Dickens still ring true:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness…”

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Tale_of_Two_Cities

An inescapable reality of the darkness is the coronavirus Pandemic: its reality and our reactions.

• The eclipse of reason: America’s nonsensical denial of public health measures needed for a civil response…
• Our much-vaunted pathological independence – used by the political process to demonize doctors whose commitment to life-saving guidance is essential…

More shadows emerging from the American psyche:

• Racism (Make America White Again). 
• Lack of commitment to a sustainable biosphere (Make Fossil Fuel Great Again) …
• Extremes of wealth & poverty (Make Our Grandchildren Poor) …    
• 10 Million more Trump supporters voted in 2020 than 2016.
• (More frightening percent of voters: 47.2% in 2020 vs. 46.1% in 2016).

Some flickers of sunlight as the sun sets on the 2020 election:

• 13 Million more votes for Biden (2020) than Clinton (2016).
• (Less frightening percent of voters: 50.9% in 2020 vs. 48.2% in 2016).
• Dancing in the streets without too much gloating.
• Insightful and humble comments from traditional media.
  “Yes, we still do not know how to poll voters…”
• Minimal insanity within both traditional and social media.

From my perspective as a retired geek, someone who spent decades designing and developing software, I see great potential for improvements in society based on ethical applications of science and technology.  Yeah! Pfizer & Moderna for vaccine research to address the Pandemic.  Yeah!  John King & CNN’s Magic Wall: graphics in pursuit of insight.

However, technology alone will not save us without collegial dialogue in pursuit of a shared vision for a civilized world.  Or, at least, compatible visions of a society with social and economic justice.

Note: I am not using a megaphone made entirely from 1’s and 0’s to incite fanatics.  I am not trying to generate a digital howl at a safe distance – safe in that no physical harm will rebound.

I want to add an engaged, mature voice (laden with humor) to help us navigate the shoals of the 21^st century.  Like Dickens, I’m not a philosopher, but a storyteller.  I want to tell stories that make our U.S. Motto: E Pluribus Unum work a bit better.  I want to be a catalyst for a collegial process that will create positive synergy.

Let me begin with a metaphor: the 21^st Century as political theater where We, the People, have Front Row seats.  It is a parable to suggest that we should become more than spectators.  We should join the players in the drama of real life.  This idea is a natural for the city of Atlanta with its Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse in the [now] blue State of Georgia.