Sunday 23 May 2021

#Disruption #A trending mindset #An endgame in the hands of few?

 


I first wrote with a chalk and progressed with pencil, ink pen, ball pen, typewriter, teletypes, computer keyboards then the writing pads, smart pens, the digital pens and if not yet done but shortly and surely via voice over with AI. I first listened to music, news and commentaries on radios with bulbs then tubes to LED to circuits to battery operated transistors, advanced with the digital radio, T.V., podcasts, you tubes, listening apps so on and so forth while future may be AI based alerts, translations and listening. Similarly in all walks of life our lifestyle has undergone a tremendous change towards progress.

I have always seen things evolving within and outside in the world, the matters and the species too keep evolving gradually and also as per the need of the hour. While evolution is constant and natural, there were also phases of revolutions where revolutionary changes took place to change the systems and/or way of living viz- the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, the Green revolution, the cultural revolution, automation, information technology revolution and many democratic revolutions around the world fundamentally to give more value to all concerned and advance at a better pace.

Currently it seems we are going through yet another phase of transformation which is sadly termed too disruption. We were used to inventions, advancements and innovations for betterment but now we have everything with disruptive adjectives whether it is digital, technology, innovation or transformation. I have yet to understand how anything which is disruptive can be constructive at the same time for all. The pace of evolution was known as Hindu rate of growth (slow but steady), the revolutionary phase as the western model of growth (fast paced) while this disruptive transformation sounds like a Giant-Killer.

The innovators in the earlier two phases were known as geniuses who shaped a better world while this crop of disruptive innovations is termed as ingenious, guess because of the cleverness with which they disrupt the status quo, create a desire for a complete changeover, generate a want and then convert it into a universal need. All other players are wiped out, the disruptive element rules the roost and monopolizes the world. Of course, this does give windfall to few but is a landfall to many and sadly the divide between haves and have nots keeps growing, very few control many more in the name of value.

Now I am a lost person in the milieu of these disruptions all around us. Is my money with the banks safe, is my data safe in my computers, if blockchain and cryptocurrencies and AI are projected as the future of the world, how can I cope with it and who shall control the new system, will the govts become subject to these monopolistic hegemonies and I become a guinea peg and or a sacrificial goat.

The doubts do rise in my mind not necessarily due to lack of my understanding and the fear for change which is a human failing but because of the disruptive mindset of these ingenious people and their hidden agendas. These game-changers ultimately seem to be more interested in weeding out the current players and dominate the space to rule the roost. Whether these so-called disruptive changes bring in positive and constructive values to mankind or only few is a billion-dollar question?

From what started as disruptive methods to gain market share, one-upmanship and lead in business now seems to have become a mindset. Disruptive politics, disruptive technology, disruptive digitization, disruptive viruses and the wars, disruptive narratives and disruptive ideas are resulting in disrupted economies, livelihoods, Janata and the world at large and benefits only to a handful privileged entities. Is this for the progress of mankind or is it a devolution of values. Are we now just stones in the game for thrones? Guess that is the “New Normal”- change or perish, be trendy or become obsolete, disrupt or get disrupted.

The problem is with mindset, as deep technology and scientific advances are as important as the spiritual thinking for the sustainable progress of mankind and sadly in the race of materialistic gains, we have lost the values of Respect, understanding and love for all in pursuit of selfish gains thus not evolving together for a better world. Need a spiritual mindset and not disruptive one to live in harmony with all and nature.

 

Satish Shitut

Author, "Effective R.U.L.E."

Sunday 2 May 2021

Covid-19-21, WHO let the guards down(!)

 

Who is responsible for this pandemic, the resultant pandemonium and the loss of precious human lives? Of course, a tiny invisible virus who came out of either Wuhan wet market bat or a lab, found a friendly ally in an ignorant human body, started replicating and mutating itself with the help of human cells for its own survival while this human being who is a very social animal carried and transmitted it to others in this well-connected world, all over.

Initially WHO was blamed for the delay in alarming the world on the formation and the spread, who in turn blamed China for the same, who in turn blamed USA and the pharma companies as a man-made biological disaster. While the who did what blame game was on, the infected travelers were merrily traveling all over spreading the same, all the governments were caught off-guard and by that time it had already spread far and wide. The infrastructure was never sufficient to cater to the medical needs and as there was neither any data or medicine available to contain and cure thus lockdowns were imposed to buy time to improve combative health infrastructure, curative medicine and as a preventive measure the tried and tested method of social distancing and hygiene were propagated, by WHO.

The disciplined societies and their respective governments in the world took stringent, proactive and workable measures suggested by WHO and ensured containment while the who is who in the world(developed/developing, democratic and Industrialized nations) where, in the name of freedom individual rights are sacrosanct while duties are expendable, faltered in building consensus, decision-making, enforcement of do’s and don’ts, could not foresee the gravity thus failed to bolster the infrastructure and the system to cope with the unfolding of the waves and ensuing loss to the economies as well as the humanity.

The virus, in the meantime is thriving and fighting the odds, after all like many others it also has come into this world to exist and having found a friendly partner in the human body is even mutating variants. Individuals who are affected are also fighting for survival, the stressed-out medical fraternity has done it’s best to build medicinal protocol for cure with trial and error, treat the patients and have even invented vaccines to save lives and contain the spread. The battle is on, who will win over the other? No one but the vaccine should surely nullify and or contain the destructive cells of the virus, over a period of time-WHO knows.

Earlier it used to take a decade to come out with vaccines but thanks to the technological advancements, the scientific research, data analysis and the hard work of the community, the same has been made ready within a year, though due to the imbalance between production and he size of the population it could be the end of year 2022 when the majority population could be immunized, so till then who is to take care and behave response-ably , it is the missing I in it, the I who is arrogant, callous, disrespectful, selfish, and exists all over in many govts, institutions, politics, media, executive, judiciary and the public and these are the people who believe in I-Me-Myself  who are responsible for the current mess and will continue to do so.

The societies which were able to save lives, contain the spread and continue to take care of the people are the ones with the attitude of I-We-Us and oneness. Thus, the character building of the societies of developed/developing nations need to change and must inculcate the thinking of “I am part of a whole and not a whole in itself”, instead of I as a part of a problem I need to become a part of a solution (dutifully right) as we all seek to survive, coexist and look beyond to live in harmony with humanity and the nature. Who will bell the cat(!) only I- We-Us attitude towards oneness, the ultimate truth can do and not I-Me-Myself towards self-destruction?

Satish Shitut

Author, Effective R.U.L.E

To live life effectively- A life changing process