Blogs & Articles: The Times They Are A-Changin’ 🔗 4 years ago
- Category: Blogs & Articles | Brandon Quittem on Medium
- Author(s): Brandon Quittem
- Published: 18th March 2020 22:35
Come gather ‘round people, wherever you roam,
Give yourself a moment, to reflect on this poem.
Amidst the chaos, we have an opportunity.
Humans are clever and resilient. You were made for this.
Let’s face it. Failures of the old paradigm are stacking up. Our administration has failed us, markets exposed bare, the media drives narratives not facts, “capitalist” corporations seeking bailouts.
This serves as a wakeup call. More people will realize the power structures are NOT looking out for our best interests. Occasionally our interests align, but when the goin’ gets tough we’re on our own. History is littered with examples, yet cognitive dissonance and collective amnesia reign supreme.
Many people will keep their head in the sand, it’s too much to handle. “If our strong credentialed leaders aren’t in charge then who is!?” No one has it under control. Scary to think about. Scary to consider we each must take personal responsibility. What if I’m not good enough?
Keep your eyes wide, the chance won’t come again
On the other hand, this realization is empowering. If we want change, it’s precisely our responsibility to make it happen. The barriers we hide behind are constructs of our own mind.
Amidst uncertain times, full of pain and suffering, there is much to be optimistic about.
Humans everywhere are forced to put “real life” on hold. We temporarily reprioritize away from consumption & status games and instead focus on survival/community/connection.
Some might realize “crises mode” makes them feel more alive than wage-slave-cubicle hell. WE ARE NOT WIDGETS. The masses will start to question things. Deep held assumptions will waiver. Chaos creates opportunity. Entrepreneurs will seize opportunities to serve a new paradigm.
We have a choice
The blue pill
We fall back to our old patterns. We concede power to centralized structures to “save us.” It’s tempting, I admit. Waiting to be saved sounds appealing. But at what cost?
Our power structures operate under “let no crisis go to waste.” Is that who we want making our decisions? Do we want to kick the can down the road AGAIN? Fool me once. Don’t concede our liberties to our woefully inept, over-reaching, underprepared governments. We must avoid the “patriot acts” that emerge out of the covid-19 crisis.
The red pill
We face harsh realities with eyes wide. We band together, leverage our collective intelligence. We build more resilient systems this time.
Question assumptions. Shift foundational values. Reduce systemic risks.
Decentralize our money (bitcoin), relocalize our food, defend our right for private communication, and shift towards more localized decision making.
A balkanization is on the horizon. Antifragility is our aim.
Think about it… a pile of multi-disciplinary mental horsepower just received the gift of free time. Humanity united under a shared mission.
Many community led initiatives like #Quaranteam will emerge, entrepreneurs will satisfy new market demands, the people will come together. You were made for this.
Are you ready to heed the call?
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Stay home, save lives,
-Brandon Quittem
PS: Say hello on twitter @bquittem
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