The Industrial Age conquered space, making us one world
The Information Age conquered time, making us one village

The Bio-Materials Age is conquering matter, which make us one family

   Richard Oliver’s vision, 1999 in The Shape of Things to Come

 
Ten years later, we are wiser and somewhat experienced as individuals, communities, and a nation about the challenges, promises and burdens of the above vision – including globalization that swept through this planet.  Our world is a smaller, instantly-connected place -  when and where we want - using Facebook, Skype, LinkedIn, Twitter, Plaxo, etc.  Highly prolific tech industry has jumped in leaps and bounds in providing us with slicker gadgets and software, striving to make almost everything instantaneously possible.  (And for that I am thankful most days.) 

Almost everything…  We still can’t eradicate wars, terror attacks, famine, poverty, hatred etc.  With all our intelligence, our world at times seems more polarized than ever.

The other day, I made a list of ideas/beliefs that we use DAILY to differentiate “I” from “you” and “we” from “others.”  Like spices in a cabinet – we mix and match to create our own version of a recipe.  It begins at a personal level and then extends to our immediate families, extended families, communities, nations, continents, regions and so on.  My incomplete list includes: religion, race, skin color, politics (not just red vs blue, but also workplace), gender, ageism, speaking accents, sexual orientation, languages, countries, regions, cities, states, continents, economic status (among friends, family, communities, states, nation), personal salaries (individuals, rich vs poor nations), immigrants vs. citizens, rural vs tribal vs urban.  

For a better and safer future, we have to:

-   Transcend personally, communally, nationally and work towards bridging these human-made thought barriers listed above. 

-   Reduce this obsession – maximize profit (monetarily, power etc.) against all odds and minimize losses without thinking of the implications to other communities and the common people in my nation and others. 

-   Bring back a sense of balance - between the journey being just as important if not more important than the destination of accomplishing one’s personal/company/communal/national goals for success. 

Perhaps the recent financial crisis could have been averted if only the decision makers in the financial industry had given some thought to the above.  Socially responsible investing - cannot be an esoteric idea anymore.  When all is said and done, how many reports will ever be put together to extract the REAL impact of this financial crisis to common Americans, and citizens around the world including aging retired folks with shredded 401Ks.

Incepted in 1971, Doctors without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org/aboutus/)
won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.  I love their mission that “MSF operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas.  MSF is neutral.”  It has helped them create a niche where they provide direct help to people in need transcending some of these barriers I mentioned above.  Although some parts of it can be done online/high-tech, the key to the success of this work is that humans are needed to help other humans in need.  This aspect cannot be eliminated as we plan for the next decade.  Technology cannot do it alone.  Nothing can replace the importance and comfort of being in human relationships.  (No one would be using golf courses anymore to make their deals and decisions then.  Think of Steve Madoff.)

And that is the KEY as we re-visit The Shape of Things to Come for the next 10 years.  For a start, history has been made with Obama that has injected a lot of hope, idealism, optimism into the masses despite this being one of the most trying periods in American history.  It reminds me of Dicken’s line “It was the worst of times.  It was the best of times.” 

So lets do our part to make this year the best of times…  For starters, participate in an intiative called Network without Borders – Strategic Ideas for Hillary Clinton by 85 Broads which I am honored and thrilled to put together incorporating your insights, vision and to-dos.  Thank you Janet - for this wonderful opportunity as you help inspire and encourage the next line of visionary women leaders like you from across the world.

We invite each and every 85 Broads member to participate in a survey that will come out soon.  Keep an eye for it.  Share examples of your current involvement in projects that transcends borders.  How you envision using this network in your work and life for a better future in your community/city/nation?  Suggestions for making 85 Broads even a better platform in future by incorporating additional online features.
Also feel free to write to me.  Your participation will help synthesize the thoughts of 18,000+ women in a concise way for the new administration.  Especially, if you believe in “We Can Change,” here is your chance! 

Happy New Year!

Manju Seal

American Marshall Fellow