07-05-2020, 06:30 PM
My predictions from a US 1985-born standpoint: Even if the coronavirus isn't the spark event for the 4T of our time, it sure revealed the various systems in place in US society are not working for the populace. I'm feeling like it is, because we're experiencing that real disruption/change to everyday life that can happen in a 4T. I and millions of others came into work on Friday the 13th of March 2020 like any other day and was working home the next week. The virus up to that point in the US was just a 'TV news event' unless you or family member/friend were a direct victim of it. I feel like work/school-from-home is here to stay and there will be a big financial reason to keep it this way, where practical. 5G networks with their faster speeds are coming on at a time when we need the Internet more than ever now. IIRC, during the last 4T the primary media source changed to become TV, whereas now it's looking clear that the Internet is taking over with the momentum and centrality to our lives that TV had in the 20th century. The Internet by its nature and structure is decentralised by design but it is central to how we conduct our lives now.
I feel like we're at the point since at least late March that there is no going back to the old 3T ways in general, even though it seemed the 3T was on its way out for several years now. The mood amongst everyone I know is crisis even when the word isn't specifically mentioned. In the S&H books it was mentioned that everyone in society knows when the Crisis is here, right? As for politics? This is a messy one for the US. We have no FDR equivalent in office or running this time, it seems. When was the last time this happened in a 4T? Or perhaps other countries that were not in sync with the US Turnings can give some hint of how this can play out? My own political beliefs are very liberal, so i was disappointed in Sanders losing in 2016 & bowing out this year. I also think the virus has put an end to globalisation & cosmopolitanism at least for now. Whether this becomes long-term remains to be seen.
I think the virus being around will push things in social areas in a different direction, too. Not much has really been discussed in the MSM about implications that can become long-term in that area lately. My expectations? Marriage & family life are being pushed to the forefront as we speak. The work/life balance can not be ignored anymore. Before, people jumped jobs for more money and better personal prospects/enjoyment but I think now, the main choice will be how a new job will impact their family life. The money & enjoyment of the job will take a backseat as long as it's enough & the job isn't too backbreaking/annoying.
I've spent some of the last 3 months wondering as someone who is single how dating will change after this is over, and wondering if during this time of social distancing if it's better to be single or better to be married. Many in my generation have been of the type to hold out forever till the 'perfect' person came along. There is an interesting parallel in the pandemic that may have been a big early mistake by the US powers that be: They let the perfect be the enemy of the good (in the form of requiring specific N95 masks instead of just telling people any multi-layer face covering is far better than nothing at all when it comes to the virus spread). On the other hand, the whole Zoom dating thing reminds me of a time when courtship existed. I wouldn't be surprised if people will go to vetting their dates online by video and being very cautious about who they meet in person from here on out. The virus won't be the only thing on people's mind eventually. About social life in general, I wonder how the global pandemic happening in a 4T differs from the 1918 one last go around in a 3T. Has anyone made any comparisons yet or had any thoughts here about this?
Long-term: Middle of 2020s/2030s. High begins with however we resolve this Crisis. Whatever cultural norms established during this Crisis will become the standard for society for years to come. Us Millennials will probably start entering political circles by then and fight tooth & nail to keep the new standards around. Given how this crisis was science-based, I expect science & technology will become more entrenched in society at all levels. Millennials will move out of the cities due to high costs, desire for a family, and less people & virus. 3D printing goes really mainstream with all that brings with it. Climate change will remain an ongoing threat but won't be fully dealt with till late in the upcoming Saeculum because humanity puts the here & now up front, and climate change is both a global & long-term issue. 2040s/2050s: Next Awakening begins. The people of this time start to eschew the technological marvels we based our lives on & got addicted to over the prior decades. Not sure how the rest of the 2T will look. Perhaps another spiritual awakening being part of the overall back-to-nature movement. The cities may come back at this point as 'green' cities where polluting vehicles are not allowed in. 2060s/2070s: The next 3T begins. My generation will sit this one out, isolate in our bubbles again (perhaps even become nomadic bubbles to avoid climate change impacts brewing). I was a child/teen in the starts & heart of the 3T we just had, so I'm very interested in seeing a 3T from older adult eyes.
My parents look back fondly on their 1 & 2T youth, and I'm unsure if I should be looking forwards excitedly to the 1T & 2T this time around, or if I should dread it. Perhaps someone who lived through them can give some insight? Like if you like a life of XYZ, a certain Turning would be your favourite & why.
I feel like we're at the point since at least late March that there is no going back to the old 3T ways in general, even though it seemed the 3T was on its way out for several years now. The mood amongst everyone I know is crisis even when the word isn't specifically mentioned. In the S&H books it was mentioned that everyone in society knows when the Crisis is here, right? As for politics? This is a messy one for the US. We have no FDR equivalent in office or running this time, it seems. When was the last time this happened in a 4T? Or perhaps other countries that were not in sync with the US Turnings can give some hint of how this can play out? My own political beliefs are very liberal, so i was disappointed in Sanders losing in 2016 & bowing out this year. I also think the virus has put an end to globalisation & cosmopolitanism at least for now. Whether this becomes long-term remains to be seen.
I think the virus being around will push things in social areas in a different direction, too. Not much has really been discussed in the MSM about implications that can become long-term in that area lately. My expectations? Marriage & family life are being pushed to the forefront as we speak. The work/life balance can not be ignored anymore. Before, people jumped jobs for more money and better personal prospects/enjoyment but I think now, the main choice will be how a new job will impact their family life. The money & enjoyment of the job will take a backseat as long as it's enough & the job isn't too backbreaking/annoying.
I've spent some of the last 3 months wondering as someone who is single how dating will change after this is over, and wondering if during this time of social distancing if it's better to be single or better to be married. Many in my generation have been of the type to hold out forever till the 'perfect' person came along. There is an interesting parallel in the pandemic that may have been a big early mistake by the US powers that be: They let the perfect be the enemy of the good (in the form of requiring specific N95 masks instead of just telling people any multi-layer face covering is far better than nothing at all when it comes to the virus spread). On the other hand, the whole Zoom dating thing reminds me of a time when courtship existed. I wouldn't be surprised if people will go to vetting their dates online by video and being very cautious about who they meet in person from here on out. The virus won't be the only thing on people's mind eventually. About social life in general, I wonder how the global pandemic happening in a 4T differs from the 1918 one last go around in a 3T. Has anyone made any comparisons yet or had any thoughts here about this?
Long-term: Middle of 2020s/2030s. High begins with however we resolve this Crisis. Whatever cultural norms established during this Crisis will become the standard for society for years to come. Us Millennials will probably start entering political circles by then and fight tooth & nail to keep the new standards around. Given how this crisis was science-based, I expect science & technology will become more entrenched in society at all levels. Millennials will move out of the cities due to high costs, desire for a family, and less people & virus. 3D printing goes really mainstream with all that brings with it. Climate change will remain an ongoing threat but won't be fully dealt with till late in the upcoming Saeculum because humanity puts the here & now up front, and climate change is both a global & long-term issue. 2040s/2050s: Next Awakening begins. The people of this time start to eschew the technological marvels we based our lives on & got addicted to over the prior decades. Not sure how the rest of the 2T will look. Perhaps another spiritual awakening being part of the overall back-to-nature movement. The cities may come back at this point as 'green' cities where polluting vehicles are not allowed in. 2060s/2070s: The next 3T begins. My generation will sit this one out, isolate in our bubbles again (perhaps even become nomadic bubbles to avoid climate change impacts brewing). I was a child/teen in the starts & heart of the 3T we just had, so I'm very interested in seeing a 3T from older adult eyes.
My parents look back fondly on their 1 & 2T youth, and I'm unsure if I should be looking forwards excitedly to the 1T & 2T this time around, or if I should dread it. Perhaps someone who lived through them can give some insight? Like if you like a life of XYZ, a certain Turning would be your favourite & why.