This commentary first appeared on Brazilian author Gustavo Tanaka's facebook page in English. We, at L.TOW have edited the translation and trust that it remains in line with his work. This commentary resonated strongly with us as we too have elected the path he is following for these and other observations made in the piece. You can read more about this author at his website.
We still haven’t realized that something extraordinary is happening.
A few months ago, I freed myself from society. I’ve freed myself from attachments I had and the fears that locked me into the system. I started seeing the world from a different perspective. The perspective that everything is changing and most of us have not even realized it yet.
Why is the world changing? In this post I will list the reasons that have brought me to this conclusion.
1 - No-one can stand the employment model any longer.
Each person is reaching their own limit. People that work in large corporations or highly restrictive environments cannot handle their jobs. A lack of purpose is beginning to eat away at the fibre of their being leading to a yearning for something more.
People want to escape. They want to leave everything behind. How many people do you know that are trying their hand at entrepreneurship, taking extended sabbaticals, remain depressed in their jobs… nearing burnout?
2 - The entrepreneurship model is changing
A few years ago there was an explosion of startups. Thousands of entrepreneurs ran to their garages to create that billion dollar idea. The measure of success was to get funded by an investor. Finding an investor was like winning the World Cup.
But what happened after being funded?
You became an employee again. You would be answerable to people that are not aligned with your dream, who don’t give a damn about the purpose of your innovation and everything becomes monetized. The financial objective returns as the driver of your creativity.
Many are trapped in this conundrum, with countless brilliant startups failing, the focus shifting away from the core values that instigated the idea in the first place.
We need a new model of entrepreneurship.
…And there are many smart people doing this now.
3 - The rise of collaboration
Many have awoken to this crazy mentality of ‘going at it alone’.
Stop, take a step back and think. Isn’t it absurd? We, 7 billion people on this planet, have become separated from each other. Does it make sense? You and thousands (possibly millions) of people living in the same city, turn your backs on each other. Whenever I think about this, it gets me depressed. So much possibility but without the networks we once had.
Fortunately, things are changing. Recent innovations and successes are pointing towards a sharing and collaborative economy built on trust. Consider large examples like the car-share service in your city, Uber, AirBNB, wikipedia, Linux and countless localized projects providing vital services through collaboration.
It is beautiful… it could make a person quite emotional.
4 - We are finally starting to understand what the internet is
The internet is a spectacular thing, and only now after all these years, are we understanding its power. With the internet our world opens, barriers collapse, separation ends, unity begins, collaboration explodes, help is available.
Some nations citizens have inspired change through the internet. It’s a revolution that will affect us all.
The internet is eliminating mass control. There is no more television, no longer the propaganda press feeding the population selective information. You can seek your information, you can relate to whoever you want no matter where they live. You can explore whatever you want, whenever you want.
With the internet, the seemingly insignificant get to participate. The anonymous become known. The world becomes united. This may see the end of the current system.
5 - The fall of exaggerated consumption
For decades we have been trained, manipulated and stimulated to consume like maniacs. To buy everything new and interesting that has been launched into the market. To have the newest car, the latest phone, the best brands… so many clothes, shoes, things. Lots of things… and we let them define us.
It’s evident to many that all of this makes no sense at all. Movements are beginning to hold these perceptions and behaviours to account in the form lowsumerism, collaborative consumption, simple living projects, slow seasonal food production. Think organic, think tiny house movement, think alternative educational methods, think share spaces.
People are tired of large private interests. Less cars, more public transport, fewer possessions, more trading clothing, donating, reusing, recycling, up-cycling, sharing goods, sharing services, sharing offices, sharing living.
The rising consciousness will break any corporation that depends on exaggerated consumption for their survival.
6 - Healthy and organic eating.
We are so incredibly crazy or uninformed to have accepted the kind of garbage that has been marketed to us as food. For us, all it needed, was to taste good. We have been disconnected from our food production to point that few of us understand even the basics of the journey of this sustenance to our plate. So detached that we could not see the poisons being added along the process.
Some folks woke up and gave strength to movements for healthy, non-toxic eating. It is already and is going to be huge.
What does it have to do with the economy and work? It has everything!
The production of food is the basis of our societies. The food industry is one of the most significant in the world. If we become aware and make a conscious shift, our eating habits will change, consumption changes and in turn big corporations have little choice but to change.
The independent farmer is regaining strength. People are growing their own produce.
This will shift the entire economy.
7 - The awakening of spirituality
How many friends do you have that now practice yoga? What about meditation? And 10 years ago?
Spirituality for many years was an esoteric pursuit, sought only by those ‘crazies’ immersed in an imported mysticism. People are becoming more aware of their lives but without wanting to participate in the divisive and destructive institutions of religion. We have reached the limit of our rational thinking and realise there is much that we do not understand. This is ok. People are relinquishing their control for a more peaceful acceptance of themselves and the unknowable.
You want to understand how things work, how life operates, what happens after death, how our thoughts can create our reality, what are coincidences and synchronacities, why meditation works, what alternative therapies are available that medicine does not recognize.
Companies are promoting meditation to their employees. Schools are teaching meditation and mindfulness techniques to kids.
8 - Unschooling movements
Who created this teaching model? Who chose the classes you are required to take? Who selected the content of our history lessons? Why do we receive a single perspective on ancient civilisations and even recent history?
Why should kids obey rules? Why should they take everything in… in silence? Why are they wearing uniforms?
Does a test prove that you've learned anything?
We have structured a model that creates followers of the system. That prevents people from being exceptional human beings.
Fortunately there is a movement working to change that, one that even the most innovative entrepreneur Elon Musk, has found important enough to change. Movements like unschooling, hackschooling and homeschooling are gaining traction. Musk has started a school of his own to ensure his children get a relevant education.
Perhaps you have not noticed these shifts and are shocked to hear of these movements.
But they are happening
Quietly, people are awakening and realizing the absurdity of living in this society.
If you look at these movements can you still say that everything is normal?
I don’t think it is.
There is something extraordinary happening.
Read the original piece here