MASTER PLAN FOR HUMANITY – PART 2

The Corona Virus, which brought Humanity to drastic changes overnight, also steered us to reflect and focus on what is meaningful and essential in life. At the same time, it further exposed the characteristics of human nature.

Almost two years into this global Covid 19 ordeal, we have witnessed many responses: countries purchasing vaccines unlawfully, fake news, greed and profit, and at the same time, an unprecedented collaboration between institutions and people, hope, and life resurrected.

In our previous article, we reflected on the time spot we occupy in human history, and the information available to us to be able to shape our tomorrow.  We elaborated on the importance of what values will be chosen as a framework towards the path to a future currently trapped in an intersection of choices. We also argued that moving forward without a Plan is recipe for disaster.

In Architecture, a Master Plan has a strategic framework that includes analysis and studies before entering the design phase, taking into account the financial, social, and environmental aspects of each proposal.  In Planning for our Future as Humans on this Earth, our data from information coming from studies and analysis, experience and evolution, are now available to us instantly and globally.

Our current universal problems are closely shared with many common challenges we humans face: Climate Crisis, Migration, Pandemics, Economic Injustices, and much more.  UNIVERSAL COLLABORATION is needed to Master Plan for the Future, combined with shared values towards a common vision.

And now, in this time spot, Greece as a nation finds herself on the crossroads stage of these Global Challenges on a Global Platform along with the ability to contribute to a Master Plan for the World.  Will she take the position?

Greece has rejuvenated herself from a country in ridicule and despair in the decade of 2010, to a country of respect and potential for global leadership. Where does this strength come from?

History and Language are her roots. So deep and supported for thousands of years that if fertilized correctly, today, they can stimulate a new Renaissance for Mankind. The contributions and preponderance of Hellenism are too numerous to mention in this short article. What is important to understand here is the pertinence of its elements in this crossroad to a healthy path for tomorrow.

Today, collectively, Humans have everything it takes to pursue fulfilling lives. Technology, Riches, Education, Knowledge. Yet at this point, individually, most of us lack simple happiness. We have been deteriorating as Humans.

Throughout history, Greece has played an important role in the comprehensive establishment of the Human. Whether it be through the form of mythology, philosophy, architecture, sciences or the arts; the quest for answers and logical explanations relative to the human scale have always intrigued the Greeks.

The main instigator for the “Graekos” to explore, pursue and achieve UTOPIA has always been Communication linked with Diversity.  As our historian Maria Efthimiou so well explains: “The geographical relief and climatic coordinates of an area form the basis in which human life is shaped.  The Greeks have been and are lucky, as they have ripened in an astonishingly diverse area and in a temperate climate zone one of the most favorable on earth.  It is this foundation that has endowed Hellenism in its element of diversity.  Composed of many mountains, valleys and close proximity to the sea, figurative beaches, and thousands of islands, all of which are filled with unique flora and fauna that have been and are being occupied by diverse people of different activities and professions. From nomadic cattle breeders to farmers, sailors, and fishermen to captains and craftsmen, merchants, scientists, musicians and artists, writers and poets. The variety of these interactions has definitely played a role in enriching the language with concepts and terms necessary for communication and expression of thoughts and experiences that stem from these actions and are associated with them. In other words, a literal depiction of the essence of everyday life. “

Diversity and exploration, rooted so deeply in history, from Ancient to Classical Greece to the Persian era, where interactions between multiple cultures, city-states along with sea travel and trade, formed hundreds of colonies around the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black seas. Greeks interacted with different cultures in northern and eastern Africa and Europe and developed ways of exchanging goods.   Alexander the Great later put in place policies that united all these lands and included more in Egypt, Middle East and Asia, with trade networks and cultural exchange. The Greek cultural traditions he introduced to the places he conquered, were fresh alternatives for higher cultural achievements. Amongst them were Greek style education that addressed the body and mind, philosophy, politics, beauty, theater.

And throughout this history the strongest component in this evolution has been the Greek language.   So rich in its potential and content for the ability of communication and expression that, like few others, with roughly 6000 languages worldwide, it has lasted and continued without pause for more than 3500 years. A language so strongly linked to civilization and progress that it was used during the Roman Empire, with pride, as it had pertinence to an elite status. “The Masters of Knowledge and well living”.

So, what are we in our world today one asks? If our renowned linguist Georgios  Babiniotis  “worries that the resilience that has marked Greek’s long history is at a risk of being eroded by an onslaught of English terms that now dominate everyday life.  In the space of a year, he says, Greeks have had to get their heads, and tongues, around words such as “lockdown”, “delivery”, “click away”. Are we now “Masters of Ease and Impression”? And what about the unofficial e- language that Zoomers connect with every day. Is this communication now a depiction of the essence of life?

I guess the real question is: What makes us happy?  Or is it:  Were humans happier two thousand years ago? Or even better yet: What values are needed in order to make humans fulfilled and happy? Is it the instant gratification from “like” or is it the achievement from “pressure” and “work”? Or is it a delicate synthesis of all factors involved?

The gap between yesterday and tomorrow has widened and right now in this intersection we have both sides in front of us. One is marching forward, the other is lagging behind. Soon enough though, one side will be so far ahead, without any link to the previous one, that it won’t know the other ever existed. That side however has the risk of moving in a dangerous direction. As Yuval Noah Harari has so well expressed: “Humankind has already adopted godlike skills. Digitization is producing different societies of intellect and power. Individuals are losing authority. The danger is that we will misuse this power and end up in an internal ecological disaster. Don’t try to stop the march of technological progress. Try to run faster.”

So, who can lead us in this marathon? Greece today is celebrating the 200-year anniversary of Greek Independence. It is inspiring to see Greeks and Hellenes around the world, continue to participate in the democratic process and working to advance the valued traditions of our ancestors that include love and unity, respect, cohabitation, loyalty and glory, peace, self-sacrifice, service, and a commitment to the broader good. With this foundation of values, our current challenges such as the environment and human injustices, need to be reassessed.

Master Planning is a dynamic process that establishes criteria for specific tangible steps as a framework to achieve an ambition. The Vision right now on a global scale is a World of Humans with Dignity aligned with Nature. Which entity can tik-tok us towards that goal? Silicon Valley should not have the authority to define that. Silicon Valley can be the tool.  Governments must establish the project and democratic processes should play out with scientists, philosophers, educators, and scholars worldwide. This transformation needs the past to be associated with the future.  The instigating forces should be our universities and our implementing forces should start with our daycares and the family unit.  And which better country but Modern Greece to lead the way to Ultimate “Kalos in Life” that links the virtues of the Human Soul with everyday life.