*only for illustration
While I wrapped up a Sustainability & Climate Change report at work, it got me thinking about an elephant in the room.
Nope, the title was not devised to address the apparent existential crisis we are going through, irrespective of the age bracket. Instead, it is about the weird transitions experienced in these past 2 years with the pandemic and recent world issues.
Have you ever wondered that the world could be a different place, if the things we do come with an explicit impact tag?
*Impact is to be taken in a positive, negative and a neutral sense in this scenario
All of us would have thought about it in an intrinsic way (aka innately).
Did we choose to act on any of the thoughts that could lead to an impact?
The answer to this is not apparent and is subjective. There is no right or wrong in it. For example; one turns on multiple fans/an aircon without second thought.. (It is privilege to assume this, I know – I wanted to derive empathy and throw light on the less fortunate)
I say this with a level of confidence, as we are proud about what we do and satisfied with our everyday choices.
On the other hand there are things that are happening around us – increasing temperatures, food insecurity, an impending bigger truffle between countries, decreasing resources, economies facing severe crisis: the list is huge, but you get the gist.
All of it trickles down to the root cause of selfish needs. Your need may be a luxury for someone and vice versa. Pivot here being Law of Self Returns.
I can hear you – “Kika! This has been the case since civilization, we do not get why we need to think about it differently now? It contributes to personal, family and a country’s growth. I think you need to stop being affected by things that cannot affect you first hand.”
This is a fair thought.
Adam Smith (Father of Modern Economics) rightly said working towards Self Returns is not a bad thing. Going by his view, returns to the public is not plausible in all situations.
In the past few months however, it feels like we have reached an impasse – a full stop.
Not preaching a full transition; ‘Self Returns’ to ‘Public Returns’ is difficult & not fancy as it sounds. Imagine dealing with everyone saying: why should I not do it, when XYZ gets to. Pfft.
The cycle of self returns continues to be a vicious spider web.
In the bigger picture, do you think untangling will do some good and how? Put your thinking caps on and let me know your view point!
Random thoughts that count 