Temperament & Mood of People around the globe is fluctuating, as is the climate

By

Siddhartha Rastogi

Japan experienced a massive Earthquake a few days ago, followed by snow in Tokyo city after 54 years. The Philippines has been struck by five deadly typhoons in the last decade itself, displacing over four million citizens. India has witnessed three consecutive droughts just before 2016 and is witnessing ever decreasing monsoon rains. Beijing got covered with a thick layer of Smog a month back, for the second time this year.

Casting an eye on both sides of the Atlantic, massive floods engulfed Europe, Russia, USA and Mexico in 2016 causing billions of dollars in damages.

These were some of the headlines you read as the world continued to embrace higher temperatures, non seasonal rains and massive epidemics like Ebola, Zika, Dengue/ Chikanguniya fever, HINI, etc.

But is climate the only thing changing?

Possibly not……

The mood of people is changing, or should I say swinging as rapidly as the climate.

Embracing linear ideologies has become the new norm. Extremism has become mainstream. Netizens of the world are easily becoming swayed by fast speed news, reports, propaganda and are dumping their masters even faster.

Six years ago the Arab Spring engulfed the Middle Eastern region and parts of Africa one after the other, overthrowing monarchies, autocratic and military rulers, establishing democracy as the way forward. It is important to note that all states which were impacted with revolution were fragile and corrupt for long periods of time and typically had an overriding monarch / dictatorial figure running regimes.

The Umbrella Revolution succeeded in the East led by a 14 year old who brought mighty China on its knees through his peaceful and prop led movement (red scarf tied on eyes and umbrella used to protect from water cannons), catching the world’s imagination.

The West did not shy away from the social rebellions either. Unexpectedly Brexit and Trump then happened, reflecting the rise of the Alt Right (Ultra and Extreme right wing fascist politics). Simultaneously the world is witnessing the devastation and destruction led by ISIL.

Another major shift can be seen in some Asian and emerging societies which have become intolerant towards centuries old corruption. We saw Dilma Rousseff thrown out of Power in Brazil on corruption charges, in India, Crores of Indian joined septuagenarian Anna Hazare helping him lead the movement in India against Corruption. South Korea woke up a few weeks ago on an alleged corruption scandal led by aide and friends of the South Korean President. Over 1.5 million people are protesting through peaceful means seeking its head of state’s resignation.

What do all the above events mean to the World?

1. Rise of Anti Establishment rhetoric in politics.

2. Focus back on masses as against classes.

3. Rise of Inward Nationalism versus Outward globalization

4. Ever increasing divide and brick batting basis religion & colour

5. Intolerance amongst people seeking quick turnarounds & results without paying price for change.

Finally & most important – the Human Population is moving towards the social construct of the 19^th Century with the technological and scientific advancement of the 21^st century.

How would this shape the World’s future?

1. Shortening of Economic cycles of Boom & recession.

2. Europe can see the fall of Angela Merkel who is expected to seek a fourth term, despite leading a robust and resilient economy with unemployment rates in Germany falling to 34 year low. (Although Merkel is singing the same tune as her colleagues in the AFD party while seeking reelection – Quote from Angela Merkel “The most important thing in the coming months is repatriation, repatriation and once more, repatriation”)

3. Tariff wars and trade barriers within nations & within regions.

4. Finally the most pressing concern looming over the world – more situations like Syria and Iraq waiting to happen with the world turning a blind eye towards military atrocities on Muslim minorities in Non Muslim countries like Myanmar, where Rohingya minorities are brutally raped & killed forcing them to take shelter in neighboring Bangladesh.

The silver lining amidst all this mess is that signs of sanity will soon come as can be seen from the latest conversations on the referendum against Brexit, which will mean the capitalists will win again and the world will be led by a Single Master – MONEY ignoring climate change completely (Pun intended).

Siddhartha Rastogi

Siddhartha was born to a learned middle class educated family in Semi Urban India. His father was an extremely honest man who because of his honesty had to pay the price in corporate world. Mother is a determined woman who ensured that children are being well taken care off. After a few years of birth, doctors called Siddhartha, a slow child having flat foot. He would fall more than he could walk. Determined mother ensured all therapies for her son to come out strong to fight the world. Siddhartha joined swimming when he was in 6th standard. Seeing other children of his class, he jumped in 10 feet deep pool and learnt swimming on his own, the very same day.

From that day there was no looking back. He topped his city in 12th and went to score highest in his B school exams. During his profession as banker, he became youngest branch manager of a MNC bank managing their biggest wealth branch in the country. There he found love of his life and got married. His love of his life emerged in the form of his daughter who completely changed him for good.

Siddhartha Rastogi is Director for a boutique Investment bank in India.

Siddhartha is a forward looking thinker & writer who has written a book on decision making. 8 Simple steps to effective decision making.

He writes on various social and current issues.