The global lockdown has created an unprecedented and eerie human experience: literal isolation coupled with mass togetherness.
We may be stuck in our homes, unable to meet and mingle. But we are also all going through the same thing - the same emotions, the same confusion, the same fears. As well as the same primeval need to ensure survival.
For those who aren’t essential workers, or ill, or homeschooling their pesky kids, the lockdown has had an element of retreat. A pause in the unstoppable routine of our everyday existence.
But a retreat mediated by the internet.
For the first time in history, billions of human beings have been able to stand back together and contemplate where they are. And where they are going. Together. Many striking changes will emerge from this, from experiments with universal basic income to an entirely new resilience industry.
Every year, we could have a World Day Off, organised by the UN, where humanity takes one day to reflect together on how far we have come and where we need to change course.
It wouldn’t be a day of leisure. Just as they have under lockdown, companies and other civil society organisations would create content and activities to help us brainstorm ways forward.And remind us that we all in this together, and collectively in charge of humanity’s direction.
Date:
February is the month with the least holidays worldwide, and is still close to the beginning of the year, time of new resolutions and momentum for change. We suggest February 1st.
