a conversation with my future self
Introduction
One is often worried about the fearsome future - a state where anything could change by the flit of a butterfly's wings; where there is always a fifty percent chance between two contrasting situations - all could be either black or white. The overwhelming anxiety often consumes us, gas-lighting ourselves to take unnecessary steps to find which path our destiny is forged on. We often believe that the world- our world is in our hands, yet this is a mere fallacy to distract us from the fear of being swept in the gusts of the universe. Indeed, one does have free will; the consequential events are dictated by nature. The current condition cannot change the tides of anticipation, as time and fate could throw whatever is meant to be chucked. Despite realizing this, I, too, am often anxious about what is yet to unveil, longing to read the pages ahead.
Modified ecology
Had I been struck by serendipity and gotten spoilers for the seasons ahead, I would indeed bombard myself, 20 years older, desperate for updates. Although the autobiography may have blurred and empty pages, connecting the dots could give me a mental reprieve, or warn me to ready myself for stormy days - the way it all falls into place. It is delighting and rather consoling to know a bitter story than be stuck on a cliffhanger for life, concerned and tensed till our end embraces us, turning into mere ash., burnt by the unforeseen. Maybe the surroundings change into an incredulous hyper city, perhaps turning back into our origin; the race may even evolve or go extinct altogether due to the current crisis of resources. Green trees could be wiped out by lab-grown multihued hyphae decorating the streets. It is fascinating how the biome will be modified, or made into the alternate reality which nestled far in our minds. I would ask my grown-up-big-woman self to describe the whole scenario, from the big picture to the minute changes in the biosphere, the earth (if we will still live on it).
Culture, beliefs
My elder self and I shall compare the drastic variations in cultures. Pop culture is an integral part of social standing - participation in the ongoing trends and working with the upcoming ones can determine how well you succeed among our own breed, other humans. Moreover, shaping the culture is an even bigger benchmark, since social life is completely under your command, tweaking the way people approach every aspect - from fashion to music, from lingo to food preferences. The world has transitioned from jazzy, loud, flamboyant to rather toned yet potent lifestyles - subtle nuances, heavier effect. In the present, the throng is rushing towards embedded technology. Classy, minimal techwear, virtual educational tools, artificial intelligence and the eventual creation of a race equivalent to that of ours - the era of cyborgs. This spreading trend is even seeping into music; producers are switching to AI voice producers, vocaloids, beat makers, which is looked down upon an older generation of artists and even dissed in songs by the most viral influences like Kendrick Lamar (America has a problem).
From person, to person
Discussing about social life makes me reminisce this quote:
“Why do people have to be this lonely? What's the point of it all? Millions of people in this world, all of them yearning, looking to others to satisfy them, yet isolating themselves. Why? Was the earth put here just to nourish human loneliness?” - Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart
Will our world be a worse place? Hearts freezing by the clock, albeit the earth is nearing heatwaves. An advancement in tools need not create an advancement in thinking. Infact, new causes are causing our race to fight by bringing up retrograde, obsolete beliefs to resist a change in themselves. Cyberbullying, hacking and doxxing are already looming problems - will the future call for more isolation, or create a strong network to diminish the walls. Will the society accept the ones who pick the gauntlet and show themselves? Will it glorify the ones hiding under sheaths of makeup, plastic, photoshop and a vain personality? What must I do to stay in the loop, how must I construct myself; the guidance can only be offered by one living in the new eon. We shall contemplate and juxtapose the societal requirements (may also downgrade some beliefs) of alternate timelines.
The changes, individual
Nevertheless, the highly essential question is self development. Though one might have been stuck in horrifying ordeals, they may still be naive to the constantly arising tiffs in the future; be it logger-heading with our mind or with the crowd around. Personal character development is impacted by the past and the present. Could it become a bed of roses, cruises and the jet-set style or an infinite loop of banality. What will I be moulded into? What may I do to climb the mountain of life efficiently. What may I do to help the ones troubled, afraid of the journey? Can I contribute in the reset of the world? My last question to her would be about some tips to not slump too much into the abyss of eternal melancholy, and what all she might have chewed through. Deep down, I yearn to know if the years of struggle paid off or ended in martyrdom.
"We must aim to be the best we can; fittingly unique"
~ rumi a, CAIE 9
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