Post-virus opportunities

By Adam Borowski

What is the post-coronavirus society going to look like? There are many predictions. I am convinced we are going to see a global struggle between collectivists and individualists. It is vital to define the context first. Once you see what my reasoning is, there is a high probability you are going to agree with me.

It is a myth that humans cherish freedom. If anything, it is a nice slogan. Deep down, most of us want security. We want to be ordered around by authority figures, particularly in times of crisis. Academic arguments about freedom are pointless when humanity faces a deadly threat to the established socioeconomic order.

While the global lockdown is going to end at some point, the psychological consequences are going to stay with us for years. Freedom is no longer going to be the top priority in life for many. Numerous contradictory rules and regulations are going to cause a global state of learned helplessness: societies are going to turn apathetic, totally indifferent to further draconian measures introduced.

An ideal social setting for unquestioning global collectivism to flourish.

Various conspiracy groups like to see themselves as individualistic. Sadly, they often operate like cults. Many people across the world believe in an imminent extraterrestrial intervention to save humanity. If you question whether it is logical to believe in something so abstract, you are automatically labeled an agent of the new world order. The more mainstream example of this is calling someone you disagree with a Russian bot.

It is the same cult mentality using different labels.

Does that mean there are no conspiracies in the world? Of course not. The world is awash with conspiracies. Real individualists observe, analyze and draw conclusions. They do not surrender their minds to political ideologies. At the same time, real individualists will assume any point of view if it brings them closer to answers. They are social chameleons. Call it Machiavellian, even psychopathic. While full-fledged psychopaths are nothing short of demonic, psychopathic traits like charm and confidence help in life.

Human history is governed by three forces: black swan events, geniuses and psychopaths. The masses adjust to whatever kind of a world those three forces create. I am sure you are familiar with phrases such as: ''Oh, that's just the way it is.'' Thought-terminating cliches are dangerous, as history warns.

Black swan events impact the minute aspects of our lives. For example, a handshake was a common greeting in much of the world. Not anymore.

There is even what could be called ''sidewalk etiquette'' where one person walking on the sidewalk gives way to another. ''She is wearing a pencil skirt. I am wearing pants. She needs to move to the side.''

We constantly judge each other's social status. Yes, even in banal situations. Actually, there is a study of how humans use space ― proxemics. Clearly, the coronavirus crisis is causing a shift in social etiquette.

On a larger scale, the psychological war of collectivism and individualism is going to have world-changing consequences. If you can smoothly navigate the stormy social waters, you can improve the world while making money in the process.

Adam Borowski (adam.borowski1985@gmail.com) is a technical Polish-English translator and an international relations aficionado. He is the author of a novel titled: ''Perfect lives. Perfect selves.''