The 2020 Pandemic evidenced the worst consequences of putting profit ahead of public good. Luckily, it also evidenced there were actionable measures that could lead to a more egalitarian system.

The devastating aftermath of the Pandemic made it unbearable for most people to move on with their lives without a profound revision of the complex financial systems that led to such excruciating pain for a big part of humanity.

When rebuilding initiatives began, a global coordinated action made it possible avoid a complete economic catastrophe. A new stage of capitalism arrived, one less focused on consumerism in which we leverage technology to reduce inequalities instead of aiming solely for economic growth.

This tendency deepened and empathy became the core value of an interconnected global community capable of coordinated social action.

Social enterprises started to replace companies. This new institution focused on positive impact instead of just earnings and led to a new way of understanding humanity’s relationship with labour.

Isolation policies during the pandemic accelerated adoption of digital technologies and promoted the automation of repetitive tasks.This made the eight-hour work day an obsolete concept and allowed a big part of humanity to shift focus to creative and artistic endeavors. Efforts by artists and social activists gave us the picture of the future humanity had been craving for.

By 2060, most governments have established universal minimum income to tackle inequality. Public quality education and healthcare are at the center of public policy. Tech developers help establish systems that favour marginalized communities such as state-of-the-art online education software designed for rural areas or video-doctor appointments and emergency drones that can reach people living in medical desserts.

At this point, environmental care is a given, supported by adequate legislation agreed upon by ideologically diverse governments. This change was possible thanks to a coordinated effort between countries that took into consideration the differences between their economies and a sustainable plan for cutting Co2 emissions.

Urbanism also helped better design cities to reduce inequalities and protect the environment: bike lanes grew, green space were created and public transportation connected every neighbourhood in a city in less that 15 minutes. Commuting is less and less needed for workers in this new paradigm but transportation makes it easier for people to spend time with their loved ones.

Hugs, smiles, kisses, secrets and dances are shared on and off screen around the world. Even though tech is not in the center of human interaction, the 2020 Pandemic made us realize that it can work as a facilitator for a more empathetic and diverse global community.

Keywords: Empathy, collaboration and diversity.

Resonant story: A news site in Ecuador launched an online memoire space to offer families of Covid’s victims a place to mourn their loved ones, in a moment where physical contact is almost banned.

Two DJ’s play music on Instagram live for half a million isolated persons in Buenos Aires, who dance at home and celebrate together through virtuality.

A journalist in Uruguay inspires a group of developers to create a Feria online, where street merchants can offer their products and collaborate even though they can not attend their stands.

Hugs can be powerful -even digital ones-, friendship and love stories can begin at virtual gatherings, craft work can conquer new spaces. This stories resonate with me because they evidence that we can redirect digital technology’s transformational power to achieve a more empathic and egalitarian world.

Image: used with author permission