March 17, 2025
One of the classics LinkedIn announcements, by now, is letting the world know where and when you’ll be sharing your wisdom to the world. The world as such can take various forms. From “a large audience”, “esteemed members of the professional community”, “future leaders of the industry” (or the “current ones” in the “gold” version of the event), “the trending / innovative / groundbreaking / etc audience” in whatever field, to the “world leaders”, “Davos type world shaping audience” or simply “paying attendance”, although the last one is rarely recognized as such!
In my case, I had the unique reversed opportunity to shut up, listen and watch how all these audiences from above, and not only, counting here the average citizens of the places I have visited, are shaping the world, in the early part of 2025. And when I say the world, please take it literally, from the Mekong river to the islands of Indonesia (Bali in this case) and the mountains of Timor l’Este, from the subway of Manilla (gee what an experience!) to the outback of Australia, from the “most south western point of Africa”, Cape of Good Hope in this case, to the slums of Nairobi, and from the beaches of Mozambique to the snow covered mountains of California, in March (who would have thought!). The glaciers of Antarctica, seen on the ways, are listed as a bonus, although Greta Thunberg is convinced that I’m one of the last people on earth to see them live!
And as I settle nicely after this experience, it is worth reviewing what I have seen and listened during this period, with the (mixed) hope of enjoying soon the prophecies the world unfolded in front of my eyes.
So, subject to an independent review, 5-10 years from now, this is what I got:
1. China is playing a different game than the rest of the world.
With billions poured in infrastructure, mainly of the 3rd world (no judgment here!), China is paving slowly the path to world dominance. It is a game of decades or even centuries and unless a black swan will pop-up, they’ll make it. Rail roads, roads, airports, terminals and such, will put China in a position no nation has enjoyed since the Roman Empire with their roads, aqueducts and buildings. Southeast Asia, Central Asia or Africa are testament to this. Panama Canal, a mere exceptional situation fought back by US, is no less of an example.
2. Digitalization is taking over
From the custom clearances based on QR codes to the e-visa systems in countries that still do not have running water widely available, and from the ubiquitous identifications based on personal data (prints, photos, etc) to the location driven systems, the world will become a small village. Social scores that come with these “amenities” are just the top of the iceberg.
3. Global warming is a fact
Starting with messed up seasons, bringing with them crops disturbances or tourism benefits and ending with wheel chains you need in California in March to cross a 1300m pass, all will be felt and paid for by the generations to come. It’s a pity though that my generation might pay for it also, if I may make a selfish remark. For clarity I do not infer any root causes of the event, human of geological, but it is a fact.
4. Globalization cannot be stopped
Raising walls, controlling the internet or imposing tariffs, only give reasons for stimulating the imagination, creativity and work arounds. Prosperity, as a side product of globalization, is, by now, well regarded and there is no force in the world that can reveres it.
5. People are getting smarter and more independent
Not the least, people. In the pursuit of happiness, the barriers are meaningless and the effort to achieve it becomes worthwhile no matter what it requires. Luckily the XIX or even XX-th century recipes do not work anymore, a testament of the social evolution of the communities around the world.
Looking forward, it will be extremely interesting to see how all the funny situations we are confronted with these days will be melting, while the desire of humanity for a better, more sustainable and well-deserved life, I’d say, will press ahead, irrespective of politics and futile attempts to use the technology for putting the genie back in the bottle.
Thus, keeping quiet and letting the Earth speak for itself has its advantages, a situation you can only get by getting out, see the world and listen to its people.
Travel for the journey and not for the destination, my friends!
One way ticket only! 