2020: A Retrospection

A new decade is beginning.

Last year was undoubtedly a difficult time for everyone; many may even argue the worst in the past few decades. No one expected that a microbe could pull the brakes, let alone derail, the supersonic progress of humans. Such a sudden red flag was unexpected for a race that prides itself in its superiority.

Nevertheless, the impossible became possible. All we could do was to watch the world eclipsing. But as with every year, there are silver linings in the darkness in 2020 too. If we open our minds and adopt an unprejudiced approach, we can see the positives that came out of the pandemic, which can have a perennial effect on our outlook.

Positives

Many feel that dwelling in the past is like digging the grave and finding unpleasant truths. A look back to 2020 is not different. But if done correctly, such a retrospection helps to prepare better for a year ahead.

Let us first consider the positives.

Put simply, we understood that we could live better without many things. The paraphernalia previously thought indispensable proved to be unnecessary clutter. To give them up overnight was not easy, but eventually, life seemed much simpler without all these burdens.

Secondly, we got a glimpse of how nature would be better without our interfering hands. Without humans to pollute the atmosphere, air quality improved. With everyone locked in, wildlife thrived. In other words, when we withered, all other living beings flourished.

Thirdly, many technologies achieved exponential growth. When people started to work from home, virtual workspaces and meeting software became more efficient. Many companies adapted to these changes and made commuting unnecessary for their employees. Remote working thus became the new norm.

Negatives

The global unease caused by the novel coronavirus and the lives lost was surely an unforeseen catastrophe. It was the hardest blow to the pride of humanity as everything they deemed indestructible was proven otherwise. Education, job, industries, and personal freedom was affected like never before. Even developed countries and their fast-paced economic machinery came to a screeching halt. Many became jobless, schools became silent, parks and places of social gathering became deserted.

But somehow, the pandemic failed to curb the growing racism, fanaticism, and attacks on democracy. Many ‘democratic’ governments used the lockdown to kill the fire of mass protests against their inhuman policies. Racial violence and majoritarianism grew without bounds. The world remained a stage for hatred. 

Aftermath

Amidst all these, there is one thing that we all forget: the fact that we survived a deadly pandemic. We sidestepped a catastrophe that could have swallowed up our race. We have to appreciate our resilience and accept the truth. The truth that we are all survivors.

If we can learn lessons from these dark hours, as we have throughout history, the pandemic will aid our progress. We have to rethink our approach to nature. Giving up our differences, we have to create a world of love.

Let the pandemic be a wake-up call for course correction. Let us adopt new changes and build a world where all can live in harmony with each other and with nature.

Thank you for reading. Please post your opinions in the comment box below.