We are in a season of time when our government is wanting to shut down many of our systems and safeguards. Maybe some of this is needed. I don't know.
A while back I read an article quoting Bill Gates that gave me a little different spin on the concept of systems.
Bill Gates believes the world is getting better, and at a faster pace than most people think. Despite the crazy stuff happening every day, I, personally believe this as well. He quotes Hans Rosling, in his book, "Factfulness,"saying that it's easier to accelerate progress if you know how far we've already come.
This was bought home to me this week when my book club discussed "The Children's Blizzard," a book about the blizzard of 1888 that killed hundreds of people, mostly children trying to get home from school. Part of the problem was that that we didn't have an adequate weather forecasting system in 1888. But, of course, it was better than in anytime in history up to that point.
And, of course, part of the tragedy was caused by bad human decisions.
Rosling in his book, lists several instincts most of us have that slow down our moving forward; for instance, negativity, fear and blame.
Bill Gates says we can also be bogged down by our instinct to worship a small group of heroes rather than to recognize the evolving systems that have been set in place that enable us to continually move forward. As an example he uses the amazing scientist, Jonas Salk. Yes, he developed the polio vaccine. But a system was in place to help him do that and we're on the doorstep of eradicating polio altogether thanks to the coordination of efforts by health workers and governments around the world. In other words, systems.
I, like Bill, believe this is the best time in history. And, despite some temporary setbacks, will continue to get better.
***
