What we must envision for a better place

By Aaditya Nath Mathur

‘A better place’, this term is heard all over the world, used in so many ways and circumstances, used to describe utopic environments, often comparing it to what we have today. However, this begs the question, what exactly is a “better place”?

We often hear people talk about making the world a better place, but what does this vision truly entail? What must we envision for a better place to be? I primarily believe that we must first clarify our vision. What is your concept of a “better place”?

Personally speaking, I envision a better place to be a space where conflict is minimal, infrastructure is advanced, almost futuristic, and the natural strive for knowledge and understanding amongst people is prevalent, or rather at an all-time high.

However, my vision not only exists of a better world. Some may envision a world with pristine natural environments, social harmony, economic equity, or cultural richness.

In other words, our dreams for a better place are as diverse as the people who imagine them. Nonetheless, one thing is certain, to make the world a better place, this “better place” must be a constant, one unified vision of harmony and togetherness for everyone.

If we do not have an “endpoint”, it’s almost like our efforts are just shots in the dark. Sometimes, in our efforts to solve one problem, we inadvertently create another.

Imagine, for a moment, a world where the air is pure, the oceans teem with life and the tension of war does not rent space in the minds of the people of any nation.

A world where every child has access to quality education and healthcare, regardless of their background. A world where compassion, respect, inclusivity, and most importantly, balance, are the pillars of our society.

Such a vision is not a mere daydream, rather it is a call to action. As we imagine a better place, we must remember that the path to realising this vision is not without its challenges. We still face environmental crises, social inequalities, economic disparities, and cultural divides despite all our efforts to stop these major problems that plague our planet.

I am not calling our efforts as a global village useless, if anything they are majorly effective in eradicating the problem, however, how can we stop these problems for good? That is where the problems lie.

To start with our understanding, we must ask ourselves “Have we ever come close to being in a better place?”

Now, there have been instances where we were close to living in a better place.

For instance, the Industrial Revolution.

 Back then, people used to have the hope that this revolution would not only solve their problems regarding transportation, efficiency, and production of goods but pave the way for a better tomorrow. Now, to an extent, this is true. It revolutionised economies, introduced improved living standards, and created vast opportunities for a time when we, as a society, were under a time of change from a mechanical division of labour, to an organic division of labour.

Yet, it also ushered in pollution, labour exploitation, and urban slums. The very engines of progress sowed the seeds of inequality and environmental degradation, again, reiterating what has been previously said, our efforts to solve one problem inadvertently create another.

Even today, in our relentless pursuit of economic growth, we confront the paradox. We seek solutions for poverty, but economic expansion often strains our natural resources and exacerbates wealth disparities. We combat disease with pharmaceutical advancements, yet encounter the challenge of overmedication and antibiotic resistance.

In our quest for convenience and connectivity, we grapple with privacy concerns and digital addiction. It is a complex web of cause and effect, a culmination of interconnected problems that, in return, complex society introduces. However, this is a reminder that our understanding of problems and solutions should be nuanced and holistic.

However, in the face of this paradox, we must not despair. Instead, I believe we must adopt a mindset of wisdom and responsibility in a world where the newer generations lack self-awareness and the very experience that conventional wisdom is built on. Our solutions must be well-considered, addressing the immediate issue and anticipating and mitigating potential side effects.

Additionally, we must continue to practice and preach rigorous ethical and environmental assessments, seeking sustainable, equitable, and inclusive outcomes. As we dream of this better place, let’s strike a balance between idealism and realism.

There is one thing I haven’t mentioned about this seemingly never-ending loop of problems, for every problem created in the wake of solving another, there is a guaranteed opportunity for growth and improvement. I think it’s time to evolve and adapt, learn from our mistakes, and be vigilant in our commitment to the greater good.

It is a test of our ingenuity and resilience. The answers lie not just in what we address but in how we address it. Let us accept this paradox as a challenge, a call to approach problem-solving with thoughtfulness and responsibility.

The true measure of our progress is not only in our solutions but in our ability to create a better, more balanced world for ourselves, but is in creating an ideal environment for the generations to come while keeping our collective vision of a better place alive.