Day 80
My brother said something on the phone the other day that made me think.
“The gap between the best future I can imagine and the worst future I can imagine has never been wider.”
I think I know what he means. On one hand, my ability to imagine terrible futures has improved significantly in the last few months. I don’t even think I need to list them, because I’m fairly sure everyone is carrying a similar list in their head, lately. On the other hand, it’s entirely plausible that, a couple of years from now, all of the following could be true:
Concrete, effective steps will be in place to reduce and eliminate bias in America’s institutions of power.
Bipartisan legislation will ensure comprehensive health care for all Americans.
Childcare responsibilities will become more equitable between mothers and fathers.
Schools will be better funded, and teachers better respected.
Work-from-home options will be more common. Varied work schedules and shorter work weeks will be embraced by employers in all sectors.
Public investment in disaster preparedness will be substantial and timely.
Excitement for shared experience will lead to reinvigorated art, music, and theater.
New protections will ensure fair elections and universal access to the ballot.
Research into coronavirus treatment will not only result in a successful Covid-19 vaccine, but a cure for the common cold.
Understand, I’m not trying to put odds on any of those things coming to pass, just noting that all of them are plausible extensions of the current situation. From here there’s a visible path that leads to every one.
This year I’m acutely aware that good futures aren’t guaranteed. 2020 hindsight is a terrifying set of goggles. For the future to be better than the present, we’ll need unwavering intention. Nonetheless, the ingredients have been set out on the counter, ready for us to put our new baking skills to use.
