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Creating a Perfect World
What will the world be like in 2099? Humanity has many challenges to overcome in the 21st century. Many disaster scenarios indicate a drop in population, and perhaps we have reached the peak of humanity. By the end of the century perhaps only a billion survive, living in the ruins and trash left behind by the others.
Perhaps instead we have reached a balanced population of 10.8 billion, with each person happy, healthy and productive. In a world of opportunity, all basic needs are met and creation is encouraged. Everyone has food, water and shelter. Everyone has access to healthcare and education. Everyone has the right to be free from violence or forceful intervention. Everyone has the right to create.
The definition of perfection is shaped by individual preferences. While one person may prefer a world where flowers always bloom, another might describe perfection as a world with free bowling alleys. Because of our differences, the outline of a perfect world must contain enough leeway to allow input from each individual while providing guidelines that ensure paradise for all.
Food, water and shelter are basic requirements.
Food desires and habits are different around the world. What people enjoy eating in one place may disgust people somewhere else. Food distribution is unbalanced, with some countries having excess while others face starvation. What we believe we require for sustenance is primarily fueled by desires, emotions and beliefs. Our planet has the capability of providing a balanced nutritional diet for everyone.
We live on a planet dominated by water. Most of it is saltwater, which we cannot consume. Our eco-system has been functional for millennia and the main reason we have water shortage is pollution. While some areas become bone-dry as the climate shifts, our planet can continue providing water for everyone if we stop poisoning the source. We can also create freshwater conversion plants that use solar power to change saltwater into drinking water. Though civilization will group around areas with more drinking water, there is enough for everyone.
With the question of shelter comes the question of ownership. Having a roof over your head is usually paired with the ability to pay for that roof. Rich people have big roofs while poor people often crowd together under one small roof. The requirement for shelter varies by location and season; each person must determine their own shelter solution. However, public assistance should be available to ensure that everyone has proper shelter and encouragement to progress. There is enough for everybody.
Beyond the basics of survival, there are other things that humans require in the perfect world. These elements either encourage growth or prevent the inhibition of growth.
Access to Healthcare
Availability of universal healthcare does not mean that people get free treatments and pharmaceuticals for every little ailment. Humanity becomes healthier when holistic healing practices become mainstream. Every individual is responsible for personal health. Changing to a healthy lifestyle and attitude can eliminate the majority of health issues. Healthcare required as reactive assistance should be available for everyone; rational preventative practices could also be encouraged.
Access to Education
No-one will ever know everything. The accumulation of human knowledge increases exponentially. In this mass of information, people must have access to it all. From there they can follow their own interests, determine their specialties and add to the common good. Every child who learns to read increases likelihood of survival; those who learn from the discoveries of others are more likely to add benefit to humanity.
Freedom from Violence or Forceful Intervention
Everyone deserves to move through life without force or intimidation. Violence against others shows weakness; the true strength of humanity exists in our compassion. Violence results from fear, misunderstanding and manipulation; Compassion results from love and the discovery of true inner strength. When everyone recognizes that we are equal souls, there will be no more need to fear others.
The Right to Create
Humanity thrives on creation, whether by individuals or groups. We gain great benefit as a species if we move forward without fear. Each individual must be able to choose what to believe, as long as harm does not come to another. As a group we decide to live harmoniously with our planet and all individual creations are expected to follow that guideline. Within the guidelines of a civilized species, individuals shall be encouraged to create dreams beyond their imagination.
At our accelerated pace of growth, anything is possible. Technology connects the world and allows creation of just about anything. Our challenges are due to imbalances within civilization and arguments between ourselves. By working together to create a perfect world for everyone, we could all have our dreams fulfilled. We help the group become stronger by encouraging each individual to progress.
Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles
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