Embrace the Impending New Normal

What I’m thinking about this weekend...

As the coronavirus continues its spread and we collectively stay at home, we collectively get more bored and irritable. The refrain…

When can things return to normal? 

Or for some…

WHEN CAN THINGS RETURN TO NORMAL?!?

Is “normal” what we want? Is “normal” what we need?

Two considerations. 

One. Returning to “normal” is just a waiting game or the only thing ahead is a “new normal”. Here’s some recent headlines:

The Four Possible Timelines for Life Returning to Normal — The Atlantic.

The Road to Semi-Normal — The New York Times.

We Can’t Go Back to Normal — The Guardian.

We’re Not Going Back to Normal — MIT Technology Review.

Whatever you think normal is … you’re not getting that back. But that’s okay. In fact, it’s better than okay. Embrace the change ahead. It’s not like we’re losing running water and indoor plumbing, the internet, and hipster cafes. We’re not going to devolve. We’re going to evolve. We’ll be better. But it will be different. And that’s okay.

Two. We have to break apart “normal” into economic, psychological, and cultural terms. 

For the last 20 years, the American economy has been trying to figure itself out. More seem to have more. Less seem to have less. The intersection of government and private enterprise are wildly out of balance that the civic and social fabric of our country tattered and raveling. Maybe, just maybe we’re going to recalibrate capitalism with a little moralism and experience a new era of economic stability and mobility.

In less than 3 months, a virus traveled and spread all the way around the world. Over a 1.1 million infections and 62,000 deaths worldwide. This thing is moving faster that either world war. That should psychologically blow your mind. You are self-quarantined and all alone. With the entire world, good, bad, and indifferent on the other side of your door. 

The cultural framework all over the globe will get shaken to its core. The U.S., we’re already seeing how the main quake is rocking our rugged individualist foundation. A new American ideal is bubbling under the surface. I can’t quite see it yet, but we’re likely looking at something nicer, more egalitarian, morally competitive, collaborative, and community-minded. 

I’m optimistic for what the new normal will bring.