Good morning dear reader,
And then quickly to the topics of the day. Well, maybe not that fast today. Because I have the impression that we all have something to do with each other Quiet good. I don’t know about you, but for my part I’ve noticed a certain thin-skinnedness in many of my contemporaries: Somehow more people than before seem to flit through everyday life irritated, annoyed or stressed. As a resident of two large cities, I am no exception myself: noise everywhere, constant traffic jams, overcrowded squares and trains, someone is always getting in your way and you are always late. So you run against the clock from morning to night, and when you sink exhausted into the sofa after a turbulent day, the television swells endlessly bad news: brutal fighting in Ukraine, climate change worse now, death here and devil there. It’s no wonder that many people feel the need to withdraw into their private shell and block out the roaring world outside.
You may find my description anecdotal, but it is based on historical logic. What we are currently experiencing is indeed extraordinary. Since the oil crisis 50 years ago, there has been a more or less profound crisis in this country about every four to seven years – but always in between recovery periods, in which society could gather, the economy could gather strength and politics could calm down. Just think of the last major crises: Between the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000, the global financial crisis in 2008, the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism in 2015, and the Corona crisis in 2020, there were years of calm and recovery.
This is different now: The crisis experience has changed from an exceptional to a permanent state. After the pandemic, we were immediately hit by the war shock, with all its consequences: shock at the suffering of the Ukrainians, fear of a nuclear escalation, inflation gnawing at prosperity, high prices for gas, electricity, bread and much more. Anyone who can still afford the holiday they want is one of the lucky ones. Not to forget the greatest of all catastrophes, into which we slide more or less unchecked: The sweltering summer in southern Europe gives us an idea of the challenges that the global warming will ask us. That’s how it is Polikrise has become a permanent condition that challenges us all: politically, economically, socially and mentally for each individual.
Courage, creative power and solidarity are more necessary now than ever. So how can the much-vaunted resilience be achieved? Maybe through one change of perspective: by recognizing that we are not experiencing an exceptional situation, but rather one when viewed globally normalization approach In other regions of the world there has been what we call crises for decades – be it in Africa or Latin America, in Asia or parts of Eastern Europe. In Western Europe however, we have had one in recent years historical exceptional situation enjoyed: security, light-heartedness and relative prosperity for (almost) everyone seemed to be taken for granted. Viewed from a global historical perspective, our island of the blissful was an extraordinary special case. And it would be even more unusual if it were to remain permanently.
Whoever accepts this historical truism changes his attitude: Acceptance creates freedom. Anyone who puts aside the permanent stress that results from insecurity and fear of loss can draw strength to search for new solutions. It helps to divide big problems into many smaller ones in order to make them manageable. And to be happy about small successes instead of just complaining about everything that doesn’t work. Those who think constructively have more energy and are in a better mood.
image of the day
Beautiful: What the Ukrainian synchronized swimmers show at the World Championships in Japan inspires fans all over the world.
Hunger as a weapon
Israel stands up
The political crisis in Israel is deepening: The right-wing religious government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing ahead with the anti-democratic restructuring of the judicial system despite massive resistance. The organizers of the demonstrations, which have been going on for months, therefore want to intensify their protests: nationwide rallies are planned again today. Meanwhile, the US President receives in Washington Joe Biden the Israeli President Isaac Herzog, trying to find a way out of the crisis.
Small place, big importance
Tens of thousands of children die every year from dengue fever, and up to 100 million people contract it. The opening of a plant for the production of the new dengue vaccine in Singen near Lake Constance is all the more important: world improvement made in Germany.
reading tips
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
