Unprecedented transformation the world is going through

The evolution theory holds that progress or positive transition is a natural process. This planet was created between 4.0 and 4.5 billion years ago. From that hoary past the transition of the world, as we know it now, has been beyond recognition. The animal kingdom flourished with changes for adaptation to the natural environment. But except human being no other animal could construct infrastructure for protecting itself from elements and facilitating its existence in multifarious ways.

Before the industrial revolution, life was slow and uncertain. Mass production of goods and amenities was unthinkable. Invention of machines and equipment was limited, although use of explosives started to meet the need of wars in China in the 10th century. By the 13th century powerful explosives appeared and cannons were used in wars in the 15th century. Fire arms and guns came into being in the later part of the 15th century. This shows that lethal weapons preceded household gadgets or various consumer goods.

One thing is clear from this development that human beings were never in favour of peaceful living. Kings and emperors embarked on expeditions to conquer country after country. Swords and spears gave way to cannons and guns. At some point, the conquests of colonies by European nations paved the way for extortion of money and wealth from the conquered lands. Massive exploitation of colonies enriched the victorious Europe beyond expectation. Accumulated wealth triggered inventions and discoveries. The European nations then waged war on each other. Their rivalries subsequently led to the World War I and II.

It was the time when the need for a forum like the League of Nations and the United Nations was felt in order to bring an end to such deadly wars. Instead of fighting on the war front, nations now opted for a peaceful international order ensuring each other's coexistence. The colonies also became independent. So, the focus now was directed to economic arrangement that would protect national interests. This ensured the transition from bare necessities to luxurious consumer goods.

The slow progress of societies was skyrocketed with a sudden pull with electric and electronic goods flooding the market. This happened until the early 90s of the past century. In the new millennium, the transition from analog to digital chips made past scientific and technological development quite pedestrian. Indeed, the digital world has unfolded a vista unprecedented in the history of mankind. Many of the electric and electronic gadgets have been rendered obsolete. Now the artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to outdo the inventors themselves.

The world is fast becoming unrecognisable. Yes, each stage of scientific and technological development has changed human habits, practice and daily life. But never before did it as radically as the latest development has done in the past two and a half decades. There are both opportunities and negative foreboding. It is too early to predict how the common people will adjust to the exceptionally sophisticated regime of technological inventions.

Early signs are not reassuring. Notwithstanding the technological breakthroughs, nations the world over have picked up the slogans like "America first". If every nation considers it first in order, the spirit of internationalism is undermined. This is exactly happening now. The UN has been reduced to a paper tiger. Under its mandate, no nation can abduct a president and his wife of another nation. No nation can unleash a war on another nation. No nation can kill people of another land on a daily basis.

The peace brokered so painstakingly after the World War II, has been seriously violated and bloated military spending by nations only points to a doomsday they are leading this planet to. Even the unforgiving outcomes of climate change have failed to jolt the conscience of world leaders. This is disturbing. Common people's concern for peaceful living is not taken into account. Powerful men and women holding the highest positions could not care less if global warming wreaks havoc with crops and properties in wide swathes of the world.

The threats come from two fronts: manmade wars and manmade environmental decline. At no point of history was the futility of life so blatantly exhibited. People feel utterly helpless because of the regressive course chosen by the world bosses to follow. People's strength to adjust to hostile environment is diminishing fast. Let the civilians everywhere organise themselves to say no to war and spoiling of climate through burning of fossil fuels.