Society - Futurologist Horx: "Omnicrisis" could last 20 years
Trend and futurologist Matthias Horx calls the "interlocking crises of the present" an "omnicrisis". "Such omnicrises are typical of an epochal transition," said the 68-year-old publicist in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Mainz.
"Every 50 to 100 years, there is a disintegration of the 'old normal' and the beginning of something new, which initially appears uncertain." Such a period of uncertainty can last "10 or even 20 years". However, the more society participates in finding solutions, the quicker this period will pass.
Horx worked for a long time at the Zukunftsinstitut in Kelkheim, Hesse. Together with other researchers, he founded the think tank "The Future Project" in Frankfurt am Main last October, which focuses primarily on transformation processes.
"Shock of the turning point"
According to Horx, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has "awakened society from a decades-long illusion: that the world is becoming increasingly peaceful and integrated". He speaks of the "shock of a turning point". "We are seeing that globalization is not working the way we thought it would." However, such shocks can also be healing. "They make us realize what is worth fighting for, what values we should stand up for." Ultimately, it is about the emergence of a new world order.
The "omnicrisis" also includes a crisis of democracies worldwide. "Autocracies seem to be taking over everywhere," said Horx. But every trend also creates a counter-trend. "It is necessary for civil society to find answers to vicious populism and for new forms of movements and parties to reform democracy."
The example of Europe also shows "that times of crisis can create amazing unity". According to Horx, Europe has certainly proven itself "in the turbulence of corona and Ukraine". Despite "a kind of anti-Europe whining habit", many people are gradually realizing "how much we need Europe as a continent, all the more so in a turbulent world".
Dispute in the federal government
The dispute between the "traffic light" factions in the German government tells of the enormous difficulties of making sensible policies at all in the age of media populism, said Horx. "Arguing is a way of moderating conflicts through compromise." This is done in every family and has "proved very successful".
In the "media over-excitement society", however, "noise" tends to be staged and every gap is used by the opposition to create instability. "This sense of chaos gives rise to authoritarianism, which always offers simple solutions that it simply doesn't have." Horx is convinced: "Authoritarianism will increasingly fail on its own terms." And he believes it is "very likely" that Donald Trump will fail in 2024.
Change in the world of work
When it comes to the changing world of work, Horx sees a gradual end to the industrial model with its rigid norms. This change is being driven more by younger people. More and more people are looking for more flexibility in their work-life constellation. "In 20 years, standard employment contracts will probably be in the minority."
Horx believes that moving away from coal, oil and gas can bring the countries of the world together in a "common human project". Solar energy is blossoming worldwide, more and more countries are seriously committing to climate targets and new decarbonization technologies (reduction of carbon dioxide emissions) are being developed. "I see the greatest danger in the mood tipping towards the apocalyptic."
Read also:
- Snow chaos further restricts Bavaria
- Extreme weather year: of masses of water and hurricanes
- "Zoltan" sweeps across the country - disruptions to rail traffic
- "Zoltan" brings masses of water, rail chaos and suspected tornadoes
- Matthias Horx, a futurologist working at the Zukunftsinstitut in Kelkheim, Hesse, recently shared his thoughts on the "omnicrisis" with the German Press Agency in Mainz.
- The Federal Government is currently grappling with the challenges of making sensible policies in the age of media populism, according to Matthias Horx.
- In an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Horx mentioned the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as an example of a shock that awakened society from its illusion of a more peaceful and integrated world.
- Despite the crisis of democracies worldwide, Horx believes that civil society in Germany and Europe can find answers to vicious populism and reform democracy.
- The future of work, according to Horx, is heading towards more flexibility and away from rigid employment contracts, influenced by younger generations.
- The dispute between the "traffic light" factions in the German government is a testament to the difficulties of making sensible policies in the age of media populism, as Horx noted.
- Horx also sees the potential for unity in Europe during times of crisis, citing the continent's response to the turbulence of corona and Ukraine as an example.
Source: www.stern.de
