Since I recently have explained multiple perspectives, let me introduce how I see this era. Although I talked about this topic many times in the past articles, I will explain it from the perspective of duality.
How to live in this era
Sometimes, we want to know how to live in this era. We might often feel it is hard to live, especially if we have unique individuality. We might not be able to work as employees, but also we might find it difficult to start our own business. This leaves us at a loss.
There is hope in the historical perspective because it tells us what is temporary and what is permanent. If it is permanent, we have no choice but to give up our individuality. However, if we know it is temporary, we don’t have to surrender. We can try surviving until the change. Hope gives us the energy to do it.
However, we sometimes don’t know what is permanent and what is temporary.
That is why we want to know how to live in this era.
Today, I will introduce my current perspective on it. Although I don’t know if it is correct, this might give you hope and an example of how to prepare for the future.
Three perspectives
We can see this world differently based on our perspectives. There are multiple angles, as follows:
- The monistic perspective is suitable for causal analysis but is poor for abstract issues like happiness or ways of life. Although identifying the true cause is hard, this gives us the best solution.
- The dualistic perspective is suitable for long-term happiness or ways of life but is poor for tactics or analysis. Although we cannot have the best solution, this gives us a reasonable one.
- The trilistic perspective is suitable for socially tactical thinking but is poor for fulfilling oneself. Although we can win and succeed socially, this often hides our values.
I like to think in duality, both toward myself and the world.
In other words, I value my reasonable happiness rather than social success or finding the best way. It means I don’t know what makes me happy and how to be so. There are numerous unknowns in the world, including the answer to how to live well. However, they make me enjoy my individuality.
I will introduce my current way of life based on this perspective.
My perspective on the future
I see this era in two contradictory aspects: valuing information vs. valuing substances.
In my view, this world is now heavily biased toward information over substances.
For about 20 years, the internet has emerged and become widespread. Sharing information efficiently allowed us to improve our lives dramatically. That excited people about the internet and information technology. Many people rushed toward them.
That created bias toward information over essential substances for human life, such as foods or energy.
The limits of changes
However, people cannot change significantly in the short term. Social systems also have limits for keeping up with changes. In other words, people and society have almost reached their limits in informational changes.
It means that people will gradually shift toward revaluing essential substances. This has already appeared as an economic downturn and inflation. They are signals of the value shift. Grocery prices have been going high in recent years. The U.S. has leaned toward protectionism significantly.
This tendency will accelerate in every area over the next 5 to 10 years. This is a big shift from my perspective.
Applying the bias to our lives
We can use this bias to make a profit and live well.
In my case, I am not good at following social values. I prefer a peaceful life distant from society to being a social cog, even if I cannot get enough social convenience. I like to philosophize about things in the long term while managing my resources well. Fighting to win in the short term exhausts me. This is my quality.
This tells me that living on the opposite side of society suits me.
It is the appropriate time to create things of substantial value. Farmers or repair workers are examples. They have the advantage of becoming wealthy because they deal with the essentials of life. On the other hand, creating informational products is not suitable now.
How I supported what I cannot do
However, there is a problem: I am not suited for a farmer or a repairman. Although I am good at using my intellect in every new situation, repetitive physical work is one of my weakest points.
That is why I invest in substantial assets. Even if farmers or repairmen make a profit, I don’t have to be it. I can invest in such people or companies in the financial market. If I invest, I choose the more stable and certain option, such as commodities, over uncertain assets, like stocks.
It means it is a difficult time to start our own business on the internet now. Leaning history and managing our assets, investing not only in the financial market but also in our substantial assets, would be more effective.
I invested these years and am still holding these assets. It is time for me to wait now. I am living frugally and waiting for the next market collapse signal.
Judging based on two contradictory aspects
That is how I judge based on two contradictory aspects. I will go to the other side of society and adapt to the situation.
Of course, I also like producing digital products, such as games or books. I write this blog every day now, and this is my fun.
However, I am not inclined to make money with them right now. If I were in the situation of 10 years ago, I would willingly create digital products first and put investment second, but it is not the time now.
In other words, making products and investments are my two opposite aspects to create wealth. They change in cycles. Although they are contradictory, they are parts of my life.
Conclusion
That is my perspective on how to live in this era.
In my view, this world is now heavily biased toward information over substances. We can use this.
Although I don’t know if it is correct, this might give you hope and an example of how to prepare for the future.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
