I listed 17 items in my last blog post titled " The things the virus has taught us". The last of these was related to a new world order. After that, I stated that many things will not be the same as before, we have to change some of our habits, order, management style and even our life model. I now detail these predictions.
 

I would like to share with you below what I mean by a new world order. I will list them one by one.

1. Organizing everything according to a distributed system

I have been talking about distributed systems since the early 2000s, and finally we have started to understand the necessity of a distributed system and self-sufficient homes because we all have been "Staying Home" due to Covid-19. As the Turkish saying goes: "Experiencing a calamity is worth more than advice." When I say distributed systems, I am talking about on-site production and on-site consumption in every regard. In particular, we will obtain and consume the energy, water and food that are essential for our life from our home, from the garden of our house, from the site we live in or from a place close to our house. For example, Istanbulians will stop buying tomatoes from Antalya and buy them from a supplier nearby. I can give an example of self-contained houses for you to better visualize. Think of a house that produces its own energy, water and food. City planning will also be designed according to distributed systems. If deemed necessary, they will transfer these basic needs close to each other. It's like transferring the electricity generated by the solar energy system on the roof of a house to its neighbour via the micro grid. I won’t go into the technical side of all this now. Because I can write at least 5 blog posts on distributed systems alone. I plan to share these details in the future.

2. Everything is to be automated

Many production facilities are fully automated all over the world, especially in developed countries. In other words, instead of hiring blue-collar workers everywhere, they have the machine doing the same job. In this way, they both reduce the cost and eliminate human-induced errors. That's why there will be no blue-collar category left in the future. People will also need to focus on quality instead of quantity and develop themselves in the fields that require 'know-how' and science that direct these machines or emerge in the new era.

 

3.Changes in the education system

An education (free and compulsory), where everyone is well educated and where niche topics such as artificial intelligence, computer engineering, microbiology, genetic engineering are at the forefront, and with different models such as digital education is developed, preparing students for real life instead of unnecessary memorization, and a generation that is at peace with them is raised. This is the system I’m talking about. I think the model of how everyone can get a good education for free is very simple. Imagine that the whole country is equipped with private schools and high-quality education. The student and the family do not pay any fees. The government pays the operator of the private school per student. Of course, it has to achieve a certain quality in return. If the private school operator sacrifices quality to earn more money, then this system needs to be discarded. With the private sector and micro-management model, it is possible to offer quality education free of charge to citizens in every corner of the country.

4. Basic Income

Unemployment has exploded to high levels in every country due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The number of people in need has increased exponentially. Assuming that, in the future, machines powered by artificial intelligence will replace blue collars, unemployment will become a growing problem everywhere. For this reason, I think governments with strong economies will establish the basic income system for all their citizens in the future. In other words, all citizens of a country will receive a salary to survive at a minimum, whether they work or not. If they work, they will naturally be in a position to increase their income. Currently, I do not see it possible for the same system to be established in our country. However, Turkia has a huge potential. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work in the future if we put everything on track? 

5. Digitalization

Everything that is physically done will turn to digital. For example, the use of paper will be removed in documentation. Paper will only be in our lives as a product we use for hygiene. The entire functioning of the public, private sector and NGOs will be digitalized. There will be no such thing as paper money. Trainings, meetings and negotiations will be done through the video conference system. People's habit of crowding to shopping malls for shopping will gradually end, everyone will be able to bring a product to their feet. All documentation, paperwork and files will turn to digital, and the period of still asking for a signature on everything will end.

 

6. Cryptocurrency

There will be no such thing as paper money. In fact, future generations will make fun of us. They’ll be saying how funny it was that we were giving each other paper. With the management of all money in the digital system, cryptocurrencies will also turn into a way of life. Beyond the widespread use of Bitcoin and its equivalents everywhere, the 'blockchain model' or similar models developed will create the infrastructure for all works. This includes the execution of contracts.

7.100% renewable energy

I've said this over and over. I repeat it again. Everything will turn into 100% renewable energy. We will derive our energy from all the elements of nature, especially solar energy, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric (provided the project is done properly), biogas, biofuel, biomass, hydrogen, wave and currents. The model of fossil fuels will change. Rather than using it as an energy source and burning it, the emphasis will be on petrochemistry and it will be used as a raw material. For example, oil will be used in petrochemistry and natural gas will be used in fertilizer production. In order to correct climate change, we need to organize energy modelling exactly this way. I covered this topic in this issue of Turkish Policy Quarterly that I wrote in 2013, "Why Turkey should aim for 100% renewable energy?" http://turkishpolicy.com/article/632/why-turkey-should-aim-for-100-renewable-energy-summer-2013

With the development of technology and economic models, it will be possible for energy to become free of charge for citizens and companies in the future. This will accelerate economic development.

8. Governments, municipalities and NGOs

I think the functions of governments will be reduced to basic elements. The government will always exist in justice, education and health, especially in security. In other issues, local municipalities and NGOs will have more work to do and with micro-management, have a faster, more efficient management understanding. For example, the representative NGO of the tourism sector, will be given the authority to manage their own sectors. Of course, in this case, it will be necessary to strictly manage governance. The elected president and board of directors will be able to remain in office for a certain period of time, after which they will have to transfer the powers. A change of flag is essential for the sectors to renew themselves.

9.Travel and settlement to different planets

In the current period, the joint effort of scientists has been based on establishing life on Mars. After we achieve this, we will definitely look at other planets and even start traveling between galaxies. We will discover planets that are beyond our minds and make human life possible there. Then, political, cultural and commercial relations between planets and galaxies will begin. Of course, we will not be able to see those periods, but we humans will lay the foundations by making this possible on Mars in the period we are in.

 

10. Prevention of biological wars

I mentioned three main threats to humanity: epidemic, nuclear war and climate change. The worst part of this coronavirus epidemic is that it has turned into a pandemic and has spread to almost every corner of the world. This will try to be taken as an example by some malevolent people and will make it possible to turn it into a biological threat, and even beyond, into an element of biological warfare. Can you imagine that a micro-organism that we cannot see or notice with our eyes turns into a threat and threatens humanity? Here, epidemiology (science that examines epidemics and their treatments), virology (viral science), neurovirology (an interdisciplinary field that combines clinical neuroscience, virology, immunology and molecular biology), immunology, molecular biology, bacteriology (bacteria study discipline) will be important and studies in these areas will progress much more. I hope this will be in the hand of good people.

11. Nuclear banishment from the world

Everyone who is engaged in science and engineering has a fascination with nuclear discipline, and many scientists or academics argue that we have no choice but to settle the energy balance. I think the opposite of this discourse. I think that the use of nuclear power in the world should be stopped, renewable energy can easily replace it, and even with more advanced models, energy may become free of charge. I think the only usage area of nuclear should be in space. In other words, it must be banished from the world. Nuclear research and development centres can also be established in space, for example, such a base can be built on the moon, and the area of use must be based in a place that allows for space travel only.

12. An increase in plant-based nutrition

As someone who loves some dishes made with meat, such as kebabs, I can see that the use of meat will decrease gradually in myself and in my environment. I can say that as I get older, I eat less meat and cannot eat every type of meat. The most important factor here is the change of habits over time and the feeling of my body. The signals in my brain are telling me that I need to reduce meat consumption. At the same time, I love the olive oil based dishes more and more. These are examples of myself. When we look around the world, we can observe that the number of vegans and vegetarians which is increasing rapidly. The visual and written marketing campaigns have had a great impact. It is also an important factor that as an alternative, there are many delicious vegan dishes. But there is one thing that I do not agree with, with my vegan and vegetarian friends, and that is, they say that eating meat is one of the biggest causes of climate change… That seems exaggerated to me. If we look at the essence of the problem, it is seen that the factor that raises carbon emissions so much is the continuous increase in human population and human mobility. But, if they are bringing it down to as simple as a cow producing gas, then there is a remedy for that too. If somebody takes control of this, then it can easily be handled. They can attach an apparatus to the back of cows or other cattle, collect that gas and then use it for different purposes, including energy. Let's not forget that the increase in the number of animals as well as the number of people can accelerate climate change. Let's bring to mind the natural food chain. After all, everything is a balance in nature. Finally, let's not forget that the creature that absorbs carbon is plants. That's why afforestation has a crucial role in combating climate change.

13. Putting chips on people

We have been discussing this issue with my close circle for a very long time. It has recently become very popular. The statement of the Russian tennis player Marat Safin, who recently reached number one in the tennis world, brought this issue to the forefront again and sparked a debate. Marat Safin cites Bill Gates as an example: “I don't think he's someone who predicts everything very well. I just think he knew everything. They will make it possible for people with microchips to get access to the vaccine. It will become compulsory for everyone to have these microchips. There are people with money that are stronger than world leaders. They are the owners of the world and they accomplish these goals". I also share the link for this interview: 

https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/86466/marat-safin-humans-will-just-be-walking-around-with-a-chip-soon/

 

There are parts that Safin is right about. Frankly, I haven't been able to make a complete decision myself about installing chips on people. On the one hand, if we are talking about a technology that means we can constantly receive information about the health status of people and take precautions quickly when a problem arises, it makes sense to have it. On the other hand, if it becomes an element that will control people enough to robotize and threaten their lives, then I am absolutely against it. That is why I am personally at stake on this issue. Time will tell.

14. Making adjustments to the capitalist system

It is a fact that the savage capitalist system based on consumption only disrupts all balances of the world. We started to suffer from this by experiencing the consequences of climate change. Future generations will attract even more. That's why some adjustments will need to be made to the system. Those who contribute to the ecological system and those whose works are in peace with nature will be rewarded, while on the contrary, individuals, companies, institutions and organizations that harm nature will be punished. For this, we will witness that new systems are set up, adjustments are made and models are developed.

 

15. Acceleration of new technologies

I think that new mechanisms will be created to accelerate technology development in every field. As a representative of a generation with the most technological developments in human history, I still think that technology development is slow. The reason why the developments that need to be made are so slow is that a significant majority of the public do not have that vision, the majority of academics are casually hanging out and are only conducting business to show off in an imaginary world they have created for themselves, and the priorities of those working in the private sector are to earn more money. I can say that they do not do what needs to be done, infact they even prevent what needs to be done. Now, even in this distorted order, the emergence of some new technologies and models is entirely due to the superhuman effort of some scientists and entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs who wholeheartedly believe in technology development and put themselves at risk. These people need their pathways to be opened up, and even a mechanism can be created where they can work collectively and be fully supported in all matters to speed things up all over the world. I think these systems will also occur and we will witness great developments in every field you can think of, such as energy, water, food, health, logistics, real estate, finance and transportation. I wish them all the best.

I can add more to the above items, but I only wanted to make a point and leave it here for now. Finally, I can say this: If we want to make the world we live in more liveable for future generations, change is essential. Instead of proactively making these change ourselves (like experiencing a calamity is worth more than advice), we will only accelerate it after the pandemic. We have to. I think everyone has learnt the necessary lessons for themselves from this epidemic. We are entering a new era where good people make change and therefore good people are in control, and evil will disappear. It's time for change!

 

A bonus section to this post:

With this article, I would like to share the recording of the lecture I gave at Kadir Has University on April 15, 2020 as a guest lecturer on "Sustainability", which I refer to a lot while talking about the new world order. On this occasion, I would like to thank my dear friend Dr. Uygar Özesmi:

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