Knowledge
has revolutionized human societies and taken it to the threshold of transition
into an era of virtual social cohesion. The coalescing power of
open knowledge, without face or icon is a manifestation of this contemporary
force.
Individuals
as icons and leaders will soon be relegated to the annals of history. Albeit
with different objectives, the jasmine revolution in Tunisia and December demonstrations
in New Delhi, represents two instances of knowledge enabled virtual social cohesion. These phenomena, taking place at the cross-roads
of social, technological and biological evolution are bound to gather more
strength and be more frequent.
However,
it is too premature to predict the way human societies will react, when faced
with issues fundamental to their existence; like sharing a dwindling natural
resource flowing across dialectical, geo-political boundaries. Not far from
present, social evolution is destined to choose either of the two distinct, mutually
exclusive courses. The options of which will depend on whether preference be
exerted to benefit own dialect or a show of egalitarian respect for fellow
beings, sans frontiers.
The
latter, undoubtedly is ideal. Erased boundaries will help create decent living
conditions in all human habitations. Knowledge facilitated social coalescing, for
a cause across linguistic, administrative or geographic boundaries; is a
precursor and primer to steer mankind to the ideal course of action. Let me try
to exemplify the above statement:
Tourism,
a source of revenue for Governments, provides a neutral case to experiment
with.
Despite being a means of
livelihood for local populace, many tourist destinations world over are losing
their charm. Persistent epidemics stemming from piling waste mounds, crumbling
infrastructure and sinking social attitudes are only a few probable causal reasons
listed. Potential tourists, coalescing
in a virtual platform, can exert required decibel to demand clean and safe
tourism. Doesn’t it sound like ex-situ social engineering?
