This is a new reality of mutuality between the individual and the collective – a reality of Individual Collectivism complemented by Collective Individualism.
We can summarize and say that the Global Person is connected to and dependent on the virtual network reality – he is interdependent and interconnected.
The virtual network reality generates a reality in which every person is empowered through the virtual network reality as never before, yet at the same time his existence is dependent on this reality as never before. This is an organic, global reality.
The Challenge – Humanity’s Global Warning
The awareness of this virtual network reality engenders dual sentiments. On the one hand, the new human power stemming from this reality opens new vistas and fosters new hopes. The new horizon enables every person to be present in the new reality to an unprecedented degree. At the same time this awareness gives rise to fear. The fear is existential. It stems from the incompatibility of the life systems previously created by humanity – financial, social and governmental – with the new reality. This widening chasm raises questions regarding our physical and moral presence with greater intensity. This is Man’s Search for Existence and Man’s Search for Meaning.
An overview of the challenges created by this reality gives rise to the understanding that despite the technological advances that have generated a new force of humanity, the prevalent personal sensation at the beginning of the 21st century is of instability:
⦁ Social networks have created a new public sphere that has no code of ethical behavior. This sphere raises moral questions and requires creating new social norms (shaming, cyber bullying).
⦁ Extreme phenomena – the network reality has facilitated the creation of a positive shared human consciousness and practice to an unprecedented degree. At the same time it also enables more powerful and more extreme negative human behaviors that push us closer to the abyss.
⦁ Social networks expose what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ of government and so deepen civilian mistrust of public representatives.
⦁ Extremist terrorism is weaving a global net under our feet.
⦁ The economic gaps, cost of living and unclear employment horizon create existential anxiety that increases with the awareness of smart machines that will replace workers in many fields. This reality caused the social protests that erupted around the world in 2011 to continue festering in the social networks, fed by growing frustration. This has given rise to public sentiment that the governmental system is detached and alienated from peoples’ existential distress.
