To think our new normal could be a better way of life?

[Wehttam]

Ok first of all, hear me out. Maybe this is hypothetical fantasy but I think it has merit.

As we are adjusting to Lockdown and both its benefits and disadvantages, I have started thinking about how civilisation may be able to use this as a starting point for a new way of life, accepting the previous 24/7 have it all lifestyle is fundamentally poisonous to our wellbeing.

I fully understand this is a global pandemic and is catastrophic for many people, losing loved ones, suffering illness and the fear of how this could potentially affect many people’s lives going forward economically is a worry no one wants or needs, I am not minimising this nor am I advocating for blanket suffering or pain before you come for me.

Environmentally this is momentarily allowing the planet to slowly recover from one of its biggest problems, Us. Look outside, the air is cleaner already, the noise we had so become used to has quietened, our frantic pace of living has slowed, for most of us this will have untold health benefits as well as benefits to nature we will see manifest further over the coming weeks.

I fully appreciate how for many people this is an uncertain time, those suffering DV or poverty are living in hell, the situation right now is unpeeling the veneer society generally paints over these problems though. What if our new reality was to help those who are vulnerable and suffering but still maintain this level of calm muted living.

Excessive commuting, over consumption of single use anything, traffic everywhere, takeaways, shops, bars clubs, restaurants catering for every niche or whim, flying everywhere incessantly, worrying about having he latest this or that, which all means sweet FA at the moment. What it all boils down to is all of that was needless to actually live and breathe properly wasn’t it?

Eventually once Lockdown starts to be lifted, are you willing to go back to that chaos the outside world had become? I’m not so sure I am and I dont think it will be any good for those who do. Thoughts?

A fairer distribution of wealth and resources is the massive change that's needed. Socio-economic position is the biggest indicator of how you will experience this crisis.

The only change will be the middle becoming like the lower earners, the rich will keep their money. It won't be the low, min wage that lose their jobs as most of these are essential, it will be those in the middle where their roles aren't so important to lose jobs and homes.

When we noticed early in the what was going on and how things were happening abroad, we started planning the “freedom” party (just need a name). Lockdown was never going to be easy. Although booze will probably need -replacing— topping up. And back in the local shops we will go.

I’ve always used my local shops and they are currently helping me out as a thank you in loyalty.

English is my favourite. I’ve heard few people say they’d rather not ever be in England and it makes me wonder why they do stay if they feel that strongly.

Also makes me realise they haven't really experienced the very beautiful parts.

Yes, some jobs will disappear, but others will be created. There weren't the coffee shops, nail bars, etc a decade or two ago - what goes around comes around. Entire new industries will appear.

I’m from one of the former industrial cities of the North. I’ve seen it first hand. On paper the jobs are replaced. The reality is the young people move into new industries, a hell of a lot of people suffer during the transition, and the older ones never work again.

English = England

The older ones not working again is down to their choice of not wanting to transition though

The jobs are there , they just didn’t want them

I speak for my own parents)

Consumerism will force us to buy even more gadgets that are currently dreamt up by entrepreneur, engineers and developers.
Consumerism will make us work even harder to make up for lost time.
Consumerism will ensure that all this Corona pandemic will be a tiny blib in our lives. Forgotten, pushed aside banished to the edges of history.

I think that’s just certain personalities

Certainly consumerism in this household won’t increase

I think things will return to normal. We need shops, bars, leisure centres opened and school to return to normal.
Also can't wait to see friends and family again. I understand what you mean about the planet but it's not practical to think a simple life will work long .

No thank you. I'd rather like to get back to my office that I can't use but am still paying rent on, see my friends and go on holiday.

These however are minor concerns and I'm privileged not to be trapped in one place with children, living with DV or facing financial ruin.

It's all very well hoping this will be the new normal if you live the sort of privileged life which accommodates it.

Yes, some jobs will disappear, but others will be created. There weren't the coffee shops, nail bars, etc a decade or two ago - what goes around comes around.

That's a very idealistic view.

Wales and some parts of the North are still scarred from the closure of the mines. There are huge pockets of deprivation because people lost their jobs and nothing was created to take their place. Where are these new jobs and industries going to come from?

The idea that staying home and being able to smell the roses so to speak, read a book, protect the environment, etc is just unrealistic economically. People need to get back to work . The idea that working from home is productive remains to be seen, a lot of people do not work well at home. The world is not "recovering ". Sure, pollution and noise have decreased but that isn't even a bandaid on the environmental problem the world has. As soon as things can get back to normal people will be as they were before, for the most part.

The second wave will be due to natural selection i.e those who lack the intelligence to socially distance and not to do something just because you can.
Here in Germany they said that 70% of us would get it eventually, with social distancing meaning we get it more slowly, not that we don't get it at all. Hopefully the 30% who don't get it will be those at most risk - with health conditions and/or the elderly. I'm not in that bracket, so can only reasonably hope not to get it too badly, or pass it on to anyone vulnerable. So for me, the ideal scenario would not be to stay at home when the pubs do re-open, but to get it over and done with, so I don't have to wait months or years on tenterhooks. I'm not going to rush out tomorrow and catch it on purpose against the law, but when the pubs are allowed to open, why would I stay in and drag it out longer than necessary?

Consumerism will force us to buy even more gadgets that are currently dreamt up by entrepreneur, engineers and developers.
Consumerism will make us work even harder to make up for lost time.
Consumerism will ensure that all this Corona pandemic will be a tiny blib in our lives. Forgotten, pushed aside banished to the edges of history.

Consumerism cannot force anyone to do any of those things. If you have freewill and a mind, then you have a choice.

Not everyone even wants or can afford to buy the latest gadget, car, clothing or must have decor item.

I'd love for DH to get the chance to WFH all the time. He used to work from home in a previous job and did so for five years. It was great.

Now he's normally working at the other end of the country. Hard on him as he goes on Monday morning and gets back at midnight on Fridays.

It's the same industry as he's always worked in, doing the same job as before. But he's with a company that believes more in 'presenteeism' so wants to see everyone at their desk.

However, these past few weeks everyone that can is working from home. Meetings of up to twenty people are being done remotely via zoom or similar, as are daily team meetings. Conference call dial ups with clients are normal. And no-one is murmuring about quality or quantity of work. People are 'at their desk' but that desk may be a kitchen table. The work is still getting done. Even a really antiquated way of getting documents confirmed, literally by rubber stamping them, has given way to electronically confirming them. That's proving quicker and the admin and board of directors teams are raving about it. So hopefully that'll stick as it's speeding up the process.

With luck, if DH can prove this is working, he and others will get the chance to WFH if they want to. Some prefer the office and that's fine - no one should be forced. But if it's working, why not try it? It'll free up workspaces in the office too so people won't be so cramped.

Hopefully, that way DH won't carry on being one of the weekly 'flying commuters' polluting the atmosphere on domestic flights.

I'm also hoping it'll prove that all these meetings where people have to show up in person will stop. The G7 is capable of meeting remotely, via satellite link, so why do all those politicians and flunkies fly off to a destination every year? Just to be seen shaking hands? Or banqueting? If it works now and is good enough then we need to keep that going. Think of the feedback Prince Harry got for attending that Amsterdam conference on climate change - by plane? It's not necessary and it should be frowned upon.

There are always people who have to 'go' to work as well as those who prefer to or who don't have the space to do anything different. But if those who would like to WFH, have the ability and/or space to and can be supported in that, it leaves room on public transport, clearer roads, cleaner air so those who do have/want to travel can do so in a nicer environment. So it should be encouraged.

I love seeing all the pollution free photos from around the world - I really hope that some change comes in that respect.

Personally I'm doing a lot of cooking and eating with my family, and I love it. I love sitting with them every night, I love making nice food, and them enjoying it. We are doing a lot as a family, and it's really nice. I will try to do that afterwards too

I don't know whether I'll buy less - maybe. I haven't bought many clothes now, or even looked, but that's because I don't have anywhere to go maybe. (and i'm spending all my money on food anyway).

I can't wait to go out and see my friends! Go for a glass of wine in a beer garden. Eat lovely food. I have a concert I desperately don't want to miss in June. I don't think I'll be giving up my social life at all.

I liked my old life, I was cruising along doing just fine. I’d quite like to go back just as it was or as close to it as I can. I’m really missing everything and everyone!

DH has worked from home for years. Yes it’s better in terms of commuting etc, but it is difficult in other ways. There is a lot to be said for the social interaction of going into an office. He also has to make a real effort to move around (between around 8 and 6 he clocks up approx 200 steps) and it’s very difficult to have a work/home divide when home is your work. He really relishes the days that he goes into the office.
Yes, more flexibility is a good thing. And getting rid of the concept of presenteeism. But I don’t think a mass change to home working will be the ideal.

Don't be silly. We have to capitalist monster to feed.

If you live on your own, this social distancing, is very isolating, not just for the elderly, but also for younger people as well.
My adult DC live on their own, in their own homes, and found themselves to be more lonely that they would expect.
It is not just holidays once cannot do, but no visiting friends, no cinemas, theatre going, no days out, no visiting 'stately homes', for example.
However, on the plus side, many more people are working from home, and I think this may well, be extended, so more people work from home some of the time, although I think working from home all the time, is not conducive to working as a team.
However, with both parents working, even wokring from home one day a week, would help with childcare costs (I am aware that working with young children can be difficult)

I’ve worked from home most of my life post children

I still would go into the office once a week

I’d like to be able to do that again, but I certainly got far more done from home

Would be lovely if DH could do a few days from home and some in the office too.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A nice balance would be perfect

Nobody forces us to spend money. I’m not influenced by ads. Yes really. I don’t watch live tv, I don’t listen to radio, off line playlist, and Adblock on line. And if any pop up I wouldn’t have a clue

Wouldn’t know the latest what ever if is slapped me in the face.

Although the do make me laugh, paying for twigs and pebbles. Imagine being a kid with pebbles, stone and acorns and no being able to touch them. 🤣

Oh god, I don't get all the raving about WFH - I hate it.

Oh, thank fuck it’s not just me.

Christ I hope not