Full circle

Recent research (1) hypothesizes that global nomadism has reduced materialism. This makes sense from multiple perspectives. First, modern nomads generally have a broader experience, that allow them to see the world from a holistic perspective. Second, the most interesting part of the human history – some 50,000 years ago, when innovation and experimentalism were the highest – has always been associated with nomadism.Those who stayed put, were left out in the cold. In this respect, modern nomads are completing the full circle – Humans started off by nomadism and they will ultimately end this story the same way. And finally, nomads value information more than their stationary cousins and in a world where only information remains, they are better positioned to define the future.

One of the recent presidents of the United States took oath without travelling to a single country, except to the adjacent one to the South. That lack of perspective costed the World significantly during his term. In this context, nomadism has to be a necessary requirement of leaders of major organizations and countries. More importantly, for the next generation, it should become clearer that information is more important than material possessions and the only way to collect information is by nomadism – either physically or electronically.

Nomadism was an adventure a few 100 generations ago. For the timid humans of today, it is a necessary condition for survival.

(1) What is contemporary global nomadism and how does it affect materialism?Published: Monday, April 16, 2012 - 13:33 in Mathematics & Economics. Source: University of Chicago Press Journals