Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Prioritizing the grand challenges

Prioritizing the grand challenges
Getty Images

Leland R. Beaumont is an independent wisdom researcher who is seeking real good. He is currently developing the Applied Wisdom curriculum on Wikiversity.

Introduction


In an age of remarkable technological advancement, it is disheartening that the progress in improving overall human well-being has been sluggish. The grand challenges confronting humanity today are not only colossal and persistent but also represent opportunities to forge a better future for all. These grand challenges serve as both formidable obstacles and promising avenues to universal well-being. It is imperative that we shift our focus towards addressing these issues collectively.

Mountains of Problems

Individual Well-Being

The foundation of human well-being rests on individual health. Shockingly, millions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Waterborne diseases, often stemming from unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation, remain a leading cause of death, particularly among children. Malnutrition, a preventable tragedy, claims millions of lives annually. Moreover, obesity, once considered a symbol of prosperity, has become a global epidemic with dire health implications.

As we contemplate physical health, we must not neglect mental health. Depression, chronic stress, and suicide exact a significant toll on individuals and societies. Addiction, whether to substances or behaviors, further exacerbates these mental health challenges. The gap in access to adequate mental health services only compounds the issue.

Economic and Social Opportunity

The grand challenge of economic inequality casts a long shadow, with billions living in poverty. Homelessness, inadequate education, illiteracy, and unemployment perpetuate cycles of suffering and limit human potential. Discrimination and oppression undermine social justice and equality, further entrenching societal divisions. Ensuring safety and security is an essential aspect of well-being. Violence, terrorism, child abuse, domestic violence, and crime threaten the very fabric of societies. Gun violence, organized crime, and human trafficking are scourges that demand our immediate attention.

Bearing the Burden of Environmental Stewardship

Environmental degradation and unsustainable practices have led to the dire consequences we now face. Global warming, pollution, and habitat destruction endanger not only our ecosystems but also our very existence. Depletion of natural resources, natural disasters, extinction of species, and rampant poaching are symptoms of our reckless approach to the environment. Deforestation, in particular, poses an alarming threat.

Government Policy and Global Issues

Effective government policy is instrumental in addressing these grand challenges. Protection of human rights, curbing population growth, disarmament, and fostering global democracy are critical endeavors. Sustainable practices, global justice, and the prevention of genocide should be at the forefront of our collective efforts.

The Range of Opportunities

While these grand challenges may appear insurmountable, they also offer opportunities for positive transformation. By addressing the disparities in access to clean water, we can save lives and promote well-being. Investing in education and literacy can empower individuals and communities, breaking the cycle of poverty. Promoting mental health and addiction services can help people lead fulfilling lives.

Environmental stewardship presents us with the chance to protect and restore our planet, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Renewable energy, conservation, and responsible resource management can mitigate the consequences of global warming and habitat destruction.

Conclusion

The grand challenges that humanity faces are indeed daunting, but they are not insurmountable. By prioritizing these challenges, we have the opportunity to reshape the future for the better. Addressing issues related to individual well-being, economic and social opportunity, environmental stewardship, and government policy can pave the way for a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world.

It is incumbent upon us to recognize these challenges not as burdens but as catalysts for positive change. By working collectively and adopting a global perspective, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for the betterment of all. Let us commit ourselves to this vital task, for in doing so, we can build a brighter future for humanity.

ChatGPT generated this essay based on the materials from the Wikiversity course on Grand Challenges.

Read More

Is Bombing Iran Deja Vu All Over Again?

The B-2 "Spirit" Stealth Bomber flys over the 136th Rose Parade Presented By Honda on Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, California. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images/TNS)

Jerod Harris/Getty Images/TNS)

Is Bombing Iran Deja Vu All Over Again?

After a short and successful war with Iraq, President George H.W. Bush claimed in 1991 that “the ghosts of Vietnam have been laid to rest beneath the sands of the Arabian desert.” Bush was referring to what was commonly called the “Vietnam syndrome.” The idea was that the Vietnam War had so scarred the American psyche that we forever lost confidence in American power.

The elder President Bush was partially right. The first Iraq war was certainly popular. And his successor, President Clinton, used American power — in the former Yugoslavia and elsewhere — with the general approval of the media and the public.

Keep ReadingShow less
Conspiratorial Thinking Isn’t Growing–Its Consequences Are
a close up of a typewriter with the word conspiracy on it

Conspiratorial Thinking Isn’t Growing–Its Consequences Are

The Comet Ping Pong Pizzagate shooting, the plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and a man’s livestreamed beheading of his father last year were all fueled by conspiracy theories. But while the headlines suggest that conspiratorial thinking is on the rise, this is not the case. Research points to no increase in conspiratorial thinking. Still, to a more dangerous reality: the conspiracies taking hold and being amplified by political ideologues are increasingly correlated with violence against particular groups. Fortunately, promising new research points to actions we can take to reduce conspiratorial thinking in communities across the US.

Some journalists claim that this is “a golden age of conspiracy theories,” and the public agrees. As of 2022, 59% of Americans think that people are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories today than 25 years ago, and 73% of Americans think conspiracy theories are “out of control.” Most blame this perceived increase on the role of social media and the internet.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why a College Degree No Longer Guarantees a Good Job
woman wearing academic cap and dress selective focus photography
Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash

Why a College Degree No Longer Guarantees a Good Job

A college education used to be considered, along with homeownership, one of the key pillars of the American Dream. Is that still the case? Recent experiences of college graduates seeking employment raise questions about whether a university diploma remains the best pathway to pursuing happiness, as it once was.

Consider the case of recent grad Lohanny Santo, whose TikTok video went viral with over 3.6 million “likes” as she broke down in tears and vented her frustration over her inability to find even a minimum wage job. That was despite her dual degrees from Pace University and her ability to speak three languages. John York, a 24-year-old with a master’s degree in math from New York University, writes that “it feels like I am screaming into the void with each application I am filling out.”

Keep ReadingShow less