by Santa John McDaniel
The View from the Bridge is an opinion piece which explores how political, societal, and other changes will impact the future.

In these articles, we’ll suggest ways these changes apply to the Graphic-Products industry and small businesses in general.

Review

On the Pandemic Front

Our sources indicate that there are two more variants coming. One we are experiencing now, another later this winter. After that, COVID will become endemic and may require an annual shot similar to the annual influenza shot.

On the War

What we are witnessing in Ukraine are the horrors of physical war. Like what you see? Very few do.

The Universe is asking, “Is this a future you desire? If not, work together for the good of all!”

Imagine what humanity can accomplish once we no longer have to fear our neighbors, be they next door or on the other side of the globe. How much are we spending on weapons and militaries around the world?

Know – this war will pass, they all do – Ukraine will prevail – Putin will not survive – Russia will join the democracies of the World.

Politics – We The People

Having been a boss in corporate America and heading several small businesses, we were frequently required to interview new employees. From our perspective, We The People have forgotten that the president, governor, all those politicians at any level of government work for us.

In short, Mr. / Ms. Politician, on your application for employment include your qualifications, previous experience, and most of all, what is your platform. In other words, what are you going to do for me and other people? Finally, are you an honest person? Can we rely on your word? Above all, don’t sow fear!

We are in charge! Act like it!

Looking Ahead

As we emerge from this pandemic, we are prompted to assess the cultural and economic changes we have all experienced and observed.

Future Trends

We listed several trends we see coming post-COVID: (For previous trends, see past issues.)

1. Working from Home will increase. Fewer people will travel back and forth to an office.
2. Vaccination may become an issue in employment and travel.
3. Entrepreneurship will increase. More people will have the opportunity to become self-employed.
4. A basic minimum income for all will be enacted. Think Social Security for all.
5. Universal healthcare will come. Think Medicare for all.
6. Social Security (basic minimum income) and Medicare for all will stimulate the economy.
   Small businesses won’t have to compete with large companies who provide health insurance. And no one will need to work for starvation wages.
7. Linux and Unix operating systems (Android and Chrome) will come to dominate home computers. Windows and I/OS will become niche operating systems.
8. Having some web-presence will become a business necessity.
9. Some businesses in the Graphic Products industry will become fulfillment centers. They receive orders from the web, produce product in-house, and ship it to the customer. No contact.
10. As we have mentioned before, transportation is going electric. Every major car maker is planning electric vehicles. Who needs gas, oil changes, tune-ups, etc., etc.?
11. Electric generation will become local. You’ll see it in your home, your subdivision, your city, your building, etc. Solar panels and batteries eliminate the need for high-powered transmission lines and transformers, which have contributed to fires in the West.  The landscape will be much nicer once all those ugly power lines are removed for scrap metal.

This Time:

Electric generation will become local. You’ll see it in your home, your subdivision, your city, your building, etc.

Many throughout the world are experiencing the effects of climate change, due to a warming climate. In the USA we’re experiencing blistering heat, flooding, powerful windstorms, rising coastal waters, and so on.

One of the leading causes of a warming climate is our large-scale burning of carbon to heat our homes and power our vehicles.

Sorry, I don’t think Clean-Coal exists. But that is just one old fellow’s opinion. An old fellow that was born in Detroit at a time when almost all homes were heated by coal or oil. Been there, done that! Ever banked a coal-fired furnace for the night? My dad did; I did. Not clean!

Switching from burning stored carbon, i.e., wood, coal, oil, etc., to electricity is one of the many forces impacting future development.

It turns out Sunshine hits most of the planet. Solar panels and batteries can be local. They also can eliminate the need for high-powered transmission lines and transformers, which have contributed to fires in the West. 

Another Old Guy Opinion (OGO) The landscape will be much nicer once all those ugly power lines are removed for scrap metal.

Creating – Your Future Life, Income Stream, and a Business

First, it’s important to understand some of the rules of Creation. We’ll cover each of these in more depth. This time – #7 – When possible, choose cooperation over conflict! 

1. Each of us creates our future moment by moment.
2. The past is history, the future is a dream, now is what matters.
3. Life is all about experience.
4. Life is terminal; you’ll never get out of it alive.
5. There are two major forces in the Universe, Love and Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real)
6. Karma doesn’t care. What goes around, comes around. You can count on that!
7. When possible, Choose cooperation over conflict.
8. Like everything else in the Universe, Humans are drawn toward Love.
9. After 78 years on this planet, I know that all the things I’ve experienced in this lifetime have been for my good, even if I didn’t see it at the time. I know that in this Universe, all things work together for the good of ALL.

– This Time

When possible, Choose cooperation over conflict!

The Earth is a free-will planet. What that means is that we have some control over our life’s path. We can choose a path that is loving and uplifting toward others, or one that is ego driven.

An ego-driven life is one that is all about ME! I come first. The ego views life as a competition. There are winners and losers.

To some extent the ego is right. Earth is a great environment for life. Life exists almost everywhere on and in the planet. As a result, there is competition from other lifeforms, i.e., bacteria, viruses, etc.

If humans chose to make the planet uninhabitable for human life forms, life will continue on Earth, think of all the life forms that preceded us. The animals we call dinosaurs occupied Earth much longer than humans have. Life goes on!

The problem with focusing on life as this great competition for everything, is that it increases stress which can lead to all kinds of human health problems. On a global level it leads to wars: old egocentric men sending young men and women to their deaths for some fleeting power or material gain.

The reality is that my human body is a product of cooperation. Think stomach and intestines, filled with good bacteria; as well as all the other organs; the brain, heart, eyes, ears, etc., etc. All these elements working together makes life on Earth possible.

In addition, the societies we as humans have built are also products of cooperation. Think food to grocery stores, utilities to your residence, healthcare when you’re sick, etc., etc.

What does this all have to do with “My right to swing my fist or right to bear arms”? Think before you act, choose cooperation over conflict, whenever possible.

What is your interest in the Graphic-Products Industry?

First, realize that everyone on earth is an artist. How you dress, the clothing you wear, is art. A person’s makeup is artwork. Many people decorate their bodies with tattoos, that’s artwork. How people decorate their vehicles, homes, landscaping, etc., etc., all works of art. Even the rusting hulk of an old machine is considered art by some.

In today’s world, artwork for most graphic products begins life as computer art. Some artists create and sell computer art for use on the web. Some create and sell physical products using their artwork, think t-shirts, mugs, awards, etc. Others create graphic products as a hobby or to help organizations to which they may belong.

 Answering a couple of questions might help you evaluate your interest.

1. Do I have any interest in creating digital art?
2. Does my interest in digital art include producing products?
3. Is my interest in creating personalized products for Fun or for Profit?
4. What do I do, or does my business do? Are you an Artist or Commercial Artist?
5. If I’m a commercial artist, who are my competitors?

In Short

Thank you for your attention. Keep in mind that we don’t know what we don’t know. So, don’t take our word for it. Meditate and find what is right for you.

As we’ve said before, working from home may become the norm. Commuting to an office, not so much or so often. (Great for reducing air pollution, not so great for oil producers and gas stations.)   

The economic transformations COVID-19 has initiated will last long after the dis-ease is brought into balance (i.e., suppressed). These changes will favor working people and small businesses that work from home.

For 2022 and beyond, we pray for peace.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we will know peace.

Thank you, see you next time.