THE END OF 2016. WHAT TOOK PLACE? WHAT DID WE LEARN?

For a large part of the world, New Year’s Eve is upon us. There’s been so much talk about what challenging year 2016 has been, but I have to ask you, is there ever a year that is not “challenging”? To hear some preach it, 2016 was an epic disaster. Conflict, Elections, increasing debt, failed Foreign Policy and so on and so on! Was 2016 really any different than any other year?

Yes, and the answer is on several levels… “Yes”!  All of us understand that old saying, “Times Change”, but controlling “change”, that is the challenge. If we can’t control “change”, as much as possible, then we become passengers on a ride to destination we did not set. We become observers of our future and not Masters!

The reality is, we have a growing challenge in 2017. A challenge that is based on technological change and the speed of “change”. Social Media. The ability for the world to communicate at a moment’s notice without any level of verification. Billions of people having the ability to speak with each other on any topic or event they may desire. Not the first time I’ve mentioned this change and it will not be the last.

So, why did social media make 2016 “different”?

For years the concept of “Information Warfare” has been played out by mankind. I addressed this concept a few weeks ago, but it’s safe to say 2016 witnessed a new level of this dangerous game. Yesterday, an old worn-out US Politician made the dangerous statement the recent events between the US and Russia was an act of war on the Russians part. Words such as that use to cause panic in the US and the rest of the world.  Yes, the 2016 US Elections were impacted by “outside” influence. To what level and to what purpose and by whom, is speculation. One Super Power accusing another of interfering with its national sovereignty is a very….very…dangerous accusation for the whole world.

2016 witnessed the issue of Information Warfare pushing two Super Powers closer to the brink of war! No attack on a major navel yard. No airplanes flown into buildings full of innocent people. Stolen emails. A series of events where electronic copies of truthful statements that one political party didn’t want the rest of the nation they operate in to see or even know about. That is the event that has brought about the words, “Act of War”.

2016 was “different”. 2016 witnessed change, at least for those who are paying attention. 2016 showed the world the horrors of genocide in places like Syria. 2016 witnessed corrupt governance so quickly that governments had no real, logical explanation for their actions. 2016 showed the human race, not just nations or individuals, just how fast society was moving and speeding up with every minute of every day.

I once joked the internet would give the world a collective nervous breakdown. Joked!

2016 witnessed two nuclear super powers use the words, “ Act of War” over emails! Has the world been in danger before because of stolen information? Yes, many times.

Has the world been able to form an opinion on such events within minutes of them being known and without a logical response for government? Billions of opinions. Billions of perceptions.

Communicating? How much of a good thing can we afford?

When does the ability to push technology to the edge become more than modern society can handle?