Despite the absolute certinty of death, why do humans continue to strive and 'run after' life?

Inflation is pinching wallets, markets are jittery, and maybe your job feels less secure. Headlines scream uncertainty. It’s totally normal to look at all this and think, "Why bother running so hard when the finish line is the same for everyone?" I get it.

But here’s the fascinating thing about us humans: even knowing the end, we just keep building. History proves it. Think about the Great Depression during Covid-19 – global unemployment hit 6.5%, reaching 220 million! Or 2008 – global GDP growth plunged to -1.7%. Brutal, right? Yet, every single time, we rebuild. The history of our cheat sheet pointed to the receipts. The IMF expects global growth to be a steady 3.2% in 2024, while the World Bank predicts it will stabilize around 2.6% by 2025, not roaring, but proof that we find a way forward.

So, why do we keep running? Because look what happens when we do!

We don't just rebuild the old; we create something better. Think about it:

Businesses Solve Real Problems: Tough times spark incredible innovation. During the 2020 slowdown, e-commerce and digital services exploded, keeping economies afloat and creating millions of new jobs. Businesses adapt, finding smarter, leaner, greener ways to operate.

Tech Builds a Brighter Tomorrow: We're not just surviving; we're actively building smarter futures. Smart cities are popping up everywhere! Places like Singapore and Barcelona use sensors and data to cut traffic jams by 20-30%, save energy, and make life smoother. That’s progress born from challenge.

Green Energy & AgTech Boom: Uncertainty about fossil fuels? Boom – renewable energy investment hit a record $1.8 TRILLION globally in 2023. Worried about food security? Vertical farms and AI-driven agriculture are producing more food with less land and water. We're literally growing solutions.

Resilience Creates Opportunity: Yeah, about 1 in 5 startups fail. But the ones that adapt? They become the Teslas, the Netflixes, the companies that change how we live for the better. Turbulence forces efficiency and breeds breakthroughs.

Image credit: Collected. 

This "running" isn't blind optimism; it's active creation. It’s millions of people – maybe including you – getting up, solving problems, building businesses, developing tech, and connecting communities despite the headlines. We run because we see the possibility of cleaner energy, smarter cities, healthier food systems, and a more connected world emerging from the chaos.

The finish line doesn't change. But the path we blaze? That’s entirely up to us. Every step forward, every innovation, every connection forged in this turbulence isn't just about surviving – it's about actively wiring a better future. And that is why we keep running. Let's build it together.

With Gratitude

Farhana Yeasmin