Development and Connection in the Time of COVID-19 : Corona’s Call for Conscious Choices

https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030536404 This book looks at the COVID-19 pandemic and its likely aftermath through a four-dimensional prism - aspirations, emotions, thoughts, and sensations to understand human behavior. That perspective opens possibilities to turn the current crisis into an opportunity for positive change; because systematically influencing the various components of our being, individually and collectively, begins by understanding their nature and interaction. Beyond influence this interplay between dimensions can be optimized; which is the purpose of the C-Core (completion, compassion, creativity, cooperation) introduced in the book. In addition, the four determinants that shape institutions: priorities, people, positions, programs - the P-Puzzle are looked at. This book combines theory and concrete suggestions both for policymakers in charge of designing the collective landscape and for individuals who must adapt to, and shape, a new ‘normal’. COVID-19 is a reminder that humans around the World are fundamentally the same. Whether in the long run the Pandemic will bring out the best or the worst in humans depends on individual and collective choices to nurture our best individual and collective selves. COVID-19 may either expand life quality by adding a new breadth of solidarity or reduce Society to mere survival. Preface 6 The Basic Elements of This Book 8 Notes 13 References 16 Acknowledgments 18 Contents 19 About the Author 21 List of Figures 22 1 Overall Context 25 1.1 Micro-Entities 27 1.2 Interface Implications 31 1.3 Systemic Inferences 33 1.3.1 National (Non)-Responses 33 1.3.1.1 Macroeconomic Impacts 35 1.3.2 The Link Between Human Health and Financial Health Prospects 38 1.3.2.1 Inequality Versus Inequity6 39 1.4 Supranational Institutions 42 1.4.1 International Outlook 44 1.4.2 Aid in the Context of COVID-19 46 References 53 2 Common Principles 57 2.1 Collective Notions 57 2.2 Individual Dimensions 59 2.3 Social Interplay 67 2.4 An Intermission to Set the Stage for the Next Chapter 79 References 85 3 Affected Dimensions 87 3.1 Soul: Completion Versus Competition 88 3.2 Heart: Compassion Versus Concussion 92 3.2.1 Do We Follow the Raw Instinct of Mere Survival or Pursue Our Human Intuition to Care? 92 3.2.2 Stepping Out of Bystander Apathy 93 3.3 Mind: Creation Versus Compliance 97 3.3.1 Do We Follow Inertia or Use Imagination? 97 3.3.2 Technology and/or Trust 101 3.3.3 Cooperation Requires Trust 102 3.3.4 Individual Interest Versus Common Good 107 3.4 Body: Cooperation Versus Close-Down 108 3.4.1 Where Do We Draw the Line Between Quantity and Quality, Living and Life Quality? 108 3.4.2 Beliefs Shape Behavior and Vice Versa 109 3.4.3 Widening the Digital Gap Versus Building a Bridge 113 References 121 4 Solution Thinking 126 4.1 Potential Patterns 127 4.1.1 A 50/50 Percent Chance 127 4.1.1.1 The C-Core Equation 129 4.1.1.2 Putting the P-Puzzle to Together 132 4.1.2 Priorities & Completion 132 4.1.3 People & Compassion 134 4.1.4 Positions & Creation 135 4.1.5 Programs & Cooperation 137 4.1.6 Something Different Is Needed 138 4.2 Promising Perspectives 140 4.2.1 Corona—Revealing Common Ground 140 4.2.2 A Few Notes on the Upcoming Recommendations 141 4.2.2.1 Individual Inspiration 142 4.2.2.2 Collective Mind-Setting 146 4.2.3 Wrapping Up 159 4.2.3.1 Option A: 2030—From Dawn to Dusk 161 4.2.3.2 Option B: 2030—From Darkness to DayLight 164 References 170 Glossary 175 References 175 Index 194 This book looks at the COVID-19 pandemic and its likely aftermath through a four-dimensional prism - aspirations, emotions, thoughts, and sensations to understand human behavior. That perspective opens possibilities to turn the current crisis into an opportunity for positive change; because systematically influencing the various components of our being, individually and collectively, begins by understanding their nature and interaction. Beyond influence this interplay between dimensions can be optimized; which is the purpose of theC-Core (completion, compassion, creativity, cooperation) introduced in the book. In addition, the four determinants that shape institutions: priorities, people, positions, programs - the P-Puzzle are looked at. This book combines theory and concrete suggestions both for policymakers in charge of designing the collective landscape and for individuals who must adapt to, and shape, a new 'normal'. COVID-19 is a reminder that humans around the World are fundamentally the same. Whether in the long run the Pandemic will bring out the best or the worst in humans depends on individual and collective choices to nurture our best individual and collective selves. COVID-19 may either expand life quality by adding a new breadth of solidarity or reduce Society to mere survival. Cornelia C. Walther has been working for the past 18 years with the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in West Africa, Afghanistan and Haiti, focusing on the design of innovative communication and advocacy approaches. Her previous books include 'Development, Humanitarian aid and social welfare', and Humanitarian aid, social change and human behavior'.-- Provided by publisher