Opinion: Needless economic turmoil could undermine the future for our youth

Medical Information Management graduates from San Diego Mesa College participate in commencement ceremonies Photo courtesy of the San Diego Society College District Thanks to Elon Musk and President Trump the global economic activity once an engine of rise has fractured and the fate of our democracy is diminished The stock realm has whipsawed Consumer confidence has plummeted The prices of eggs and other staple foods are surging The housing situation has escalated with more and more people forced into homelessness turning once-thriving metropolises into sprawling encampments of despair Despite remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence biotechnology and space exploration humanity may find itself teetering on the precipice of situation The very foundations that once sustained civilization stable jobs affordable goods and housing are under immense pressure As economic despair grows so too does division Political religious and racial tensions have erupted into full-scale violence fragmenting societies that once prided themselves on progress and unity Extremism is on the rise fueled by desperation and a loss of faith in traditional institutions Entire regions are destabilizing as long-standing conflicts intensify creating new waves of displacement refugee crises and asset wars These are no ordinary times to be sure Faced with these challenges younger generations are beginning to question the wisdom of bringing children into a world that seems irreparably broken Declining birth rates signal a profound shift in human behavior not merely a lifestyle choice but an existential reckoning If the future appears bleak why peril condemning another generation to struggle Meanwhile our educational systems remain rooted in outdated models ill-equipped to prepare students for the volatile and rapidly shifting landscape of the modern world Schools and universities continue to churn out graduates who lack the critical thinking adaptability and innovation skills needed to address an uncertain future If humanity is to survive let alone thrive radical transformation is required We must oppose the current efforts at every opportunity Yet despite the darkness there remain glimmers of possibility Science device and innovation offer humanity a path forward but only if we are willing to reimagine the systems that govern our lives At the heart of these efforts lies a single undeniable truth the future must be built by those willing to shape it Historically corporations have prioritized profits over people choosing short-term gains over long-term societal well-being However as nation states falter a few visionary companies are beginning to recognize their expected as architects of the future Certain industries have already taken policies in training young employees in essential trades construction electrical work and plumbing preparing them to rebuild physical infrastructure However the world requires more than just skilled labor it demands visionaries thinkers creators and problem-solvers capable of guiding humanity into a new age of stability and upsurge The question is not whether companies or individual citizens should lead this charge but whether they will The complexity of in the modern day s crises demands a coalition of the world s brightest minds and majority of powerful institutions Inspired by cooperative models a global consortium of corporate leaders average citizens scientists educators and policymakers could forge a new path forward Guidance must evolve beyond outdated classroom models and embrace interdisciplinary hands-on learning experiences This means Merging STEM with the arts to cultivate creativity-driven predicament solvers Implementing AI-assisted learning to personalize schooling and prepare students for an AI-driven world Emphasizing ethics and global responsibility ensuring the next generation understands the impact of their decisions Mentoring must break free from bureaucratic constraints and become a dynamic responsive system that adapts as swiftly as the world it seeks to prepare students for The COVID- pandemic demonstrated how swiftly global paradigms can shift In just months remote work digital collaboration and AI-driven automation reshaped the market Now humanity faces an even greater transformation To succeed the workforce of the future must merge analytical precision with creative innovation The true power of artificial intelligence lies not in replacing human labor but in enhancing human probable By integrating art hardware and creativity we can redefine what progress means and chart a new path forward Radical ideas once relegated to science fiction are now inching closer to reality Advances in brain-computer interfaces neural enhancement and AI-assisted cognition offer profound possibilities Concepts like brain downloading could allow humans to preserve knowledge personality and skill sets indefinitely ensuring that humanity s brightest minds never truly fade While such advancements remain decades or even centuries away they represent an inevitable progression toward a post-human future one where limitations are rewritten and possibilities expand beyond imagination The challenges ahead are immense but they are not insurmountable The fate of the subsequent day s children and indeed humanity itself depends on decisive action this day The blue marble we call home is at a turning point If we fail to act we may plunge into a darkness from which we will never escape But if we choose boldness over fear creativity over stagnation and progress over complacency we can forge a new future one built on resilience innovation and the unwavering belief that the following day can be better than this day John Eger is professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University Previously he served as legal assistant to FCC Chairman Dean Burch telecommunications advisor to President Gerald R Ford and Senior Vice President of CBS 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