Where is the investment in human capital?

The world is going through an era of intellectual regression and passion for supposed conservative values, which are nothing more than a desire to return to a moment in history that the evolution of human beings should have already left behind.

It has become common to point out a number of gaps in Generation Z, but, let’s be honest, as a member of the “Petty Generation”, I remember the way my generation was seen by older generations. Another cycle? Is it so inherent in human beings to study the flaws of younger generations? And where is the responsibility of those who educated this generation? Who created the conditions?

Human capital is an unavoidable force, it is unthinkable to aspire to any type of success without this driving force. It is through this human capital, its physical strength and its mental and intellectual strength that society prospers, economically and socially. Human capital and its intellectual and cerebral aspects are at the forefront of problem solving. This is where societies evolve and prosperity arises.

Younger generations live with the ease and difficulties created by older generations. This is evident when we think about climate change or the political situation that has spread across the globe.

Wrongly, the finger is pointed at Gen-Z when we talk about social media. First, when Zuckerberg is chosen as the culprit. Mark Zuckerberg is a Millennial, a Gen-Y, born in 1984. But was he the one who started the social media phenomenon? According to the World Wide Web, the first social network was MacroView (later renamed SixDegrees Inc.) and its founder, Andrew Weinreich, was born in 1972, that is, a Gen-X. We can continue the search and understand who created the internet, who developed the programming languages ​​that allowed these creations, but it is a waste of time, an exercise in seeking responsibility for development – so evil! – which resulted in the use that so many choose to criticize.

Generational talents, like their creations, tend to be highly praised, especially after they die. But people have this ability, for the best and for the worst. And theirs creations also follow the same path. How is the innovative Musk responsible for the success of a rocket that can be used more than once, but also responsible for the implosion of Twitter?

For Elon Musk to develop his projects and bring his ideas to fruition, it was necessary for others to invest in making this happen. And countries, organizations, the private sector and the public sector must invest in human capital.

Creativity is an invaluable asset, it is a valuable resource. And mental health is a factor that interferes with performance. It is not possible to deny the need to improve the digital tools we have, whether social networks, instant messaging platforms, or AI. The improper use of these platforms, in addition to violating the most basic rights enshrined, for example, in the constitution of each country, affects the mental health of individuals, interferes with access to healthcare and prevents people from being able to contribute in the best way to the common good.

Misinformation disseminated through social networks or digital platforms is responsible for the return of diseases that, thanks to vaccines, had already been eradicated. Those responsible for these types of campaigns are equally responsible for all the harm that results from them. The side effects of misinformation worsened with the pandemic and after the pandemic.

This panorama needs to change. Value people and their contribution. Through formal and non-formal education, through information campaigns, through regulation of innovations. This is also an investment in progress and well-being.

The evolution of everyone, as a society, requires us to be more aware and empathetic. For example, not using terms like “woke” as if they were something to avoid. Ending discrimination and social injustice should be a goal for everyone, regardless of political or religious affiliation. It is an arduous task, since, sometimes, the exaggerated defense of a certain view leads to arguments that stray from the purpose and, not infrequently, from logic and reality itself. Another obstacle is an unlimited conservatism, which seems to want to establish an anachronistic society, with good citizens and second and third class citizens, with standards that are defended but not practiced, normally on a religious basis, without a scientific or humanist basis.

And this path must be taken collaboratively. Everyone has a role to play. An institutional role, a professional role and a social role. The way to value and defend human capital is innovation. Is innovation the solution? It probably plays an extremely important role, if we consider the problems mentioned.

The healthcare sector is a key vertex for achieving the maximum potential of human capital, but it is also one that can benefit most from this valorization. People, whatever generation they belong to, want better quality of life, they want to be able to enjoy all progress – technological and otherwise -, but they must do so with rules, thinking about how this could harm someone, themselves or any other individual.

It is not enough to develop integrated health models that focus on the mental health of healthcare workers or young people, if the bombardment of misinformation or online bullying continues, if people feel tempted to change their habits or their appearance , if they feel the need to spend money on something just because this or that influencer said it was a good idea.

We have an increasingly aging population, thanks to medicine and progress in healthcare, but we have a young population that lives in a hyperconnected and hypersensitive society, with all the advantages and disadvantages that this entails.

We discuss the replacement of humans by machines at work, but we don’t worry about finding solutions to the increase in people’s isolation time due to new professions. If it was a problem during the pandemic, is it no longer a problem now, when we have professionals who stay at home, in their home office, with no interaction other than chats and digital platforms? What should we, as a society, do or need to create so that social isolation and the digitalization of personal and professional life don’t become normal?

What about sustainability? Who discusses the energy production and expenditure implications of all this technology? What is the impact of mass adoption of AI tools? Or cloud? Or to transform old jobs into new jobs, which increase the use of computers and servers and… energy?

And what is the future of culture or nature when everything revolves around I.T. and technology and machines?

The preservation and valorization of the human mind and brain capital is a social and economic necessity. And this doesn’t just depend on money. The investment is more comprehensive. Everyone, with different degrees of responsibility, must collaborate so that human capital is respected and encouraged.

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