A new virus starts a pandemic that turns humans into a kind, gentle, caring and sharing species. Would you finally be happy? Don’t read the last para till you’ve read the rest

What would it be like if we had a world where there were no strife or lies, and everyone would be equal and cherished? illustration by C Y Gopinath using Ai

Everyone agrees about this: we are not happy with the world the way it is. Whether rich or poor, urban or rural, communist or capitalist, black or white or some shade in between, this religion or that — everyone wishes things were better.

There is violence everywhere. Too many wars, too many guns, and too many people being killed, including children. There is too much crime. No one is safe anymore. Children are bought and sold, as are women. One religion calls the other a terrorist. That one calls this one fascist. Both want blood.

Taxes are too high. Roads have potholes. Politicians are corrupt. Everyone is corrupt.  Indians have no civic sense. You can’t trust Russians. Americans are fat, greedy, and like shooting things. Nigerians talk too loudly. 

There’s too much pornography.

Climate change is going to get us all sooner than later, unless we nuke ourselves into oblivion before that. 

Too many divorces, too much abuse, too much estrangement, too much cancer, too many ultra-processed foods, and too many lies. Everything is fake and getting fakier. Everyone argues all the time. AI is........

© Midday