" I hope once the dust settles on COVID-19, we as a species will look at some cold, hard truths and reorient how our societies function."
I note the Renaissance directly followed the end of the waves of plagues that decimated Europe in the Middle Ages. I expect the agility of the survivors had a lot to do with that, and will after this plague as well.
I certainly agree with you that the reality of the human condition is of deep significance to us, and mere ease cannot meet the needs of our humanity, although it is true that the needs of our humanity cannot be met unless our basic economic needs are first.
Baby steps, I guess.
The Black Death was kind of insane, losing up to half the population of a continent seems impossible to imagine today. With COVID-19, even in its worst case scenario, we are not really thinking of pure survival, as much as its effect on economies and society, so it's a different context. But yes, like the Renaissance, I do hope there'll be some deep introspection into today's societies and systems. I simply cannot imagine the debt-based global economy being sustainable after this. Very interested to see where bitcoin ends up in the years to come.