Are you scared of the new technology kid around the corner popping? Do you think what to do when the latest tech floods the streets? Are you afraid it will take control of your life?
Not long ago, we were all watching a black TV and had to run throughout the flat with the antenna to make sure the signal on TV is clear and not blurry. Do you remember those times? Crazy if you think about it and how far we have come. It makes us feel ancient, but perhaps a bit scared too.
The future is expanding and going faster than we think, says Steven Kotler. The potential has never been more significant. It truly boils down to the potential and what we will do with it. How will we implement technology in our life?
“Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul’s resources in general, much like a man who, out of his whole organism, should get into a habit of using and moving only his little finger.” — Steven Kotler
It starts here before tech
First and foremost, we must realize that some of us are “laggards,” the first term coined in marketing. It means we are the late adopters and pretty much scared of what technology is going to change in our lives.
What traits to build to embrace tech: It’s OK to be scared and not always to embrace all the trends. That’s the starting point. It does not make sense to resist change. On the other hand, if you are an early adopter, and you love standing in the line for the newest iPhone, thumbs up. It takes courage, determination, conviction, and risk. These traits are great for those who are the laggards to inject in their lives.
The answer is probably somewhere in the middle. Your truth is your truth, follow that, adapt as you see fit.
“Considering, the rate of change and challenges. We must adapt at our own tempo, since the human brain is plastic, we are able to do that. Emerging technologies are bringing new opportunities.” — Fitbudd
Future challenges: With the health pandemic around the corner and next pandemic(s), there is a massive boost of funding and demand for radical solutions. The global response to the epidemic was that the European Union raised 7.4 billion euros to support vaccines.
The change
The agriculture revolution 500 years ago has brought many products of grains, pseudo-grains that are destroying our health since our digestion is not adapt to these foods. Our ancestors used to eat more natural types of foods. So, we are poisoning ourselves from inside out.
The Agricultural Revolution was a period of technological improvement and increased crop productivity that occurred during the 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe. In this lesson, learn the timeline, causes, effects and major inventions that spurred this shift in production.
Our downfall: As humans, we love the over counter solutions. We demand a fast and instant solution to our problem. Rather than preventing the causes of cellular diseases, we want instant gratification. It will lead to many to be sick in the coming future, with a faster dying rate. Yes, it helped us to eradicate many serious diseases, but we are slowly poisoning ourselves.
The industry builds on capitalism, which is not necessarily bad. Yet, huge companies are lobbying their way and inject massive amounts of unhealthy sugar, oil products that are destroying our health, little by little.
Our mindset: We have to decide to lead our life. But are we really in charge? When a government decides to lock down the whole country and impose a curfew, we got to stay indoors; that’s the way it will be. Nevertheless, we are in charge of what we think, the knowledge we possess. That’s the gamechanger. We are in control.
The opportunity
Opportunity: As you can probably imagine, the challenges bring fantastic opportunities. Yes, we are close to developing an antiaging pill, likely about 5 or 10 years out, what’s the success going to be is a question mark.
Health and tech: A good example is the whole world of biohacking in health. People try to improve their health and optimize it for longevity; you can work smart drugs, nootropics, tech gadgets. And it’s genuinely great to see for those health nerds out there, how you can speed up recovery and optimize your brain performance.
“There are people such as the Sardinians, Okinawans, or Cretans who already live in a ripe age of 90 and more, by leading a healthy lifestyle. Imagine, what are the possibilities, when we inject technology into the equation.” — Fitbudd
The real opportunity here is to combine these two worlds. If you can embrace such a healthy lifestyle and, with the help of technology, prolong your life span, eradicate diseases, that’s a real chance, and we all should take this change.
When you can reach 3rd world countries with the new technology to bring water, health support and eradicate global diseases, that’s the game-changer like with 3D printing prosthetics, 3D printing field hospitals, or 3D printing medical devices.
It’s finding the path of least resistance
First, we invest tech, test it, and before you it’s launched to the public, we must figure whether there is a need. After the pandemic, there will be countless opportunities.
By 2030, healthcare will be centered on patients empowered to prevent diseases rather than seek treatment. They will receive personalized health solutions in ways that are integrated seamlessly into their daily lives. All of this will be enabled by data and algorithms and provided within a healthcare system that is organized and regulated in an entirely new way.
There will be regional healthcare shifts in budgets and priorities.
Excerpt from the PWC report
Alongside this overhaul of the healthcare system, tectonic shifts in global public- and private-sector budgets are expected: trillions of health dollars will be spent differently than they are spent today. There will be less emphasis on treatment and care, and more on prevention, diagnostics, and digital solutions, such as mobile apps, smart monitoring devices and artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled analytics tools.
Healthcare budgets in countries around the world are, in aggregate, expected to increase by 10 percent by 2030, according to a survey of more than 120 executives at the world’s top biopharmaceutical companies, conducted by Strategy&, PwC’s strategy consulting business. But some researchers’ expectations put the number much higher, at 42 percent.
Spending per patient is expected to fall by as much as 28 percent. That’s because the number of people having access to healthcare is expected to increase disproportionately to healthcare budgets.
At the same time, it will be tech companies — not incumbent biopharma players — that are likely to drive the change into this new world of healthcare. Our inaugural #FutureOfHealth Index reveals that biopharma recognizes that tech giants will be the dominant catalyst of these trends and that regulators are seen as the main inhibitors. One reason is that tech companies bring extensive expertise in using data and analytics.
In fact, big tech has already entered the prevention and diagnostics markets with its own product developments, filing an increasing number of patents in healthcare in recent years. At the same time, big tech is moving into biopharma’s traditional treatment segment through acquisitions and partnerships.
Business and operating model: Be open to entering into co-funded and co-led partnerships, bearing in mind that the new healthcare market will likely be made up of ecosystems of complementary players all revolving around the patient. Establish and commit to a business that you are willing to challenge and adapt at any point in time. Consider targeted, “bolt-on” acquisitions as well as partnerships.
The time is right now
Not only are you in charge. You got the right mindset; you know that technology is already here. You are aware that the rate of change is going to be radical — you must adapt. Seek the gaps and question the way we run our health and healthcare systems.
You are ready because that’s who you are; you are a game-changer. You are prepared to live long. Embrace a healthy lifestyle and embrace technology, because it brings tremendous new opportunities for you, for your loved once. You can live past 100, it’s guaranteed.
Look in nature for answers
Nature is fantastic at guiding us and showing us that when we optimize for the whole rather than individual, we are often rewarded. We have preconceived notions about health, where nature proves us wrong at times.
Bears don’t drink water
The bear sleeps in the winter and does not drink any water for almost 100 days.
One of the most celebrated hibernators is the American black bear (Ursus americanus). * It can go for as long as 100 days without eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, or exercising.
Achuar tribe does not drink water
The tribe does not drink water; the female chews on a root and spit it in the bucket that ferments and creates a particular alcoholic drink.
Your future without pain
“The number one thing is that you want the least pain for your loved ones, and want to live a quality and fulfilling life, isn’t it”? — Fitbudd
We might be scared, but we know that there are health challenges, that we caused that the technology can help us to solve, but there are still many outstanding challenges, which we will try to tackle in the future episodes.
