SOCIAL STUDENTS SONGS : MASTER GLOBAL ESSAY

THE SOCIOLOGIST Everett Rogers - in his seminal book Diffusion of Innovations [1962] explored in great detail how new ideas, like !WOW!, are absorbed or rejected by a society.

Dynamic equilibrium is achieved when society is ready for that change, such as the introduction of  Artificial Intelligence, mobile phones, The World Students Society, [ lovingly and respectfully called, !WOW!.]

STATIC EQUILIBRIUM describes a situation when an innovation has no impact on society, such as the ground-breaking process of cloning.

DISEQUILIBRIUM is evident when the society is not ready for the innovation, such as the resistance of polio drops, vaccines in many tiny, tiny parts of the world.

Change starts as an act of faith and optimism for a better future. Nevertheless, history shows us that in time, disenchantment sets in or unanticipated consequences arise.

By then, a point of no return has been reached, and the only way out is another seismic change.

When small communities came together to form the first cities, they relinquished the authority of the family elder to the state, in return for the assurance of security, jobs and social organisation.

When those cities developed class distinctions, and a labour force, people willingly left their feudal and agrarian communities to work in factories once the Industrial Revolution arrived.

This brought its own poor working conditions that had to be addressed by social reform, and the power of kings was replaced by capitalist business magnates.

TIM BERNERS-LEE created the World Wide Web in 1989. It is said to have its roots in the counterculture of the 1960s, which rebelled against state authoritarianism.

The WorldWide Web has lived up to its promise of empowering the 'everyman' across all countries, enabling people without power and wealth to connect, express themselves and develop their own business.

But something that was meant to be free was soon monetised and became a platform for influencers.

The impact of ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence on personal autonomy, a central motive for every social evolution, is still being assessed.

FROM TECHNOLOGY to social reform, history proves that the most profound transformations start from within. Some revolutions may begin with visionaries, but their success depends on their being adopted as everyday acts of courage and change.

Revolutions - technological, political, economic or cultural - maybe started by a few visionaries, but the changes they instigate can only be sustained by quiet everyday actions.

It is the willingness of the many to become part of the change that really ensures it takes root in a society.

ARTSPEAK : Master Global Essay, continues. The World Students Society thanks Durriya Kazi, a Karachi-based artist.