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Dr. Iain McGilchrist, a septuagenarian philosopher, psychiatrist, and neuroscientist of global renown, recently addressed a symposium titled The Future of Humanity. In his reflections, he explored the most profound questions concerning the good, the beautiful, and the true. Drawing upon a lifetime of study, he observed that these transcendent values have been steadily sidelined, debased, and, at times, even destroyed.

“It is not merely that we are distracted from the truth,” he noted, “but we demand protection from it, lest it hurt us—in case life itself hurts us.”

This observation resonates deeply in today’s world—a world perceived as increasingly unkind, unfeeling, and unconcerned, where basic human values like compassion, love, and concern for others appear to be vanishing at an alarming pace.

In this hyper-competitive socio-political environment, every sphere of life—familial, social, professional, and spiritual—is under immense strain. Even the very institutions meant to uphold them are faltering. Yet amidst these disquieting trends, glimmers of hope remain. One such beacon is the extraordinary journey of a traveler whose experiences offer a powerful affirmation of the enduring human spirit.

Why is this journey relevant today? And why must we, now more than ever, turn inward to reawaken the sacred space of our shared humanity? Let’s explore.

The Journey of Thor Pedersen

Thor Pedersen, a Danish explorer, became the first person in history to visit every country in the world without boarding a plane—a feat that took nine years, nine months, and sixteen days (2013–2023). He journeyed across over 200 nations, India being his 168th, traveling by ship, train, bus, and other land and sea routes.

But Thor’s voyage was more than a test of endurance. It became a profound meditation on humanity itself, transcending borders, beliefs, and backgrounds, and showcasing resilience, grace, and universal beauty.

His experiences distilled into a simple yet profound truth: “People are just people.”

Everywhere he went, he encountered ordinary individuals living ordinary lives—caring for family, enjoying food, music, and sports, prioritizing safety and stability over political or religious dogma. Across cultures and continents, he was met with kindness, generosity, and compassion: strangers offered him meals, shelter, assistance, and even simple smiles—testament to our shared human spirit.

Reflecting on his encounters, Thor observed:

“When we reduce people to numbers and statistics, we create distance and lose empathy. Divide and conquer is an age-old strategy—and it works—but at what cost? We can keep dividing the world until, eventually, we all sit alone.” Of course, his journey was not without peril. He faced hostile, armed men, survived cerebral malaria, and endured harrowing threats. Yet, echoing Gandhi’s timeless words, “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty,” Thor’s faith remained unshaken.

Lessons from the Journey

Thor’s humble, unsponsored voyage presents several bracing truths:

First, his grassroots encounters highlight a painful contrast with the steady decline of gentleness and kindness even within close relationships—let alone among strangers.

Second, though humanity often seems eclipsed by the relentless pursuit of power, pleasure, and profit, it remains vibrantly alive at the grassroots.

Third, as society increasingly glorifies wealth and material success, we risk losing our capacity for compassion, care, and cooperation—fundamental elements of being human.

Despite the grim realities, history offers hope. In every disaster or crisis, countless individuals—often uncelebrated—step forward to rescue, assist, and comfort. Their silent bravery reaffirms our faith in humanity, pulling it back from the brink. Yet, a paradox confronts us: at a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, we face unprecedented global crises—war, inequality, climate change, poverty—all demanding collective action. Tragically, world leaders, despite grand summits and declarations, often seem unable or unwilling to act meaningfully. This failure reflects not just a lack of solutions, but a deeper failure of intent.

Grim Realities

For centuries, humanity has viewed the world as something to dominate and control. Many of today’s crises are not inevitable tragedies but deliberate outcomes of greed, powerlust, and ruthless self-interest. These forces perpetuate conflict, poverty, environmental devastation, racism, and religious extremism—tearing apart the fabric of human dignity.

Poverty, an assault on human dignity, leaves millions vulnerable to exploitation and suffering. Its ties to climate change are profound: a study led by Dr. Timothy Neal of the University of New South Wales warns that global temperatures rising by 4°C could make the average person 40% poorer.

Power structures—whether in struggling, developing, or advanced economies—often seem to have abandoned humanity as the cornerstone of governance. Opportunistic, toxic politics and hybrid authoritarianism erode the sacred principle that should guide leadership: People Over Everything.

Even the profound lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the fragility of global public health systems, have not led to a lasting solidarity with the most vulnerable.

According to the Geneva Academy, over 45 armed conflicts rage across the Middle East and North Africa. Africa faces more than 35 non-international armed conflicts, Asia 19, and Europe seven. Grim as these realities are, they are a clarion call—not for despair, but for a renewed embrace of humanistic values.

Global Reflections

In examining three key nations—the United States, China, and India—we find sobering examples of humanity under strain.

India, the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, grapples with entrenched polarization, discrimination, and alarming rates of hunger and malnutrition, especially among women and children.

China, a global powerhouse of scientific and technological might, is infamous for its human rights violations, including the systemic oppression of Uyghurs and other minorities—acts that constitute crimes against humanity.

The United States, often self-portrayed as a beacon of freedom, struggles with contradictions between its ideals and realities: inhumane migrant deportations, a surge in homelessness, systemic racism, and deep social inequalities. In each case, the erosion of humanistic values undercuts national narratives and challenges the future they aspire to.

Reclaiming Our Shared Humanity

As Oxford’s Professor Harvey Whitehouse reminds us:

“Remembering that we are all related and experience many of the same challenges in life could be the key to addressing a wide range of global problems, from intergroup conflict to poverty and climate change.”

The world is not merely a patchwork of borders; it is a shared home. We must ask: What kind of world do we want to live in?

Without addressing this fundamental question, we risk a soulless existence—a world full of people but empty of humanity. The degradation of our shared humanity is not inevitable. Amidst imperfection and disorder, we retain the power to reclaim meaningful conversation, genuine relationships, and substantive humanistic values.

Our hearts and minds must not grow numb to suffering. We must not be seduced by empty rhetoric or symbolic gestures. Only through tangible action can we reclaim what we are losing—the essence of what binds us all. 

The imperative of our time is clear:

Reawaken our humanity.Embrace what matters most: people, planet, and our shared future.