(Happy new year to to all my readers. Circa 250 of you get my blog sent directly to your emails, with hundreds more reading it on my site each month)
In an AI-powered world that feels like it’s speeding up, it’s easy to get caught in the whirlwind of change. But perhaps the more important question—as Jeff Bezos suggests—is to ask: what will remain the same?
When planning investments of time or money, I think it’s wise to focus on what’s likely to always hold true for humanity. Much of my list may seem obvious, but writing it down has helped me shape my priorities. For example, I’m dubious that the concept of the weekend will endure, nor do I think that political parties will make it. Anyway, here is my list, in no particular order, undoubtely with many items missed.
- The need to eat, no worse than today.
Unless we discover how to photosynthesise, humans will need calories. The debate may shift to what we eat—lab-grown meat or cricket protein, perhaps—but the fundamental need to consume food won’t vanish.
- The need to drink.
Hydration will remain essential, whether it’s water on Earth or Martian cocktails served in Elon’s hypothetical colonies.
- We are social animals.
Despite our screens and isolationist tendencies, humans always crave connection, community, and the occasional gossip session. This is unlikely to change.
- Supply and demand.
Economics 101 is eternal. The balance of supply and demand is as predictable as Boris Johnson cheating on his partner.
- The desire for sex.
While romance and marriage may evolve, the sex drive remains one of humanity’s most enduring forces.
- The desire to have children.
The instinct to pass on our DNA won’t disappear, though how we approach parenthood might evolve dramatically.
- Family will remain central.
Family as a support system and core value will endure, no matter how society changes.
- The need for leadership.
Humans will always want leaders, though we’ll likely continue to despise most of them.
- Group foolishness.
Herd mentality is here to stay. As Carl Jung put it: “Madness is rare in individuals, but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs, it is the rule.”
- The need for purpose.
Humans crave meaning. As Viktor Frankl noted in Man’s Search for Meaning, finding purpose is essential for survival.
- The desire to look good.
From makeup to social media filters, the drive to present ourselves well—both literally and metaphorically—will endure.
- Youth will always be prized.
Society will continue to place a premium on youth, regardless of how progressive we think we are. The death of a child will always be more shocking than the death of an older person.
- Women and children valued more than men.
The hierarchy of care—prioritising women and children—has deep societal roots and shows no signs of changing, just look at what is happening in Ukraine.
- Curiosity and the need to learn.
Humans are inherently curious. The drive to learn, grow, and adapt keeps progress alive.
- The love of good weather.
The timeless human desire for sunny skies and mild days isn’t going anywhere. Weather will always be a topic of conversation.
- Wanderlust.
The urge to travel and explore—whether it’s the next town or the next planet—will remain a constant for many.
- Status and competition.
Keeping up with the Joneses (or Instagram influencers) is an age-old human game.
- The desire for immediacy.
As Jeff Bezos said, “People want their deliveries faster, not slower.” The need for speed in all aspects of life will persist. Nobody wants to wait longer for a doctor’s appointment.
- Pain avoidance.
Minimising discomfort—whether physical, emotional, or existential—will always be a universal priority.
- Altered states of consciousness.
From celebratory drinks to escapism, alcohol and drugs have been part of human culture for millennia and likely always will be.
- Love for animals.
Pets aren’t just companions—they’re family. Our bond with animals, from dogs to wildlife, is timeless.
- The quest for longevity.
The desire to live longer—and better—is hardwired into humanity.
- Health as a priority.
The pursuit of well-being, fitness, and a pain-free existence will never go out of style.
- The need for shelter.
From caves to smart homes, having a roof over our heads is a non-negotiable human need. I suspect we will have smaller, smarter homes.
- The desire for entertainment.
From storytelling around a fire to binge-watching Netflix, the need for distraction and joy through entertainment is universal.
- The pursuit of knowledge.
Understanding the universe—and ourselves—is humanity’s eternal quest.
- The search for love.
Romantic or platonic, the search for meaningful connections will always matter.
- The desire for justice.
Fairness and justice are ideals humanity will never stop striving for.
- The need for security.
Whether physical, emotional, or financial, the pursuit of safety is a universal constant, for we fear losing something more than we look forward to gaining something.
- Appreciation of beauty.
From art to sunsets, our sense of aesthetics and appreciation for beauty is enduring.
- Religions will endure.
Unless aliens arrive to definitively explain the universe, religiosity is likely to remain significant for many.
