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Fetal Curl

Good essay on forces that are driving the great worldwide regression to childhood. In times of crisis, we as individuals curl into the fetal position and hope for someone, something to save us from our troubles. This desire to return to the womb manifests itself metaphorically all the time. It makes sense that if these are the experiences of an entire generation happening every day, all the time - the fetal curl will become a visible cultural artifact - a collective cry for help that is absolutely not forthcoming

The entire planet may be experiencing its own lost decades now – young and old are suffering. But, as the Japanese experience shows us, embracing our inner child isn’t necessarily a denial of reality. It can pave the way to an entirely new one. The Great Regression isn’t really a regression at all. It’s a sign of resilience in the face of profound adversity. When a child is born, it’s impossible to predict what they might become. Who can say what will emerge from our second childhoods?

In this second childhood, the adults realize that no one is coming to save them and they must uncurl, find a way to deal with the mess that they have been landed into, work out a co-operative model out of the cesspool. Maybe that is the best benefit that can come from a world of kidaults.

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