The post-pandemic euphoria is inevitable. After a couple of rounds of the global vaccination efforts, we should expect a thirsty and voluptuous return to the physical world of events and daily encounters. The comparison with the 1920’s is as predictable as human nature: war and disease followed by a rattling surge of bohemian exuberance and technological wonder. This too, certainly, must be coming to us soon.
The historic coincidence of these trends, a century later, is compounded by very contemporary and singular circumstances. While the northern hemisphere and its surrounding nodes might experience some early relief from the virus, all around the supply chains remain broken and besieged by years of plunder and humanitarian neglect. When the major capitals return to their feverish nightlife, a dark carbon cloud will continue to descend upon them.
The laws of probability dictate that the biosphere will continue to haunt us and our travels, as will the oceans. This pandemic has revealed a new permanent, urban, fragile condition. We have learned to celebrate voraciously, for the return to our electronic community is always at hand.