“The future will soon be a thing of the past.” ~ George Carlin

We are in the midst of Covid-19, and all the uncertainty surrounding it. The global economy is reeling and people are afraid and uncertain. In times like these we can look back to previous times in history for guidance of what the future may bring; which is precisely what Mary Frances Berry explored in a short essay for Politico. She writes:  

“After the disastrous 1918-19 Spanish flu and the end of World War I, many Americans sought carefree entertainment, which the introduction of cars and the radio facilitated. Young women newly able to vote under the 19th Amendment bobbed their hair, frequented speakeasies and danced the Charleston”

Women have had the right to vote for the last 99 years and yet just as history repeats itself the chorus of equal opportunity, social justice, and  human rights has only grown louder. This highlights the cliché that while we look different on the surface, at our cores we remain largely the same. Which is why Mary Frances continues on to say:

 “Probably, given past behavior, when this pandemic is over, human beings will respond with the same sense of relief and a search for community, relief from stress, and pleasure.”

The question of how we will respond has yet to be answered. Will we seek out pleasure in the usual American vices of substances, money, and distraction? Could this be a paradigm shift for finding pleasure in community, mindfulness, and self-improvement? Honestly, probably not. There are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic. Instead, let’s highlight how we all came together to support healthcare workers and self-quarantine. We can each take small steps towards building a new relationship with pleasure. It will be the start of the post COVID pleasure movement. So, let’s be optimistic about the future. Even if for no other reason than it is no fun being quarantined with a pragmatist.