One of the defining differences between humans and animals is that humans are aware of their own existence. That is, humans possess a kind of ‘metacognition’ ability—the capacity to objectively recognize their own being. Animals eat when hungry and sleep when tired; they do not question their existence or worry about the future. Humans, however, are remarkable beings who advance themselves and society through thought. The simulation game I enjoy, Civilization, is a humanities-focused game where you build a civilization by developing science, culture, trade, religion, and more from ancient times to the modern era. It’s immensely satisfying to indirectly experience humanity’s developmental journey from a ruler’s perspective and compete with other civilizations.

Suddenly, I found myself pondering where I, my community, and South Korea stand within the flow of history at this very moment. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, blockchain-based cryptocurrencies, and even the presidential election results. I connect these seemingly unrelated topics through the lens of ‘the flow of money,’ analyzing the international situation, market conditions, and innovative technologies from an investor’s perspective. I also examine the psychological state of the humans driving these currents. I pose questions: Why did the pandemic strike humanity at this moment? Why did President Putin make such an anachronistic decision? How might Bitcoin impact the dollar-centric global economy? And why has South Korea become so divided that it contemplates the worst possible choices?

Furthermore, it is crucial to examine where my company or organization stands within the trajectory of history and in which direction it is heading. I revisit the shock and insights I felt upon reading Kenichi Ohmae’s 1995 book, The Borderless World, and apply them to the present moment. While countless companies aspire to be global, I coldly evaluate whether their organizational culture and members truly meet the required standards. I envision the rulers within the game not only as national political leaders but also as CEOs in an infinitely competitive market, viewing the world through their eyes. Like them, I too recognize my place within history, rising at 4:30 AM today to begin another day.