Looking at the upcoming year, 2018, we see that there will be three subjects that continue to generate some concern for most of you. These subjects are privacy, power, and purpose as they relate to you personally and to the sense of your culture as a Westerner, especially as Americans. These issues can be transformed from something that causes concern to something that stimulates greater awareness if there is sufficient understanding of the nature of these matters. We will discuss the nature of each of these subjects as a means of activating the deep knowing each of you has regarding privacy, power, and purpose.

Power Is Redefined as Privacy Is Lost

Over the past decade, it has become clear that, ultimately, little or no privacy can truly be guaranteed to an individual or to a culture. The right of privacy for an individual is a construct that has developed primarily in Western culture, and it is a cornerstone of civil liberty in America. When you look at other countries and cultures, this right is less prevalent. While American culture has permeated all areas of the world, the idea of personal privacy as a right or privilege has not become the norm.

It will become very clear in the next several years that rights to individual privacy can no longer be protected in America. There will be many consequences of the erosion of privacy protection that will unfold in 2018. Evidence of public breaches of privacy will be in the news almost daily. From revelations of scandals and indiscretions of government officials and celebrities to average people having their email hacked and their credit card numbers stolen, people will feel they cannot keep aspects of who they are private, let alone secret.