World where ‘standard principles’ keep fading

One of the great ironies to have emerged in the era of globalisation is that none of the developed nations is left with enough moral high ground to preach righteousness to others. At the same time, concepts of peace, success, happiness and competitiveness 
differ from place to place. Theoretically, globalisation should have imposed specific standards, but instead, the world’s citizens seem to be moving in different directions, often towards diametric opposites. The more we have become connected with one another, the more we’ve diverged.
These days, countries that like to teach should beware. Not only are they facing audiences that have become far more educated and thinking, their recent histories have been brought into question. For example, a well-known human-rights preacher has come under serious suspicion that involves mass deaths and an alleged secretive agenda of hegemony.
It’s not just about morality, however. For a long time, the world seemed to define success in one agreed-upon way: You were wealthy and recognised for your deeds. Those are still benchmarks of 
success for some, but more and more people are asking whether wealth and recognition are integral factors in success. Are you successful if your video on YouTube attracts two million views, but you have little money?
There are other issues. Decisions on what is right and wrong regarding gender equality, copyright violations and other such issues were largely influenced by major countries or groups of economically powerful countries. The racial, religious and economic troubles afflicting nations on the receiving end were often dismissed or overlooked. This status quo is still in place, but it’s not as strong as it used to be.
Then the “preachers” are seen as either ambiguous or clueless or hypocritical in their pronouncements. Take the current uproar over actor Morgan Freeman, accused of making suggestive remarks or gestures that made women feel uncomfortable. It’s such a big fuss that it confuses the teaching on gender equality. Should women be allowed to be sexy and attractive, hence turning heads and drawing compliments? Why is the reputation of an old man in such a liberal society in jeopardy after flirting with an admittedly sexy reporter? 
The more people are connected, the more they learn. And the more they learn, the less they feel the need to have someone to ultimately tell them what is right or wrong. And the more independent their thoughts, the more the old standards keep disappearing. More and more people can judge for themselves, and their conclusions don’t necessarily have to be the same.
Is this good or bad for how the world works? It has been admittedly an assured system, in which most people follow the same rules and concepts. Economic, political and social systems have been functioning more or less on groundwork laid by an elite few who thought they knew best. Through that, relative peace was achieved, and sporadic conflicts were handled through virtually standard mindsets.
But the winds of change seem to have begun blowing, and the question of what it is good or bad could soon become academic. Education is real democracy, and it’s being sped up by technology. It seems this planet is in for a big transformation, whether it comes slowly or quickly, and the ones that need preparing may be those currently at the top of the pyramid.