Part 4/9:
Our culture tends to prioritize immediate gratification — seeking the latest likes on social media, making quick electoral decisions, or responding to urgent crises. This short-term fixation creates a gap between present perceptions and future realities, which are inherently abstract and intangible. To bridge this gap, Venkataraman advocates for the concept of shared heirlooms — collective symbols, traditions, or knowledge systems that cultures preserve across generations. These shared heirlooms serve as navigational tools to guide us through time, fostering responsibility toward future generations.