Amidst this Covid crisis society is going through massive shifts—shifts in our values, focus and behavior. On the surface it has resulted in people wearing masks, toilet paper shortages and long lines at the fast food drive-thru. However, the deep structure of our human interactions and decision-making is quietly and slowly being transformed. These new ways of operating, over time, fundamentally alter the way we see the world we live in—our safety, how we relate to each other, how we spend our money, what is important. How individuals are adapting to these challenges largely depend on their social network and available resources. Growing inequality continues to fragment and deepen divisions in our common understandings and experiences. This lack of common experience and ability to respond adds to the uncertainty, anxiety and distress we all feel.
Our responses to this crisis solidify over time. People talk about returning to “normal” but what is “normal”? While surface changes may seem insignificant, the deep structure that supports the surface is under a dramatic reconstruction.
Rather than being guided by some organized technological cabal, these shifts appear to be driven by millions of individuals acting in their own interests, using imperfect and often flawed information—attempting to adapt to complex situations and dynamic, unseen forces. No one understands or can predict where this will all lead. No one is in complete control, and the outcomes are largely unknown. Ironically, it is during these moments that opportunity for meaningful change exists. Many of us have spent the past year evaluating who we are, what we are doing, and why we do it. It has provided a moment of reflection and an occasion to reconstruct our lives.
Some individuals and businesses were better positioned to capitalize on these unforeseen shifts. During the pandemic the pizza industry saw a 21 percent increase in business—benefiting from years of investment in technology and delivery infrastructure. The work shown here uses the humble pizza box as a metaphor to explore the changes, challenges and opportunities we all face as we strive to construct a better future.