Not Rocket Science.

Mexico's history weighs on its society, but with a disdain and contempt that lays bare a deficit of national identity and self-regard. From a glorious past, one can identify successful social and infrastructure achievements. This is not to diminish the complex ideological systems and knowledge frameworks that have shaped Mexican reality. Where is the sweeping vision of a prosperous Mexico?

Three ideas worth reflecting on.

1. Reclaiming our millennial heritage. Reconciling our indigenous origins with our global modernity is a task that addresses the unresolved social wound of inherited colonial pigmentocracy. Reclaiming that glorious and generous history as a foundation for national prosperity would heal social wounds centuries in the making. Repairing the pain and shame we carry as a community, as a nation.

2. Mexico must solve concrete problems. Our country has a network of researchers, globally brilliant minds, and extraordinary diplomatic capacity that can and must tackle the problems Mexicans face. We must leverage our world-class intellectual heritage to address our own tragedies.

3. COVID-19 and the iconoclasts: their role in humanity's future. The pandemic made it possible for those of us who think differently, the mavericks, to question the systems and procedures that led to COVID-19 vaccine approvals in under a year. Some vaccines take decades to be approved and tested (not to say a century), as in the case of the malaria vaccine. We must challenge and dismantle those who obstruct a promising future.

Consider that with these three preconditions in place, it becomes possible to dream of a Healthy Mexico: children who are happy and well-nourished; young people and adults with healthcare services that prevent diabetes and hypertension; health systems that extend the lives of Mexicans.

Why not? What if the next generation could leverage everything that IS ALREADY KNOWN and extend Mexican life expectancy by 25 years?

Yes, it would take someone with the courage to dream and to fight. This aspiration is scientifically viable, and focusing on the regions with the greatest developmental lag, with concrete solutions, would raise the wellbeing of the entire nation.

If we fall short of 25 years, who will take from Mexicans those extra 5 years of smiling and loving?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three preconditions for a prosperous Mexico proposed in this article?

The article proposes three preconditions: reclaiming Mexico's millennial indigenous heritage to heal colonial wounds, deploying Mexico's world-class research and diplomatic talent on concrete domestic problems, and empowering iconoclastic thinkers to challenge entrenched systems, as demonstrated by the unprecedented speed of COVID-19 vaccine approvals.

Is extending Mexican life expectancy by 25 years scientifically feasible?

The author argues yes. The knowledge to achieve this already exists, and targeted interventions in high-lag regions, particularly around preventing diabetes, hypertension, and poor childhood nutrition, could substantially extend national life expectancy if applied with political will and focused investment.

What does the article mean by 'inherited colonial pigmentocracy'?

Pigmentocracy refers to the social hierarchy rooted in skin tone that colonial rule institutionalized in Mexico. The article argues that reconciling indigenous identity with modern Mexican nationhood is a necessary step to resolving this centuries-old social wound.