“Tidal shift” refers to the natural ebb and flow of tides, and is often used metaphorically to describe changes in human behavior or events. It cannot be reversed, but some changes depend on circumstances. Examples include the stock market crash of 2008 and the end of apartheid in South Africa. The idiom suggests that human behavior occurs in a wave pattern and is bound to change direction occasionally.
Tidal shift is a common phrase referring to the way the tides are high and low and the lack of control people have over the tides. When a tide turns, it goes in the opposite direction. The phrase has been used for centuries in variations. Well-known examples include Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I, in which Shakespeare uses “turn the tide” as a variant.
Sometimes the phrase is used a bit incorrectly to discuss going back, which would be a futile exercise. You cannot reverse the trend as it is out of human control; it will naturally transform at the right time. However, unlike true ocean tides, some events or major changes depend on circumstances. In Shakespeare’s example, “an apprehension/ can turn the tide of a fearful faction”. In other words, fear or worry could cause a great change in the world of Henry IV.
Very often trend reversal is used as a metaphor to express a change of direction in relation to human thinking or behavior. Often this thought or behavior is almost completely reversed from the previous thought, or may be a direct opposite. There are many examples of turnaround in relation to human events. One that most people won’t soon forget is the stock market crash in September 2008.
For many years, many politicians had supported the growing deregulation of business practices in the United States. This was thought to be beneficial because it encouraged business and at first seemed tremendously profitable to many. However, the lifting of some trading regulations has allowed some speculators to exploit the system or “game” it. Ultimately, a lack of regulation in many aspects of trading, combined with poor lending practices, resulted in the September stock market crash.
Interestingly, politicians on both sides have suddenly advocated for more regulatory power over trade in the United States. This is a reversal of previous thinking, as it is in direct opposition to the positions taken before the crash. Another example of a large-scale turnaround was the final end of apartheid in South Africa. After years of policies that directly discriminated against black South Africans, pressure from other countries, the change of heart of some people in government, and continued resistance from black South Africans finally turned the tide of South Africa’s shameful past policy.
With this idiom, there is the suggestion that human thinking and behavior may occur in a wave pattern. In the book of Ecclesiastes we read: “For everything there is a season”. Perhaps human beings, especially on a large scale or within societies, are bound to change direction occasionally, just as the tide does.
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