The state of affairs is the combination of circumstances applying within a society or group at a particular time.
The current state of affairs may be considered acceptable by many observers, but not necessarily by all.
The state of affairs may present a challenge, or be complicated, or contain a conflict of interest.
Dispute resolution is naturally desired, and naturally provided, by forms of inclusive social interaction, such as consensus decision-making, which adapt, but not conveniently, from a family or tribal model to encompass a global scope.
Current knowledge and discussion about the state of affairs is communicated through the media.