[Skoob]

You guys make interesting points.

I perceive that humanity has suffered for a long time at the hands of a class of people who fit the description of predators, truly lacking empathy and conscience, surrounded by a caste of minions whose worst characteristics are enabled by complementary personality types and social structures, trauma, rewards, indoctrination, stupidity and circumstances.

Under better conditions, given the opportunity, I believe that most of us would prefer to get along and show reasonable compassion and respect toward others and the universe at large. We operate in pathological, exploitative ways in order to survive in a society that is pathological and exploitative.

It's hardly accidental. Consider how crises are weaponized. Think of how many truly awful, degrading things are produced by Hollywood: it's called "programming" for a reason. Mass media is an instrument for socialization, entrenchment and control. People of conscience who aspire to make a better world would never produce most modern "entertainment."

Fortunately, the situation is changing, don't you think? We see evidence of corruption being exposed, and structures that enable it on the verge of collapse. There's a sense that "Covid" was a kind of last straw. We stand on the verge of a mass awakening. Maybe humanity is finally breaking free of the elite predators. Near-term disruption and human cost notwithstanding, I feel very optimistic for the future.