If one is stuck in the dense Amazonian jungle, surrounded by dangerous species, yet chooses to imagine themselves enjoying themselves on a Caribbean island or the Mediterranean, they will likely not take the right precautions to be able to survive and will suffer the consequences.

By the same logic, to improve the state of the world, one must look at the world through an objective unbiased lens, analyzing the psychological and material structure of the world.

We all wish the world was peaceful, abundant, and equitable for all.  Maybe one day, we will get to such a level.

However, in today’s reality, there is a world filled with conflict. There are nations at war with one another, trying to subjugate others and expand territory. There is a world where many countries hold nuclear weapons with the potential for devastating effects. There are economic embargoes between countries. There is famine, persecution, there are large flows of migrants fleeing from one place to another, families separated, and unable to think beyond next day survival.

How can we make sense of all these phenomena? Is this how it’s always been? Is this how it will always be?

Has humanity always shifted between cycles of peace, prosperity and conflicts, wars and crises? Are we living in a particularly unique point in time or have we been in similar situations in the past?