This is a great write up, and one that hits home for me. When I was younger, in my teen years (~2014-2020), I imagined the future only to be better than it was

This is a great write up, and one that hits home for me. When I was younger, in my teen years (~2014-2020), I imagined the future only to be better than it was right now. The technology would only keep getting better. People would use the internet (especially social media) and become cleverer, less xenophobic, and more open to all kinds of cultures. We all would be getting richer, quality of life would only increase, no more wars, yadda yadda. It was so obvious that liberal democracy is the only right way forward, the pinnacle. (when I say "we" I refer to the collective West) I'm quite disappointed with how so many things are turning to shit right now. I know, I know, what I wrote above probably sounds like "the end of history", which has been recalled even by its originator by now. Nostalgia probably also plays an important role – things are much simpler when you're not an adult. But still, we had a good thing. We had it all. I keep hoping we will get back on track.