I have a pet theory that it is also driven by the subconscious memories of toddler-hood, when the world was a blurry place full of omnipotent beings that magica

I have a pet theory that it is also driven by the subconscious memories of toddler-hood, when the world was a blurry place full of omnipotent beings that magically carried you places, took care of you and told you not to put your hand on the stove. The article was a pisspoor knocking of strawmen and spouting one's book. The world is not being driven into the ground by individualism - it's being driven into the ground by conformism. The voids and ennui that are an inevitable part of social change are being filled with new social behaviours and interactions - they may not completely encompass the needs of society yet, but then, religion doesn't any more, as more and more people are learning to think for themselves, rather than falling back on conformist superstitions. Religion's time has passed, and thank goodness for that.