This is a quote from Plato referring to the final days of the Atlantis civilization.
The quote is mentioned on this video with audio from Graham Hancock:
Most times I wonder what could our civilization accomplish if we had a common goal other than our current thirst for greed, unlimited expansion and consumerism combined with a disregard of the consequences of such endeavors.
I am part of the problem, I wish there was a simple or obvious solution for me.
Having spent my first 24 years living in a communist country, I know that such system is not the answer. I experienced it.
Humans, we need stronger motivating factors other than those pure ideals of equality and fairness. The ancient DNA in our bodies draws us to surviving no matter what. It pushes us to self organize in tribes. Divide, conquer, repeat.
Only when our own absolute survival is threaten we might strive for something greater. This threat must be obvious, like a giant meteorite in a 20 year collision path to our planet.
Non so obvious threats, like Global Warming, get laughed by superpower nations, either by quitting pacts or by never adhering to them in the first place. The nuclear club, while reluctant, keeps accepting new members.
Sustainable, messiah lead, flagship companies like Tesla, decide to invest and promote environmental disasters like Bitcoin.
Will we ever learn?
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.
Einstein