Frankly, I think all humans and inevitably the civilizations that they construct are based on some illusive combination of lofty ideas and terrible flaws and fallibilities, and societies go through cyclical and ephemeral periods of wonderful renaissance and horrible decline. There is neither permanence nor linearity nor clear cut difference between progress and regress – everything is contextual, and we invent narratives to suit our sanity or insanity.
Optimistic
Nihilism is the only sensible frame-work to live through this anthropocentric
menace that we call “civilization”. For all our creativity, we (Homo Sapiens)
are a destructive and domineering species that wreaks havoc on all life and on
the planet. I am sure our (Homo Sapiens’) path to extinction will be paved with
“good” intentions.
Venkat
PS: My friend, Shivani, commented: "Well put. The optimism can fuel us while on this earth, and the nihilism can keep us grounded.
