As Western values—democracy, free-market capitalism, international law—melt away like ice cream in the summer sun, the media frames this decline as apocalyptic, as if humanity itself teeters on the edge of extinction. But this is hardly the first time human beings have faced historical collapse.
The ancient Egyptians, who enslaved millions and built pyramids that still stand today, disappeared—and yet, people moved on and grew. The Roman Empire, which once stretched to the edges of Britain, eventually crumbled—and again, people adapted. During the Black Death in Europe, 60% of the population was wiped out, and still, humanity endured.
Everything comes and goes—political systems, religions, social structures, economic models. This cycle continues in our time. Consider that the world’s largest store, Macy’s in New York City, is set to close next year. It’s a symbol of a broader shift: the average lifespan of a U.S. corporation has dropped dramatically—from 67 years in the 1920s to just 15–20 years in 2023—thanks to buyouts, technological disruption, and fast-changing business environments.
And yet, while institutions and systems fade, humanity persists.
We’ve been taught to view people as fragile, passive consumers—easily traumatized by major change. But perhaps the opposite is true. Today, many seem more awake, less seduced by the hollow promises of a system fixated on wealth and excess. Increasingly, people are recognizing that the American Dream is broken—more illusion than reality—and that this administration, like those before it, will pass.
Could it be that people are actually becoming more grounded? Living in just enough uncertainty to stay alert and attentive—careful not to make the kinds of mistakes that could drag them into deeper trouble?
This quiet resilience is surfacing in visible ways. Take the April 19 rally in front of the New York Public Library—part of a nationwide anti-Trump action. It reflected a growing movement, not driven by radicalism or personal demonization, but by a steady insistence on fairness, solidarity, and justice. As the government pushes sweeping right-wing initiatives, public demonstrations like this one may become a key force of resistance—proof that people can and do adapt to changing circumstances.
In today’s world, nothing is guaranteed. Everything must be cared for—intentionally, deliberately, and collectively.
A Different Kind of Power
No system can fully represent the people. Each person holds a responsibility that cannot be outsourced. Every human action has consequences; each act shapes the world in some way.
Maybe we’re starting to understand that democracy isn’t something that happens to us—it’s something we do. Not a representative ideal, but a daily practice of participation.
People are permanent. They are unstoppable. For millions of years, humanity has adapted, transformed, and created new realities to meet the moment. Everything we see today is the result of collective effort and intention—generation after generation, standing together, shaping history.
The ultimate achievement is not domination or control. It’s the deepening of our awareness—of our interconnectedness, our shared project, and our love for each other.
