Project Vision 21

We live in an interesting time when, because nothing makes sense, no narrative is acceptable to us and no explanation convinces us, we seek to make sense of nonsense, without even becoming aware of the paradoxical and contradictory nature of that action.

It is clear that our uncultured culture, our uncivilized civilization, our dying planet, are in crisis. The crisis is evident in two undeniable facts: we repeat again and again the same behaviors and solutions waiting for different results that will never come (the classic definition of insanity) and even experts can’t find true and lasting solutions.

In that context, nothing makes sense. And nothing makes sense because trust in the institutions, organizations and people that previously generated and imparted meaning has been lost. Let's see explore some alternatives of people and professions we used to trust. 

The banks that are supposed to be there to protect our money, wasted it and lost it, as it was seen in the economic recession of 2008 (not yet fully overcome). And doctors, who are supposed to be cure us, prescribe "medications" that make us addicted.

Confidence in politicians has not existed for a long time (unless blind idolatry is confused with confidence). We cannot trust politicians nor can we trust priests, as evidenced by numerous cases of very serious expressions of immoral misconduct.

In the past, scientists could be trusted, but now, although there are still many excellent scientists, it is also indisputable that many of the scientific "studies" are not such, but in reality they are propagandistic expressions paid by corporations only interested in "science" to boost their own business and to deter competitor’s businesses. 

So, who can you trust? Certainly not the media, which even with good and noble intentions distort and fragment reality. And we can’t trust social networks, whose only function is to enhance the negative elements of our personality to generate profit (of money and data) for large corporations.

Can we trust teachers? It is doubtful, since there are few schools where teachers reflect the demographic situation and socio-economic life of their students. And the classroom is no longer the center of the learning experience. In fact, in many cases, classrooms hinder learning. The teacher is no longer the only one with knowledge. 

What about parents? Can we trust parents? In this time of rapid, profound, unexpected and irreversible changes, the traditions and experiences of our parents are of little help and of great hindrance to the children. For that reason, and because the generation gap is now an abyss, trust in parents has been greatly eroded.

God? No: he/she no longer satisfies us and is farther and farther away. Ourselves? The mental health epidemic shows that in practice we cannot trust even ourselves. So, what can we do? After all, it makes no sense to look for sense in meaninglessness. We have embraced nihilism so much that now even presides over us.

But, as Holderlin said, "Where the danger is, the saving power also grows."