this paradox, this strange contradiction between material prosperity and demographic decline, weighs heavily upon my conscience and intellect alike, for it presents a profound challenge not only to the sustainability of our societies, but also to the very ideals i hold dear—ideals rooted in faith, in justice, in tradition, and in the dialectical evolution of human civilization. how is it, i ask myself in moments of quiet prayer and rigorous ideological self-examination, that the very systems which have lifted millions from poverty, which have extended life spans, empowered individuals, and expanded personal freedoms, are now seemingly leading to the erosion of generational continuity, to the quiet hollowing out of families, communities, and ultimately, entire cultures? and more urgently, what role—if any—can spiritual conviction, religious duty, and ideological commitment play in reversing this trend, in breathing new life into a world that seems increasingly reluctant to bring new life into existence at all?

which came first, the hand or the tool.

https://youtu.be/wjjCs3W6S9s

>working class