Exploring the Fragility and Resilience of Society Amidst Chaos
The modern world often appears to be hanging by a thread, with climate disasters, political turmoil, and random acts of violence looming large. This perception echoes filmmaker Werner Herzog’s sentiment of society as “a thin layer of ice on top of an ocean of chaos and darkness.” But is this depiction of societal collapse accurate, or an inevitable reality? A deeper exploration into what truly happens when order breaks down offers intriguing insights.
The discussion includes insights from notable guests such as Rutger Bregman, the author of Humankind: A Hopeful History; Rebecca Solnit, who wrote A Paradise Built in Hell; and Malik Rahim, co-founder of Common Ground Relief. Each provides a unique perspective on how communities respond to crises and the potential for human resilience and cooperation.
This episode, originally aired in 2023, delves into the underlying dynamics of societal breakdowns and the surprising emergence of solidarity and hope amidst chaos.
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This article was originally written by www.npr.org
