History Reeks Of It
Throughout history, leaders and thinkers have often expressed concerns about the declining state of the world. Here are notable quotes from the past few centuries.
Martin Luther (1483–1546), German theologian and reformer
“The world grows worse and worse, and men become more wicked and vicious in these days than they have ever been.”
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784), English writer:
“There is a general decay of learning and a universal corruption of manners.”
Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), Scottish historian and essayist:
“I do not see how any man can live in the present state of things without being miserable.”
Greta Thunberg (2003–present), Swedish environmental activist:
“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic.”
Mark Steyn (1959–present), Canadian author:
“Much of what we loosely call the Western world will not survive the twenty-first century.”
These quotes reflect a recurring theme of cultural and societal decline perceived by various influential figures.
Let’s Take A Step Further Back
Some of the oldest stories known to humanity depict people as wicked, vicious, or corrupt.
The Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BCE)
One of the world’s oldest surviving stories, this Mesopotamian epic tells of King Gilgamesh, a tyrant who abuses his power. He mistreats his people so badly that they cry out to the gods for relief, prompting the creation of Enkidu, a wild man who challenges him. Although Gilgamesh eventually undergoes a transformation, the story begins with a depiction of a ruler oppressing his people.
The Book of Genesis (c. 1400–500 BCE)
The biblical account of human wickedness appears in multiple stories.
- Cain, out of jealousy, kills his brother Abel, marking the first murder in the Bible.
- Genesis 6 describes how humanity had become so corrupt and violent that God decides to flood the world, sparing only Noah and his family.
- Humanity’s pride and defiance of God lead to the confusion of languages and the scattering of people across the earth.
The Iliad (c. 8th century BCE)
Homer’s epic is filled with accounts of human pride, rage, and betrayal. The Greeks and Trojans engage in brutal warfare, with characters like Agamemnon and Achilles displaying arrogance, selfishness, and cruelty.
Hesiod’s Works and Days (c. 700 BCE)
Hesiod describes a series of declining ages of humanity, each worse than the last. The “Iron Age,” in which he lived, was characterized by moral decay, greed, and corruption.
Each of these stories reflects early human concerns about morality, justice, and the consequences of wickedness. These themes remain central to storytelling even today.
Evil Is Here To Stay, But…
While manifestations of evil may vary across cultures and eras, the inherent potential for malevolent behavior is a fixed aspect of human nature.
Immanuel Kant introduced the idea of “radical evil,” suggesting that humans possess an innate propensity to prioritize self-interest over moral law. This inclination is not attributed to external influences but is considered a fundamental aspect of human nature. Kant’s perspective implies that the potential for evil is an ever-present element within all individuals, regardless of time or circumstance.
History is replete with instances of atrocities, such as genocides, wars, and systemic oppression, indicating a persistent capacity for evil actions. The repetition of such events across different societies and epochs suggests that the underlying potential for evil remains unchanged.
The concept of systemic or structural evil refers to harmful practices embedded within societal institutions, like slavery or discrimination. These enduring structures highlight how societal frameworks can perpetuate evil over extended periods, reflecting a constant potential within human societies.
The consistent presence of malevolent behaviors support the argument that humanity’s potential for evil has remained constant over time. While societal norms and laws may suppress or redirect these tendencies, the fundamental capacity for such behavior has always persisted.
On The Flip Side
Human history is equally filled with profound acts of kindness, progress, and moral courage. Even in times of severe crisis, people have rallied to help one another—whether through disaster relief, grassroots activism, or movements for civil rights. These events prove that while humanity has the capacity for harm, it also possesses an unwavering ability to build, heal, and inspire.
Education
Once upon a time, formal education was a luxury reserved for the elite. Today, countless children across the globe have access to knowledge that can empower them to think critically, innovate, and dream beyond their circumstances.
The invention of the printing press, the rise of public schools, and now, free online courses have democratized learning in a way that was once unthinkable. As cheesy as it sounds, every student who learns something new is a link in an ever-growing chain of enlightenment.
The presence of benevolent actions throughout history supports the argument that humanity’s potential for good has remained constant over time. While challenges and conflicts arise, the continuous push for peace, scientific discovery, and ethical reform proves that just as people can perpetuate harm, they can also build, heal, and uplift.
Medical Treatment
Roughly a century ago, something as simple as an infection could be a death sentence. Today, vaccines, antibiotics, and cutting-edge medical treatments save millions of lives every year. Every step forward means that people get to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives—improving not just individuals but entire communities.
Also, medical progress compounds over time. Someone’s breakthrough today lays the foundation for even more miraculous discoveries tomorrow.
Legal Institutions
At some point in history, someone looked at the world and thought: “Hey, we should probably make sure people are treated fairly.” And that idea became the seed for human rights movements, the abolition of slavery, legal protections, and institutions that defend the vulnerable.
So while it’s easy to focus on the world’s problems (and yes, they exist), it’s just as important to recognize the vast, growing foundation of human kindness, intelligence, and progress.
But I Get It
The concern that constitutional protections and international agreements are under threat is real. History is full of moments where hard-won rights were challenged, eroded, and even temporarily lost.
However, the broader arc of human history shows that good is not just a fleeting moment. It is a persistent force that regenerates, adapts, and ultimately prevails.
The Upward Spiral of Progress
One inspiring idea is that history’s setbacks have always led to movements that renew the state of things. When human rights, democracy, or justice has been challenged, people have responded with reform and resurgence.
The fall of oppressive regimes and unjust laws have been met with the rebuilding of fairer systems.
Even in some the darkest times, like the rise of totalitarianism in the 20th century, global movements ultimately restored and expanded human rights. What was once a radical idea (abolishing slavery, women’s suffrage, or racial equality) is now seen as foundational. If laws do regress, history shows that they are often restored and strengthened in response to our collective goodness.
If we look back, no matter how much authoritarianism, corruption, or injustice arises, people come together and push back. Even oppressive regimes eventually fall, because the sheer will of our collective goodness outweighs fear and control.
The fact that people recognize injustice today and fight for it—on social media, in protests, in courtrooms—means that the momentum of good continues. Progress is not always linear. There are moments of upheaval, but the trajectory is always upward. One proof of this is that we are freer, more connected, and more conscious of justice today than at any other point in history.
And that means the best is still ahead.
Humanity Has Never Allowed Darkness to Last Indefinitely
For decades, South Africa enforced a brutal system of racial segregation under apartheid, denying basic rights to Black South Africans. Through relentless activism, international pressure, and the leadership of figures like Nelson Mandela, apartheid was abolished in 1994, leading to a new era of democracy and equality.
The very forces that allowed oppression to rise—organization, conviction, and leadership—became the tools of resistance and reform. This reinforced the idea (globaly) that systemic oppression, no matter how deeply ingrained, can be dismantled through persistent, courageous action.
The Double Edged Sword
The very qualities that drive us to create, innovate, and uplift are the same ones that, if misdirected, lead to destruction. Ambition can lead to groundbreaking discoveries that save lives, but it can also fuel greed and oppression. The desire for belonging fosters love and community, yet in excess, it can create jealousy and division. Even emotions like passion and conviction ( the same forces behind every great movement for justice) can be twisted into fanaticism when unchecked.
That which inspires us to our greatest good is also the cause of our greatest evil. - Viktor
The reason why we must not despair at humanity’s potential for harm is because it means we hold equal potential for good. Fire can tragically burn down someone’s home. Fire can also purify water, cook a delicious meal, and provide vision in darkness. The same strength that can destroy can also build.
Recognizing this duality gives us not just awareness, but responsibility. We have the ability to direct our energies toward progress, compassion, and a world that reflects the best of what we are capable of.
A Core Truth
The future is shaped by those who refuse to let good die.
Have you ever noticed how those who obsess over others’ (and the nation’s) flaws often do the most to amplify them? It’s not hard to find it. Self-righteous blame can be seen everywhere today, disguising itself as virtue.
And yet, whenever we find ourselves venting about how unfair life is, how people mistreat us, or how exhausting conditions are… somehow, we always seem to be playing a part.
Whether we realize it or not, drama has a sneaky way of becoming part of our identity. It can give us a sense of significance, something to talk about, and even a reason to justify our stagnation.
But when we’re truly improving, we don’t have time to point fingers—because we’re too busy building something better.
True progress isn’t found in accusation but in self-awareness.
We can’t control how others think, act, or respond—but we can control how we show up, how we grow, and how we navigate challenges. Real progress begins when we shift our focus inward—not in self-criticism, but in self-awareness. Life becomes about the quiet, steady work of improving what we can actually change: ourselves.
We can set our sights on learning new skills, deepening our understanding, improving our circumstances. As a result, we naturally distance ourselves from the distractions that hold us back.
In a way, life operates like a current: the more we resist and thrash around in the turbulence of drama, the more friction we create. But when we stay calm, set our course, and move with intention, we drift past the noise—toward something better.
This idea applies across all aspects of life—career, relationships, personal growth. When we fixate on problems, we remain stuck in them. When we look toward solutions, we keep evolving. It’s not about avoiding hardship; it’s about refusing to let it define us.
Our thoughts don’t just shape our emotions—they shape the way we see reality. The questions we ask ourselves determine the answers we find. If we constantly look for problems, our brain will serve them up on a silver platter. But if we start searching for solutions, we open ourselves to new possibilities.
The Google Search of Your Brain
Your mind fetches what you ask for. Your brain is a powerful search engine, constantly registering experiences, memories, and emotions to deliver results based on your input. Like Google, it doesn’t question whether the search itself is useful—it just finds the most relevant information based on what you ask.
If you type:
“Why does everything suck?” into your mental search bar, your brain will scan for supporting evidence.
- That time you failed.
- That time someone let you down.
- That time things didn’t go as planned.
Before you know it, you’re scrolling through an endless list of “proof” that life is unfair, people are terrible, and nothing ever changes. And here’s the catch: while the information might be true, it’s not the full picture. You’ve only asked for negative results, so your brain filters out everything else.
If you type:
“How can I make this better?”—now your mind retrieves a different set of results:
- A time you solved a problem.
- A lesson you learned from a failure.
- An idea you haven’t tried yet.
It’s not about ignoring reality. It’s about training your brain to look for possibilities instead of dead ends. The answers you get depend entirely on the quality of the questions you ask yourself.
And like a search engine, your brain adapts to what you repeatedly ask it.
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Constantly focus on negative questions? Your brain will get better at finding reasons to confirm negativity.
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Consistently frame things in a solution-oriented way? Your mind will become more skilled at spotting opportunities, ideas, and ways forward.
This is why people with a growth mindset tend to thrive—they habitually search for what’s possible.
Optimizing Your Mental Search Engine
Want better answers from your brain? Start with better questions:
- Instead of “Why does this always happen to me?” → Try “What can I learn from this?”
- Instead of “Why am I so bad at this?” → Try “What’s one way I can improve?”
- Instead of “Why is everything going wrong?” → Try “What’s still within my control?”
Your mind will never run out of search results. The question is: are you searching for what moves you forward, or what keeps you stuck?
The way we frame our thoughts determines whether we stay stuck or move forward. But thinking alone isn’t enough—it has to be paired with action. And no one explains this better than Linus Torvalds.
Linus
This Linus Torvalds’ quote is a brilliant illustration of the problem-finders vs. solution-finders dynamic.
I am not a visionary, I do not have a five year plan. I am an engineer. I am perfectly fine with all the people who are walking around and just staring at the clouds and looking at the stars and say: I want to go there, but I am looking at the ground and I want to fix the pothole that’s right in front of me before I fall in.
Vision vs. Execution
Some people fixate on massive, unsolvable problems (“The world is broken!”) and spiral into frustration, self-pity, or self-righteous blame.
Others break it down into smaller, solvable problems. A pothole fixer may not seem as exciting as a visionary, but without them, we’re just tripping over our own feet while fantasizing about Mars.
Action is the Antidote to Stagnation
One of the biggest traps in life is getting stuck in analysis paralysis.
- People who focus on problems tend to endlessly dissect them instead of taking action.
- People who focus on solutions chip away at issues and gain momentum.
Torvalds’ philosophy is practicality over paralysis. He knows that if you focus on what’s actionable—what’s right in front of you—you actually make progress instead of just philosophizing about what could be.
Want to change the world? Start by fixing one damn thing. Stop grumbling about what’s broken, and just take action. Mindset matters, but action is what moves the needle.
- Problem-finders complain about the potholes.
- Solution-finders grab a shovel and start filling them in.
And in the end? The person fixing the potholes is the one who is actually getting somewhere.
Problems Deserve Acknowledgement
There’s a difference between negativity and the first step to solving a problem. Acknowledging a problem isn’t negativity, unless it’s uselessly repeated. The initial realization of a problem can come with an emotional response. If we didn’t fear the jaguar stalking us, we wouldn’t be here. The feelings that come with an awareness of an issue are the first step toward solving it.
Torvalds doesn’t say, “Ignore the pothole and just keep walking.” He sees the problem, names it, and then fixes it. That’s the key.
- Ignoring problems isn’t optimism—it’s denial.
- Complaining about problems without action is wasted energy.
- Identifying problems as the first step to fixing them, that’s wisdom.
The people who get stuck are the ones who either only complain (“This road is terrible!”) or only dream (“One day, roads will be perfect!”). The ones who actually make things better start by saying: “Okay, here’s the issue—how do we fix it?”
Think about a doctor. If you go in with chest pain, the worst thing they could do is ignore it (“Just be positive!”). But they also won’t just wallow in the problem (“Oh no, this is really bad, let’s panic!”). Instead, they diagnose before they prescribe.
So yes, pointing out negative things is mandatory—as long as it’s in service of understanding and fixing them. The world doesn’t improve by ignoring its cracks. It gets better when we see them, understand them, and get to work repairing them.
A Solution-Based Mindset
A solution-based mindset starts with where you put your energy. There are things you can control and things you can’t. If you waste time obsessing over what’s out of your control, you’ll feel frustrated, powerless, and stuck. But if you channel your attention toward what’s within your control, you have a better chance of staying confident, productive, and grounded in reality.
The Three Things You Actually Control
At the end of the day, there are only three things you truly control: your attitude, your actions, and your reactions. Everything else? A mix of luck, circumstances, and other people’s decisions.
- Attitude – You choose how you frame situations.
- Actions – You decide what you do next.
- Reactions – You control how you respond when things don’t go as planned.
Focus on Small, Meaningful Wins
In the article “Fix Three Broken Things,” David Cain emphasizes the significant impact of addressing minor broken items in our daily lives. He suggests that unresolved issues that are under our control, such as a leaky faucet or a jammed drawer, continually affect our well-being.
Some broken things are out of your control. The broken education system, dishonest political rhetoric, and human folly in general definitely also cause psychic injury, but you have little control over that. Other broken things are expensive to fix, such as the cracked countertop or dented garage door. But many more are immanently fixable, and they’re right in front of you.
You might not be able to single-handedly fix the world, but you can:
- Improve one system
- Solve one problem
- Help one person
- Show up as your best self today
And here’s the secret: small wins compound. If you consistently fix what’s in front of you, you are changing the world. Whether you see the results immediately or not. Regardless, every action ripples outward.
- Every problem you solve frees up energy for something better.
- Every positive action creates momentum for future solutions.
- Every person you help pays it forward in ways you’ll never fully see.
Just keep fixing what’s in front of you. Just take the next right action. When you live this way, you’re not just making your own life better. You’re making the world a better place, too.