The post-apocalyptic castles of world techno-fascism

Humanity is currently experiencing its most prosperous era in history, marked by unprecedented levels of technological advancement, medical progress, and access to information. Despite this, the benefits of such prosperity are far from evenly distributed. People today live longer than previous generations, with significantly lower rates of child mortality and increasingly effective medical treatments. Education opportunities have expanded, and comforts once considered luxuries are now commonplace. Many of the existential threats that shaped human life for centuries, such as disease, famine, and lack of shelter, are now largely controlled or at least mitigated. Yet, despite these advancements, a growing sense of unease persists among many individuals. The paradox lies in the fact that while objective measures of progress continue to rise, subjective well-being does not necessarily follow suit. In many cases, the opposite seems to occur: as societies advance materially, individuals feel more fragile emotionally. This phenomenon spans across age groups, cultures, and communities, suggesting a universal challenge rather than a localized issue. The disconnect between material success and personal satisfaction has become a defining feature of modern times. This dissonance appears to be particularly troubling for authoritarian regimes, which often view independent journalism and critical thought as threats to their authority. The exercise of professional and critical journalism is a cornerstone of democracy, making it a target for those who believe they hold the monopoly on truth. However, the paradox of progress is not uniformly experienced. While humanity as a whole has achieved remarkable levels of prosperity, millions still struggle with basic living conditions such as clean water, sanitation, adequate nutrition, safe housing, employment, quality education, and healthcare. For them, vulnerability is not just emotional or existential, it is a tangible, structural reality. Even within contexts of deprivation, technology and social media expose individuals to lifestyles of excess, consumption beyond reach, and promises of well-being that amplify feelings of exclusion. The wound is not merely one of lack, but also of the extravagance and ostentation of others. This raises a pressing question: why? The answer lies not solely in what we possess, but especially in how we perceive, process, and experience it. Technology has dramatically improved our standard of living, yet it has also fundamentally altered the mechanisms through which we compare ourselves to others. Social media platforms have not invented envy or social comparison, they have organized, amplified, and turned these into a persistent model. Today, constant comparisons between individuals constitute an industry in itself. Hours are spent observing curated versions of other people's lives, measuring one’s own against an exaggerated digital elite fueled by algorithms designed to perpetuate dissatisfaction. Where once comparison was limited to immediate surroundings, it now extends globally, presenting a window into idealized lives. Centuries ago, Dante Alighieri described envious souls in Purgatorio as being condemned to walk with sewn shut eyes, unable to see the blessings before them. In our time, the punishment seems inverted: our eyes remain permanently open, constantly exposed to images and narratives that highlight what we lack. This relentless exposure to curated perfection creates a psychological landscape where contentment becomes elusive, even amidst abundance.