Chapter 1: A Slow Deterioration

Dearest Reader,

In 2023, there exists a crucial misunderstanding: the world is unraveling gradually, not with a sudden jolt. It resembles fabric fraying at the seams, slowly deteriorating instead of tearing apart all at once. This sentiment is perfectly encapsulated in a popular meme:

Having lived over 150 years, I possess a unique perspective on historical patterns. It's clear that many contemporary individuals lack awareness of how challenging life has always been. We often romanticize the past, reminiscing about the 1850s, yet those times also faced significant hardships. The looming threat of the American Civil War was already apparent, igniting in 1861 and lasting four grueling years.

Today's Americans have no grasp of the terror that comes with war in your own vicinity. Although WWI and WWII took place on foreign grounds, this nation has largely been spared from direct conflict. We've experienced catastrophic events like 9/11, yet we are currently embroiled in a different kind of battle: a struggle for the essence of our nation and the future we envision for our children.

As we approach 2024, many will set resolutions and express hopes for a better year, but I can assure you that the issues of 2023 will persist.

A pivotal moment in 2020 marked a noticeable shift in life as we knew it. Anyone who has experienced the changes since then can attest to the stark differences compared to 2019 and earlier. This transformation is not solely attributed to the pandemic; it encompasses climate change, political unrest, and a general societal malaise.

There seems to be a growing indifference toward one another, even among family members. Numerous individuals fell ill during the recent holiday season yet still attended gatherings, indifferent to the risks they posed to others. This disregard extends beyond COVID-19, affecting flu and RSV as well.

The level of selfishness is astonishing. In my era, community collaboration was vital for survival. Now, genuine community bonds have deteriorated, leaving only scattered pockets in small towns. Predominantly, people retreat into their homes, engaging with social media or television, and navigate their lives from car to workplace and back home.

Acts of volunteerism and reaching out to others have significantly dwindled. The number of individuals who truly care is diminishing. I firmly believe this apathy will hasten the disintegration of society. Instead of uniting to devise solutions for mutual aid and sustainable living, we seem destined to falter alone.

Of course, the affluent remain insulated from this reality.

I was appalled to discover Mark Zuckerberg's plans for a vast $100 million compound in Hawaii, complete with an underground bunker, escape hatch, and blast-resistant door. This 5,000-square-foot bunker is designed to be self-sufficient, with its own energy, food, and water supply, according to reports.

As highlighted by Wired, Zuckerberg and his wealthy contemporaries exhibit little concern for the general populace, including political figures like Trump. The compound's layout, as per plans reviewed by WIRED, includes over a dozen buildings with a combined total of at least 30 bedrooms and bathrooms. Central to this estate are two mansions, sprawling over an area comparable to a professional football field (57,000 square feet), featuring multiple elevators, offices, conference spaces, and an industrial-sized kitchen.

In a nearby wooded area, a network of eleven disk-shaped treehouses is set to connect via rope bridges, allowing guests to traverse the site among the treetops. Additional amenities include a full-sized gym, swimming pools, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, and tennis court, indicating that this is more than just a private retreat—Zuckerberg has already hosted corporate events there.

When disaster strikes, the wealthy will retreat to their bunkers with their families and staff. A fortunate few may even escape to Mars, while the rest of us will face dire circumstances.

Having glimpsed the future up to 2040, I cannot bear to envision the grim reality that awaits, reminiscent of the apocalyptic narratives prevalent in today's media.

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I would not wish such a fate upon anyone. I find myself focused on the 2020s, as this decade holds immense significance. My purpose here is to guide as many individuals as possible toward making better choices for a brighter future.

The billionaires of today mirror the Rockefellers and railroad magnates of the past. A century later, the concept remains unchanged. Human nature, especially among the wealthy, tends to remain static.

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Their primary concern is their own safety and that of their families—nothing more. They are indifferent to the struggles of others.

As we head into 2024, brace yourselves for a tumultuous election and societal disintegration. The events of the past year echo those preceding the Civil War.

9 Events That Led to the Civil War | HISTORY

The Civil War was a conflict many years in the making.

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Prepare yourselves, everyone. Prioritize your safety and that of your loved ones. The wealthy will not come to your aid, nor will the government.

Always,

Thomas

Chapter 2: The Importance of Community

In this lecture, T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men" is explored in depth, providing insights into the themes of despair and existential dread prevalent in his work.

Listen to T.S. Eliot himself recite "The Hollow Men," capturing the emotional weight of his poetry and the sense of disillusionment that accompanies modern life.