It sounds like your rational faculties see us headed into a full-blown largely inescapable dystopia, but your heart doesn't want to succumb to pure pessimism. I think I share your feelings. For the last couple of decades at least, I've increasingly relied on that dichotomy between the hysterical interhuman hatred and conflict promoted by the institutions that rule the "ether" and the largely congenial, peaceful, loving social world that seems to continue to exist nearly everywhere on the "ground". That's still largely true for me, but 2020 was the year that the ether affected the ground as never before, and 2021 seems on track to continue that trend. But it's always good to hope for the best, and prepare for the worst!
It sounds like your rational faculties see us headed into a full-blown largely inescapable dystopia, but your heart doesn't want to succumb to pure pessimism. I think I share your feelings. For the last couple of decades at least, I've increasingly relied on that dichotomy between the hysterical interhuman hatred and conflict promoted by the institutions that rule the "ether" and the largely congenial, peaceful, loving social world that seems to continue to exist nearly everywhere on the "ground". That's still largely true for me, but 2020 was the year that the ether affected the ground as never before, and 2021 seems on track to continue that trend. But it's always good to hope for the best, and prepare for the worst!