Are you familiar with the roots of Western Civilization and the Bacchanalian and Saturnian traditions that have been passed down through the centuries? These traditions have been used to turn people into mindless consumers for the system. I once sat in a room full of influential people who laughed about how easy it is to manipulate the masses into believing anything--buy anything--if it is bundled into a trendy cause.

The hedonistic pursuits and wars of conquest that the West historically endorsed to bolster capitalism and keep its population enslaved have led to environmental destruction, greed, and inequality. This pursuit of pleasure as the highest good ultimately leads to people consuming everything around them, including the happiness of others.