Part 4/15:
A pivotal thesis is that a profound cultural shift occurred around the early 20th century, especially post-World War I, which marked the beginning of what is called the "blue pill era." In this epoch, society collectively suspended seriousness and genuine life-affirming values, replacing them with superficial platitudes and a sense of manufactured enlightenment. This shift led to a society that no longer seeks truth but instead prefers comfort, illusion, and superficiality—what the author terms the "age of platitudes as religion" and the "age of plastic."