Part 7/14:
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by intense optimism. Society anticipated continuous, unstoppable progress—believing that science and industry would bring about permanent peace, prosperity, and human flourishing. This belief was rooted in witnessing rapid technological advances in the previous century.
However, those expectations unraveled under the brutal realities of the 20th century. World Wars, the destructive power of new weapons, and economic upheavals shattered the illusion that technology would inevitably lead to peace and stability. Instead, technological advances contributed to devastating conflicts, environmental degradation, and escalating social tensions.