Today, society is at an all-time low. Starvation, disease, and economic collapse plague the globe. Yet, the world argues that it is at the best it has ever been. Suicide rates are at an all- time high, and the world is preoccupied with social media. Governments and companies are happy with their economy, yet inflation is slaughtering the middle class out of existence, rendering society into 2 camps, the wealthy and the poor. Unfortunately, these are the major repercussions of centuries-long decline in enlightenment. This begs the question, how did we reach here? I seem to have found the answer to this question. For I have noticed the dichotomous and dystopian nature of human civilization. I have been living it every day, grieving in silence in my tiny spec of a country, worried about what may come next for my species and planet. The answers were written years ago by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. During his time, society was still blossoming and prosperous, yet he foresaw what we see today. He tried warning the world of the encroaching fall of man, but no one listened. He did so primarily by publishing his magnum opus "Thus Spoke Zarathustra".
The story begins with the Iranian prophet, Zarathustra the founder of Zoroastrianism. Zarathustra is widely known to bestow the ideals of morality by polarizing intentions into good and evil. Nietzsche's retelling of this legend alters Zarathustra's intentions and blissful exchange with humanity. After years of solitude and meditation in mountains "6000 feet and time beyond man", the protagonist decided to return to society to enlighten humans and guide them towards a better future. Upon his return, he starts to preach to the commoners that society is on the cusp of destruction and it is all due to their maltreatment of all that is holy and sacred. He argues that their perfect utopia is hollow and lacks a soul. It is not a place of shelter and evolution, but a place to tame and domesticate minds. He supports his claims by blaming the blasphemous choice of prioritizing science over religion, thus erasing traditional morality. This over-reliance on the scientific method and its life-altering contraptions blurred the lines of what was once morally acceptable. Scientists revive extinct viruses, thousands of years after their deactivation. They’ve created abortions, sex change surgery, and antidepressants. Yet, they don't see the catastrophic repercussions of this development. They argue that it is for the betterment of humanity and that their scientific calculations and precautions will prevent pandemics. They believe that their interest and lust for knowledge is an excuse for dabbling with fire. All this synthetic change altered human kind's views on traditional values by making the once-dreamt of dystopian fantasies, a reality without asking if it is right and healthy for humans.
Furthermore, this over-reliance on logic and reasoning to dictate our lives gave rise to death anxiety and more importantly, the fear of pain. Humans stopped believing in an afterlife, and stopped praying to God for safety and security. Humans began detesting death, doing everything they can to avoid it; thus humans became fixated on living forever. They want to bring heaven into reality, by numbing the pains and groans of everyday life, halting psychological development and growth and castrating the inner drive to creating a worthwhile life. People have abandoned their will to power and could not be bothered to leave a valuable mark on this reality before death. Today became easy, and thus tomorrow became easier. This detachment from faith and belief ultimately made the prophet declare that "God is dead, and we have killed him". Zarathustra claims society runs on the herd mentality where everyone follows everyone, for better or worse. This parasitic herd-like lifestyle festers in the mind of humans and dwindles their self-esteem and value. It strives to achieve the idea that all humans must be equal in everything, by penalizing the standouts and castrating their gifts, will to power, and dreams. These qualities must not be envied, but respected and achieved. Man must not be weak and dull, but sharp and hell-bent on the development and survival of the self. The prophet argues that with time, civilization will continue to decline and regress and humans will become the “last man”. A term he coined describing people as weak, hedonistic, selfish, and slothful. The world of the last man is dreadful. People no longer suffer and create, but rather become mindless consumers searching for meaning in a bland world devoid of depth. A world of dopamine highs and pleasure where creating a family and settling down is no longer a priority. True intimacy and love have been forgotten with materialism being the status quo. Zarathustra predicted our post-modern society.
In actuality, this wisdom is none other than Nietzsche's since his retelling of the prophet's journey resembles his own life. He spent years in the mountains of Switzerland, philosophizing and writing his books. Nietzsche believes that nurture is more important than nature, and that evolution is a choice not a miracle. The aforementioned ascension will lead to the birth of the Superman. Humans in deity form is made as close as possible to their creator when they believe that all humanity should reach that stage to ensure survival and real happiness. This superman does not need God's aid and is not impacted by the herd mentality. He is a master of his own fate and a dualist, embracing his evil wing and good wing to fly. Yet to become this powerful creature, humans must sacrifice and endure hardship in life to see life through all the emotional lenses and embrace them all, no matter how disturbing. Nietzsche once said, "One must have chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing star.”
After Zarathustra introduced the concept of the superman to the ignorant townsfolk, they laughed and said "make us into this last man! You can have Superman.” At that moment, the prophet declared that he shall only invite some to gain his wisdom. Those who see what he sees and strive to become superman. This story of an attempted aid of humanity speaks truth. Society is on its way to reaching the last man era, and today humans are blind to this development. Saying that Nietzsche was an extremist and a Nazi is completely false when in reality he just wanted humanity as a whole to rise above what they are now. I choose to follow the prophet Zarathustra's wisdom. I strive to become the superman since it is a worthwhile existence; it is all the more desirable since we only ever have one shot at existence. I am motivated to achieve greatness and more importantly live a fulfilling life written by my own hands and ink for the sake of me and my posterity.