Hope and Change for an Angry Society: Agency, Empathy, and Social Good

I Write for Change

I write as an act of freedom—a protest against poverty, hunger, homelessness, inadequate healthcare, privacy violations, inequality, human rights abuses, the high cost of living, climate change, and all the injustices keeping the majority of us on edge.

I write because I believe in change.

But we must ask ourselves: why does society remain so angry? We often wonder, “What’s wrong with people?” Yet, deep down, we know the answers. Too often, distractions make us concede to complacency.

The real task is to ask the right questions. Questions spark ideas, and ideas lead to solutions. We already have ways to address many of our problems, so the deeper question is: why don’t we act on them?

Society is built on pillars that safeguard our health, agency, and well-being. When these are strong, they create a foundation for a more peaceful, prosperous, and productive world.

Here’s the equation I see:
Individual agency + social health and safety = a thriving society.

To regain agency, we must think critically and reclaim our personal narratives, which are intrinsically tied to the collective story. Principles of human good still exist, but they’ve been overshadowed by greed that distorts our rational minds.

If we can remind ourselves that curiosity is hope’s best friend, we can achieve great things. Imagine a world where instead of chasing the empty scripts of reality television, we celebrate those driven by passion for what’s possible: unconditional love.

Curiosity and Humanity

We are born as fragments—not entirely good or bad, but pieces of life waiting to be uncovered. Through curiosity, we discover the good in ourselves and others. It is this curiosity that cultivates hope and drives human progress.

Still, people often seek gluttony and excess, as if supersizing everything from soda to cybertrucks could mend their broken hearts. This behavior isn’t new; ancient Roman paintings depict similar indulgence—luxuries that eroded empathy and justified inequality.

Isn’t this what Jesus warned against when he said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? His teachings emphasized compassion, empathy, and providing comfort—not taking from others to elevate oneself.

The Media and Modern Society

When we encounter relatable characters or stories, we naturally gravitate toward them. Unfortunately, reality television often leads us to emulate absurd behaviors or believe we can live consequence-free.

Contrast this with someone like former President Jimmy Carter, whose life of service stands in stark opposition to the culture of spectacle. His example reminds us of the value of humility and compassion.

Modern media, however, thrives on sensationalism. I recall walking into big-box stores like Best Buy, overwhelmed by walls of flashing screens that assaulted my senses. Social media has taken this further, turning overstimulation into the norm.

We’ve traded peace for 24-hour access to excitement, and nature walks seem dull by comparison. News cycles feed us fear, bite by bite, creating divisions while corporations profit from our discord. The rise of "bro culture" and rhetoric has dulled critical thinking and stripped us of the ability to ask for evidence.

Even political leaders, like Donald Trump, have reinforced this trend with statements like, “I heard it on TV,” as if media itself were infallible. This mindset enables corporations to dictate our identities, selling us narratives that profit them—not us.

The Power of Wonder and Awe

Learning to think for ourselves is key. My parents often told me, “Don’t follow others; think for yourself.” Yet I watched them fall for the persuasive voices of televangelists, sending donations while attending our small Catholic church.

What was it that captivated their thinking so easily? Perhaps empathy and curiosity are intertwined. Interest in new ideas fosters understanding and growth.

Curiosity drives us toward true opportunity. When we ask deeper questions—from the heart—we uncover wonder and awe. Imagine exploring topics like astrophysics, human history, or the rich lands being exploited for profit.

Stephen Hawking once warned that aggression could be humanity’s downfall but believed empathy could course-correct us. In 2025, we are living this truth. These challenging times force us to question the meaning of life and the systems we’ve built.

Solutions will emerge when we rediscover wonder in each other’s abilities and embrace the love that binds us. It is through awe and empathy that we’ll find the answers we need to move forward.

Finally, I leave this short poem with you as an intention to inspire us all to become the humans we know we can be.

I felt the world crying

So I cried along with it

I felt my neighbors fear

So I knocked on their door, “how can I help?”

I saw the face of hunger

So I baked bread and offered a loaf

I saw a homeless child

So I built them a home, safe and warm

—R. Silvia

Photo by Alex Bortolato on Unsplash