Our predecessors have all been manipulated into creating the reality we have through their inability to recognise and prevent, adverse outcomes over long periods of time, as a result of them satiating their animal selves in the ‘present’. Clearly demonstrating a lack of mindfulness, as well as proving that the human species, as a whole, does not possess the ability to self-govern. Which also proves why we need rules, regulations and ethics to live by. Our primitive nature prevails time and time again.
They recognize the problems, every generation did. They also recognized that in order to solve them, they have to make huge sacrifices in their livelihood which they were not willing to do.
Instead they pass the buck to the next generation to solve. The next generation will either
Pass it to the next generation and enjoy a slightly lower quality of living
Face the music
This is a zero sum game. There are so many ticking time bombs out there. National debt, college debt, overpopulation, Social security, global warming etc.
The problem is that there is a time to play and there is a time to get serious. Playtime is running out.