As Gustave Le Bon once observed:

"The masses have never thirsted after the truth. Whoever can supply them with illusions is easily their master; whoever attempts to destroy their illusions is always their victim.”

So yes, I agree that consciously or not, most people want to embrace myths and illusions.

I also agree with you about the obstacle that apathy poses to achieving a meaningful and truly representative of government. A good friend of mine has often said that people want to be led and don't really want to think for themselves. After witnessing the complete abdication of critical thinking throughout this pandemic and, more recently with the "Support Ukraine at all costs!" groupthink, it's hard to argue with his thesis.

That said, what happened in Iceland actually encourages me. If memory serves, their government rejected bank bailouts that would have "rescued" the country's economy from disaster in 2008 and chose to rebuild its economy without accumulating more debt? Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I thought that was why it was referred to as the "Iceland Miracle"?

https://www.businessinsider.com/icelands-economy-miracle-2016-5

I also think it's easier to be apathetic when life is proceeding more or less as "normal." But when life is disrupted on a fundamental and monumental level, I wonder whether those who are asleep and in denial will continue to afford this luxury?

It seems that humanity has approached an epic fork in the road: the unprecedented times that are upon us will either force us to cower in fear and run for the protection of those who have always "protected" -- and failed -- us, or we can choose to snap out of our stupor, think for ourselves, and seize the incredible opportunity that is presenting itself.

You and I agree that we are in desperate need of a different system that enables competent people of integrity to govern, free of elite influence. I'm more optimistic and hopeful that the coming events will allow us to elevate public discourse to a reasonable understanding of these issues. I believe that we are on the cusp of a much-needed evolution in human consciousness.

Fingers, toes, legs, and eyes crossed!