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Myths are not mere stories; they are structures of power that shape societies, create hierarchies, enforce social control, and dictate rules of behavior. Throughout history, myths have legitimized authority, but they also carry within them the seeds of their own destruction.
One of the most striking dynamics of myths is their tendency to produce messianic figures, individuals who embody the values and missions of the myth. However, these messianic figures often radicalize their power, ultimately destroying not only their followers but the very society they claim to save. This has repeated across history, from the fall of Rome and Greece to more recent examples like Hitler, Mussolini, and, in modern times, figures like Donald Trump.
Capitalism, as a contemporary myth, has crafted a cynical narrative that justifies inequality through promises of individual success and progress. This myth produces its own heroes: messianic figures of capital who perpetuate the illusion of salvation through consumption, technology, and economic growth. Yet, as with myths of the past, these figures magnify the contradictions of the system. Trump, for instance, embodies the myth of the “self-made man” but has exacerbated social division and weakened democratic structures.
In parallel, we are experiencing a new Dark Age, where knowledge is fragmented and controlled by social media and technological systems that prioritize spectacle over depth. Humanity is left vulnerable, lacking the critical tools to question the myths that dominate us. Ignorance, much like in historical Dark Ages, becomes the fertile ground for myths to thrive unchallenged.
However, myths are not eternal. They inevitably collapse under the weight of their own contradictions. My observation is not about seeking solutions, dialogue, or confrontation; it is about recognizing the patterns and exposing the inherent dynamics. The practical side of solving these issues is, in my view, complex, often misguided, and beyond what I aim to address. I simply observe—nothing more.
The history of myths shows us that their cycles of creation, rise, and destruction are unavoidable. Perhaps we are witnessing the peak of a myth that will eventually dismantle itself. Until then, I remain a witness to the patterns that unfold before us.
By Jordan, G
