You're blaming the ones at the bottom of the pyramid. I agree we have choices and are responsible for them but in differing degrees.

Not everyone is born with the same level of intelligence or opportunity to develop it and so are more or less susceptible to be 'brain stained' by a rapacious system that is mining all of us and mostly turning us against each other and against ourselves . The wealthy are also brain stained. How many could could look at themselves in the mirror if they suddenly lost all their privilege? Their consumerism and the rubbish and pollution they generate are so much worse. Just like wealthy countries compared to poor ones. For what? For artifice.

Respect for life has lost its meaning amongst many of those who have the means to help solve the problems we face. Those that want to serve them have no respect for life either. They just want to emulate what they see as having a better superficial, artificial, consumer life and a bit of power. When will they realise that those they serve see them as 'the great unwashed' and as dispensable if the crunch comes.

And you don't think this society is nihilistic?