Hopefully!

The foundations of our society lay on unstable ground. It was a good try. But a 19th century one, with three centuries old values from the Enlightenment age.

The world has changed, and the people who don't change themselves will suffer and disappear. This is evolution by progress.

Another point I'm not agree with you is about the "death of critical reading". In traditional societies, or you conform to the boss, or you fight for it's throne, or you're dead. Only few people can escape this scheme. Our world is a luck for critical thinking. Science and innovation have never been so important, driving the society at high pace.

Yes the world can be seen as awful, however and imho, it is only due to the residues of our old world and the lack of people mind's strength and flexibility.