The answers to the woes of humanity may not be simple, but they start with recognizing our own faults and questioning the stories we've been told. It's high time we acknowledged our shared journey on this planet and realized that true greatness lies not in outdoing one another but in lifting each other up.

The modern concept of being 'well-adjusted' is ensnared in a paradox. While on the surface, it denotes a sense of psychological stability and social conformity, a deeper scrutiny reveals it as a veiled endorsement of a system that perpetuates self-centeredness, materialism, and a disconnect from broader societal issues. The discourse around adjustment, therefore, warrants a broader examination, one that transcends the superficial and delves into the underpinning societal values and their implications on individual and collective well-being.

Our world stands at the precipice of an impending crisis, one that is evident not only in the melting ice caps and rising sea levels but also in the dimmed eyes and frantic minds of modern humans. While the narrative of our planet's ecological deterioration is one that's been repeated, there's an equally pressing narrative that is often left untold: our current way of living isn't just unsustainable for the planet; it's unsustainable for the human psyche.

“I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” - Robert Oppenheimer’s haunting words serve as a fitting introduction to this exploration of the current global mess we seem to be swimming in. This acknowledgement of the power and potential devastation of human ingenuity reverberates through time, echoing sentiments from centuries past. Today’s global crisis did not just 'magically' emerge; its roots stretch back, intertwining with the philosophies and revolutions of yesteryears.

"My childhood was woven amidst the concrete structures of an impoverished neighbourhood where the common refrain echoed, 'boys don't cry.' This was a narrative perpetuated by the men who filled the absence of close male figures in my life. Subsequently, my career as a 'professional fighter' only fortified this belief, refining the mantra to 'real men don’t cry'."

In the vast panorama of comic book heroes, none is more iconic than Superman. Hailing from the far-off planet Krypton, this champion of justice possesses extraordinary superpowers. Yet, for all his might and moral fortitude, a tiny fragment of his home planet – a dull, green crystal known as kryptonite – has the power to bring him to his knees. Strikingly, a similar weakness haunts humanity, a metaphorical ‘kryptonite’ that threatens to diminish our collective potential and strength – the relentless force of ‘greed’.

In recent times, there has been a remarkable increase in public discourse on trauma and its treatment. Online platforms are bustling with discussions, webinars, and summits dedicated to trauma recovery strategies. It is encouraging to witness this growing awareness and dialogue on such a critical subject that has long been pushed into the shadows.

Instead of using instances of violence as an indicator of inherent aggression, it is crucial to understand the broader context. Chimpanzees' behaviour is highly influenced by external stressors, particularly those caused by human activities.

Throughout my life, writing has served as a significant outlet for expression and learning (although I have always felt I wasn’t very good at it). One topic I've consciously sidestepped until now is the widespread conversation about the 'Crisis in Masculinity.' Growing up in the patriarchal society of South Africa, I am well aware of the traditional masculine narrative.

I just came back from 3 weeks of travel and was struck by something very concerning. To be honest, I have been concerned about this for the past several years, as I have seen more and more people that I thought I knew make life altering decisions based on what can only be described as ‘The New Religion of the Self’.

In the innocence of my early years, the rigid confines of societal norms and expectations were as elusive to me as the ephemeral shades of a distant horizon. It was only as I navigated the tumultuous seas of adulthood that I came to the startling realisation of my nonconformity. From the outset, I was a square peg trying to fit into the round hole of convention.