It is incomprehensible to me how most people are just chill with mediocrity

The not-even-implicit ruling class opinion is its fine if the country declines and humanity as a whole enters a broad timespan of stagnation so long as everyone has free healthcare and lives longer and nobody is racist.

Eternal truths were invented because most people simply cannot conceive of the future. 19th century ‘History-as-Religion’ failed because of this.

The average educated person will agree that the population is ageing, and that ageing population will take resources from the young, but then never allow these facts to impact their view on, say, the NHS. They are exiled to a transcendental realm of inevitability.

Why would you buy into this worldview if you are not on Epstein's private jet? Why do a large constituency of educated people who have no real power or kickbacks passionately endorse vindictive myopia?