When it comes to the long run of human history, it’s hard to ignore the overwhelming consensus that things have been getting progressively worse. From the downfall of ancient civilizations to the devastating wars of the 20th century, the story of humanity is often marked by conflict, suffering, and struggle.

The vast majority of human history can be summed up as a series of attempts to maintain dominance, accumulate power, and impose one’s will on others. From the rise of empires to the wars of the modern era, human beings have consistently demonstrated a capacity for violence, cruelty, and destruction.

The earliest civilizations, such as the ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks, were built on the backs of enslaved people and were founded on the principles of conquest and domination. As civilizations rose and fell, they were often characterized by brutal treatment of minorities, persecution of religious and ethnic groups, and the exploitation of the environment.

The Middle Ages, often referred to as the “Dark Ages,” were marked by feudalism, serfdom, and the crusades, which saw millions of people killed in the name of religious zeal. The Enlightenment and the rise of Western civilization brought about a brief interlude of tolerance and progress, but even this period was marked by colonization, slavery, and imperialism.

The 20th century, often referred to as the “bloodiest century in history,” saw two global wars, the Cold War, and countless smaller conflicts that resulted in the deaths of millions of people. The 20th century was also marked by the rise of totalitarian regimes, such as Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Communist China, which resulted in the murder of tens of millions of people.

And yet, despite this bleak history, many people still hold onto the notion that humanity is destined for greatness. We believe that our species will eventually learn to live in harmony with one another, to overcome our differences, and to build a better world.

But is this really a realistic expectation? The evidence suggests that humanity’s track record is far more likely to continue on its current path of conflict, greed, and destruction. We are simultaneously solving some of the most pressing problems of our time, such as global poverty, disease, and inequality, while also creating new and more complex challenges for ourselves.

Climate change, nuclear proliferation, and pandemics are just a few of the existential threats that we are facing, and yet we are still struggling to come together to address them. It is clear that, despite our best efforts, humanity is not yet capable of putting aside its petty squabbles and working together to build a better future.

So, when considering the long run of human history, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that, despite our occasional moments of greatness, humanity has largely been a cruel and destructive force. The next 100, 1,000, or 100,000 years may hold the same story: one of conflict, struggle, and ultimately, extinction.

But perhaps, just perhaps, we can learn from our past mistakes and create a utopian future where humanity is able to live in harmony with one another and with the natural world. Until then, we can only hope that our species will continue to evolve and eventually become more intelligent, compassionate, and wise.

The truth is, the future is uncertain, and our history is a mixed bag of triumph and tragedy. But one thing is clear: we must continue to strive for a better future, even if it’s unlikely that we will achieve it.