Well I think however we might speculate to answer that question, such answers would probably be guided by our initial assumptions. So it becomes an exercise in confirmation bias. I think many recent phenomenons (from brexit/trump to terrorism (both lonewolf and radical islam)) find their base and their fervor within a deep-seated dissatisfaction with modern life and globalization. I think as a global society we've done more to give resources like clean water and modern medicine, but those resources merely extend life, they don't make life worth living. Literacy is both a powerful tool to free one self, and to maintain false narratives and oppressive regimes. All that said, I tend to understand our society on a spectrum of maturity, where I see our civilization in adolescence (short term thinking, tribalism, etc. etc.); and I do have hope for the future, but my hope is premised on our ability to recognize and implement systemic change (esp. in regard to our global economic structure/system).