Humanity is like a vast operating system designed to run on principles of fairness, collaboration, and kindness. Research shows that humans are hardwired to work together, share resources, and build systems based on trust and mutual benefit. This is how we’ve thrived for millennia.
But our current system has been corrupted. What should be a fair and collaborative operating system is now riddled with viruses. Neoliberalism, corporatisation, the erosion of democratic institutions, rising authoritarianism, and the excessive power of tech billionaires have hijacked the system. This is our Second Gilded Age, where a tiny elite hoards wealth and power while the rest of humanity struggles with growing inequality, climate breakdown, and weakening social trust.
To distract us, figures like Elon Musk have coined terms like the “woke mind virus,” weaponising fear and disinformation to deflect attention from their exploitation of resources and power. These tactics undermine fairness and accountability, allowing them to further destabilise the system while appearing to be saviours.
Systems are complex, and the most dangerous thing about corruption is how hard it is to see until it’s too late. Like a computer infected with malware, society often continues running, albeit sluggishly, while the damage spreads unseen. The warning signs—collapsing trust in democratic institutions, record corporate profits during crises, and tech monopolies controlling discourse—are everywhere.
The good news is that we can see the virus for what it is and take action. Wokeness—the collective call for accountability, fairness, and justice—is the anti-virus we need to clean the system and reset humanity on a better path.
Wokeness: The antidote, not the problem
At its core, wokeness is about awareness, accountability, and action. It’s the software update that keeps humanity’s operating system running smoothly, addressing bugs like inequality, racism, and exploitation. Wokeness calls us to confront injustices, fight for gender equality, tackle climate change, and hold power to account.
But this essential update has been branded as a threat. Extremists and vested interests have twisted wokeness into a bogeyman to stoke fear and division. Why? Because wokeness demands transparency and fairness—values that threaten their ability to exploit unchecked.
This isn’t the first time those in power have demonised movements for justice. From the civil rights movement to the suffragettes, history shows that such movements are attacked precisely because they work. And they succeed because reasonable people unite to demand change.
Lessons from history: recognising a hacked system
History has repeatedly shown us the consequences of ignoring the warning signs of a corrupted system. Each time, the cost of inaction grew as pathocrats gained power:
- The Rise of Fascism in the 1930s: Fascist leaders exploited societal instability, spreading lies and division to seize power. Millions suffered because early warning signs were ignored.
- McCarthyism in the 1950s: Fear of communism led to paranoia and persecution. Lives were destroyed until reasonable people spoke out against the lies.
- South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Movement: Activists like Nelson Mandela were labelled as threats to the system. Yet solidarity from ordinary people helped dismantle one of history’s most oppressive regimes.
In each case, reasonable people eventually acted, but waiting too long allowed the damage to deepen, making recovery harder and more costly.
Pathocracy: the virus infecting our operating system
Psychiatrist Andrzej Łobaczewski, who fought in the Polish resistance during World War II, coined the term pathocracy to describe systems hijacked by individuals with pathological traits like narcissism, psychopathy, and greed. Łobaczewski witnessed firsthand how authoritarian leaders manipulate societies through fear, division, and disinformation to consolidate power.
Pathocrats thrive in chaos, dismantling fairness and trust while redirecting society’s resources to serve their own destructive agendas. Like a virus infecting a healthy system, they disable society’s natural defences—trust, collaboration, and accountability.
Importantly, these pathocrats are a vocal minority. Studies show they represent no more than 10-15% of the population. However, they rely on the apathy, silence, and inaction of the majority to maintain control. By creating division and mistrust, they weaken our collective ability to resist.
The Second Gilded Age exemplifies pathocracy in action. Tech billionaires dominate discourse, corporations rewrite laws in their favour, and democratic institutions are undermined by lobbying and disinformation campaigns. These forces exploit humanity’s operating system, destabilising society for profit.
Karl Popper’s paradox of tolerance
Philosopher Karl Popper warned us about the Paradox of Tolerance: if a society tolerates intolerance, it will destroy itself. Allowing extremists to dismantle democratic norms under the guise of free speech is not civility—it’s surrender.
Politicians who attack wokeness reveal more about their own fear of accountability than the people they criticise. Their rhetoric is a desperate attempt to shield themselves from the scrutiny of a fairer, more just society.
Wokeness is not oversensitivity—it’s the anti-virus protecting fairness, collaboration, and justice.
The case for human kindness
Historian Rutger Bregman’s Humankind reminds us that most people are inherently kind and cooperative. We are hardwired to collaborate and help one another. This majority is humanity’s greatest strength—and the ultimate defence against pathocracy.
But kindness alone isn’t enough. Like any system, humanity requires regular updates to stay healthy. Wokeness is that update, ensuring we confront injustices, hold power to account, and remain vigilant against new threats.
How we can reboot the system
Reasonable people must act as the anti-virus, removing the malware of pathocracy and restoring humanity’s operating system. Here’s how:
- Install Integrity: Support community independents and leaders who prioritise accountability and sustainability.
- Eliminate Disinformation: Speak out against lies and propaganda.
- Strengthen Networks: Join forces with groups fighting for justice and climate action.
- Upgrade to Ethical Systems: Support businesses that prioritise sustainability and human rights.
- Demand Environmental Security: Hold corporations accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
- Share the Update: Stay informed and spread knowledge.
Reclaiming humanity before it’s too late
The operating system is failing, but it’s not too late to act. Fires, floods, and authoritarianism are signs of collapse. Reasonable people have always been the ones to bring down tyranny—but the time to act is now.
Wokeness is the anti-virus humanity needs. It strengthens our defences, restores fairness, and protects us from division and greed.
History is watching. Let’s ensure it remembers us as the generation that rebooted humanity and built a better world.
Sue Barrett
Sue Barrett is a Melbourne-based business and community leader, go-to-market strategist, and advocate for human-centered communication and sustainability. With over 30 years of experience in business growth, ethical leadership, change management, and social activism, she is dedicated to helping individuals, organisations, and communities build human-centred, collaborative systems for a better and fairer future.