"The Power of Myth" -- the conversation 'twixt Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers, eons ago--kinda DOES say it all.

As in the concluding hour, when Campbell interjects ... People die for metaphors every day.
As good an epitaph as any, for a failed experiment in Consciousness VS Unconsciousness on an unremarkable little planet which once looked pristine white/blue--seen that first time, from its moon.

Now the bloodstains of serial convenient-little-wars do not yet seem visible from space, but the children who microwave a kitten, 'for Fun', induce docile dogs to kill each other, 'for Fun'..
These-all demonstrate how that Freedom-thing has deteriorated into violent, despicable mind-sets.

Oh. Well.