Somewhere along the line, it got cool to be cynical. To look at the world and only see what’s broken. But I see something different. If you want to make a dent in the universe, there has never been a better time to be alive.
We need people who can both see what’s broken and see what’s possible.
That’s the work of builders. And I’m not just talking about entrepreneurs or artists. I mean anyone who wants to be an active contributor to culture. Anyone who wants to organize their community, shift a conversation, create something that didn’t exist before.
Here’s the thing: past generations solved the foundational problems. They built the roads, the power grids, the institutions that make modern life possible. They figured out how to consistently produce food, enable mass transit, and connect the world.
We inherited all of that. So now the question shifts: what do we build on top of it?
Here’s what gets me: we’ve become numb to how insane this moment actually is. Movements that took decades can now happen in months. Ideas that died in obscurity can now find their people instantly.
This isn’t normal. This is unprecedented in human history. And it’s all just... sitting there.
So let me make it concrete. If you want to become a more creative, equipped, and impactful piece of the puzzle — pause for a second and really look at what’s available to you right now:
the builder’s toolkit
learn anything
University-level content (free or cheap) from top institutions all over the world
AI tutors that adapt to your learning style and accelerate your growth
Language apps making you conversational in months, not years
create & share
4. Publishing platforms helping anyone build a global audience
5. Design and video tools that let anyone create at a professional level
6. Code libraries (and AI tools) enabling you to build apps without a degree
organize & mobilize
7. Community platforms built around shared interests, not geography
8. Digital tools for organizing collective action and coordinating teams across time zones
9. Crowdfunding platforms that fund projects without gatekeepers
connect & collaborate
10. Video calls and translation apps connecting you face-to-face with anyone, anywhere
11. Open-source software letting you build on others’ work
12. Email and messaging platforms building direct relationships at scale
build sustainably
13. Mental and physical health resources available 24/7
14. Platforms monetizing any skill or creative work, connecting you directly with supporters
15. Real-time feedback showing you what resonates and what doesn’t
—
This is the builder’s moment.
You can learn anything, from anyone, anywhere. You can build an audience, fund a project, organize a movement — all without asking permission. You can turn your corner of the world into something better with tools past generations couldn’t have imagined.
If you want to make things better, the raw materials are right here.
You’re alive at the exact moment we’re figuring out what comes next. For the builders, the dreamers, the people who don’t want to accept the default — now is the time to lean in.
If not us, who?
j