Acharya Prashant explains that human welfare no longer lies in increased consumption, as the average person today is wealthier than at any other point in history. He points out that while poverty and malnourishment still exist, the proportion of the global population dying from hunger is smaller than ever before. In contrast, the number of people dying from overconsumption and lifestyle-related disorders, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, is significantly higher. He argues that the excessive security humans have built through infrastructure and militaries is now what is threatening both humanity and the planet. He questions whether current definitions of welfare, which focus on growth rates and per capita income, are leading toward destruction rather than progress. Acharya Prashant critiques the cultural obsession with GDP and GNP, noting that even common people have been conditioned to view these metrics as the sole indicators of well-being, without understanding their actual impact or meaning.
