The speaker reflects on their diminished self-efficacy, attributing it not only to personal failures but significantly to drastic societal and cultural changes that undermine rationality, intelligence, and traditional values rooted in the Enlightenment. They highlight the rise of anti-intellectualism, nihilism, and a decline in critical thinking as contributing factors leading to a widespread sense of alienation and mental health struggles among educated individuals. Ultimately, the speaker views the current era as a dystopian decline where the values they uphold are devalued, making it increasingly difficult to thrive or find meaning in the modern world. Why I am Hopelessly Depressed (Self-efficacy)