The speaker discussed the historical dominance of elites over politics and society, how the middle class was co-opted to control the masses, and the subsequent rise of mass movements challenging elite power. They highlighted the role of technology, such as the printing press and social media, in redistributing power to the masses, leading to populist movements and democratic participation, albeit within a system still largely controlled by elites. The pandemic further exposed systemic inequalities and elite control, prompting a call for individuals to resist manipulation and opt out of the societal rat race to reclaim personal agency. Watch This to Make Sense of the World