Why is society so cruel and divisive, while being proud of how far it has come?

Why is modern “progressive” society so cruel and divisive, while patting itself on the back for how far it has supposedly come?

Yes why?

In some ways this is a time of freedom from institutional biases and prejudices and one's ability to openly be oneself.

So why are there undercurrents of hate speech, the othering of a "smug liberal elite", misogyny, weaponising of religion and other characteristics contrary to this "progress"?

How can philosophy relate to this problem?

Is it a new problem?

If not, how has it worked out in the past?

Is there a solution and what, if anything, can we individually do about it?

See you in the park or online at -

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89708396368?pwd=b1s95tzncVbrfirfwacIzthz7Xf5VA.1

Meeting ID: 897 0839 6368
Passcode: 320840