The bleakest and most compelling statement I have ever read comes from the "Death Squared" paper mentioned in the article:

"For an animal so complex as man, there is no logical reason why a comparable sequence of events should not also lead to species extinction. If opportunities for role fulfillment fall far short of the demand by those capable of filling roles, and having expectancies to do so, only violence and disruption of social organization can follow. Individuals born under these circumstances will be so out of touch with reality as to be incapable even of alienation."

Scary insightful, but hopefully not prophetic.