Rytis Juozapavičius on How Not to Get Stuck in a “Sour” World | Blind Spot #11

SUMMARY

Erich Fromm’s idea that people often choose future disaster over present sacrifice sets the tone for this conversation with Rytis Juozapavičius. He explains how fear, habit, and a lack of imagination keep society passive — even when we know what needs to be done.

We discussed war anxiety, public fatigue, and why even a small fraction of civically active people can spark real change if they’re allowed to act. Immersing in negative news makes us “acidic,” so we must consciously seek “alkalinity”: good stories, meaningful dialogue, alternatives, and moments of silence.

Rytis shares a story about his grandmother, who hid a Jewish girl and helped partisans — she had no plan, only the courage to act. For him, vision is not prediction but the bravery to imagine a different future. Without imagination, we only react.