One of the perks of having power is you get to do what you want. Sometimes when you see a powerful group acting irrationally, it is not because they're stupid. It's because they have sufficient power to ignore what's sensible without consequence.
Are we a wise civilization? Can we grow wiser? Being cynical about these questions is easy. The news shows us we are always on the brink of disaster, and, let's be honest, the comments section of most social media posts does not engender a spirit of optimism about humanity's collective wisdom. Yet, consider the following.
Wisdom is not knowing the right thing. It is doing the right thing. And it is not just doing the right thing but doing it effectively. Those we consider wise get things done.
Consider what it would mean if that economic analysis of mental illness determined that treating it was not profitable. What then? If easing suffering is not profitable, are we willing to allow people to suffer?
Have you ever been frustrated with an organization of which you were a member? Have you wanted to change an ineffective process, had solutions people agreed were good, yet still failed to get the organization to implement the change?