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.
A high school robotics team built an electric wheelchair for a two-year old, saving the family tens-of-thousands of dollars and opening up a world of exploration for a child. Humans are alright.
Emotions are a form of social communication. Laughter communicates that all is well, we are safe. Fear communicates danger--look out! Expressing the wrong emotion breeds confusion.
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.