Living in a revolutionary era entails experiencing significant and rapid change. The current digital revolution has brought about extraordinary transformations in both technology and culture. Fareed Zakaria, in his book "Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, " examines the historical pattern of revolution to make sense of our present era. The Industrial Revolution, regarded as the "mother of all revolutions, " played a crucial role in shaping the modern world by improving living standards and creating a self-sustaining process of growth. The pace and scale of societal change are key factors, as observed by Marx and Engels, who emphasized how capitalism constantly upends people's lives, creating new wants and needs. The digital revolution, with its broader reach and faster pace, has the potential to be the most revolutionary period in history.

Furthermore, advancements in AI and gene engineering could significantly transform human mental and physical capacities. The Industrial Revolution also led to political shifts, with the right initially opposing it and the left embracing it. However, the roles eventually reversed as capitalism produced a new elite and inequality for workers, shaping modern political ideologies. The future stakes lie in safeguarding liberal democracy amidst the radicalizing forces seeking to dismantle the system. If liberalism fades away, it may be due to the inability to navigate through the destabilizing effects of its own innovations. Nonetheless, history shows that liberalism has the resilience to revive itself, as humans have an inherent desire for freedom and progress.