Two centuries ago, J.P. Morgan knew: progress depends on connection. His railways drove growth—for some. Today, tech giants link people and products for profit. But most of us do not profit in the same way. We rush, we work, we endure. And nature pushes back. The Western hunger for more ignores mounting ecological strain. One image captures it: a traffic jam edging toward Las Vegas under a dark desert sky. Close together, yet utterly alone. We call it connection. But is it?