I propose that this statement is a fallacy,despite feeling accurate in terms of our own individual opportunity to control, or even influence, collective culture and social institutions. Humanity certainly does have the ability to control everything we have created.

Yes, the effort is always hampered by the math. How many people do we have to influence, and who and where are they? It seems hopeless, until we realize that intellectual arguments are rarely persuasive, and only functional in small groups. Emotional arguments win the day, and the simpler the better. The problem is better defined as ‘are we choosing love or fear?’