The Greeks spoke of hubris, or what happens when the ego thinks it is above the gods (and/or reality itself).
The Buddhists talk about the unsatisfied ego, on fire trying to assert itself.
Even traditional Christianity and Paganism emphasized a reduction of the self in reverence for nature and the gods.
What happens when we throw that out the door? This:
Excruciating.
Telling people that their goal is freedom, equality and other means of putting self-expression before reality just throws gasoline on the fire.
I can’t tell which is worse: how insane the situation is, or having to watch this person in the throes of self-destruction.