Ivan Illich, a philosopher and critic of modern industrial society, would have turned 100 years old on September 4. Known for his critiques of technocapitalism and his contributions to political ecology, Illich questioned the unchecked pursuit of economic growth and the systems that support it. His ideas, though written over 50 years ago, continue to be relevant in today’s discussions on sustainability, healthcare, and social inequality. Illich authored several influential pamphlets in the 1970s, including Freeing the Future – For a Revolution of Consciousness (1971), A Society Without Schools (1971), Conviviality (1973), Energy and Equity (1975), and Medical Nemesis (1975). These works critically examined the effects of industrialization, the flaws in modern healthcare, and the growing divide between the wealthy and the poor. Illich introduced the concept of "modern poverty" to challenge the idea of a "society of abundance." He argued that industrial development and Western-style modernization often undermined traditional ways of life and created new forms of inequality. In Puerto Rico, for example, he observed how American development policies served as a way to introduce market-based goods and services, enriching the wealthy while pushing the poor further into hardship. Across Europe, he noted how infrastructure projects made energy-consuming products essential, while alternatives like public transportation were neglected or phased out. Illich believed that a fundamental shift in consciousness was necessary to build a more equitable society. He proposed that people collectively limit their energy use and prioritize communal living over individual consumption. He famously suggested that productive social relationships should move at the pace of a bicycle — slow, sustainable, and human-centered. His ideas on "political slowness" and ethical reflection were explored in works like The Corruption of the Best Produces the Worst, where he examined how the best intentions can lead to harmful outcomes when misaligned with broader societal values. Illich also questioned the role of Christianity in the rise of the "regime of technology," drawing from his Jewish heritage and the historical complicity of industrialists in Nazi atrocities. He emphasized the need to reconnect with the physical world and resist the "disembodiment" caused by technology. In response to climate change, he proposed a third way that involved public debates to define the limits of energy use and a collective political effort to build a more just future. However, these ideas have largely been ignored by modern political movements. Today, as wealth inequality and the pursuit of profit continue to threaten social unity, Illich's warnings about the dangers of unchecked energy consumption and economic self-interest remain strikingly relevant.