I guess most of it is escapism in one form or another,we can bring it right down to local levels as well as most materialism also is escapism.Why are people wanting to go to Heaven or make new homes in the stars? Is life here that bad? Why do so many people feel this way? Why do people feel a need for "Ascension"?
If only we can appreciate who and what we are. It's then we may start to appreciate what is around us in it's true perspective and realize that we are in Paradise and we are already blessed.