Many interesting comments in this thread on what made people "wake up" - something which obviously means different things for different individuals:
Discussion
Atlas shrugged at around the age of 33, had a few years break, then fell down the rabbit hole
While having several long talks with an older golfing buddy who was a retired physician and board member of a smallish regional bank.
He had mesothelioma and was dying but still mentally sharp as a tack. During several of our discussions he introduced me to “The Creature From Jekyll Island” …and impressed upon me the courage and delicacy needed to challenge the belief systems of those around you.
… that I think was my epiphany 🌅
Zeitgeist movie back in 2010 was a thing. And
Tlön Uqbar Orbis Tertius (a short tale by Jorge Luis Borges)
I was living in Buenos Aires and it struck me deeply.