What are the four winds doing to humanity in Daniel's vision?

In Daniel's vision, the four winds of heaven—east, west, north, and south—strive upon the great sea. The sea symbolizes humanity, so the four winds are striving upon the mass of humanity. They are depicted as contending upon the human race.

Les explains that Daniel chapter 7 records Daniel's own vision, where he sees the same Gentile empires as wild beasts. In verse 2, Daniel sees the four winds of heaven—east, west, north, and south—striving upon the great sea. Les notes that the sea is a symbolic term for humanity. So the four winds are simply striving upon the mass of humanity, even though at Daniel's time there weren't that many people. The term 'beast' in Scripture refers to a government.

Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

How does Daniel's vision of four beasts compare to the metal image vision?

Daniel's vision of four beasts compares to the metal image vision by portraying the same Gentile empires and the same unfolding of history. Instead of seeing them as various metals such as gold and silver, Daniel sees them as various wild beasts. The term beast in Scripture simply denotes a government.