Modern civilization has allowed humans to develop complex systems of medicine, agriculture, and technology, which have made us more abundant and resilient to a wide range of challenges.
However, this abundance is a double edged sword. Modern civilization has created a dependence on these systems, on comfort, and on efficiency, which has made us less resilient to disruptions or failures in these systems.
The following list isn’t meant to undermine all that modern western civilization has given us, but is instead meant to give us opportunities to be in alignment with evolutionary forces that promote strength and resilience.
With that in mind, here are 22 ways modern civilization has made humanity weaker and less resilient:
- Decreased Climate Resilience: We have become more sensitive to temperature variations and less capable of adapting to environmental changes due to air-conditioning and heating.
- Reduced Physical and Mental Health: Long work hours, decreased physical activity, and increased screen time have led to a decline in overall physical and mental well-being.
- Dependence on Authority: Our reliance on authorities to resolve conflicts and disagreements has made us less self-reliant and less capable of resolving disputes.
- Vulnerability in Supply Chain Disruptions: Centralized food production has made us more dependent on the state and less able to provide for ourselves in the case of food shortages.
- Limited Self-Reliance: Laws and regulations have restricted our ability to build our own homes, hunt our own food, and gather our own energy, making us more dependent on others.
- Weakened Immunity: Overreliance on prescription drugs has led to a decline in natural health and well-being, making us more susceptible to diseases.
- Reliance on External Information: Access to external sources of information has led to a decline in our ability to think critically and independently.
- Decreased Internal Memory: The ease of access to external memory has led to a decline in our ability to retain information internally.
- Weaker Physical Condition: Shelter from the elements has made our skin thinner and less resilient.
- Decreased Immunity: Protection from disease has weakened our immune systems and made us more vulnerable to illness.
- Lack of Conflict Resolution Skills: The removal of physical aggression and violence from modern society has resulted in a lack of understanding of limits and boundaries in interpersonal relationships.
- Decreased Climate Resilience: We have become more sensitive to temperature variations and less capable of adapting to environmental changes due to air-conditioning and heating.
- Reduced Physical and Mental Health: Long work hours, decreased physical activity, and increased screen time have led to a decline in overall physical and mental well-being.
- Dependence on Authority: Our reliance on authorities to resolve conflicts and disagreements has made us less self-reliant and less capable of resolving disputes.
- Vulnerability in Supply Chain Disruptions: Centralized food production has made us more dependent on the state and less able to provide for ourselves in the case of food shortages.
- Limited Self-Reliance: Laws and regulations have restricted our ability to build our own homes, hunt our own food, and gather our own energy, making us more dependent on others.
- Weakened Immunity: Overreliance on prescription drugs has led to a decline in natural health and well-being, making us more susceptible to diseases.
- Reliance on External Information: Access to external sources of information has led to a decline in our ability to think critically and independently.
- Decreased Internal Memory: The ease of access to external memory has led to a decline in our ability to retain information internally.
- Weaker Physical Condition: Shelter from the elements has made our skin thinner and less resilient.
- Decreased Immunity: Protection from disease has weakened our immune systems and made us more vulnerable to illness.
- Lack of Conflict Resolution Skills: The removal of physical aggression and violence from modern society has resulted in a lack of understanding of limits and boundaries in interpersonal relationships.