Evolution – the word that brings to mind the progressive development of our species from unicellular beings to our current form. It also conjures up images of the rise of homo sapiens as the dominant species on earth – the apex predator. Our ancestors have conquered great odds to bring our civilisation to where we are now. We have split the atom, been to the moon, and are researching celestial bodies several light years away. We use nuclear energy to produce electricity – the same energy that powers the sun and the other stars. Our capabilities exceed our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We have become all-powerful, and yet we have never been weaker. The fragility of the modern man eludes conventional reasoning.
The Fragility of the Modern Man
Most cultures link the origin of the human species to Gods, with the other creatures being inferior to man. Evolutionary science asserts the development of modern man from ape-like animals, which in turn evolved from lesser creatures. The emphasis here is that we consider ourselves superior to other species and even our primitive ancestors. However, a critical look at the state of humankind shall prove that modern man is far from worthy of such praise. The following points elaborate the argument against the contemporary man’s superiority to his ancestors.
The denial of human nature
Despite their glaring flaws, our ancestors had one thing in order – they did not live in absolute denial of human nature. The average modern man harbours several delusions about inherent human vices and their manifestations. Many people believe humans are inherently noble beings, and only circumstances make them evil. Nothing could be further from the truth. People often dream of utopias where greed and selfishness do not affect social interactions. This has resulted in several dystopian societies, causing misery and the agonising death of countless innocent souls. Natural human reactions to potential threats to life and livelihood have been demonised and deemed hateful and regressive. Truth has now come to be known as ‘hate speech’.
The glorification of mediocrity and pseudo-egalitarianism
Participation trophies, affirmative action, diversity quotas and other endless ‘progressive’ sludge peddled by people who refuse to accept that their utopian vision of mythical equality does not exist in nature. Different people have different strengths and weaknesses. Some demographics have a natural advantage over others in specific fields. To refuse to acknowledge this and to push unqualified and incompetent people into ‘positions of power’ only worsens social problems. To insist that everyone, irrespective of biological, socio-cultural and economic factors, is equally capable of great things is to ensure the downfall of human civilisation. Would you like to be operated upon by a surgeon who happens to have become one due to some quota rather than his/her competence?
The loss of traditional anchors
As a young one, I used to hear my elders saying that the family is the fundamental unit of human society and that things like culture and religion act like adhesives binding us together. It appears that the basic unit has broken further into its components, which seem unable to thrive in isolation. The modern man is supposed to be an individual unit by himself, however detrimental that might be to his existence. The rise in the number of people leading lonely, isolated lives is alarming. Even more so is that this correlates to the increase in mental illness statistics, especially in young people. Without traditional support systems, modern man inevitably falls prey to the lure of materialism and other forms of external validation.
The vain pursuit of materialism and external validation
Barely a century ago, the common issues of mankind were related to survival, peace, harmony and general well-being. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find people disheartened by the lack of likes and comments on their social media activity. In the olden days, someone would be miserable due to loss of livelihood or the untimely demise of a loved one. Now, you can find people distressed because they cannot afford the latest gizmo that they do not even need. Broke people often overspend using readily available credit on things they do not need, only to show off their possessions to people who despise them. The things that would have been considered a luxury in the past seem to have become the bare necessities of life. So delusional, they believe that progress is the end goal. Over-reliance on external validation, whether through goods or social media reactions, inevitably results in misery.
The artificial life and the fragility of the modern man
The Industrial Revolution changed human lives immensely, mainly for the better. We have amenities that we wouldn’t have otherwise. We live longer, on average, and many terrible illnesses of the older times have become easy to cure. But as with everything else, there is a flip side to it as well. Urbanised lives often distance individuals from the rhythms of nature, which have historically offered solace and perspective. An early morning walk on the green grass with the cool breeze caressing you and the sweet songs of the birds can heal half your maladies. Alas, the modern man wakes up too late for all of this to happen, and even if he does, his surroundings are likely to be devoid of the natural environment. Life in the soulless concrete jungle can offer only so much joy to him before he succumbs to some mental illness, addiction, or both.
The chaos
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” This quote by the author G. Michael Hopf rings ever so true in modern times. We live in the fourth stage of this never-ending cycle of human societies. Absurd though it may seem to some, our hardships have been brought upon us by the advancements of the modern society that we are so proud of. By making life easy for us, our ancestors made living hard, for comfort weakens the spirit, while suffering makes us strong. The solution, however, does not lie in forsaking all that’s modern, comfortable and convenient but instead in finding our true selves.
The solution to the fragility of the modern man
As with most of the things I have discussed, the solution to the fragility of the modern man lies not in radical changes but in deep introspection and calculated action. I have spent most of my life trying to understand human nature, the uncomfortable truths, the causes of human suffering, and the futility of chasing happiness. I would advise you to find your own path by discovering your true nature and deepest needs. Here are a few pointers that may guide you:-
1. It is what it is – accept the cold, hard truth. Nothing can be gained from denying the obvious and believing a lie.
2. Attempt to become the best version of yourself. No matter where you stand, there is always scope for improvement.
3. Compare yourself to none but yourself. Doing otherwise will only cause mental and emotional hardship to you, maybe economic detriment.
4. The source of your happiness lies within you. Find it. Chasing earthly pleasures and social validation may give you a short-term spike of joy but will always hurt you in the long run.
5. Build meaningful relationships with people who affect you positively. Positive impact may also come in the form of constructive criticism. Embrace it.
6. Simple lifestyle changes can significantly impact your life, including spending more time in nature. A healthy mind needs a healthy body, and vice-versa.
I would love to know about your perspective on the ills that plague modern man. Please let me know your opinion in the comments, and share this article to spread the word.