The Modern World vs. The Human Condition: Are We Living in the Wrong Society?
The Mismatch Between Evolution and Society
Human beings evolved over hundreds of thousands of years in small, tight-knit groups, living as hunter-gatherers and later transitioning into agricultural societies. These environments shaped our physical and psychological needs—active lifestyles, face-to-face social interactions, deep emotional bonds, and diets that were in tune with nature. However, the modern world is fundamentallly different from the environment in which we evolved, and this growing disconnect is leading to rising levels of mental illness, chronic disease, and social dysfunction..
The Consequences of Modern Living
The rapid advancements of the last few centuries have led to unprecedented levels of comfort, convenience, and technological capability. However, these same advancements have also introduced a series of unintended consequences that negatively impact the human biological and psychological state.
Indoor Working Conditions & Sedentary Lifestyles
The majority of people today spend their waking hours indoors, often under artificial lighting, staring at screens. This is a stark contrast to our evolutionary history, where humans spent most of their time outdoors, exposed to natural light, engaging in physical activity necessary for survival. A lack of movement leads to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.Decline of Face-to-Face Socialization
Our ancestors thrived in close-knit communities where strong relationships were necessary for survival. Today, we are more connected digitally than ever, yet social isolation has become a major problem. Social media provides an illusion of connection but lacks the depth of real human interaction, leading to increased loneliness, anxiety, and depression.Artificial Food & Nutrient Deficiencies
Modern food production prioritizes profit and convenience over nutritional value. Processed foods, laden with sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, dominate our diets. Compare this to the natural, whole foods consumed by our ancestors, and it’s clear why obesity, diabetes, and gut-related illnesses are rampant.Hyper-Consumerism & the Illusion of Happiness
The modern economy thrives on consumption. From fast food to social media, companies design products to be addictive, manipulating human psychology to keep people engaged and spending. This cycle leads to excessive consumption of material goods that provide short-term pleasure but no real fulfillment.
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The Rise of ‘Exported Communism’
While modern societies claim to embrace free-market capitalism, in reality, we are seeing a shift towards a model where corporations act as enforcers of government policies. Large companies, under government influence, impose regulations on individuals, restricting freedoms in ways that resemble authoritarian rule.
Take the COVID-19 lockdown measures, for example. While governments set the rules, businesses were the ones enforcing mask mandates, social distancing, and restricting access to public spaces. This is a dangerous precedent—if corporations are allowed to dictate personal behavior under government pressure, individual liberties can be eroded without direct governmental oppression.
Moreover, monopolies have become the inevitable result of matured capitalism. The promise of free-market competition no longer holds when a handful of companies dominate industries, dictating prices, policies, and even social norms.
A Radical Solution: Small, Self-Sustaining Communities
If modern society is incompatible with the human condition, what is the alternative? One possible solution is a return to small, self-sustaining communities, limited to about 200 people—similar to the tribal groups our ancestors lived in.
In this model, modern luxuries such as electricity, cars, and mass-produced goods would be abandoned. Instead, people would live in small communities where they are directly responsible for their own survival, fostering cooperation, self-sufficiency, and strong social bonds.
How Would These Communities Function?
Localized Food Production
Each community would grow its own food, utilizing modern knowledge of soil health, permaculture, and sustainable farming techniques. Without mass-produced processed foods, diets would return to their natural state, reducing obesity and chronic illnesses.Physical Labor & Active Lifestyles
Daily life would require physical work—farming, building, cooking, and gathering. This would naturally provide the exercise necessary for optimal health, without the need for artificial workouts or gym memberships.Strong Social Bonds & Meaningful Interactions
With only 200 people in a community, deep personal relationships would be inevitable. Cooperation and trust would be necessary for survival, leading to a sense of belonging, purpose, and reduced loneliness.Elimination of Mass Media & Consumerism
Without social media, advertisements, and hyper-consumerism, people would no longer be bombarded with the pressures of social comparison and material success. Instead, fulfillment would come from contributing to the well-being of the community.Freedom from Corporate & Government Control
Since each group would be self-sufficient, there would be little need for centralized governance or corporate influence. Decisions would be made at the local level, ensuring that the well-being of the community is prioritized over profit or political agendas.
Would This Actually Work?
While a shift to small, self-sustaining communities would solve many of the problems created by modern society, it would also require a significant shift in mindset. Many people have become dependent on convenience, technology, and centralized systems for survival. Returning to a more natural way of life would demand a willingness to give up many comforts in exchange for a more fulfilling existence.
However, history has shown that smaller societies tend to be more resilient and stable. When people are directly responsible for their own survival, they take greater care of their health, their environment, and each other.
Conclusion: A Choice Between Comfort and Fulfillment
The modern world offers many conveniences, but at the cost of our physical and mental well-being. Rising rates of depression, chronic illness, and social disconnection are symptoms of a society that is fundamentally at odds with human biology.
A return to small, self-sustaining communities may seem extreme, but it offers a compelling alternative to the unsustainable trajectory of modern civilization. It forces us to ask: Is the ultimate goal of life to maximize comfort, or is it to live in a way that is truly fulfilling?
If we continue on our current path, we may find that convenience has come at the cost of our humanity. But if we are willing to make sacrifices, we may rediscover a way of life that aligns with our natural state—one that fosters health, happiness, and genuine human connection.