Modern society

Today's society has experienced tremendous technological advances, making it one of the most important stages in human history. That same society in which we live is one of the most materialistic, soulless, and ignorant that humanity has seen in a long time.

Now, let's get one thing straight. This isn't a nostalgic blog focused on idealising the past. We won't discuss the improved quality of life for humans, which can easily be observed by comparing life expectancy in the past with that of today. Almost everything that doesn't relate to health issues is worthy of my criticism. And please bear in mind that this is largely subjective. I'll read your opinion as long as you present it respectfully.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and the rates of this disease have increased by 25% since the pandemic. What is the reason for such a dramatic increase? Of course, in a rapidly advancing society driven by consumption and technology, depression has found an easy way to spread.

We're the most connected society thanks to technology, but, ironically, we're also more individualistic than ever. Our new culture promotes self-sufficiency and neglects the value of deep relationships. Many people feel lonely, which increases their sense of isolation and contributes to developing or aggravating symptoms of depression. On the other hand, isn't the space around us fundamental when it comes to forming relationships? Life in cities from an urban planning perspective: fewer public spaces, cities dominated by cars, everything revolving around consumption... And how can we forget our fast-paced lifestyle and digital hyper-connectivity?

Let's talk about that last point: fast-paced lifestyle and digital hyper-connectivity.

We're becoming terribly boring because we prefer convenience. Art, patience, identity? Nonsense! Let's fill everything with bland brown or grey boxes. It's not that I have a problem with just modern architecture being focused on extreme simplicity and a lack of meaning beyond the pragmatic; in fact, I do have a problem with the vast majority of things for that very reason. And I don't buy the ‘there's a high demand for products, so we can't afford to spend an eternity individually decorating expensive products to make them look pretty’ excuse. If we take an example such as street lamps, which used to be decorated, we realise that these were also mass-produced. From street lamps with simple lines that made them look different to street lamps that resemble neoclassical sculptures: the price and production time are almost identical to today's. What sets them apart, of course, is that the former has a soul, humanity and identity, while the latter is simply a product. Nothing else. It seems like a very specific example, but the problem of the lack of identity and humanity in things encompasses TOO many things today, especially due to the rise of generative AI. The problem I'm trying to expose is not that not everything has humanity, but that almost nothing seems to have it.

Of course, that would imply making something without financial gain. What a paradox in our society! All that matters is usefulness, and giving something identity takes too much time, right? Everything has to be fast and immediate. Anything that takes more than 10 minutes to do is a complete waste of time. In fact, what the hell are you doing reading this blog, you lazy sod? Shouldn't you be doing something PRODUCTIVE? At least put a video on in the background! Go and apply for three different jobs! Have breakfast while reading a self-help book while writing an email while solving the Riemann hypothesis! What? Are you bored? Unacceptable! Boredom is banned from this space. Being bored is evil. Open Instagram Reels immediately.

We look for a quick sedative to shut down our minds while we drown in all these problems. Initially conceived as tools to bring people together, they've become one of the main triggers of personal dissatisfaction, inability to concentrate, lack of creativity, probably collective stupidity, and loneliness. Watch this video and learn how to be more masculine because you don't need anyone, you just need THE GYM! Watch this video and learn how to be a cute, pretty girl with a flat stomach and flawless skin! Watch this video of a leftist being humiliated! Watch this other one of a right-winger being crushed! Watch this video and let me tell you what you should think and what you should hate based on your preferences.

We sinners have learned to be even more intolerant of all sinners who don't sin like us, thanks to the algorithmic content of social media, which is presumably one of the best automatic money-making machines for multinational corporations. More interactions between people wishing each other death for liking a different ice cream flavour equates to more profits. It also equates to potentially fragmenting society into small isolated groups full of people who are sceptical about meeting new people for fear of rejection (or those same people are the ones who reject those who are different). We haven't left room for sharing differing opinions. I'm not asking you to be friends with someone you don't agree with at all, I'm just asking for a minimum of mutual respect, whether you understand their way of thinking or not. On paper it seems simple, but few people are immune to having thrown hate at someone who has done nothing to you instead of simply ignoring them. It's more normalised than we think not to express ourselves for fear of the crazy things people will say to us, especially because anyone can be anonymous behind a screen.

In fact, I find it silly that I had to clarify above that this is entirely subjective and that I'd like to be respected, because many people seem unaware of the difference between an opinion and a primarily objective article, yet they'll threaten you regardless if they disagree instead of presenting arguments peacefully.

And those are just some of the problems in modern society that concern me the most. There are topics I would like to explore in more depth later on. I like to see this almost as a vent, because I have to admit that, honestly, this lifestyle is slowly wearing me down and I'm starting to notice it more and more. But at the end of the day, this is the world we live in, and only those who are able to adapt can survive in it. One way or another I guess.