Modern life is pretty much a mix of good and bad. There are so many feelings we associate with our lives in the modern world. On the one hand, we are seemingly living on the pinnacle of comfort and happiness; on the other, modern life is fraught with the many tensions and anxieties that come with advancement. In this essay, we will look at all the effects, good and bad, that modern life has on our well-being.
Positive effects of modern life:
More freedom
To begin with, modernity has brought about a lot more freedom. Especially for women, but it is true for all genders. Think about the lives of common people in times when monarchy was prevalent in most places. There was little to no freedom of expression, and people lived under the rule of thumb of their kings and queens, daily being subjected to the whims and fancies of their rulers. Rebellion was quickly suppressed, and it was only through much bloodshed that people got their demands met, if at all. Women, especially, were subjected to much torture. From witch hunts and sati to the more recent practice of no letting women vote, they were the especially oppressed lot. The advent of the modern age, however, put an end to such evil practices as people became more broad minded. Today, the third gender is recognized in their own right, and holds an important place in society in most countries.
Technological advancement
The contribution of technology in the advent of modernity cannot be undermined. Thanks to technological advances, we are today able to enjoy every luxury known to man. We live in air-conditioned homes and enjoy a varied and smooth transport system. We are able to communicate with people living in far off corners of the world, and can gather news about what is happening in distant parts of the world at a moment’s notice.
Longer lifespan
Modern life has brought with it a great potential of being healthy and living longer than our predecessors. Even less than a century back, life expectancy was dismally short. In the early 1900’s, men rarely lived beyond the age of 40, and women lived even shorter, possibly unhealthier lives. Today, however, life expectancy has drastically improved, thanks to more availability of genetically modified, more nutritious foods, and also due to the advent of modern medicine. Today, the field of medicine can create wonders. Transplants and medication has reached almost god like levels, and barring a few diseases, most illnesses have become eminently curable with correct and timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Disease control is also becoming easier thanks to the invention of vaccines.
Negative effects of modern life:
Modern life has also brought its own set of pitfalls.
Rising population
Better healthcare, increased awareness, and health consciousness has led to a drastic increase in the world’s population. There are more people being born each day than deaths occurring. This is becoming increasingly dangerous for the world, since the possibility of food shortage and lack of space is becoming an imminent threat. Higher population also increases competition among people for the best resources, be it in terms of food and shelter, or in terms of employment.
Rising psychological disorders
With the rise in population, every person has to compete with a million others. There are many candidates vying for the same position in the same workspace, which has led to drastically increased competition. Naturally, this has brought with it the inevitable side effect of running the rat race- anxiety and associated diseases. A huge section of the world’s population suffers from anxiety disorders, stress related issues, and depression. This does not only lead to psychological problems, but spills over to one’s physical health as well. Stress related disorders include very physical and potentially fatal conditions such as ulcers, high blood pressure, and cardiac problems. There is competition in every sphere, and it is instilled in childhood, with the child becoming competitive in terms of academic performance, extracurricular activities, and even appearance.
Poor health
Modern life is synonymous with the concept of fast food, which perfectly suits the idea of living life in the fast lane. Paradoxically, though, such foods are often extremely unhealthy, and since a lot of people continuously live off such foods, this has led to an increase in the incidence of potentially life threatening diseases such as cancers, ulcers, diabetes, high blood pressures, and cardiovascular problems. With machines doing a lot of work and an excellent transport system being available, life has also become mostly sedentary, which contributes to bad health.
Life in the modern world in unbelievably convenient, but it comes with its own set of thorns. It is important for us to make sure that we enjoy the comforts in moderation, and at times go on a detox by staying away from the luxurious amenities provided to us by modernity.
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