By almost any objective measure, we live in a Golden Age. The poorest ten percent of Westerners today enjoy a standard of living today that our pre-WWII ancestors would have thought miraculous. In recent decades worldwide rates of extreme poverty have declined more quickly than at any other time in human history (from more than 60% of the world population pre-1970 to less than 10% today). Life expectancies are at all-time highs and accelerating at unprecedented rates. Crime, including violent crime, is down about 80% and currently rests at multi-decade lows in much of the developed world.
And yet subjectively the world is a basket case. People seem less happy now than at any time I can remember. Rates of anxiety and depression are at multi-decade highs. People are so psychologically fragile that simply electing the wrong President causes mass trauma and calls for “safe spaces”.
Our ancestors worked ten hour days in dark coal mines, lived through the Great Depression, fought and won two World Wars in which million and millions of innocents were slaughtered, witnessed the quick and successive assassinations of both popular and controversial politicians (Martin Luther King, Jack Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X, etc.), had little or no air conditioning or refrigeration, died at comparatively young ages, etc. And yet they were, at least in comparison to the current generation, comparatively happy and stable.
How do we explain this paradox?
I think Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs explains things nicely. Maslow recognized that humans are psychologically preoccupied, often times unconsciously, with need fulfillment. He also noticed that this need fulfillment follows a progression, or hierarchy, from physical needs (food, shelter and clothing) to safety/security needs (personal security, financial security, etc.) to social needs (friendship, intimacy and family), to esteem needs (recognition, status, respect) and finally to self actualization needs (identifying and fulfilling one’s complete potential). Until the first and most basic needs have been met (e.g., food and shelter) the subsequent needs go largely unrecognized and therefore unmanaged.
Said another way, our egos don’t really even know that our “higher” needs—like belonging, esteem and self actualization—exist until the more basic needs are first satisfied.
Is it any wonder then that, with humanity’s most basic needs largely satisfied for the first time in human history, we are now being confronted everywhere with higher needs like belonging, esteem and self-actualization? And, is it any wonder then that, having essentially zero experience contending with these previously unrecognized needs on a societal wide scale, humanity is struggling to find its place in the “new world”, and that this struggle is foreign and uncomfortable many individuals (resulting in anxiety and depression)?
In short, I think that our present anxiety and melancholy is entirely to be expected. It is truly a “first world problem”—a privilege largely denied to our ancestors. May we learn to sit with it and to develop the mental and physical tools (breathing, meditation, yoga, etc.) to outgrow it. Hopefully doing so won’t take humanity nearly as long as it took it to get to this privileged point.
How can we help humanity settle into its new place, to find itself? First and foremost we can encourage those suffering from anxiety, depression, agitation, etc. to just settle. To avoid lashing out. To avoid blaming others (politicians, parents, etc.) for their angst. And instead to just settle. To “let it be”. To deal with their own mortality and fragility. To admit their needs. To seek and offer connection.
This reminds me of something Tolstoy wrote. I don't remember the exact text but, basically, he, who was of noble ancestry as well as means, often preferred to be with peasants, worked alongside them, and he said something along the lines, that they never wonder about the purpose of their life, nor question happiness.
In that sense, as the standard of life has generally improved in our time, many now find themselves in the position which, in the old days, only a privileged few (or fewer) had. To ponder, to ask questions which don't have answers.
Furthermore, the connectivity of the internet, although beautiful and helpful, also creates a void, due to the illusion of connection. Even if the mind isn't consciously aware that is lacks real connection, our being (as a whole) knows this.
You wrote well but in my country people says : history contains only a repetition. I mean human beings never takes lessons from the history. Yesterday I watched a movie " when stalin dies" a dark comedy... Whatever the regime is if people are bad everything will be worse...and we know the Hitler already and Stalin... They had different ideas but both of them are bad... So as Aragorn said in his poem : good things will save the world // and all starts to love a human being.
Have a nice day..
It certainly explains Maslow's theory very well.
people's needs are unlimited, and after clearing the human need another need arises. The process of troubleshooting a need to be completely satisfied / satisfied with that situation is unlikely. During this time, the unmet need is a great source of motivation for the person. the individual is motivated and the individual shows great interest in what he has not yet achieved. However, after the need is overcome, this motivation towards this need loses its decisive influence on behavior . Maslow's hierarchy of needs is based on the principle that it is nonsense to meet the needs of the upper level without meeting the lower level needs.I liked the idea and the article very much Sean. People's consciousness may be possible by talking more about these kinds of topics. Thank you very much for writing.
If you have time, will you check my recent work? I made a picture you can love :) I know you like psychology and philosophy. Picture related to Freud's oedipus complex
We viscerally respond to perceived threats, just as our ancestors did, when hunting for food was a life-threatening excursion. These days the most dangerous thing most of us do is drive a car but our brains will still default to “fight, flight or freeze” when faced with danger and that’s what causes our cortisol levels to rise to unhealthy levels. There may be more anxiety about, but we are constantly coming up with new ways to combat it. The important thing is: if you don’t deal with it, anxiety can be seriously life-limiting, and that’s no fun at all.
Hope world becomes free from all this.
"In short, I think that our present anxiety and melancholy is entirely to be expected. It is truly a “first world problem”—a privilege largely denied to our ancestors. May we learn to sit with it and to develop the mental and physical tools (breathing, meditation, yoga, etc.) to outgrow it. Hopefully doing so won’t take humanity nearly as long as it took it to get to this privileged point." Healing point of view. Thank you!
Too much comfort or convinience actually leads to our own fragility, unconsciously. My view, I came here in Singapore about 5 yrs ago, originaly from the Philippines. The standard of living is entirely different, I came from a decent but not-wealthy childhood, everything was simple, not much technology or even luxury, although the basic neccesities are fullfilled. At the moment I'm living a much comfortable life compared to my childhood, but I can guarantee that I'm much happier before than now. Now, Im developing a habit to "complain", same as the society that surrounds me. Is it good? I dont think so. Is it encouraged by the society? I believe it is, it's for the improvement of the standard of living. When will it end? I hope that we get the satisfaction that we need or dream of. I agree that "to let it be" is the best approach to it.
Let's be satisfied and be happy to what we have.
Thanks for this insight. Utmost #respect to you Sir!
Resteemed
Very interesting point and all of a sudden a few things become very clear to me. I teach art one afternoon per week in a special needs school.. (sounds funny in this context).
Thing is, these kids are far less privileged than most others around here, some live in circumstances we'd actually describe as horrible. And although you can see, that they are often emotionally unstable, they are quite happy most of the time... It must be, that they "are busy" with covering the basic needs!
One time I asked them to paint their biggest wish. At first they all sat there and actually couldn't think of anything... I mean ask any teenager you know, what wishes they have..!
We worked hard on the subject and it turned out, that they first, don't take food, shelter and clothing) to safety/security needs (personal security, financial security, etc. for granted, like most of us do and in the end they were all dreaming of fulfilling their social needs! They wished for a family in order and friendship! Esteem needs self actualization needs didn't even exist for them...
Which leads me to believe, that dealing with those two levels doesn't necessarily bring more happiness like you say and can even be perceived as a struggle...
I'd peg it as Satanism. It's sad that so many humans and so many countries are broke. We can spend $250,000 on a child and not even teach them to read and write. I could go on. lol
this is the first time i read something interesting in steemit.
Could i ask you one thing?
I miss you man where are you now ? Are you okey?
I agree with you, sir @sean-king , but some African countries live in poverty and vulnerability and other countries die every day through aerial bombardment by Russia and Israel. I do not know why all this killing is something that is self-conscious.
On the other hand, I also agree with you on the psychological level, sometimes leading to suicide and this is the result of the aggravation of social problems and falls even when the rich knowing that they have everything available cars homes and money and yet commit suicide and we conclude that the money is not Standard for happiness.
From my point of view, I see worship and meditation as how God created this world and humans feel happy
Well said.. I believe it's the globalization of the world that is also contributing to it... Back then everyone mind their business and were satisfied with what they had but currently people are never satisfied . Social media now came and worsen the whole situation, people started living a fake life and the other parties starts getting sad that he has not achieved as much as the other party that he sees online.. The annoying part is how young people get depressed for lack of likes on their post... I was depressed last week due to some issues but I'm happy i got through it stronger.. I even made a post about it about an hour ago here on steemit... I just hope we will all learn to appreciate ourselves the way we are and stop comparing and competing.. I believe we will live a happier life that way.
Happy Sunday @sean-king
I think every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower level needs. Life experiences, including divorce and loss of a job, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy. Therefore, not everyone will move through the hierarchy in a uni-directional manner but may move back and forth between the different types of needs.
I agree completely. But I think a little bit of it has to do with less real interactions with people.
Social media was created to socialize or interact with people but it has done completely the opposite. It has restricted the real connections with people.
I live in a place where there's constant restrictions to internet, and I speak from experience that it feels much better when you don't have to care about where your phone is.
I spent more time with my family and was relatively happier.
just loved reading your article. what you said is so true comparing to our grand father generation we are less happy I do agree with that.
Sean-king very interesting reading... And i think you absolutely right abt this big issue (problem) especially the stop blaming! Never blame never judge.. We all have what we need within.. And all the answers.. No things or no one from outside can help us... Only owerself.. Bless you both and thanks for sharing 🙏
Did you meet up? Or nothing for the whales 🐳 haha...
I love this post.....
But the question is, how do we encourage people suffering from anxiety, agitation or depression when we ourselves are feeling the same way....
The menace runs deep into the system. Everyone going around with one form of frustration or the other...
Hello mr @sean-king
I need really your support I will appreciat
Thank you
Even if things are happier now, many are worried, often with good reason,about the future. Every day thoughts and images are blasted through the media that can cause even more worry and anxiety, often unrealistic and unnecessary. I live around generally well off working and middle class people, and many live with blown up expectation of calamity that becomes worse when it finally occurs to someone in their orbit. This can be lessened with less access to media and more face to face social interaction, but people are stuck in their safe lonely worry bubbles and sometimes getting out is a huge step.
There are still places, even in the US where the level of suffering and poverty just seems unfair. Los Angeles has gotten much better, but it still holds a bottomless pit of pain and suffering at it's core. Go from Berverly Hills and West LA to South Central and Skid Row and the difference will make you ill.
Great post, thank you for starting such a thoughtful discussion.
I don’t know if I believe the whole Maslow’s theory, but it certainly would be nice to wake up and not hear political babble from the media, or to think about the elites trying make power grabs on their own behalf’s. It is mind boggling what we are experiencing right now. 🐓🐓
I think people need to find the right balance for themselves to properly function in whatever context they find themselves in. If finding personal balance is too challenging in their current context, perhaps relocating to a different context that is more sustainable to one's being would be in order.
A lot of it really comes down to knowing yourself really well and applying the right strategies for optimal well being.
If you allow me, an opinion about the unhappiness that I have also felt and noticed to the people around me. I think it may have to do with the lifestyle we adopt in modern cities. Anyway, what I want to say is that a possible solution could be to return to our roots, to have contact with nature and reflect on how we complicate our existence with vanalidades. Thanks for the post. regards
little editing...i hope you like it
your writing is very clear and good.
very different with my posting.
I want to tell you a little bit,
in my country more than 280 million people.
220 million live below the poverty line.
this is all due to corrupt officials.
I see the development of the western world is very good
while in my country Indonesia,
it gets worse every day.
great your pos @sean-king
Here is still a hope for us if people do things you suggested. We are developing our countries but ignoring to develop ourselves. The stress and anxiety and many other problems became a common problem for people. It is not only first world country but also country like Bangladesh also suffer.
I believe that helping people with these situation is important unless a country can even go with wrong decision and suffer a long time.
Your thoughts are reflection of hope and humanity. Yes, the world had changed lot and is changing too. Human life is getting better and better and our knowledge is growing too.
I was reading a report about two months ago where I found more people are dying today because of overeating than the hunger or malnutrition. The deaths because of the suicides are more than violence and terrorism.
I think the individuals are more responsible for his life than asking for right to life. People need to make themselves adjustable for more sustainable development so that the future generations will benifit too.
You have an all rounded view of world with your thousand mega pixil eye, what is reflected by your photographic art too.
Very profund post Sean! When I think at my granny - she had a tough life and never complained, worked hard and so on. She didnt had the time searching for the "modern" needs of the false ego
Dear @sean-king, good day my friend, I hope you’re doing fine. I’m sending you this message about the project that I proposed to you months ago, a daily commitment that I’ve been running for a month now. The goal is to feature & reward good content creators and increase user retention to the Steemit platform. If you are still keen about this project, may I request for your support in a form of either upvote or SP delegation. Your support to the project will earn you a weekly symbolic return which we can discuss further. I’m hoping to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Hi.Let's follow eaxh other thank you :)