The Progress Paradox: Why an Easier Life Might Not Be a Better Life
In the grand scheme of human history, it would be hard to argue that there has been a more transformative period than the one we are currently experiencing. In a handful of generations, we have witnessed the advent of technologies and innovations that have profoundly reshaped the way we live, making it safer, more secure, and easier than ever before. Yet, amid this progress, a paradox emerges.
In his insightful book “The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse”, Greg Easterbrook masterfully delves into a peculiar paradox of our modern era. Despite life being ostensibly better, safer, and more comfortable than at any other point in human history, as Easterbrook asserts, there appears to be a rising tide of discontentment, dissatisfaction, and anxiety that mars our collective well-being. This article explores this intriguing paradox further, influenced by Easterbrook’s seminal work, and points to what I call ‘The Evolution Gap’ as a significant contributing factor. The Evolution Gap refers to the divergence between our slow-paced genetic evolution and the fast pace of technological and social innovations. This gap has vast implications for our modern life experience. As we journey through this exploration, we will delve into various facets of life including physical health, parenting, romantic relationships…
