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| Image from: nationalgeographic.com |
Introduction
Modern civilization prides itself on its achievements — the eradication of many diseases, the automation of labor, and the creation of a globally connected society. But beneath this polished surface lies a more troubling truth: the very comfort we celebrate may be dismantling the core of our humanity. The world we live in is not just artificial — it’s fragile, dependent, and arguably unsustainable.
This article explores the argument that modern civilization, for all its benefits, has distanced us from the primal resilience and purpose that once defined our species. It presents a case for embracing natural living — even with its hardship — as a path toward physical, mental, and philosophical strength.
The Illusion of Progress
At a glance, modern civilization appears to be the pinnacle of human success. But dig deeper, and cracks begin to show. While we’ve developed technology that makes life easier, we’ve also created systems that shield us from nature, and in doing so, have removed the evolutionary pressures that once forced us to grow stronger.
According to evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond, agriculture — the very foundation of civilization — was “the worst mistake in the history of the human race,” arguing that it led to social inequality, poor nutrition, and disease (Diamond, 1987). Since then, modern life has drifted further away from natural rhythms.
A Fragile Population
Most people today live with no survival skills. They rely on centralized systems for food, water, shelter, and security. If those systems collapse — due to war, economic crash, or environmental disaster — most modern humans would not survive.
A 2015 study by the Royal Society estimated that over 80% of the global population would be unprepared for a long-term breakdown of infrastructure, with urban centers being most vulnerable (Royal Society, 2015).
By contrast, uncontacted or self-sufficient indigenous groups — such as the Sentinelese or Amazonian tribes — would likely continue living without disruption. Their independence from modern systems is precisely what makes them resilient.
The Epidemic of Mental Illness
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 1 in 8 people globally live with a mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most common (WHO, 2023). Paradoxically, these conditions are most prevalent in wealthy, developed nations.
Why are people depressed in a world of abundance?
Social scientist Sebastian Junger, in his book Tribe (2016), argues that modern society has stripped people of communal bonds, purpose, and natural struggle, leaving a spiritual void that technology cannot fill. He notes that hardship and belonging — not ease and isolation — are what lead to mental health and happiness.
Nature Builds Strength — Civilization Rewards Dependency
In a natural environment, strength, adaptability, and knowledge of the land determine survival. In modern life, it’s algorithms, wealth, and paperwork. The skills of nature have been replaced by the comforts of bureaucracy.
Clinical psychologist Jordan B. Peterson often stresses that meaningful life comes from voluntary confrontation with difficulty, not avoidance. Without challenges, individuals lose their capacity to endure. Civilization, in trying to protect everyone, may be unintentionally disabling them.
Consider the rise of “failure to launch syndrome” — young adults unable to function independently despite access to education and technology. This trend, now being studied globally, is not caused by poverty or oppression — it is caused by excess comfort.
The Case for Natural Living
Natural or “primitive” lifestyles, though marked by hardship, often feature higher levels of physical health, lower rates of chronic disease, and stronger communal bonds.
A study of the Tsimane people of Bolivia, for example, found them to have some of the healthiest hearts ever recorded — virtually no cardiovascular disease even into old age, attributed to their physically active, natural lifestyle (The Lancet, 2017).
Anthropological research also shows that many tribal societies report higher subjective happiness, more social cooperation, and less inequality than modern cities (Sahlins, 1972).
The Moral of the Story
Civilization is not inherently evil. It has saved lives, created art, and spread knowledge. But it has also:
Isolated us from each other.Made us dependent on systems we don’t control.
Rewarded comfort over resilience.
Replaced natural meaning with artificial pleasure.
And when systems like this fail — whether in Rome or Silicon Valley — the only people left standing are those who never stopped learning how to survive.
We don’t need to abandon civilization — but we do need to remember what it cost us.
Conclusion
Modern life is a dream — but a fragile one.
It has dulled our instincts, weakened our bodies, and numbed our minds.
True strength is not comfort. It’s struggle.
And perhaps the greatest act of rebellion in this artificial world… is to live naturally.
References
Diamond, Jared. The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race, Discover Magazine, 1987.The Royal Society. Resilience to Extreme Weather, 2015.
World Health Organization. World Mental Health Report, 2023.
Junger, Sebastian. Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, Twelve, 2016.
Peterson, Jordan B. 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, 2018.
Kaplan, H. et al. Coronary atherosclerosis in indigenous South American Tsimane, The Lancet, 2017.