What man has achieved technically is incredible. He has walked on the moon, built computers, TVs, mobile telephones, fast reliable cars, huge fast ships, satellite location systems, massive aircraft capable of carrying tons of payload. He has irradicated many illnesses, and can transplant organs. The list of scientific achievements is phenomenal and all this technology is so cheap and widely available.
What he has achieved socially is disappointing to say the least. Even in the rich European countries, Japan and the USA, poverty, hunger and social problems such as drugs, crime and unemployment are far from solved and the situation is getting worse.
Superficially the rich lucky few have the ultimate lifestyle: the best that this modern world can offer. The reality is that by working so hard for wealth and 'technical toys', he nolonger has enough time to enjoy family, friends, hobbies and these 'technical toys'. So even here for the few at or near 'the top', life should be so much better.
What man has achieved technically is fantastic. Socially his living conditions, happiness and 'quality of life' are appalling by comparison.
As we move down the social and economic scale the situation is worse - working harder, longer hours but for fewer 'technical toys' and luxuries. Many are working all hours to live just above poverty, or achieving little else with their life except work. Meanwhile, the unemployed have lots of time but insufficient wealth to enjoy their leisure. The whole social structure, laws, rules, priorities, etc. 'force' or encourage many into crime, drugs, destitution and prostitution, meanwhile the police and enforcement agencies can do little to contain, let alone cure, the problem.
In the 'third world' or developing countries the situation is worse. Ironically - in my experience - people of poorer countries seem happier, have more time, are more friendly, helpful and spiritually content.
All this technology - as fantastic as it is -
has not solved man's problems nor made him happy!
Today despite man's 'intelligence', war and violence are still the 'preferred way' of solving disputes and ensuring access to the world's resources. At the same time, through pollution, destruction and plundering of the world's resources he risks obliterating not just mankind, but all life on the planet.
In this the 21st Century it is time that man created an Epicurian society:
a society and lifestyle as fantastic as his technical achievements.
|