It is known
that factors affecting security, anxiety and life are forces of nature; realities
regarding the frailty of the human body; and the irrational aspects of society.
it can be debated whether or not the
advancement of society has contributed to reducing or increasing man’s anxiety
which this essay addresses. It’s apparent that there have been tremendous
intellectual and technical advances made within the last century. However, it can
also be argued that man’s emotional development, based on behavior, has
remained in the Stone Age.
Man has been
somewhat successful in dealing with nature such as “knowing” the path of
hurricanes with its algorithms statistics . Also, we now have apps that inform
us regarding the location of fire. In fact, if we lose energy or electricity,
we can purchase a generator to alleviate the disruption of our routines. We
might even be able to purchase
homeowners insurance that covers earthquakes, flood damage, fire etc. We also
can go green by purchasing solar, electric cars etc. However, global warming
affects us currently; and the destruction of our planet are predictions for our
future. This threat clearly raises the anxiety level of many Homo sapiens despite
current feeble political attempts for combating this potential catastrophic
problem. With all the “warning” devices, reminded me of the study by Joseph
Brady in the 50s. Simply, one group of monkeys were provided with continuous
regular scheduled electrical shocks and another group of monkeys learned they
could press a lever to avoid the shock. The monkeys with the control [pressing
a lever] developed more ulcers than the other group. Better not be a monkey.
Regarding
aging, there have been wonderful medical advances including diagnosis,
medication, prevention and rehabilitation. Some societies have actually
increased the lifespan of their inhabitants. However, other societies,
subgroups, and others have done harm to their bodies and in the process
shortened their lifespan. Despite all the information regarding health, health
plan insurance, diets, food plans, health clubs, pools and apps that measure physical activity,
many people do not do well as evidenced by obesity, various medical illnesses, alcohol and drug or opioid abuse
and the dramatic increase in homicide
and suicide rates. In other words, despite intellectual advancement, man’s
emotional, rational thinking and objectivity remain barriers .He prevents
optimal living by not taking better care of his body. For instance, food consumption often serves as
a medicinal way of filling emotional needs and voids. The everyday reality is troublesome
{anxiety} and that interferes with rational choice as evidenced by mortality statistics.
Instead man employs too many every day illusions and rationalizations for
effective living
Society and
its political divide have created more difficulties. Within the 20th century we
had totalitarian regimes and world wars. Democracy came to the rescue during
that time. There were a number of reasons for the rise of totalitarian regimes
that included, but not limited to an economic depression; humiliation and
promises of revenge for a World War I defeat; a character structure that had a
deep respect for order, obedience, dependence, suggestibility and authority;
persuasive, exploitive, sadistic political figures with their seductive
promises and lies of nationalistic strength and ridding society of its others
and undesirables. The anxiety, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness factored
in and resulted in submission and dependence on a leader that was going to
rescue the day. Thus, feelings of anxiety, helplessness, insignificance and inability
to control one’s life were psychological factors of the day.
Today,
although we are not engaged in a world war, we’ve been at battle in the Middle
East since 2001. Like yesterday, we have another current enemy that have been
called terrorists, Isis, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria etc. In fact we have been
involved in regime change, use of military, tax dollars, and diplomacy to fix
that situation. Yet somehow, it can be argued that the powerful have
perpetuated these wars to protect their interests-oil and the
military-industrial complex with the result of continued stress.
Yesterday,
Jews, people of color, LGBT, Gypsies and others were hated and scapegoated and
blamed for economic hard times. Today, hate crimes against Jews, immigrants,
and Muslims dominate statistically; people of color are also discriminated
against; homeless, and refugees leaving their homelands continue to make the
news. Walls, refugee camps, National Guard, sadistic remarks, chain-link
detention centers etc. are discriminatory strategies to protect. I’m not sure
what we’re protecting, but we are scapegoating all the “undesirables” and
perpetuating hatred.
Yesterday,
we had the great depression and economic hardship. Today, we have the record
for the greatest income inequality; loss of manufacturing jobs; trade wars, increasing
automation; record numbers of homeless, inadequate minimum wage and absence of
benefits affecting many in our society. Yesterday, a high school graduate
earned decent wages .Today college debt and being overqualified seem to be the
norm. With less worker unions, wage earners have meager protection against the
giant corporations with feelings of insignificance and powerlessness.
Yesterday,
one had to cower under their school desk, head to the school basement, lineup
orderly to walk outside to deal with the threat of fire and nuclear annihilation.
Today, the teacher might go to the target range; lock the classroom door; teach
her students about hiding places and report suspicious activity among fellow
students. Get a gun to protect yourself. Gun violence in schools is one current
threat for pupils of the day.
Yesterday,
we had the radio and television. Today we have electronics and social media
dependence. Don’t leave home without your smart cell phone, iPod, navigation
device etc. Not only are we more
dependent on these devices, we are at the mercy of the hacking by some
government or individual to take our money, manipulate our grid, interfere with the transportation network , mess up our
satellites, and raise havoc with our military. This is all scary stuff.
It’s clear
to me, that psychologically, anxiety, fears, insignificance, meaning,
dependence and submission remain significant today. With that being said, it’s
no wonder that narcissistic self-serving, Elmer Gantry type histrionic
individuals continue to remain a threat. The Pied Piper of today, like
yesterday, has had little difficulty fooling and deceiving his flock based on
their unresolved needs. They continue to go along with the program regardless
of intelligence, rationality or morality. The faithful remain. Anxiety is one
major variable or cause. Man’s cruelness toward man perpetuated by anxiety
driven behavior continues regardless of century. The pursuit of security, peace,
and happiness continue to be illusions for the masses. Anxiety, worry and fear
are still present regardless of the present form of democracy and capitalism.