Flourish FM Episode #62: Is Our Modern Civilization Helping or Hindering Flourishing? Insights and Answers with Dr. Christopher Ryan
Dec 10, 2024
Dr. Christopher Ryan, a renowned author and researcher known for his bestsellers 'Sex at Dawn' and 'Civilized to Death,' joins the discussion to challenge our understanding of modern civilization. He highlights the detrimental effects of social isolation and the impact of technology on mental health. Chris contrasts modern lifestyles with the communal values of hunter-gatherer societies, advocating for the importance of community and simplicity. He also encourages listeners to redefine 'enough' in a consumer-driven world, emphasizing personal autonomy and well-being.
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The Price of Progress
- Modern "progress" harms our well-being physically, psychologically, and socially.
- We are less healthy, more isolated, and find less meaning than our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
Progress as a Disease
- "Progress" is like a disease: systemic and worsening, driven by corporate incentives.
- Corporations prioritize profit over human well-being, creating environmental and health problems.
Tribe Visits London
- A BBC journalist took a PNG tribe to London, but they found little value in Western life.
- They preferred their simpler lifestyle and only valued the concept of feathered arrows.
