Table of Contents
In our relentless pursuit of progress, we often pause to ask ourselves: Are we truly developed? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Let’s reflect on how our definition of development has evolved over time, and what we may have lost along the way.
The Evolution of Our Priorities
Long ago, we used to walk miles to save money. Now we use the fastest and costliest means to save time. Our ancestors valued frugality and simplicity, while we prioritize convenience and efficiency at any cost. Time has become our most precious commodity, and we’re willing to pay increasingly higher prices to preserve it.
At times, we used to talk to each other, face-to-face, sharing moments of genuine connection. Now we ping each other—quick text messages, emojis, and abbreviations that serve as pale substitutes for real conversation. Our communication has become efficient but perhaps less meaningful.
The Transformation of Connection
At times, we used to wait eagerly for the call of a dear one, savoring the anticipation and cherishing the moment when it finally came. Now we make mobile calls in seconds, instantly gratifying our desire for connection but perhaps diminishing the sweetness that comes with waiting.
At times, we used to play long hours in the ground, feeling the earth beneath our feet, the sun on our skin, and the joy of physical exertion. Now we play online games sitting at home, our fingers tapping screens while our bodies remain sedentary. We’ve gained virtual worlds but lost touch with the real one.
The Commodification of Nature
At times, we used to have enough quantity of milk from animals that lived natural lives. Now we breed hybrids to get abundant milk for use, prioritizing quantity over quality and the natural order.
At times, people used seeds from the fruits to cultivate, participating in the eternal cycle of growth and renewal. Now we cultivate seedless fruits or fruits with useless seeds, interrupting this cycle for our convenience and creating dependency on commercial seed providers.
The Price of Progress
All the things we thought free in the past have become sources of income now, making them never free again. The water we drink, the ground we play on, even the air we breathe (oxygen inhalers)—all commodified, all with a price tag.
The Paradox of Development
Yet we are developed. We have incredible technology, amazing medical advances, and unprecedented access to information. But at what cost? Have we developed in the ways that truly matter?
As we move further into this technologically advanced era, perhaps the real measure of development isn’t how far we’ve moved from our natural state but how well we’ve preserved our humanity within it. Progress that distances us from human connection, from nature, and from the simple joys of life might not be progress at all.
True development might mean finding a balance—embracing the conveniences of modern life while maintaining the depth of human experience that makes life worth living. It might mean recognizing that some things from our past are worth preserving, not because we fear change, but because they nurture aspects of our humanity that technology cannot replace.
So, are we developed? Yes, but perhaps not in all the ways that matter most. The challenge before us is not to reject progress but to direct it toward enhancing rather than diminishing our humanity—to become developed in the fullest sense of the word.
What do you think?
Has modern development enhanced your life, or are there aspects of simpler times that you miss? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
- Are We Truly Developed? The Paradox of Modern Progress – April 21, 2025
- Destiny and Karma: Why We Must Work for What Is Destined – April 17, 2025
- How to Treat a Friend and an Enemy – April 10, 2025
Leave a Reply Cancel reply