In today's world, the internet, for instance, arguably makes us better off than before, yet worse off as well. For example, almost everyone nowadays enjoys, at least to an extent, the easily available online conveniences of e-mailing; online shopping or bill-paying, web surfing, etc. However (also as a result of such technological convenience) many of us have grown so dependent on computers that if our home, school, or work computers crash, contract a virus, or otherwise cease to function, our productivity immediately ceases. Who has not experienced being unable to acquire a much-needed a bank account of credit card balance; enroll in a course, or check availability of a particular good or service because "the computer is down" at that time? Such everyday occurrences provide real-life examples of the "down side" of "modernity."
Physical fitness levels among average Americans have also taken a nose dive, and obesity levels have climbed, due in large part to "modern" conveniences like having a McDonald's, or Burger King on every street corner, combined with the decreased necessity, in most parts of America, to walk to work, school, baseball practice, etc. Twentieth and early 21st century modernity had so far also included: space travel; television, and other mass media. In terms of entertainment (a primary preoccupation of the bourgeoisie, not only today, but throughout world history) modernity is in constant flux. In middle to late 19th century America, the (then cutting-edge) works of Walt Whitman; Emily Dickinson, and
Similarly, yesterday's simplicities are replaced by today's complexities. The gas oven (yesterday's kitchen "miracle") has been replaced in most modern kitchens by the microwave oven. The microwave lets less time escape before one's meal is ready (but some of the flavor escapes, too). Some welcome such changes; others yearn for the "good old days." Some changes represent real improvements; others do not. Few improvements, of any kind, however, come without at least some drawbacks.
The vast majority of us are better off in terms of our health, longevity, and health care options. We are worse off, though, in terms of workplace stress and a lack of extended family and community support enjoyed by past generations. We are more independent, but also more alienated. We have more leisure time, but (perhaps as a result) we also exhibit more depression; addiction; violence toward others (and ourselves), and general discontentment with life. We have more than we have ever had before, and live, on average, better than ever before, yet we still desire more, faster, and better lifestyle options. We have more time to think and plan than our grandparents probably did, but we do not necessarily use this extra time to think positive or constructive thoughts, or to plan wisely or carefully for ourselves or others.
The vast majority of us, then, I believe, are better off, in some key ways, due to modernity, yet worse off in other key ways. It has likely been that way throughout human history. In today's world, for instance, if we use the presence of, or capability for, weapons of mass destruction to effectively prevent global violence against ourselves and each other, we will all be safer and better off. But should we use those same weapons of mass destruction to annihilate each other, we will perish. Modernity in and of itself, then, I feel, is never independently either good or bad. Instead, the benefits (or the lack thereof) of various inventions or capabilities modernity brings us depend on how constructively (or not) we decide to use them.
