If we realistically assess the present condition of the culture of consumption, it seems likely that this culture, too, will disappear- also a victim of progress, but after a very brief and preposterous career. The important question is: How will the culture of consumption go? Will it be forced to gradually transform itself into a new primitive culture, or will it go out with a total, catastrophic collapse. leaving a shattered world from which a new primitive culture will painfully evolve? Om either event, it may be predicted that in the long run, if humanity survives, primitive culture will be restored as the most viable human adaptation.
Victims of Progress
John Bodley - Victims of Progress
"If we realistically assess the present condition of the culture of consumption, it seems likely that this culture, too, will disappear- also a victim of progress, but after a very brief and preposterous career. The important question is: How will the culture of consumption go? Will it be forced to gradually transform itself into a new primitive culture, or will it go out with a total, catastrophic collapse. leaving a shattered world from which a new primitive culture will painfully evolve? Om either event, it may be predicted that in the long run, if humanity survives, primitive culture will be restored as the most viable human adaptation."
What exactly does Bodley mean by the term "victims of progress"?
There are many ways in which an individual can be considered a victim of progress. The level of development of society is bringing an entirely new set of challenges to the sustainability of the entire planet. There are undoubtedly limits to the carrying capacity of the Earth and many of these thresholds are being crossed; if not crossed already. Therefore one set of perspectives would consider the victimization to be those of geophysical constraints in regards to pollution and quality of life issues related to the environment people live in.
However, you could also perceive to be the victim of progress along social or psychological lines as well. Many groups are able to access a wide array of communication technology however they use these instead of actual face-to-face communication. Therefore, the quality of life is also diminished though weaker and less fulfilling relationships. One study found by administering a total of 312 surveys along with 259 valid profiles from addicted users, which again supported significant levels of depression to be associated with pathological Internet use (Young).
2) How and in what ways can we be victims of progress if we are not members of small-scale societies?
Our society is a victim of progress partly because our consumerist ideology that is constantly bombarding use with the need to be fashionable consumerists. As a result, members of our society are constantly focused on some of the more superficial aspects of life such as shopping and reality tv among many others. During the pursuit of the superficial, many individuals have lost touch with their cultural heritage and much of the wisdom that has been passed down through the ages. The culture has declined from the Enlightenment in which Philosophy and Arts were valued, to something that has far less depth at least in regards to the culture as a whole.
Victims of progress continue to adapt to the society's changing ways without regard for the disadvantages to progress. Many traditions and customs have been replaced to accommodate our civilizations political, and ideological changes. However, despite whatever the social ramifications may be, the ecological degradation of our planet makes the civilization, as whole, victims of progress.
3) What aspects of the life of small-scale societies should be part of the solution to the problems that humanity is presently facing?
Life in a small-scale has many advantages over some of the issues found in a large scale society. One example is the preparation and consumption of food. In many, not all, small-scale societies the food is grown organically and locally. This has been shown to have higher nutritional content as well as void of the negative effects that are found relative to processed food sources. One study examined the relationship between diet and subsite-specific colon cancer was investigated using dietary histories obtained from a statewide, population-based sample of 152 proximal colon cancer patients, 201 distal colon cancer patients and 618 general population controls and found that the results support recommendations that the "prudent diet" (low-fat, high-vegetable) may reduce colon cancer risk (Young and Wolf). Since small-scale societies generally have a pretty reasonable diet then this could be considered an advantage.
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