Is Human Evolution Falling behind the Advance of Technology?

By Wayne Persky

​The rapid pace of technological advancement and modernization is outstripping the slow process of human evolution, leading to significant adverse effects on our lives, well-being, and societal stability. This phenomenon, termed evolutionary mismatch, occurs when traits that evolved under previous environmental conditions become maladaptive in the current environment. A recent article published on a phys.org webpage outlines several ways this mismatch appears to be affecting us, and its impact on contemporary issues, including the increasing prevalence of antisocial behavior (Yong, 2024, June 3).[1]​

Some of the issues discussed in the article include, for example.

1. Our sweet tooth — Our ancestors' preference for sweet, calorie-rich foods helped survival in nutrient-scarce environments. But in today's world, this preference leads to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay due to mass-produced sugary foods.
   
   
2. Our social structure -- Humans evolved in small, kin-based tribes, fostering strong social bonds and a sense of belonging. Large, impersonal cities cause loneliness and social isolation, increasing stress and mental health issues.
   
   
3. Crowding and stress — Studies show that social animals in crowded environments suffer from stress, reduced immune function, and lower fertility. People in crowded cities experience similar stress and health problems.
   
   
4. Social inequality and status anxiety — Humans are sensitive to social status, which helped in small, egalitarian societies. Extreme wealth disparities and media focus on the rich heighten status anxiety, leading to unhealthy behaviors like incurring debt to appear affluent.
   
   
5. The role of social media — Social media often presents an idealized version of life, increasing feelings of inadequacy. Likes and followers on social media intensify social comparisons and anxiety.
   
   
6. Behavioral trends — Status anxiety drives obsessions with education, prestigious jobs, and material wealth. To cope with societal pressures, people engage in risky investments and dangerous cosmetic procedures.
   
   
7. Changing life goals — Due to high living costs, younger generations are shifting focus from traditional goals like homeownership and starting a family to maintaining mental and physical health.​
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8. Mental health issues — Intense societal demands lead to anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, self-harm and antisocial behavior. Perceived social injustices can result in cynicism, aggression, and hostility, as seen in "incel" communities.

Did we learn anything from the book "Future Shock"?

Alvin Toffler's 1970 book, "Future Shock," explores the disorienting effects of rapid technological and societal changes on individuals and societies. Toffler argues that the accelerated rate of change leads to "future shock," a state of distress and disorientation caused by an overload of new information and technology that individuals struggle to adapt to. Some of his key concepts include:

1. Accelerating rate of change — Toffler emphasizes how the exponential rate of change in technology and society outpaces human adaptability, leading to stress and disorientation.
   
   
2. Cultural lag — The gap between the rapid development of technology and the slower adaptation of societal norms and institutions.
   
   
3. Information overload — The overwhelming amount of information individuals must process, leading to decision paralysis and anxiety.
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4. Transience issues — A sense of impermanence in relationships, jobs, and locations due to constant change, causing instability and insecurity.​

Toffler appears to have been right on target.

We currently appear to be experiencing evolutionary mismatch. Modern environments, drastically differ from those in which our ancestors evolved, and those differences create significant adverse effects on mental health, social stability, and well-being. We're now dealing with widespread:

1. Mental health issues and stress — Modern urban environments and societal pressures contribute to loneliness, stress, depression, and anxiety.
   
   
2. Social inequality and status anxiety — The disparity between past egalitarian societies and current social inequalities fuels anxiety and unhealthy behaviors.
   
   
3. Changing life goals — Younger generations are adjusting life goals due to the pressures of modern society, leading to dissatisfaction and unfulfillment.
   
   
4. Antisocial behavior — The pressure to succeed contributes to mental health issues and antisocial behaviors, disrupting social harmony.​
   
   
5. Need for mitigation strategies — Aligning modern environments with our evolved nature through urban planning, reduced consumerism, and mindfulness practices.

What did we learn from "rat utopia"?

Between 1968 and 1970, American ethologist John B. Calhoun experimented with rats, particularly his famous "rat utopia" or "Universe 25" experiments. His experiments provided several insights into the dynamics of population behavior under conditions of overcrowding and social stress.

Calhoun observed what he termed the "behavioral sink," a collapse in social behavior due to overcrowding. Despite having unlimited resources (food, water, and shelter), the rats exhibited severe social breakdowns as population density increased.

Overcrowding led to the emergence of various social pathologies among the rats, including:
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1. Aggression — Increased instances of violence and aggression.
2. Submissiveness — Some rats became overly passive and withdrawn.
3. Social Withdrawal — Many rats became isolated, avoiding social interactions.
4. Abnormal Sexual Behavior — Disruptions in mating behaviors, with some rats showing a complete lack of interest in reproduction.
5. Maternal Neglect — Mothers neglected their young, leading to high infant mortality rates.

Despite the availability of resources, the rat population eventually stopped growing and began to decline. The breakdown in social behaviors meant that the population could no longer sustain itself.

In normal conditions, rats form social hierarchies and territories. In the overcrowded environment, these social structures broke down, leading to chaotic and unpredictable behaviors.​

Calhoun suggested that his findings could have implications for understanding human societies, especially in terms of urbanization and population density. He hypothesized that similar social stresses and breakdowns could occur in human populations under extreme conditions of overcrowding.

In conclusion

​The concept of evolutionary mismatch highlights the profound impacts of the rapid pace of technological advancement and modernization on human well-being and societal stability. As Alvin Toffler predicted in "Future Shock," the accelerated rate of change is causing significant stress and disorientation, contributing to widespread mental health issues, social inequality, and antisocial behavior.​

And these challenges are surely exacerbated by the disparity between our evolved traits and the demands of contemporary urban environments. To address these issues, we need to design modern environments that align more closely with our evolved nature, incorporating strategies such as nature immersion, minimalism, and mindfulness. By doing so, hopefully we will be able to enhance our mental and physical well-being and foster more stable and harmonious societies.

References

1. Yong, J. (2024, June 3). Human culture is changing too fast for evolution to catch up—here's how it may affect you. phys.org, Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2024-06-human-culture-fast-evolution-affect.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-nwletter