Evolutionary mismatch: Getting to the root of modern problems

• Main Author: LI, Norman P.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
• Subjects: Social Psychology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3263; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4520/viewcontent/THink_OCT_2018_Evolutionary_mismatch_pv.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Humans have experienced an enormous amount of technological progress in recent years. Owing to this progress, we are globally connected and can instantly communicate with family, friends, co-workers and multitudes of strangers. We are increasingly sheltered from harsh natural elements, dangerous animals and deadly wars, and have an incredible array of medicine to treat whatever ills us. Our entertainment options now include thousands of satellite television channels and millions of video games and videos. Our food options are just as numerous. Transportation is so fast and easy that we can visit places and do business with people all around the world. Goods and services are becoming astoundingly numerous and accessible as they are increasingly provided by multinational corporations that enjoy economies of scale on epic proportions. Resources can be extracted at a faster rate, and machines can do a lot of what we used to have to do using our own physical and mental energy. Imports, exports and outsourcing make it easy to run successful companies and ensure consumers have the best that the world offers. We can now accomplish a lot more than we used to, and keep pushing the limits of what we can do