【Why Are Modern People Always Anxious? Singapore Scholar Offers an Answer】 A Singaporean scholar explains why modern life frequently triggers anxiety and mental burnout (occupational fatigue). They point out that the human brain originally evolved to adapt to small-group living—where threats were clearly identifiable and comparisons were limited to close friends and family nearby. However, over the past one or two centuries, the world has undergone dramatic changes: social networks, endless news feeds, and successive economic and climate crises have emerged. Yet our brains remain stuck in the past.
The core issue lies in endless comparisons with others. In the past, people only compared themselves with a few dozen acquaintances; today, everyone is constantly exposed to the seemingly perfect lives of thousands—or even millions—of people online, including influencers and celebrities. The brain perceives this gap as a threat to one’s social status, triggering chronic stress. The solution isn’t to completely abandon modern technology, but rather to reduce the competitive nature of urban environments and digital platforms—for example, by increasing green spaces and eliminating design elements like leaderboards, likes, and other features that encourage mindless comparison. Workplace #Anxiety
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871649515461639/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author