Addiction in Society

Perhaps you can tell, I'm skeptical of modern explanations that point out that we are better and smarter than our ancestors, even though we seem to feel worse. (Doesn't that strike you as the height of arrogance?) So an alternate explanation to the two above is that we have lost crucial satisfactions that used to buoy human existence.

THANK YOU. I think one of the other things in our era that's dangerous is that we have so many ways to convince ourselves that we are participating in community activity even though we're in reality doing more of what you describe, sitting in front of electronic equipment. I can all at once Facebook, Twitter, email, and send text messages with a dozen people at once for hours, yet feel lonelier than ever at the end of the day.

Dr. Peele wrote:

"So an alternate explanation to the two above is
that we have lost crucial satisfactions that used
to buoy human existence. Here's one - a sense of
community."

"simply going out and confronting the world, other
people, and life challenges and finding success in
doing so is your passport to success and contentment.
But if that's true, our kids are on a steady trail
away from such naked experiences."

I think you are exactly right.

I do very much wonder though if these ideas will
be embraced by psychologists and psychiatrists.

I'm kind of reminded of Cesar Millan's treatment
for dogs with psychological problems. He takes them
to live with him and his dozens of psychologically
healthy dogs, and it is his dogs who teach them
friendship and healthier ways of being.

What did people do on medicine? They voted for a black president. Medicine helped change the racists in this country,I believe. If more depressed blacks were helped it would change the way they perceive whites no doubt, for example, Mr.Gates perception.