Victims of Progress John Bodley - Victims Essay

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….....