Research suggests that many current issues, like the increase in mental health problems, can be traced back to rapid technological progress and modernization. A theory that might explain why we struggle with modern conditions, even with the choices, safety, and benefits they offer, is evolutionary mismatch. This occurs when an evolutionary adaptation, whether physical or psychological, no longer fits well with the environment. Take moths and certain nocturnal flies, for instance. They evolved to navigate by moonlight, but with the advent of artificial lighting, many are drawn to street lamps and indoor lights. A similar situation affects humans.
For example, our craving for sweets once drove early humans to seek calorie-rich foods in environments lacking nutrition. In today’s world, where food companies produce items high in refined sugars and fats, this craving causes issues like tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes. The modern world is filled with elements that disrupt our once-beneficial instincts. Humans evolved to live in small, kin-based, nomadic groups of about 50 to 150 people, where the need to belong was well-suited. But in large cities with hundreds of thousands of strangers, loneliness and a lack of close friendships are common. Studies show that crowded environments lead to competitive stress, impacting physical health, including weaker immune function and lower fertility.
Like animals in overcrowded conditions, humans in cities face high stress levels and tend to have fewer children. Social inequality today differs from the more balanced hunter-gatherer societies. Humans evolved to care about social status, motivating us to address status differences. However, when social disparity becomes extreme and figures like Elon Musk, whose net worth would take the average American several million years to match, are prominently featured in the media, this can trigger social status anxiety. Social media worsens issues related to social comparisons. People often display the best aspects of their lives online, creating a distorted view of reality that can make others feel inadequate. The ability to quantify worth through likes and followers fuels obsession with social standing. Several trends reflect this evolutionary mismatch, such as competition and status anxiety driving a focus on educational achievements, prestigious jobs, and materialism.
There’s a rise in “going broke to look rich,” where people accrue debt to appear successful. People are also more inclined to take risks to gain a competitive advantage. With the escalating cost of living, jobs may not suffice to meet societal expectations or build wealth. A 2023 report by the CFA Institute shows many Gen Z individuals resorting to risky investments like cryptocurrencies to cope. The highly competitive modern world also pushes people towards risky cosmetic surgeries and extreme weight loss methods. As people strive to meet societal expectations of success, they may rethink their life goals. Surveys of Gen Z and Millennials indicate that increasing living costs lead these groups to lower career aspirations and abandon the idea of home ownership, starting a family, or finding a partner.
A 2023 survey of 55,000 individuals born between 1981 and 2012 reveals a shift towards prioritizing mental and physical health. When competition becomes too fierce, individuals may internalize the stress, leading to anxiety or depression. Research links self-harm and depression to feelings of inadequacy in dealing with modern societal pressures, particularly in countries with strong shame cultures like Japan and South Korea. Such pressures may manifest externally as anger at perceived unfairness in a seemingly unwinnable contest, resulting in cynicism and hostility. This anger is evident in certain groups, like “incel” communities, where men feel unable to secure romantic or sexual partners due to unfair odds.
The evolutionary mismatch perspective doesn’t suggest returning entirely to ancestral lifestyles, but rather adjusting our environment to better align with our evolutionary nature. For instance, designing our environments to reduce overcrowding or improve access to nature can help. Engaging with nature through activities like forest-bathing and community gardening can reduce stress and enhance well-being.
Adopting lifestyle changes that decrease consumerism and lessen exposure to mass and social media, while focusing on meaningful work rather than prestige, is also beneficial. Some movements, like minimalism and mindfulness, show a growing recognition that finding satisfaction in simple pleasures can help us navigate modern challenges.