The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
The accelerating pace of life creates more problems than it solves in the modern world, as increased stress causes people to succumb to chronic illnesses and shortens their lifespans.
However, the acceleration of the modern world has made many people’s lives easier. For example, the increased availability of food, clean water, clothing, and medicine has lowered the number of people who die each year from hunger and disease. In addition, more people live in cities, where doctors and hospitals are close by and where pollution is minimal. This, combined with the fact that more children than ever before can stay in school, has led to an increase in longevity. Further, the availability of better education allows people to advance in their careers, leading to more income and better living conditions.
In contrast, the increased pace has brought with it much harsher working conditions. A 2014 study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 41% of American workers suffered from at least one work-related stressor. Stress, and the resulting health problems, are often caused by long hours, lack of job security, and fast-paced work environments. In addition, the ubiquity of technology in the workplace has created increased expectations from employers, with employees expected to master new technology quickly. The consequence of such unrealistic expectations is that employees often feel stressed and burned out, and many people resort to using drugs or alcohol to relieve stress. The CDC also found that 56.3% of workers reported sleep problems, and 17% of employees reported symptoms of psychological distress. The modern workplace can be stressful, and scientists argue that, in addition to causing stress and physical problems, stress leads to mental issues such as depression and anxiety. This can lead people to take their own lives, as shown in 2015 when a 26-year-old man committed suicide after his employer denied a raise.
While modern living has made many people’s lives better, the increase in stress and strain on employees has led to more premature deaths. If stress can be reduced, the lives of workers can be made better by allowing them to work fewer hours, leading to more leisure time and more money. The problems that arise from people taking their own lives can be solved by better mental health care and restrictions on firearms access.
The increased pace of life that characterizes the modern world makes many people’s lives easier. However, as the pace of life accelerates and people get busier and busier, more stress is inflicted on them, leading to health problems and premature deaths.