The wisdom of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who famously said, “Change is the only constant in life“, resonates deeply in our modern world of rapid societal and technological transformations. This quote, dating back to ancient times, is remarkably relevant today, as it encapsulates the essence of our fast-paced, ever-changing reality.
The changes happening now are especially significant because technology has accelerated everything, and it feels like we’re losing control. Things are changing so fast, and we’re struggling to keep up.
How we perceive these changes is really important. In familiar environments where we feel comfortable and know what to expect, we tend to feel safe and secure. We naturally gravitate towards these situations. But we have the most opportunities to learn and grow when things are unfamiliar.
The idea of control is also a big deal. Maybe it’s not that we have less control now, but that we’re more aware of how little control we actually had. The feeling of losing control might come from knowing more about the world beyond our own experiences.
Technology has fundamentally altered our perception of change and control. In the past, our awareness was limited to what was immediately in front of us. However, with the advent of technology, our horizons have expanded, allowing us to connect with individuals from all corners of the globe in ways we never could have imagined.
According to British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, there is a cognitive limit to the number of individuals (150) with whom a single person can maintain a stable relationship. However, with the development of cities, the number of people we interact with has grown. The depth and quality of those relationships may have diminished due to time constraints in the industrial age.
Information technology has taken this further. Social media has completely revolutionised the way we connect with others. It’s amazing that we can reach so many people, but it has also changed the nature of our connections and led to feelings of isolation. This shift in social dynamics has been tied to some mental health challenges.
In addition, trust in news and information has been compromised. We used to trust traditional media, but that trust has dwindled with the rise of social media and fake news. So not only do we feel isolated, but we’re also uncertain about what information to trust.
This view of individuality is cultural. We forget that I am who I am because of who my brothers are, who you are, and my relationship with them and you. I would not be who I am if it were not for the oxygen, for the ground underfoot. We forget we are all connected.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke about ubuntu, which means “I am because we are” in the Xhosa culture. He said:
“Africans have a thing called ubuntu. It is about the essence of being human. It is part of the gift that Africa will give the world. It embraces hospitality, caring about others, being willing to go the extra mile for the sake of another. We believe that a person is a person through other persons, that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with yours. When I dehumanise you, I inexorably dehumanise myself. The solitary human being is a contradiction in terms. Therefore you seek to work for the common good because your humanity comes into its own in community, in belonging.”