Are We Silently Going Back to the Stone Age?
By Vishesh Srivastava
An inquiry into the paradox of modern progress and rising intolerance
A Paradox of Progress
We live in an era of astonishing progress.
Technological advancements have revolutionized our world, dramatically improving communication, transportation, healthcare, and quality of life. Life expectancy has increased globally thanks to breakthroughs in medicine, hygiene, and public health. Education is more accessible than ever before, and the internet has turned the world into a vast, interconnected classroom. With all this, we are more well-read, informed, and equipped to understand abstract concepts like happiness, mental well-being, and purpose.
Yet, in this seemingly enlightened age, a dark undercurrent runs through our collective psyche. Intolerance, hate, religious fanaticism, and narrow identities based on caste, creed, and nationality have seen a disturbing rise. The questions we now face are deeply unsettling: In our pursuit of progress, are we, ironically, regressing socially and morally? Are we silently marching back to a metaphorical stone age?
Psychological Factors: Fear in the Age of Anxiety
Modern psychology offers valuable insights into this paradox. One might expect that with more access to education and information, humans would become more empathetic and open-minded. But knowledge alone does not automatically translate to emotional maturity or moral evolution.
Many psychologists argue that the human brain, though capable of higher reasoning, is still wired for tribalism — a remnant of our evolutionary past. This tribalism, once necessary for survival, now manifests as in-group bias and out-group hostility. In times of uncertainty or rapid change — both of which define our present era — people tend to cling more tightly to their identity groups, be it religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
Moreover, digital echo chambers created by social media reinforce biases, feeding anger, misinformation, and division. Algorithms are designed to show content that provokes emotion — and often, outrage spreads faster than facts. This leads to what psychologists call affective polarization — where people don't just disagree, but genuinely dislike or even hate those who hold opposing views.
In this sense, we might be using 21st-century tools with a still largely prehistoric emotional operating system.
Sociological Lens: Fractured Communities in a Hyperconnected World
From a sociological perspective, modern society is in flux. Traditional community structures — like extended families, neighborhood bonds, and local cultures — are weakening. Urbanization, globalization, and the gig economy have created a
hyper-individualistic world where community support is replaced by competitive isolation.
Sociologist Émile Durkheim once warned of anomie — a state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from the collective conscience of society. Many today experience this sense of isolation, despite being digitally connected. The resulting social void is often filled with ideologies that promise belonging — whether political extremism, religious fundamentalism, or nationalism. When people lack a sense of meaningful connection, they become vulnerable to radicalization.
Add to this the growing economic inequality and job insecurity — products of an unbridled capitalist model — and you have fertile ground for unrest. Marginalized individuals often find identity and purpose in extremist causes. It’s a regression not of intellect, but of social cohesion.
Geopolitical Realities: The Persistence of Conflict
While wars today are not fought with stones and spears, their causes are surprisingly primitive. Power, greed, resources, and identity continue to fuel geopolitical conflicts. Religion, once a tool for spiritual growth, is now often weaponized to assert dominance or justify violence.
Take for example the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, religious persecution in parts of Asia, and the rise of xenophobia in Western democracies. The Russia-Ukraine war, or Israel-Gaza conflict, or the treatment of minorities in India and China, are all examples of how nationalism and ideological supremacy trump human rights and peaceful coexistence.
These modern wars kill with drones and missiles, but the ideology behind them is ancient — rooted in the belief that one group is superior to another. Borders may be lines on a map, but they are now walls in our minds.
The Illusion of Enlightenment
Despite the wealth of information at our fingertips, true wisdom remains rare. While we may be more informed, we are not necessarily more wise or compassionate. Information overload can lead to confusion, cynicism, or radicalization rather than understanding. The illusion of enlightenment is dangerous — making people believe they are morally or intellectually superior because they have read a few articles or belong to a certain belief system.
Furthermore, education systems often prioritize technical or vocational skills over critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and ethical reasoning. We produce skilled professionals but emotionally underdeveloped citizens.
Are We Returning to the Stone Age?
The original stone age was defined by survival instincts, tribal conflicts, and a lack of organized morality or law. Today, we see a symbolic return to that state — not in terms of tools or technology, but in our attitudes.
- We divide ourselves based on arbitrary identities.
- We dehumanize others based on religion or race.
- We believe our "tribe" is superior.
- We are quick to anger, and slow to listen.
- We solve problems with aggression instead of dialogue.
If the stone age was about brute force and tribalism, then the current rise of extremism, identity politics, and social media mob mentality mirrors those instincts in modern dress.
A Way Forward: Can We Evolve Emotionally?
This regression is not inevitable. The very tools that spread hate — education, media, and technology — can also be used to heal. But it requires intentional effort:
Promote empathy education: Schools must teach children not just facts, but how to understand and respect others.
Rebuild community: Urban design, public policy, and social initiatives should encourage collaboration and human connection.
Regulate digital platforms: Algorithms must be held accountable for promoting division and misinformation.
Spirituality without fanaticism: Religion must return to its roots of love, compassion, and humility.
Global citizenship: Encourage a mindset that sees all humans as part of one interdependent ecosystem, transcending man-made boundaries.
A Choice to Make
We are at a unique crossroads in history. Never before have we had such power to shape our destiny — or destroy it. The march back to the stone age is not a fate written in stone; it is a path we are walking by choice.
We must remember that progress is not merely technological — it must be moral, social, and emotional. Otherwise, all the satellites in the sky and data in the cloud will not save us from ourselves.
The future belongs to those who can merge intellect with compassion, information with wisdom, and freedom with responsibility. The real question is: Are we ready to evolve? Or will we use our modern tools to act out ancient hatreds in new forms?
The answer, as always, lies within us.
