Traditional/Modern Society

This essay highlights the differences between living in modern societies and traditional societies as well as the gains and losses that modernity brings. The first section of the essay is based on Jared Diamond’s comparison of the traditional lifestyle which New Guinean highlanders were living in 1931 with modern life in Los Angeles. Diamond’s definition of ‘traditional’ socieites are “past and present societies living at low population densities in small groups, subsisting by hunting-gathering or by farming or herding, and transformed to a limited degree by contact with large, Westernized, industrial societies.” (2012, p. 6). Modern societies according to Diamond are “run by state governments, termed "Westernized" because important features of those societies (such as the Industrial Revolution and public health) arose first in Western Europe in the 1700s and 1800s, and spread from there overseas to many other countries. (2012, p. 6). The second part of this essay will also draw upon an exerpt from Sociology by the authors Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B to discuss advantages and disadvantages of modernity. Sociologists generally use the term ‘modernity’ to explain the historical process, originating in the 17th century, which saw Western societies change from agricultural to industrial, feudal to capatilist economic framework, migration from rural/villages to towns and cities. (Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B 2010, p. 9).

Throughout the drastic change from traditional societies to modernity there are a number of notable differences which Diamond has illustrated with the example of Papau New Guinea in the year of 1931 (2012, p. 2). New Guinea Highlanders once wore traditional clothing including grass skirts, net bags over shoulder and headdresses of bird feathers whereas now the people of New Guinea are seen wearing the same commericaialsed clothing that Westerners wear (2012, p. 2). Technology has evolved over time with clocks, phones, computers, escalators, credit cards and airplanes being introduced. In the example of New Guinea, the resources, knowledge and money for a lot of these now commonly used technologies were non-existant. Stone, wood and bone were commonly used for tools instead of metal, which is now more commonly used (2012, p. 7).

As time has progressed, we have moved on from homogenous societies into more heterogenous societies. For example, Diamond explains that in 1931 it would be highly unlikely for Highlanders, south coast lowlanders and north coast lowlanders to be together in the same place such as the airport which he explained was the case in 2006. (2012, p. 3) Diamond also later explains that the language in New Guinea has changed overtime. In 1931 all conversations were spoken in local languages that only existed in certain confined areas, whereas now mostly English and Tok Pisin (commonly called Neo-Melanesian or Pidgin English) are used (Diamond 2012, p. 4). Becoming recently more heterogenous does not only create a bigger sense of community and affect the languages used but life in New Guinea is much safer as police and government authority did not exist in 1931 (Diamond 2012, p. 4), which often brought about violence and caused havoc.

Another notable change in modern societies is in more recent times, more of the population are becoming overweight (Diamond 2012, p. 4). As we move from hunting and gathering for food to buying foods from a store, we are seeing more of the population in New Guinea with “beer bellies”. (Diamond 2012, p. 4). A contrast to 75 years ago which Diamond explains that not a single New Guinean was overweight. (2012, p. 4).

There are a number of significant advantages of the modern world that Diamond has brought to light. One of the more obvious being that we now have more opportunities for formal education and jobs. (2012, p. 455). Another being that health services such as doctors, hospitals and effective medicines are more readily accessible which Diamond proves occurances of death in children are significantly lower (roughly two thirds of traditional Fayu children died in childhood) (2012, p. 455). Personal security is greater and as previously mentioned, police and government authority improves issues of violence and danger from others and the environment (Diamond 2012, p. 4 & 455). Diamond puts forward an interview of Ache Indians interviewd by Kim Hill and A.Magdalena Hurtado who gave up their traditional lives to “acquire a shot-gun, a radio, and new clothes: to keep themselves and their children well fed and healthy; to live longer; and to have many children survive to become adults.” (2012, p. 456). These are real-life people who are converting to a more modern way of living due to the associated benefits.

Along with the advantages of a modern world, of course come disadvantages. Lonliness is a concept that is much greater in modern societies because people work with others and are surrounded by others whom they do not necessarily know, often it stays this way and relationships are not formed (2012, p. 457). In traditional societies, people grow up and live, work or play in the same area remaing in close proximity to relatives and childhood friends (2012, p. 458). In saying this, Diamond suggests that individuals in modern societies but residing in rural towns/cities may be more like those in traditional socieites in the sense that they will often stay near their birthplace and will not necessarily be surrounded by strangers constantly which inner-city Westeners are (2012, p. 458). Diamond also argues that there is a lost sense of community as technology rapidly shapes our lives. Children in traditional societies are constantly outdoors and playing with eachother whereas children in modern societies “go into their houses, close the doors, play video games, and leave their houses again to go to school” (Diamond 2012, p. 458). These children are not creating relationships with others that children in traditional societies are.

Personally I agree with the generalisations that Diamond makes regarding the lost sense of community and the power that technology holds in our modern society. I believe my generation was possibly the last to grow up without a large influence of media and that in more recent times, children are being brought up using iPad’s and all sorts of technologies. In saying that, technology such as mobile phones, televisions etc still existed whilst I was growing up but children of my generation spent much more time outdoors than the generation growing up now. We are detering from social interaction at a young age instead of encouraging time outdoors which was the norm in traditional societies.

From reading Diamond’s account of life in modern society I believe there is a few gaps that have arguably become more apparent in recent years. With technology advancing rapidly we are now seeing a common culture created by mass media (Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B 2010, p. 10). We are now able to communicate across the globe to share ideas, feelings and thoughts. This is a great advantage as we are now becoming part of a globalised world. The term globalisation can be described as a process which lives around the globe are increasingly influenced by growing technological and economic, political and legal, social and cultural advances of people and communities around the world (Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B 2010, p. 10). We are globally more connected and are seemingly sharing a lot of the same consumer goods Habibis, Smith and Hutchins explain. For example, the television series The Simpsons is watched all over the world and is loved by many.

Diamond stated that there is a lack of freedom in the US and that there was more freedom before modernity which I do not agree with. I believe there is a sense of individuality that has been created and people are able to pursue careers of their own choosing instead of family and local traditions. There is a growing focus on us as individuals as bearers of freedoms and rights in the modern world and individual choice and preference is increasing (Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B 2010, p. 9). With the growing relationship between the local and global world, we can see a disruption to local traditions, cultures and identities. However, I think in many ways the rise of globalisation can be a truly positive outcome for the freedom of individuals. It may also be worth to note that while we have incorporated government authorities and laws which may restrict a persons freedom, they are not to intrude on individuality but to prevent conflict and warfare etc.

In conclusion it is safe to assume that the radical transition from traditional to modern societies come with both advanatages and disadvantages in virtually every part of the globe (Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B 2010, p. 9). Diamond refered to a friend who spends a substansial amount of time in Africa who states “Life in Africa is materially poor and socially/emotionally rich, while U.S life is materially rich and socially/emotionally poor” (2012, p. 458). This illustrates that there are both advantages and disadvantages which modernity can bring. Advances such as technology, clothing, police and government authority are just some examples. However issues of lost sense of community, health conditions such as diabetes and loniness within communities are some disadvantages. I believe we can learn from traditional societies and it can teach us to be grateful for modern societies. If we reflect on how traditional societies raised children, we can mimic and encourage interaction with others and to raise them multilingally or bilingually and eliminate the harms of technology at a young age. We can lower risks of heart disease and obesity by buying less pre-packaged foods from the shop for example and consume foods more similar to those in traditional societies.

References

Diamond, J, 2012 The world until yesterday: what can we learn from traditional societies? Viking, New York, pp.1–6 & 452-461.

Habibis, D; Smith, P & Hutchins, B, 2010 Sociology Pearson Australia, Sociology, pp.9-10.